Mesogog gathered with Elsa, Fealdor and Zeltrax in the main laboratory chamber. The three underlings stood side by side and Mesogog paced restlessly before them. Fealdor winced visibly whenever the Master got too close; Elsa shot him barely disguised looks of disgust. It was important for her to maintain her superiority and sense of position, though inside she was growing more anxious that her services would soon no longer be needed.

"It is time" Mesogog intoned, "to deal with the Power Rangers once and for all. We have the tools within our grasp, and this time we will not fail." Mesogog made his way to his throne and seated himself with a flourish. "The time of the change is very near. The new world order can be ours in less than a day. I will not let it slip from my grasp!" He pounded the arms of his chair to emphasize his point.

Fealdor let out a small whimper; Elsa rolled her eyes. If a little yelling and fist pounding was going to scare him, he would never survive an encounter with Mesogog in full temper. Zeltrax was the proof of that.

"We have much work to do. Each part of the plan must be played out to perfection. If all goes well, tomorrow we will all be living in paradise. Fealdor, you will maintain surveillance of the Rangers in our possession. See that nothing interferes with the boy regaining his strength. Make sure he is ready for the chamber in the morning." Fealdor bobbed his head in acquiescence.

"Elsa," Mesogog continued, "it will fall to you to keep the Rangers occupied. Undoubtedly they will join with their new friends and attempt to rescue the ones we are holding. You will keep them busy enough that they will never have a chance to even think of mounting a rescue mission. Use whatever materials you have to, just keep them fighting." He inclined his head slightly and rasped with a chuckle, "And if one or two should happen to be killed in an engagement, so much the better for us."

"Yes, Master." was Elsa's smooth reply. "I will keep the Rangers so busy they won't even have time to breathe."

"Zeltrax will fight with you, Elsa." added Mesogog in a raspy whisper. "It will give me a chance to test his new improvements. But for now, I shall hold him in reserve." Elsa wasn't pleased to be assigned as Franken-monster sitter, but she made no outward sign of displeasure in front of Mesogog.

"Now go." Mesogog growled in dismissal. "And do not fail me."

Fealdor was the first to skitter off, clutching his scanner in his hand and ordering a group of Tyranodrones to follow him. Elsa strode off purposefully in the direction of her own lab, her mind already whirling with the possible monsters she could throw at the Rangers.

Zeltrax stayed - unmoving, unmovable.

Mesogog looked at his latest creation. Though the physical signs of change were what seemed to disturb those who had seen, they had no idea what changes had truly been wrought. "So, my faithful one "purred Mesogog as he slid off of his throne toward his silent general. "You are finally the warrior I truly need. Ruthless. Relentless. We shall see how you fare in battle; I have faith that we will emerge victorious." Mesogog moved toward the hidden door behind the throne. "Stay here." he ordered Zeltrax.

Mesogog left Zeltrax standing stoic and silent in the lab. He was pleased beyond telling with the improvements he had made in his general. No longer would he have to deal with stupid mistakes made out of impulsive or emotional decisions. There was no impulse or emotion left – at least not of Zeltrax's creation. All he could feel now was what Mesogog gave him. He was perfect.

Mesogog pushed the hidden latch on the door behind the throne and entered his most private sanctuary. The lab containing his most prized research. Though the others knew the intent of the experiment, none had seen the materials involved. They had only a nebulous understanding of his idea of turning the earth back into a dinosaur paradise, but here in this lab were the tools to make it happen.

The lab itself was very small. It was a circular room with every wall surface studded with recessed shelving. Most of the shelves were empty. Those with equipment held batteries or wiring connected to the pillar at the center of the room. That was the focus. The light above the pillar was blinding in contrast to the rest of the room, sending the shelves into gloomy shadows. Seated on the pillar beneath the circle of light was a mass of amber crystals. The crystals were the key to Mesogog's plan.

The crystals resonated with minute amounts of earth energy. But given enough power they would resonate so strongly, as to change the world. A few of these fully charged crystals dropped into strategic fault lines or volcanoes across the globe would wreak havoc on the humans who so infested this world. Cities and civilizations would be swallowed up by the groaning earth. Lava would cleanse and wash away the stink of human habitation. Those humans who survived would be rounded up and mutated; they would live out their miserable lives wanting only to serve their Master.

The crystals that were not used to begin the transformation would be used to complete it. Once the shifting earth had settled, Mesogog would use the remaining crystals to accelerate plant growth until the earth was once again covered in rich rainforests. Then he would return reptilian animals to their rightful place of superiority over the mammals that had overrun the planet.

"Soon," he intoned as he lovingly caressed the crystals. "Soon, paradise will be mine."

TBC