Tommy wasn't wearing a watch so he had no way to determine how long he and Dustin had been in the dank cell they'd been left in. It couldn't have been more than a few hours, it was probably only late afternoon or early evening, though it seemed much longer to Tommy.
Initially, Tommy had investigated the cell to see if there was any means of escape. Unfortunately for them Mesogog took his dungeons seriously; there wasn't a crack or chink anywhere in the floor or walls. The only opening was the heavy steel door they'd been escorted through; and since they'd been here, no one had been by to check on them. Tommy wasn't concerned about himself, he's gone for longer than this without food or water, but he was concerned about Dustin.
In the hours they'd spent in the cell, Dustin hadn't roused anywhere close to consciousness. Tommy hadn't been able to get a single response out of him, though that didn't surprise him. After what Dustin had been through, his body needed time to recover, but this was not the place for it. What had Tommy worried was that Dustin would go into shock, and the dank, damp cell they were in was not going to help him recover his strength.
It was clear to Tommy immediately that he couldn't leave Dustin on the floor. So he propped himself up in the corner of the cell farthest from the door, and pulled Dustin across his lap. He pulled Dustin close to his chest and wrapped his arm around Dustin's shoulders. When Dustin started to shiver, Tommy transferred his shirt to him, hoping the long-sleeved button down would give Dustin a little more warmth than his beach clothes were providing. And that was all he could do. He felt like pounding his head on the wall in frustration.
As the minutes ticked away into hours, Tommy alternated between focusing himself on trying to come up with an escape plan; hoping the other Rangers would somehow figure a way to get them out; and giving as much of his strength and support as he could to Dustin. If Dustin didn't seem to be any better, at least he didn't seem any worse.
Tommy pondered the young man in his arms. He'd known Dustin for less than a day, but for some reason, he reminded him strongly of Kimberly. They looked nothing alike, even their Ranger colors were different. But there was something about Dustin, something in his nature, which seemed so reminiscent of Kim. It tickled something in the back of Tommy's mind, but he just couldn't latch onto it.
Tommy let his thoughts drift away, hoping the connection would come to him on its own if he didn't try to force it. Thinking of Kim brought other Rangers to mind. And thinking of them reminded him of bad spots he'd been in before… but his team had always pulled through. Actually, now that he was thinking about it, this cell reminded him strongly of Rita's castle on the moon. Maybe it was just an evil dictator thing – they needed to have fortresses with dank dungeons. Didn't King Mondo have a weird, dank castle too?
Realizing he had almost started to doze, Tommy snapped his thoughts back to the present. What am I doing? I can't fall asleep! It's bad enough that I've been sitting still for so long...what if that lizard guy, Fealdor, comes in and I'm sleeping? How would I protect Dustin?
Tommy looked down at Dustin. Did his cheeks have a little more color, or was that just wishful thinking? At least he had stopped shivering; Tommy's shirt seemed to be doing some good.
Tommy strained his ears, listening for any kind of movement outside the door. Nothing. It concerned him that they'd been left alone so long. If Dustin was as vital to their plans as they'd made out, why had he just been tossed aside? Had the plan failed completely and they'd just been left here to rot? Tommy didn't think so.He was determined to be prepared when someone returned.
Tommy let his body relax while keeping his mind alert. He decided to run through a kata in his mind that Jason had taught him years before. It always helped him to clear his head, and he found he could think more clearly when he was through. Tommy closed his eyes and leaned his head back against the wall. Dustin's solid weight and steady breathing helped Tommy to focus. Tommy matched his breathing to Dustin's, and let himself spiral down into a meditative state.
Tommy found his center easily; his years of martial arts training with Jason and other teachers made meditation almost second nature, though he was seriously out of practice. The trick was going to be remaining alert enough to know if the cell was being approached, while also being able to focus on the kata long enough for it to be effective.
Envisioning the initial movements of the kata, Tommy's body automatically responded to them. Though he was not physically moving, he focused on the muscle group for each movement. The familiarity and routine of the kata brought Tommy even more into focus. Tommy was surprised as the strong pang of loneliness the old exercise brought out in him; but the feelings that came to mind when he did this exercise could not be denied. There were so many strong memories of Jason and Kim, and all of the other Rangers associated with the kata, and every one seemed to come flooding back to him as he sat trapped in Mesogog's dungeon.
Suddenly, Tommy was hit with a feeling – like missing a step in a dream when you're not quite asleep. Tommy's stomach reacted with a lurch and he realized that it didn't feel like he was falling, it felt like he was flying. He was no longer burdened by anything; he couldn't feel Dustin's weight on his lap, or even his own human body. All he could feel was the strength of his wings and the powerful push of a warm thermal as he flew over an unknown forest.
For a moment Tommy reveled in the feeling of his own power and freedom. It was like nothing he'd ever experienced, but after a few moments he began to wonder why he was experiencing it now. The answer to his question was flying below him and slightly to the right. The figure of a red-banded hawk flew majestically before him. Tommy could sense the crackle of energy in the aura around the hawk, and wondered if he could believe what he was seeing.
White Falcon, the hawk addressed him. Brother, we must speak. Follow me.
Tommy got no sense of deceit or treachery from the red-banded hawk. Instinctively he knew that the hawk, and the voice attached to it, could be trusted. He banked hard to his right and followed the hawk down in a tight spiral to a clearing in the forest below. The expanse of grass near a crystal clear lake looked impossibly green to Tommy's enhanced falcon vision. The air smelled incredibly clean, and the waterfall trickling down the jutting rock face played soothing counterpoint to the air rushing through the trees around the clearing.
With a powerful backstroke of wings, both the falcon and hawk landed. As Tommy watched, the hawk transformed into a man of slight of stature but imposing in power. Through no volition of his own, Tommy could feel himself changing as well. His own weight and form returned first. He found himself balanced on his left knee and right foot. As he looked up at the stranger, he found himself struggling to keep his balance, as Dustin's weight and form joined his.
For a brief moment, Tommy was aware of a circle of power that had been raised around him and Dustin; Conner and Shane sat on either side of where the man stood. He could see Tori and Ethan in his peripheral vision on the right and left. And he had no doubt that Kira sat behind him. But the circle was shattered as soon as Shane and Tori caught sight of Dustin. As one they rose and ran to where Tommy cradled Dustin in his arms.
When the Wind Rangers broke the circle, the intense power that had been raised was shattered; though clearly, there was still plenty of power in the air around them. "Oh Dustin…" was Tori's soft cry as she approached the fallen Yellow Ranger. Her left hand lit delicately on Tommy's shoulder as with her right she gently touched Dustin's hair. Tommy had to look away from the exquisite grief etched on her face. Shane, gently yet deliberately, knelt before Tommy. He didn't have to say anything – Tommy simply gave Dustin over to him. It felt strange to Tommy to be without Dustin's weight, but if there was one person in the world he'd give him up to, it'd be Shane.
Effortlessly, Shane stood, carrying Dustin as carefully as one would a newborn. Shane's face was much harder to read, though Tommy felt he was much closer to despair than his expression would reveal. Now unable to look away, Tommy watched the trio move away from the circle. Shane carried Dustin over to a large boulder that was nestled on the edge of the lake across from the waterfall. He seated Dustin against the large rock, as he seated himself facing Dustin. Tori took up her place on Dustin's other side.
Tommy noticed that Shane and Tori were wearing their ninja outfits, though he would've sworn that's not what they'd been wearing just moments before. Shane reached out and laid his right hand on Dustin's chest while he took Dustin's right hand and held it to his own chest. He bowed his head and a swirling red aura began to pulse around him, even as the breeze picked up the dust and leaves to swirl in a gentle vortex around him. Similarly, Tori reached out and laid her left hand on Dustin's chest and placed Dustin's left hand over her heart. She reached her right foot, now unclad, to rest in the water of the lake. She too bowed her head and her blue aura sprung up and undulated in waves and eddies around her.
It is a good start.
Startled, Tommy's attention was drawn back to the man standing before him. Before he could address him, his young teammates bombarded him with their enthusiastic greetings.
"Dr. O.! You're okay!" Tommy couldn't even brace himself for impact before Kira grabbed him for a hug from behind. He swung her around to his left side and hugged her back.
"I'm okay, Kira." He smiled at the vivacious young woman at his side; again, he was strongly reminded of Kim.
Ethan didn't run up for a hug, but he was bounding with excitement. "Dr. O…you have no idea what's been going on!" Words failed Ethan, but the expression on his face indicated some serious geek-speak was about to ensue.
"How about some introductions first?" With a look, Tommy indicated the man before him.
"This is Sensei Watanabe…the Wind Ranger's teacher." Kira stated. "He came to help us."
"Sensei Watanabe…" Tommy met Kanoi's eyes. An understanding of respect and equality was shared. Then Tommy's brow creased in concern. "What's wrong with Conner? Not that I was expecting a hug…" Conner hadn't moved from his initial position in the circle. If he didn't know better, Tommy would say he looked as if he was in a deep meditative state.
"There are many things to discuss, and very little time." Kanoi stated. "We gathered together to try to reach you – call you with mind speech. Conner had other ideas."
"Conner had an idea?" interjected Ethan. Kira backhanded him in the arm. Ethan winced, but knew he deserved it.
Kanoi continued. "Conner allowed me to move his mind to a meditative state, and offered me the power at his disposal. When I shared with him what I planned to do, he suggested meeting in a place instead of speaking to you purely in your mind because, as he said, it sort of freaked him out when I did it to him."
Tommy chuckled. "I can appreciate the sentiment."
"This clearing is a construct I built because it is familiar to the Wind Rangers. But it is just as good a place for us to meet as well. Right now, Conner is the one holding the construct together, allowing us to talk face to face." Ethan looked impressed. "Please, share with us what has been happening to you." Kanoi and the others settled themselves in a loose circle on the ground, including Conner in their arrangement.
In short order, Tommy shared his story, and the Dino Thunder Rangers filled him in on what had been happening on their end. "From what I understand, " Kanoi was saying, "Mesogog's fortress is virtually unassailable - he has superior technology and sole control of the invisaportal network."
Tommy nodded in agreement. "Haley's good, but every time she cracks a firewall in his defenses, we get shut down by a backup, or another firewall."
"Then perhaps it is time to fight with something other than technology." Kanoi stated.
"Secret weapon time, Sensei?" asked Ethan excitedly.
Kanoi nodded indulgently. "I believe, Dr. Oliver, that you have much more power at your disposal than you know."
Tommy sighed disheartened. "I don't even have my dino gem. Zeltrax took it off me when we got to the fortress."
Kanoi shook his head. "You have the power of a Ranger, the power of your team. and the power of your past. It is that power we must call upon now. Just as the Wind Rangers continue to be ninjas, so do you." Tommy looked startled. "The power of a ninja doesn't come from a coin or a gem, it comes from within. You never lost it, White Falcon."
"What are you saying?" Tommy's face showed confusion, but in his voice was rising hope.
"Mesogog is prepared to counter any technology we have. He is unprepared to battle ninjas. Shane and Tori must do all they can to strengthen and aide Dustin in mind and spirit. You shall continue to protect him in body. But your team, the Ninjetti Rangers, they are the ones we must ask for aide to free you and Dustin before Mesogog's plan can come to fruition."
Tommy was staggered by all that Kanoi had implied. Could it be possible? He quickly came to a decision. "If what you say is accurate, then we really might have a fighting chance. I have everyone's number in my cell phone, though it might take a while to contact everybody…"
"There is a faster way." Kanoi stated and gestured for Tommy to stand.
Once again, Tommy took up his position in the center of the circle. He stood facing Kanoi, with Ethan on his right and Conner on his left. Kira took her position behind him; Tommy couldn't see her, but he could feel her presence. It was strange, how much more aware of things he was here. Not so strange, White Falcon, once you open your mind.
Conner was right…that does freak me out a little.
Kanoi ignored that comment. Focus your mind, brother. Call to your friends. Seek them with your spirit.
Tommy closed his eyes and pictured his friends. He did spare a fleeting thought for friends who were the original Rangers, but hadn't been Ninjetti. Oh Jase, boy could I use your help now. Jason's power, Zak's energy and enthusiasm as well as Trini's steadying calm all flashed through his mind before he fully focused on those former Rangers he sought now.
Tommy felt a little self-conscious knowing Sensei Watanabe was able to hear his thoughts, but he shoved that self-serving emotion aside and focused on the task at hand. He pictured each ranger in turn, and found that it helped to see them with their spirit animals: Kim, the pink crane; Billy, the wolf; Rocky, the ape; Aisha, the bear; and Adam, the frog. Tommy smiled – remembering Adam's consternation when he was chosen by the frog always brought a smile to his face.
Focusing his thoughts, Tommy reached out to his friends, praying they would sense his need. Guys…I need your help. Please, help me. Tommy felt that his plea was ridiculously inept. Before he could berate himself for not composing a more flowery appeal, they began to respond.
Tommy didn't see anything happening at first, but he thought he felt a change in the presence around him. Whirling, he looked over his shoulder at Kira. Coalescing in the air behind her was a large pink crane. Out of the form of the crane stepped Kimberly wearing a slightly dazed and concerned look. Tommy's heart leaped in his throat It's actually working! He bent his thoughts to repeating his plea, drawing more Rangers to this meeting place.
Out of the shadow of the forest behind Ethan appeared the silent blue wolf; Billy stepped forward and raised his hand in a half wave. Tommy nodded his greeting. Aisha, through the form of the yellow bear, appeared behind Kira next to Kim at the same time Rocky stepped out of the red ape behind Conner. All of the new arrivals acknowledged each other without speaking. A few moments passed. A minute. Two. After what felt like an eternity to Tommy, a large black frog coalesced over the lake and hopped behind Ethan. Adam walked forward with an apologetic look on his face.
Tommy let out the breath he didn't know he's been holding. "What took you so long?"
Adam smiled self-depreciatingly. "I heard you… calling. I knew something was up, but I was driving home and didn't want to cause an accident. I had to find a place to pull over and park. I hope I'm not late." Tommy just shook his head and laughed. Seeing his friends filled him with fierce confidence.
"Tommy" demanded Kim, "what's wrong?"
"You were ever one to cut to the chase, Kim."
"Talk about cut…what happened to your hair?" asked Rocky.
Before Tommy could respond, he felt an intense surge of joy…but it hadn't come from him. Looking at those in the circle around him, Tommy could see the joy reflected in every face; Kira and Kim actually had tears running down their cheeks. As one the Ranger's looked to the edge of the lake where the Wind Rangers were seated. That was the source of the joy – Dustin had awakened.