By the fall, Tommy was feeling confident that he had enough information from the Dino Gems and had made significant progress with Hayley on the Dino Thunder morphers. The Dino Lab was now under construction… the only thing left was to find the young teenagers who would wield the Dino Thunder powers.
Tommy developed several contingency plans in case he needed to take the Dino Gems with him for safekeeping. He also kept a close eye on his mentor… according to Smitty, Anton was getting close to a testing day for the serum. Tommy heard that Anton planned on testing the serum in private… Tommy had a bad feeling when he heard that. He honestly felt that any testing his mentor did should be closely monitored just in case something happened. Tommy was also curious on how Anton planned on testing the formula… not knowing that the genius billionaire planned on using himself as the test subject.
It was a weekend when Anton finally decided to test the formula… most of his staff would be off, except for a few of his top researchers, giving him enough privacy to perform the experiment in peace and access to help if he needed it.
Tommy was hard at work in the Dino Gem research lab when he spotted Anton walking toward his private labs. Tommy went back to his research… he didn't want to hover over his boss, but knew he had to keep his eyes open for any dangers. He had no clue that disaster was about to strike.
Anton grabbed the serum from storage and set it on the countertop. As he began to stir the serum, Anton prepared himself to drink it. He knew he was taking a huge risk testing the serum on himself, but it was a risk he was willing to take. He wanted to make sure that there were no serious side effects before he went ahead and tested it on other people.
While Anton was confident that his experiment would go well, he couldn't help that he had some apprehension. He knew very well that something could go wrong, and it didn't help that Tommy had shared his concerns time and time again. Anton shrugged it off… he had done all the research and ran all the numbers. The serum was perfect, and once he knew it was safe, he knew it would do a lot of good and save countless lives.
Anton poured the serum into a beaker and proceeded to drink the liquid. As soon as he drank the serum, Anton immediately began to feel its effects.
Ugh, this serum is strong… but I feel that it's working. I feel different… different, but powerful. That's good… that means it's working like it should.
Anton continued to monitor himself… he felt powerful but was beginning to feel strange. He then noticed that his body was changing.
As his body changed, Anton knocked over all the glassware on the countertop. He noticed his hands were changing… they were turning into claws! In fact, he was beginning to look more dinosaur-like… he let out a painful hiss as his transformation continued.
No! What's happening to me?! What have I done?!
A vicious dinosaur-like creature now appeared in the place of Anton Mercer… Anton's blue eyes turned a vicious yellow, and he was no longer the same human. This was no longer Anton… this was the evil Mesogog.
A low growl came from Mesogog, and then a small chuckle slowly began to erupt from the evil creature. "Well, well. I should thank you Anton for releasing me."
Inside Mesogog's body, Anton was locked into the deepest part of his mind and was slowly beginning to realize what happened to him. Instead of perfecting himself, Anton had created an evil alter-ego. Mesogog was just as intelligent as Anton, but he had none of Anton's human emotions. Mesogog was a devious mastermind and would stop at nothing to get what he wanted.
No! I've turned myself into a monster… but how am I still aware of what's going on, and not in control of my body!
Mesogog laughed, "It's quite simple, Anton. Consider me the evil side of your personality brought to life… your little serum merely unlocked me and allowed me to take control of our body. Only one of us can be in control at a time. Trust me… I don't like it as much as you do. We'll have to learn how to co-exist… until one of us can figure out a way to do a permanent separation. I can try to co-exist with you, as long as you don't try to interfere with my plans."
Your plans?! What are you planning on doing Mesogog?
Mesogog replied, "I am going to return this world back to the golden age of the dinosaurs. But I need your precious Dino Gems, and your protégé Dr. Thomas Oliver to do so."
Leave Tommy and the Dino Gems alone! You have no idea how powerful the Dino Gems are, Mesogog… and don't underestimate Tommy. He's a smart man, and I know he'll figure out a way to stop you.
Mesogog went to Anton's computer, and put in his own codes for the Tyrannodrones. The Tyrannodrones quickly changed and were now his personal army.
Mesogog sneered, "My Tyrannodrones will force Dr. Oliver to hand over the Gems… and soon my plans will come to fruition."
Mesogog then typed in the order for the Tyrannodrones to grab Tommy and bring the former Power Ranger and the Dino Gems to him.
Suddenly Mesogog's hand typed in a new code… a self-destruct code. Mesogog hissed in anger, "Anton, you fool! You actually activated the island's self-destruct code!"
I know my work will be destroyed, but I will not allow you to take over the world. I don't care that this will lead to my own destruction… I rather die than live as a monster.
Mesogog growled, "I am not that easy to get rid of, Anton. It seems like we will have a hard time co-existing… but I will get those gems before the island is destroyed."
Alarms began to blare… Tommy heard several explosions and people shrieking as Mesogog and the Tyrannodrones made their way towards his lab.
Tommy knew something was seriously wrong, and quickly realized he needed to grab the Dino Gems and get the heck off the island. Tommy was just about to grab the gems and make a run for it, when Mesogog and the Tyrannodrones entered his lab.
Mesogog eyed the young man… surprised that this was the young doctor that knew all the secrets of the Dino Gems. "You must be Dr. Thomas Oliver… a pleasure to meet you. I am Mesogog, and I need your assistance."
Tommy quipped, "I don't know who you are… but I'm no stranger to ugly, evil creatures."
Mesogog laughed at the audacity, "You're a feisty one, aren't you, Dr. Oliver? You will be quite useful to me. Hand over the Dino Gems… join me, and we can create a better world together. We can use the Dino Gems to return this world to the wonderful age of the Dinosaurs… but I need your help. You are the one that the Gems trusted their secrets to."
Tommy muttered under his breath, "Once a ranger, always a ranger." He then gave Mesogog a defiant look, "I'll never help you, Mesogog. The Dino Gems don't belong to you… they choose their own masters."
Tommy spun and kicked the Tyrannodrones away from him… he quickly grabbed the Dino Gems, and began to run. Mesogog was furious that Tommy escaped and began to chase after him.
After making sure the Dino Gems were safely secure in his pockets, Tommy ran through the research dig site to make his way outside, dodging several explosions. Mesogog was not that far behind and growled to the Tyrannodrones, "Find him! Whatever it takes!"
Tommy continued to run, with the Tyrannodrones closely on his heels. Tommy continued to dodge the explosions, but one ended up propelling him outside. Tommy was knocked off his feet and landed flat on his face.
Tommy quickly got up and could hear more powerful explosions in the distance. Tommy managed to catch his breath for a quick moment and began to run through the woods to try to find a way to safety.
The Tyrannodrones quickly caught up to the former ranger and managed to knock Tommy over. Tommy quickly got back on his feet to find himself surrounded by the very creatures that he helped create.
Tommy got into a defensive stance and prepared to fight. He hadn't fought in a long time, but the old ranger mentality quickly came flooding back to him.
Tommy managed to defend himself, calling on every ounce of his past ranger skills, but the Tyrannodrones were a powerful force to be reckoned with. Tommy kicked several of the minions away from him and managed to block several blows. Tommy was doing well, until one Tyrannodrone landed a blow knocking Tommy into the arms of two Tyrannodrones behind him. Tommy struggled against the strong grasp and was met by a kick to the stomach. The blow was powerful enough to knock Tommy backwards and off his feet.
Tommy clutched his stomach, trying to catch his breath. He rolled over just in time as the Tyrannodrones launched another attack. Tommy dodged several attacks on the ground and managed to hook a Tyannodrone with his feet. Tommy used his legs to spin the creature away from him and used the momentum to get back up. Tommy continued to kick and spin in defense and was beginning to hold his own again when a huge explosion disrupted the fight.
The explosions were getting closer and more powerful… Tommy managed to run into the clearing with the Tyrannodrones closely behind. Tommy found himself on the edge of a dangerous ledge, "Not Good!" as he turned to look behind him. The Tyrannodrones had made it into the clearing but were knocked off their feet by another huge explosion.
Tommy had to make a quick decision as more explosions rocked the island… Tommy leaped off the ledge and made the long fall into the ocean. As Tommy made his way to the surface, he was shocked at the scene of the wild island exploding and sinking into the abyss.
Tommy was devasted to see the destruction, and knew he was lucky to have survived. He quickly checked his pockets and was relieved that the Dino Gems were safe. Now the former ranger had to make his way to safety… he had a feeling that Mesogog would return one day, and it was vital to finish his work so the Dino Thunder Rangers would be ready to defend the world.
Hope everyone has had a happy beginning to 2021! I'm about to get more into Dino Thunder, and up next will be Tommy's first day at Reefside High and finally introducing the Dino Thunder team! And a certain pink ranger will be showing up as well, so I'm so excited for the next part... I hope you enjoy and hopefully I can update very soon!