From the moment Tommy recognized Dustin, memories of what had happened came crashing down on him. Some information was solid and tied together; most was scattered and fragmented. The things he really needed to know floated tantalizingly out of reach, just beyond the grasp of his understanding.
Tommy understood that he couldn't help himself or Dustin if he didn't have a plan. Once Fealdor moved to block Dustin from view, Tommy concentrated on organizing his thoughts and making sense of the situation. He had immediately recognized Dustin for who he was, the Yellow Wind Ninja Ranger. But that confused him – when he'd first come to, he was sure he was an active Ranger, and that Adam was somehow involved in this scenario. So, wouldn't that make me, either the White or Red Ranger...it would have to be Red, wouldn't it? Tommy surreptitiously checked his wrists, but there was nothing on either arm to give him a clue.
He remembered with haziness someone mentioning the Black Ranger. Adam was Green when I was Red…so does that make me White? And the Wind Ninjas didn't have a Black Ranger, did they? But the Wind Ninjas were Rangers long after we were…so how does this tie in? The more Tommy tried to push himself to remember just what Adam had to do with things, the more impossible it became to pin down.
Tommy turned his thoughts instead to attempting to recall where he was and who they were fighting. He easily connected the name "Elsa" with the woman working at the computer console, but couldn't dredge up a name for anyone else. He knew without turning around to look, that the greatest menace was seated somewhere above and behind him. Just looking at the laboratory they were in indicated that the head honcho was very intelligent and advanced in the use of technology. The chamber Dustin was seated in was frighteningly important, but again Tommy didn't know why.
A flash of green light, swirling like a black hole in the center of the lab drew Tommy out of his thoughts. Elsa was sending another group of things (Tyranodrones, that's what they're called…) down to fight in the city. Tommy diverted his gaze to the viewing globe (it's a screen, not a globe). Tommy watched the fight with an increasing sense of concern as a number of thoughts thunderously cascaded into his consciousness – those Rangers…REEFSIDE! That's where they're fighting! The newest Rangers – Dino Rangers… Tommy winced as the Red Ranger took a direct hit to his chest, sending sparks shooting in all directions, and sending the ranger crashing through a store front window.
As the boy struggled to his feet, Tommy felt a surge of pride and was suddenly aware why. It wasn't just any team he was watching fight, it was his team. His Rangers! Conner, Kira, Ethan – Dino Thunder Rangers – and he was the Black Ranger!
Tommy was simultaneously overwhelmed by the intense need to help the Dino Rangers and the understanding that when it came down to it, it was Dustin who needed to be helped. On the heels of that understanding, Tommy was struck with a revelation – there was no way the Dino Rangers would be able to break off their fight to get to wherever he and Dustin were in time. But he was convinced that help was on the way, and he instinctively knew that it was getting closer. Is that where Adam fits in? How can he help? He's not a Ranger anymore.
Tommy tried to catch Dustin's eye again, but when the lizard-man shifted his position, the young man's eyes were downcast. Tommy was surprised to note that Dustin didn't seem anxious or afraid. In fact, he was exuding a totally calm and focused vibe that didn't jive with the situation. There was something about him that gave Tommy a reason to hope, in spite of the circumstances.
Tommy was pleased to note that the Dino Rangers were not only holding their own against the Tyranodrones that Elsa kept sending against them, but that the possibility that they would eventually win was becoming an increasing concern to those in the lab. Both Ethan and Kira had called on Super Dino Mode giving them increased stamina and strength. Conner's dino power kept him one step ahead of the Tyranodrone engineered to combat him, allowing him to wear it down and then assist the others. Tommy was not the only one to notice this.
A movement from behind him warned Tommy that the situation had changed. He drew himself tighter and watched as the figure that had been seated behind him stepped over him like one would step over a neglected pet. The creature (Mesogog! I remember) approached Elsa. "It is the Red Ranger who disturbs your plans. Always the red one..."
Tommy was shocked by the utter loathing contained in that statement.
Unnoticed by the others, Tommy drew himself up to a seated position. His head was still screaming in pain and each movement caused a symphony of agony in every muscle of his body, but he could feel something approaching. The moment to act was nearly upon him, and he was determined to be ready for it.
Dustin wasn't sure how long he'd been unconscious. Even now, he wasn't conscious in his physical state, yet he was profoundly aware of his emotional state. He'd latched onto Shane when he saw that needle coming at him; as if hanging onto the Red Ranger would somehow keep it away. In the end, it didn't matter to Dustin that Shane wasn't able to stop it from happening; what was important was that Dustin wasn't alone.
Dustin had some idea that the drugs in his system ought to have kept him unaware for much longer, but his deepened connection to his Earth energy increased his metabolism and flushed the intrusive agent out of his system. It wouldn't be long now before Mesogog would try to steal his power from him again, but this time he would be ready.
Dustin didn't push himself to come to a physically wakened state; he figured it would happen when it happened. Instead he focused on centering himself and waiting for his friends. There was never any doubt that they would come.
An alteration in the texture of the light around him announced their coming. He expanded himself to greet them and welcomed them in. He could feel their light wrap around him and extended his around them as well. In this place, there was really no need to speak out loud, but Dustin didn't communicate as clearly with his mind as the other two, and he wanted to make sure they understood what he wanted. In a way similar to what Kanoi had done with Conner, Dustin created a simple dreamscape so the three of them could meet "face to face" and talk.
They stood in a small circle facing one another. There was no elaborate landscape, no setting or form. Just as sense of standing with one another with their feet on something solid. All three wore their ninja training suits, lined with piping in their respective colors, but with an added badge showing their status as teachers.
Tori and Shane could instantly feel Dustin's appreciation of their presence and his concern about the impending threat. Without knowing how he knew, Dustin was sure time was very short and he wasted no time getting to the point. He understood that in this space there was no privacy – what one said or felt was heard and felt by all. But he couldn't risk not saying what needed to be said in case he never got another chance.
"Listen, I need you to talk to Marah."
Shane spiked a feeling of shock while Tori reflexively spiked anger and resentment. Dustin was a little surprised at the depth of Tori's feelings and was grateful to feel Shane's understanding and support. Dustin turned slightly toward Shane, though his remarks were still addressed to both of them. "She needs to know that I'm not angry. And that I forgive her." His mental voice dropped to a regretful whisper. "I actually forgave her a long time ago."
Now it was Tori who flared with surprise as she felt Dustin's intensity. She put a number of things together and instantly emitted a burst of shame. Ever since Marah had enrolled in the Wind Ninja Academy, Tori had given her the cold shoulder. Who did she think she was, invading their space like that, after what she had done to Dustin? How dare she! Of all of her friends, Dustin was the most giving with his heart – Marah had used that against him and crushed his spirit. It had taken a long time for him to recover and Tori made sure she ran interference for him at every possible opportunity. She had held onto her anger long past the point where it was useful, but she told herself it was all for Dustin's sake. It barely crossed her mind that the team had given her the opportunity to give Blake a second chance, but it was never a courtesy she extended to Marah.
But now, she could clearly feel Dustin's regret, and she knew she was the cause of it. "You never told her. You never told her…because of me. Oh Dustin, I'm so sorry."
Tori stepped back a little, trying to put some space between herself and Dustin. He ignored that and stepped forward to draw her into an embrace. Shane stepped closer on the other side placing his hand comfortingly on her back. She tried to resist, but Dustin's feelings of comfort and love were overwhelming and she let herself be washed in them as she leaned into him. "I'm so grateful for you, Tori. When all that stuff first happened, I just couldn't deal – with her, with what I was feeling – it was so much easier to let you be my anger. I never had anyone stick up for me like that, and while I was healing, I let you do it."
Dustin stepped back slightly so he could look at Tori's face. "I should've talked to you a long time ago, but I didn't want you to be mad at me like you were mad at her." He shook his head with a chuckle,"I never could take you being mad at me, Tor. So I let it go. It's my fault as much as anybody's."
Tori shook her head as if disagreeing with what he said, but Dustin could clearly feel her intention to talk to Marah regardless of what happened and set things straight. Dustin caught Shane's eye over Tori's head; Shane gave a slight nod. He'd felt it too; both young men were relieved.
Dustin felt a change in his awareness. "It's time," he stated. He grasped Tori's hand firmly with his left, and Shane with the right. Suddenly words were not enough. He opened his heart and showered the other two with all that he felt for them. Any past grievances, petty arguments or negative feelings they had were lost in the tide of overwhelming emotion. Only love remained.
Dustin could feel his strength building. He felt tied to Shane and Tori with a bond that could not be severed. The only way they could be separated now would be for one of them to voluntarily let go. Dustin felt anchored on either side, and knew no matter what Mesogog did to his body, he could never touch his soul.
Dustin woke and immediately recognized where he was – he was back in Mesogog's main lab, though he was seeing it from a different perspective. His heart gave a little lurch when he realized where he was sitting; it could only be the energy chamber. He was surrounded on all sides by glass walls girded by steel beams. The lowest portion of the chamber was paneled with steel and not glass. Dustin glanced around the lab moving only his eyes, not wanting to draw attention to himself.
Fealdor was at the console direction in front of Dustin's position, but Dustin could see Mesogog in his throne beyond him, and Tommy lay at his feet. The Black Ranger looked to be in very bad shape. Dustin's heart gave another lurch fearing the worst. Then he saw Tommy move, rolling to cover his eyes against the light. Dustin was relieved when Tommy looked his way and clearly recognized who he was. Then Fealdor moved and blocked Tommy from his view.
Again, not wanting to draw attention to himself, Dustin glanced down at his hands in his lap and gathered his thoughts. It was startling to wake up here; clearly Mesogog's plan was still in effect. And since Dustin was already physically in the chamber, there was very little time left. Dustin knew he should've feet frightened; terrified. But he wasn't. The strong, steady presence of his body and mind gave him confidence beyond his understanding. He could admit to himself that it was very likely he would not survive this encounter, at least not physically. It didn't bother him as much as it should have.
Dustin couldn't hear what was going on in the lab, but he kept a watchful eye on what was happening. Mesogog's movement off of his chair caught his attention. Something big must've been happening because Tommy struggled to right himself, though no one else in the lab seemed to notice. Mesogog strode toward where Elsa was working, then turned lightning fast and noticed Dustin watching him. Whatever he yelled at Fealdor made the lizard-man jump. And although he was talking to him, he never broke eye contact with Dustin.
Mesogog moved to stand before the chamber. Dustin got to his feet. This time he'd be ready. With Tori and Shane ready to anchor him, Dustin was prepared to open himself to his Earth power before it was stolen from him. His calm acceptance seemed to infuriate Mesogog who whirled and strode back toward his chair. Dustin instantly knew what he would do – threaten to inflict more punishment on Tommy unless Dustin did what he wanted. No way would he let Tommy take any more damage on his behalf.
Mesogog hauled Tommy to his feet just as Dustin called out "Power of Earth!" The power surged through him, and he welcomed it.
Mesogog yelled at Fealdor and gestured to the console. Dustin drew his power too him just before Fealdor hit the switch. He pictured himself in his mind as a volcano ready to erupt – and when the switch was flicked, he'd be ready to allow the power flow from him instead of being ripped away.
There was no warning before the rush of power poured through Dustin's body. Physically he couldn't take the pain, so he mentally leapt to the protection of Shane and Tori, while remaining linked to his body by the merest of threads. Dustin gave himself wholly over to the power rushing through him, and was surprised when after only a few moments, the power started rushing back. He had the feeling from somewhere in his awareness that this was not a good turn of events.
Tommy watched as Dustin got to his feet within the energy chamber. The young man's calm and resolve seemed to infuriate Mesogog. Tommy tensed as Mesogog whirled and stalked toward him. Mesogog hauled Tommy to his feet then unceremoniously dumped him in the chair when Dustin beat him to be punch by calling on his power before it was demanded of him.
"Do it! Do it now!" he demanded of his minion.
Tommy's heart jumped into his throat as Fealdor flipped the switch. Dustin appeared to be in excruciating pain – his arms were flung wide and his face wore an expression of agony. Then, somehow, he relaxed. His arms were still out to the side, but it appeared to be a welcoming gesture; and his face was at peace. So much power was being extracted from Dustin that he radiated with it. A solid, yellow glow engulfed the younger man. He was lifted nearly off of his feet and was balanced on his toes in a way that defied the laws of physics.
In spite of the fact that Mesogog had succeeded in tapping into Dustin's Earth energy, Tommy felt a growing sense of hope and purpose. Everyone else in the lab was distracted, and he had a clear shot at the big red button that would open the doors to the lab. With a lurch, Tommy launched himself away from Mesogog's chair and on top of the panel with the red button. He smashed his hand down upon it, and watched as the doors opened with excruciatingly slowness.
For a moment, nothing happened; no one in the noticed what he'd done. But when five figures clad in bright colors flooded into the room, they were noticed very quickly. Chaos swiftly broke out.
Tommy could only laugh in relief as he watched his teammates swarm into the room. He didn't think he'd ever seen a more awesome sight. Mesogog, Elsa, Fealdor and the Tyranodrones were all taken completely by surprise. Mesogog whirled, full of fury. Rocky immediately focused in on Mesogog; with the Ninjetti corkscrew kick, he knocked the mutant on his ass and sent him skidding across the room. Mesogog sprang to his feet with a roar of rage and attacked.
Elsa, still engaged in tweaking the final set of upgraded Tyranodrones, ordered all of those left in the room to attack. She hoped the twenty or so remaining drones would keep the intruders busy and away from the task she needed to complete. Aisha and Adam set to work and steadily made their way closer to where she was working. With one last push of a button, Elsa triumphantly opened an invisaportal and sent the final enhanced drones through. She whirled and screaming a war cry drew her sword and attacked Aisha.
Upon entering the lab, Billy and Kim made a bee-line for Tommy. "Are you okay?" Billy asked anxiously even as Kim drew Tommy's arm around her shoulder and helped him to stand.
"Much better now that you guys are here." Tommy grinned.
"We've got to get you out of here." Kim stated.
"I'm not leaving without Dustin," stated Tommy flatly. They both nodded in understanding. Billy left Kim supporting Tommy and dashed to the console before the energy chamber. He centered his attention on the lizard-like creature who was attempting to hide beneath it. Roughly, Billy dragged it to its feet.
"How do I stop it?" he demanded pointing his finger at the glass encased chamber.
The lizard creature babbled incoherently. Billy shook it by the shoulder to try and stop its rambling. "The feedback…I never anticipated…of course, it doesn't work like the chair…"
Something in the lizard's tone worried Billy. Though it was clear the energy transfer was underway, the creature seemed to be concerned that it wasn't working. Without letting go of him, Billy scanned the console to see if he could make sense of the readings. The problem became rapidly clear. The chamber was built to purge the victim of energy in one massive burst; it couldn't do that with Dustin. The Earth energy that Dustin was part of was so boundless, that any man-made machinery built to contain it would never be able to. Whatever containment devises set up to hold the energy leeched from Dustin was immediately filled, but the machine was still actively trying to drain him. The energy that couldn't be contained was shuttled back to Dustin, creating an energy feedback loop.
"What will happen if we shut it down?" Billy demanded.
"I don't know," was the horrified response.
Billy had no further opportunity to investigate. Two drones attacked simultaneously driving him away from the lizard-man and back toward Adam and Aisha.
The battle between Rocky and Mesogog had carried them around the far side of the lab back toward Tommy and Kim. Rocky quickly discovered that Mesogog's reptilian hide protected him from even the most powerful blows. What seemed to be working for him was to use his ninja speed to dart in and out, avoiding the larger monster's attacks, and infuriating him at the same time. The creature's anger made it sloppy and erratic.
Rocky noticed too late that Mesogog had gotten within grabbing distance of Kim and the still unsteady Tommy. It would be just like an evil genius to use their injured friendagainst them. Rocky needn't have worried; Kim saw the battle shifting their way and was ready with her power bow to deflect the attack. The resultant blast was enough to send both Mesogog and Rocky crashing into the wall. Mesogog regained his feet first and scrambled over to where Zeltrax had stood motionless the entire time.
Kim turned to Tommy again. "Tommy," she urged, "we have to get you out of here."
Tommy turned his face resolutely toward where Dustin still floated in the energy chamber. "I won't leave, Kim. It's not right!" Purposefully he withdrew his arm from across her shoulders and stood with no support. "It's time for me to do my part," he declared. "White Ninja power!"
Tommy gasped as the power welled up in him. A blinding white form of the falcon rushed around the room before it coalesced around him. Though he wasn't healed, the falcon gave him renewed strength and power. "I am the falcon, just and able." He turned toward where Mesogog stood, "And you're about to see just how able I am."
"You are too late, Dr. Oliver. I already have what I need, and now I will take all you have. Zeltrax…go!"
With a blinding flash, the familiar green vortex of an invisaportal opened before them. Without hesitation, Zeltrax leapt through and it abruptly closed behind him. "Things in Reefside are about to get much…more…interesting." Mesogog taunted. Then he rushed forward and the battle was engaged again.
Author's Note - All of my Ninjetti Ranger info has been gathered from "A Writer's Guide to the Power Rangers" website.
As always, thanks so much to everyone who has taken the time to jot a review - it means so much to me and is very much appreciated. Thanks too to those of you who have recommended this story to others - you rock! Thanks in particular to Pitbossheather, stormchild, Hybyrd0, Funky in Fishnet, MsDany, Angel Spirit, Dana, jedi4jesus19 and Etcetera Kit. You keep readin' - I'll keep writin'. -)