"Things in Reefside are about to get much…more…interesting." Mesogog taunted. Tommy didn't reply he simply met Mesogog's attack with all the strength he could muster. Having Kim fighting at his side felt so natural; he easily fell back into sync with her. Without giving it a second thought they fought Mesogog as a team.
The Falcon spirit had reenergized Tommy, but he wasn't healed. He knew his time was limited, and his ability to fight would be short lived; he was determined to inflict as much damage as he could until his body gave out. He was driven by the need to get across the lab and get Dustin free of the energy chamber. Kim, understanding Tommy's need, deflected many of Mesogog's attacks and attempted to distract him from directly assaulting Tommy. But Mesogog would not be deterred. He was obsessive in his desire to engage Tommy in battle and prevent him from getting across the lab to rescue Dustin.
Elsewhere in the lab, Elsa, Adam and Aisha were engaged in battle close to the main computer console, directly across from Mesogog's throne. Elsa had the advantage of knowing the layout of the lab, and the ability to direct the Tyranodrones. Adam and Aisha were finding themselves hard pressed until Billy's fight brought him into their vicinity. Fighting together, the three Ninjetti found dealing with the drones more manageable and inched ever closer to Elsa.
After being flung away from Mesogog, Rocky found himself alone and ignored. He took a moment to assess the situation. All the other ninjas were engaged in battle, but were not overwhelmed. Joining in with any particular fight might not make a difference, but as long as he continued not to be noticed, he had a unique opportunity to make a move to rescue Dustin. The promise he had made to Shane and Tori rang in his ears; his decision was made.
Keeping low, Rocky stayed close to the wall and made his way counter-clockwise around the lab toward the energy chamber. Stopping for a moment behind Mesogog's throne, Rocky again took the time to assess the situation. Mesogog, Tommy and Kim were fighting on the far left side of the lab; Elsa and the remaining Ninjetti were situated near the center. The lizard creature had resumed his crouched position under the console and seemed far more anxious about his personal safety than getting involved. Aside from whatever random drones might drift his way, the lizard man was Rocky's greatest concern. He didn't give the appearance of a soldier, but Rocky couldn't count on him to stay out of the fight.
Dustin's position in the chamber hadn't changed. He remained suspended and surrounded by a warm and steady yellow light. He couldn't explain why, but the steadiness of the light reassured Rocky. He had the feeling that if the light started to flicker or waver that time was running out. Rocky knew that unless there was a big-ass button labeled "POWER SWITCH" on the console in front of the energy chamber, there was no way he'd be able to figure out how to shut it down. So he decided to go for a more direct solution. He was going to pull the plug.
Tommy crashed into the wall as he found himself thwarted once again from making his way across the chaotic lab. Surprisingly, Mesogog didn't press his advantage, he just watched Tommy struggle to get to his feet. Tommy's eyes narrowed in suspicion even as Kim came to his side to steady him. Their fight had carried them around the lab to the left, but Mesogog never gave up his position between them and the energy chamber.
"Your struggle is fruitless, Dr. Oliver." Mesogog intoned.
Tommy and Kim shared a glance. Time for the maniacal gloating from the uber-evil monster. That wasn't necessarily a bad thing – when evil villains gloated, they often got distracted from their goal. Tommy and Kim stood ready, but listening. If nothing else, it gave Tommy a chance to get a second wind.
"You are nearly as ineffective as your Rangers…" Mesogog gestured toward the viewing screen with a condescending nod of his scaly head.
Tommy tried to will himself not to look; he could not afford to be distracted. Dustin had to be his focus – but, he couldn't help himself. Unwillingly Tommy glanced at the screen depicting the scene in Reefside, and couldn't look away. Kim was similarly transfixed. They could not see they entire scene; only Hunter, Conner and Zeltrax. Conner had called on Super Dino mode, but was losing ground quickly against Zeltrax. Mesogog sensing he had caught his prey, glided slowly toward them oozing false sincerity.
"Do you see how they struggle? It would be so much easier if they would simply give up."
Tommy shook his head in the negative, but felt his heart hammering in his chest as he watched Zeltrax throw up the shield around himself and Conner on the street side of the courtyard fountain. Zeltrax had never done that before and it chilled Tommy to his core anticipating what the warrior had in mind. He didn't have long to wait; Zeltrax attacked Conner with a bolt of orange energy. It wasn't a physical attack, it was mental. Tommy flinched in response. He understood far too well what an attack of that type was like; he was still reeling from the effects.
"You see?" Mesogog whispered seductively. "Zeltrax has some new skills. I gave them to him myself. You couldn't stand against me…do you think your boy can?" Tommy looked at Mesogog, horrified. Mesogog moved to whisper directly in Tommy's ear. "Zeltrax won't just kill him. He'll crush his very soul." The satisfied chuckle caused Tommy cringe away from him.
Suddenly the support Tommy had been receiving from Kim wavered. She clutched at her chest and staggered back a step. She turned to Tommy with tears in her eyes as she whispered, "Blake."
"Another one falls." Mesogog chuckled. "They're like dominos."
"No!" Tommy protested as he moved to attack. But the few minutes of inactivity had worked to Mesogog's advantage; Tommy had lost his momentum and the strength of the Falcon was beginning to fade.
"Yes!" shouted Mesogog with glee. He grabbed Tommy's arm and pinned it behind his back. Swinging around, Mesogog kicked Kim full in the chest causing her to crash into the far wall. She crumbled unmoving to the floor.
Tommy struggled unsuccessfully against Mesogog's hold. Mesogog turned him to look again at the view screen. Tommy continued to shake his head and voice his denial, but the scene unfolded unmercifully. The courtyard was lit with an eerie hyper light. Hunter was advancing upon the glowing dome Zeltrax had built. Lightning flew at his command, but at first, did not appear to have any effect on the shield. Conner, in the meantime, had unmorphed and Zeltrax continued his punishing assault. Tommy watched in anguish as Hunter continued his attack knowing the Crimson ninja would have no chance of survival once the glowing dome collapsed.
Then, beneath the sound of the storm, a sound caught Tommy's attention. Hope flared, then died – it couldn't be. A moment later, a motorcycle came flying into view on a crash course with Zeltrax, and the rider landed protectively near Conner. Hope flared again, and this time kindled a fierce flame in Tommy's soul. Recognition was instant. "Jason!" Tommy yelled.
Thrusting his foot back against Mesogog's knee, Tommy caught the dinosaur off guard and tore himself free. No longer encumbered by worry about the situation in Reefside, and reinvigorated by the arrival of his best friend, Tommy assaulted Mesogog with fresh energy and purpose. Mesogog did not understand how the arrival of one person could enliven Dr. Oliver so greatly, but he had clearly lost his psychological advantage over the Ranger, and returned his attention to the physical battle.
In the battle with Elsa and the Tyranodrones, the tide had turned to favor the former Rangers. Though Elsa had called in reinforcements they had yet to arrive, and the remaining drones were no match for the Ninjetti's speed and training. They did not work well in a group, and the tight quarters of the lab made maneuvering difficult for the clumsy soldiers. Most of the drones in the lab were laid out unmoving on the floor as the Ninjetti advanced on Elsa.
"Adam!" The Black Ninjetti turned at Rocky's call. Rocky gestured him over to where he was standing by the wall. As Adam made his way across the lab, stepping around and over fallen drones, he passed by the console where Fealdor was crouched. With as much menace as he could muster, Adam pointed at the lizard man and ordered "Stay!" similar to the way he would command his dog. Fealdor gave no indication that he intended to go anywhere.
Rocky was staring intently at a length of cording that ran from the energy chamber to the wall behind Mesogog's chair. It seemed to be a conduit for the power that was being drawn from Dustin. But Rocky was no fool; simply reaching out and ripping the cord would likely have serious consequences for anyone attempting to handle it bare handed. And though the Ninjetti outfits were cool looking, they did not afford the wearer the protection of a Ranger suit.
"We need a buffer." Rocky stated. "Something that won't conduct the energy."
Adam looked around. "These drones have an awful lot of bones on their exoskeletons, don't they?"
Rocky raised an eyebrow. "Bone's not a conductor, is it?"
"Nope." Adam smiled in reply.
Each Ninjetti grabbed an unconscious drone. They situated themselves on either side of the joint in the conduit – Rocky was closer to the energy chamber; Adam was closer to Mesogog's chair. Like a puppeteer with life-sized puppets, each one maneuvered the drone to a position where they could use their hands to grab the cable. Holding the drone's hands tightly on the conduit they prepared themselves. Adam glanced at Rocky. With a nod, they pulled together ignoring the screams from both Elsa and Mesogog
The resulting blast of energy sent both men flying. Rocky crashed into the side of the energy chamber, and Adam tumbled behind Mesogog's chair. Though both were stunned, the Tyranodrones bore most of the brunt from the blast. Rocky rolled the drone that had landed on top of him off to the side. Glancing up, he noticed that the steady yellow light from above was starting to waver. That got him to his feet in a hurry.
Pulling his feet under him, Rocky used his shoulders as a lever to get him standing. Part of him noticed that everyone still standing in the room was now heading in his direction including the newly arrived reinforcements; but it seemed to him that they were all moving in slow motion. Only he and Dustin were moving in real time – the energy that had kept Dustin suspended was gone. The Yellow Ranger's arms dropped to his side as hestood limp and listless surrounded by a quickly fading glow. Rocky fumbled for the latch on the energy chamber door – suddenly he was all thumbs. Cursing in Spanish, Rocky applied all of his strength to the door and nearly ripped it off its hinges. Rocky stepped into the chamber just as Dustin began to crumble, and caught him before he could fall. Dustin gave Rocky a silent look, and as his eyes slid closed the fading light abruptly left him.
All of Rocky's training took over. Transferring Dustin's weight, he pulled Dustin's right arm across his left shoulder, grabbed Dustin's right leg with his right arm and hefted the Yellow Wind Ranger into a fireman carry. Rocky gingerly stepped out of the chamber, careful not to jostle Dustin any more than he had to. Once out of the door, Rocky looked up and realized he was in trouble. Carrying Dustin the way he was left neither hand free – he was defenseless, and so was Dustin.
Instantly Aisha was standing in front of them and a grin split Rocky's face. His friends could joke all they wanted about his ape-like qualities, but no one was more like their spirit animal than Aisha. Hadn't Elsa ever read about mama bears protecting their young? Clearly, she didn't know what she was in for.
When the blast from the conduit sent him flying, Adam released the Tyranodrone and tumbled, landing behind Mesogog's chair. His right arm was flung out to the side and his hand landed on the length of cord that snaked from the energy chamber. Adam followed the cording with his eyes. Though the conduit went into the wall, it didn't end in a plug – it literally went through the wall through a hole that was bored in it. Adam shifted himself up onto his elbows, with his right hand still on the conduit. He closed his eyes to find his center, and then listened.
The conduit held a great deal of residual energy from the Yellow Ranger. Even as Adam tried to trace the energy it was drawn away. There was definitely a receptacle for the power somewhere close by, probably behind the wall. There was something else too; the source of power was much smaller, but it called to Adam as well. The way the Earth energy carried a feeling of Dustin, this other power source held a feeling of Tommy. It had to be his Black Dino gem.
In spite of the fact that they had managed to stop the transfer of energy from Dustin, Mesogog still had a fully charged something behind the wall. They couldn't leave the charged power source in his possession any more than they could leave Dustin. Adam turned his attention to finding a way in.
Billy's head was spinning, trying to keep track of each Ranger's location and level of imminent danger. He was too far away from Tommy and Kim to assist in their battle with Mesogog. He knew Tommy wouldn't last for long after all the abuse he'd been through. Billy didn't know how Tommy knew, but the addition of Jason to the battle in Reefside perked Tommy up, and Kim had staggered back to her feet. For the moment they were fine.
Billy had gotten caught up in Adam and Aisha's battle with the Tyranodrones in the center of the lab. The three of them fighting together were more effective than each one fighting alone. It occurred to him to wonder where Rocky had gone to, when he caught a glimpse of him beside Mesogog's chair. Billy immediately understood what Rocky was planning to do when he'd called Adam over. If Billy had been closer, or in a position to help, he never would've allowed the Red Ninjetti to try anything so foolish. But, if nothing else Rocky was direct, and in this case very lucky. The resultant explosion flung Rocky and Adam in opposite directions. Rocky got to his feet quickly enough, and freed Dustin from the energy chamber. Though Adam was out of Billy's line of sight, he could only hope the Black Ninjetti had recovered just as quickly.
It seemed as though the explosion set off a chain reaction of chaos in the lab. Just as the energy chamber exploded, wild energy fluctuations caused all the equipment in the lab to spark and flicker. A few small fires broke out on the console controlling the chamber, and much of the machinery in the lab went dead. At the same time, a fresh wave of Tyranodrones entered the lab, yelling and ready to fight.
Everyone, no matter which side they were fighting for, rushed toward the side of the lab housing the energy chamber. Elsa, letting loose with a Xena-like scream, attacked Aisha who had taken up a defensive position in front of Rocky and Dustin. Aisha, responding with a scream of her own, responded with a ferocity Billy had never seen in the petite Yellow Ninjetti before. Billy decided it was time to leave Mesogog's fortress.
Intercepting a group of Tyranodrones, Billy attempted to contact Haley while dodging and delivering a series of punches and kicks. "Haley!" he yelled, hoping she'd be able to make something out over the cacophony of noise in the lab, "We've got Dustin! Can you get us out of here?" Billy maneuvered himself closer to Rocky and Dustin – Aisha was handling Elsa, but Rocky needed some cover from the Tyranodrones.
The answering silence made Billy's heart lurch. Haley may not have heard, but Mesogog did.
"There is no escape for you, Rangers! You have failed, and I still have all I need to return the world to its former glory." With an indifferent swat, Mesogog batted Kim away as she tried to deliver a flying kick. Mesogog then grabbed Tommy by the collar of his shirt and tossed him overhand in the direction of the other Rangers. Tommy took down two Tyranodrones on his landing, but was slow to get back on his feet.
Mesogog strode away from where he'd been fighting Tommy and Kim. He dashed toward his throne and activated the hidden latch to the door of his secret lab. He paused to deliver one last comment, "The day will dawn on a brave new world, Rangers. Too bad you won't be there to see it." He never noticed the streak of black that swept in behind him before he closed the door to the lab.
A burst of static accompanied by Haley's anxious voice was music to Billy's ears. "Trying…get a lock…"
Kim hurried to get to Tommy and regroup with the other Rangers. Billy, Kim, and Tommy as much as he was able, created a loose perimeter around Rocky and Dustin. Billy had no idea if it would be helpful to Haley if they were all standing together, but he figured it couldn't hurt. A massive kick from Aisha sent Elsa sailing away from their position.
Billy could feel the familiar tingling sensation of the transporter, just as Rocky asked in a panicked voice, "Where's Adam?"
The transport was unlike any other Rocky could recall. He felt pushed and stretched. It was decidedly uncomfortable. Upon landing, Rocky was momentarily disoriented; he had to overcompensate to remain balanced with Dustin across his shoulders. A steadying hand from Aisha helped him get stable. He gave her a grateful grin. Billy and Kim caught Tommy who had completely lost his footing; it looked to Rocky like Tommy might have even passed out.
Haley had transported them to the center of the lab – lots of landing space for a large group. Rocky immediately headed over to the corner of the lab where Kanoi, Tori and Shane were meditating – if you could call it that. All three looked to be under extreme duress. Tori had fallen over toward Kanoi and landed with her head resting near his knee. She was laying on her right side with her arms drawn close to her chest, as if she were holding tightly to something. Kanoi had reached out and placed a hand on her head. Shane had also fallen, and it looked like he might have rolled slightly away. His position put him out of arms reach of Kanoi, and his back was to Tori.
Something about the position of the three in the group disturbed Rocky greatly, though he couldn't put his finger on it. He didn't have time to ponder it though. He had a promise to keep and a friend to retrieve. Rocky gently disengaged Dustin from his shoulders. He placed Dustin on his back in front of Kanoi. Instinctively, Tori unclenched her arms and drew Dustin into an embrace. Even that small contact seemed to relax them both. That was better.
Satisfied that his promise had been kept, Rocky turned his attention back toward the main part of the lab. Kim and Aisha were busy tending to Tommy, as Billy and Haley were frantically working the teleporter controls at the main computer. Aisha kept looking over at them anxiously.
"Send me back." Rocky demanded.
Haley flinched and looked over her shoulder. "Everything's a mess, Rocky. The Dino Rangers…" She hitched in a breath trying to calm herself, "…the storm…I can't…"
It didn't even register with Rocky that Haley had clearly been crying. He gripped her upper arm, and demanded again. "Send me back." He glared. "You didn't transport Adam."
"Rocky!" Billy disengaged Haley's arm from Rocky's grip. "Back off!" Even the sharp tone from the former Blue Ranger didn't get through to Rocky. His mounting distress had nothing to do with anything happening in Tommy's lab, and everything to do with Adam. Something was very, very wrong; and Billy was keeping something from him.
Rocky's eyes narrowed and his fists clenched at his sides. All of the Ninjetti were so tightly wound; it seemed that verbal communication was almost unnecessary. "What do you know, Billy?"
Billy's shoulders tensed, but he turned to face Rocky. "Adam streaked into the room behind the chair. I saw him go in before Mesogog closed the door."
"What!" Rocky exploded. "Get him out of there!" he screamed at Haley.
Aisha left Kim with Tommy and joined the group at the computer. She tried to place a calming hand on Rocky's arm, but he shrugged her off.
Billy intervened again, this time interposing himself in the very small space between Rocky and Haley. "We're doing everything we can to get the transporter back online, Rocky. But you…"
"Oh no…" The soft cry from Haley got everyone's attention. "No, no…" she continued to mutter as they gathered around her. "Do you see it?" Haley pointed. She was obviously talking to Billy because neither Rocky nor Aisha had any clue what she was referring to. "The errant energy reading?" responded Billy. Haley nodded tensely.
Haley pulled a large schematic up onto the main computer screen. It was a map from the scanner they had used to navigate Mesogog's fortress. The schematic showed the layout of the lab they had just vacated, and a large fluctuating burst of energy located just to the north of Mesogog's throne – the hidden lab.
"Whatever it is that Mesogog used to contain Dustin's energy…it's clearly unstable."
"If it detonates…an explosion of that magnitude…" Billy looked at Haley. "It would be devastating."
"Where's Adam?" Rocky demanded again.
Billy turned to him looking grim. "Right there." He pointed to a nearly insignificant speck of an energy reading just to the right of the incandescent glow.
"Get him out." Aisha stated flatly. Her eyes never left the screen. This time when she laid her hand on Rocky's arm, he reached over to hold it tight.
When Mesogog made his grandiose exit from the main lab, Adam seized the opportunity to sneak into the hidden room behind the wall. His black clothing and ninja training allowed him to remain silent and hidden even in such a small and confining space. It helped that the overhead light from above the crystals in the center of the room threw everything else into shadow.
Adam didn't have a plan. He was hoping he'd have the opportunity to hide long enough to make a plan. It didn't exactly work that way.
Once he closed the door behind him, Mesogog began to stroll around the pillar holding the crystals, talking aloud to himself. Adam listened, hoping to get a clue about how to deactivate the crystals, but Mesogog said nothing helpful; he simply rambled on about how successful he'd been stealing Dustin's earth energy and how soon the planet would belong once again to the dinosaurs.
Suddenly Mesogog stopped pacing. He stood directly opposite Adam's position and cocked his head to the side. Wait a minute; I thought reptiles had exceptionally bad vision…
Then Mesogog flicked his tongue. He did it twice more. And in that brief span of time Adam remembered that some reptiles see by tasting the air around them. Damn, I'm in trouble.
"Well Ranger…" Mesogog hissed. "Did you come to see me remake the world? Or would you like to be the first human in my army of humble servants?"
Lightning fast Mesogog thrust his arm into the space between them and grabbed Adam by the throat. Choking, Adam sputtered as the mutant lifted him off his feet. Blindly Adam reached out to the shelves around him to find something, anything to use as a weapon. His fingers closed around something metallic, but the reverberation down his arm told himimmediately that what he had grabbed was not something he was going to throw away.
The energy signature that emanated from the item was Tommy's; which clearly identified it as his Dino Morpher. The briefest thought skittered across Adam's consciousness before he did the craziest thing he'd ever done in his life.
It's not like I've never used a morpher I wasn't supposed to use before. Hell, it didn't kill me last time…
"Dino Thunder! Power up!"
Author's note: My abject apologies for delaying so long in updating! The end of school was a nightmare all the way around. But now that school's out and camp's about to start, I'm looking forward to having much more time to write and update! Though I've got many other stories in the works, Crossing Paths is my priority – I promise! I won't take three months to update again...I swear.
Thank you SO MUCH to everyone who's taken the time to read and review. I love to hear from you, get your reactions and know what you're thinking. Thanks for sticking with me after waiting for so long! Thanks to Jenna Summers, CMR, Ja Rule and haydock14 for your support.
BloomingViolets – The jury's still out on Blake. I'm hoping to get back to them soon. Pretty soon, all the teams will be back in one place and it'll be easier to give info about everyone instead of skipping around.
DiscoHippie382 – Thanks for reading all the way through – I'm really glad you're enjoying the story. As for only the bad guys dieing…we'll see.
Crimson-Ranger – I like the way the Cam/Hunter relationship is growing. There'll be more on them later!
Hybyrd0 – I'm glad you're enjoying the story. In the next chapter or two I'll deal with how the storm affected the Wind Ninjas, though there's a hint of it in this chapter. When do we get more Psycho Ninjas?
MzDany – Thank you so much for your support and insight, even when I wasn't writing! I think Cam and Hunter may be heading in a direction that will make you happy.
Manders1953 – Kira's really reacting to the emotional overload happening within the storm. She's got her own pain dealing with Conner's torturous position; Blake's pain from his injury; Hunter's insane grief and Cam's emotional pain. Being a "heart" on this level is new for Kira and she's just overwhelmed.
Etcetera Kit – The storm was great fun to write. I really got into Hunter's view of things which is surprising to me because he's never been a favorite of mine. Now he is!
Funky in Fishnet – Now that I plan to be writing much more, the fate of the ninjas in the storm won't be up in the air too much longer. Hang in there – it's coming.
Akume – Where's your fifty bucks? Where's my Jason story? ;) I know you hate the cliff-hangers, but the update will be much quicker!
Angel Spirit – Doncha love brotherly love? Hunter/Blake have always been one of my favorite relationships in all the PR incarnations.
Stormchilde – Thanks so much for your very kind words. :blushes: More on Dustin to come. First I must deal with Adam, Rocky, Tommy, Blake…oh you know!
TurnCaryn - :hugs: You came to You read my story! You're the best! Seriously, if I need to make you a PR cheat sheet so you can understand all the people and how they're connected, I'll totally make you one! Word Office thesaurus is my favorite feature on any word program. As for writing with emotional abandon – I've got to go there because my action sequences suck. :-P