Til I Collapse

by eclyptyk neo

COMPLETED. Sequel to: ORDINARY WORLD. A new school year starts for the students of Reefside High. Mesogog and Zeltrax are gone. But a new evil has entered the scene with a shocking past. Can the rangers defeat their newest enemy?

47. Shooting Reality

'Til I Collapse - Part Forty-Seven: Shooting Reality
Sequel to: Ordinary World

Summary: As the final day for the seniors comes, a real life tragedy strikes the staff and students of Reefside High when reality takes a turn for the worse.

Disclaimer: Power Rangers is not mine and never will be.

A/N: At first, I had thought about just taking this out, because I really needed to complete the story, but it will set up some more tragic news that I decided to add into the story before it ends. I know, you'll probably hate me just a little for this, but don't worry. No one of our main characters is gonna die...yet. But ya know how I like to build suspense and anxiety with you guys. And I know I said I wanted to end on a lighter note. I do. I mean, I will. But I still got to add some drama and suspense to this. So, what exactly happens? Read on.

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"After a series of pranks that no one would have expected, more controversy hits the school. But this is far more serious than anything done by us rangers. This is a real threat on our lives from our own race. What has happened to humanity to let something like this happen?"-Eclyptyk Neo
-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X

T.G.I.F. May 20th, 2005. Early morning.

And any senior could say that was probably the biggest blessing they could ever get for any Friday of their entire life up to this point. This was officially the last day they would have to step into the halls and be considered students of Reefside High. After that they would be known as alumni, if they cared about it at all. All that mattered to many of them was waiting for that upcoming Saturday to grab their diplomas, turn their tassels and bolt out of there at lightning fast speed. They were done with high school and it was off to another part of their lives.

The four teenage rangers had been sitting at one of the picnic tables outside watching as students began to file into the school. Some of them would greet them with cheers for the fact it was their last day in school, others growing with emotion.

Despite all the pranks that had occurred on the grounds of Reefside High, it was a non-stop fest to get seniors and underclassmen to sign their yearbooks. Everyone wanting to stay in touch or write something in the book. The book itself was definitely a change from last year. The front, like Trent had said, was a mosaic picture of Charlie's headshot, their mascot, with everyone's picture...or at least of the ones who came during the beginning of the year to get their school ID and schedule. And the pictures weren't extremely small for someone to have a hard time seeing who was on the face. And the design in itself on each page was something a whole lot more. They had broken away from the standard square and rounded off corners of pictures to ovals, star shapes and any other design. Each page was also especially designed, having some relation or clip art to that particular event or club. On the senior pages, was a re-cap of pictures throughout the years of the senior class along with a message from each of them that had submitted a picture. And instead of having names off to the side for the mug shots, it was below the name of the person for both underclassmen and staff. It had a variety of things that made it that more unique and stand out from the typical layout of last year, and many people had to comment that the yearbook staff really pulled their own this year with it.

"Well, you guys should be proud of your work," Ethan commented as he flipped through his yearbook. Due to his sudden status as a well-known dancer, everyone wanted him to sign his book or they wanted to sign his.

"I still don't quite understand the theme, though. 'Blue Blood', I just don't..." Conner scratched his head with confusion.

"Basically it just talks about the spirit we have as an individual. Something that makes you unique, but unite us as a whole. For anyone who has walked through the halls as a student or staff member, we all have the spirit of this school with us. Even if some of us hate the school, we all leave something behind in our wake," Trent stated with a shrug.

"Was it just me though who found it almost a surprise that Dr. O didn't pull out all of his hair with all the rumors I've heard that goes on in that room?" Kira said with a laugh.

Trent had to shrug again. He didn't understand that himself. He would have thought that their science teacher would have bailed, especially at the end, but he didn't. He rode alongside them the entire way making sure it was well worth all the hardwork they, as a team, had put to capture the memories of the past year.

Some time later, Krista had joined the four teens making her own comments on the yearbook. Yet, she was still a little upset about the series of pranks that had been landed on the school, knowing that they were responsible for some of them.

"It was for a good laugh. They didn't do any extreme harm," Conner asked her as he pulled her closer to him, laying a kiss on her cheek.

"You're lucky I'm catching my tongue and not gonna say anything. But what about that awful smell? I don't think I can stand it anymore," she shuddered wanting to gag at the thought of the smell filling her nose one more time.

They had to admit, the smell was getting to them as well, but they had to admit, it was one prank well deserved after Operation: Protection had to get cut off earlier than they would have to like.

Ethan looked away trying to hold in his laughter as Kira smacked him on the shoulder, making him wince. "Ow. Hey, I didn't say anything."

"That smell was you guys, too?" Krista concluded as she looked at the assembly of rangers before her. She had to admit, she was still getting used to the concept of being pulled into the limelight of the ranger legacy, if not fame, despite the fact not a whole lot of people knew about them. But, she wasn't gonna be a snitch and tell the entire world that she knew who they were. Her lips were sealed for their sake as well as keeping the mystery alive. "You guys are just wrong. What is that?"

"Anyone for some tuna?" Trent said slightly under his breath as a snicker fell over all of them except the environmental activist.

"That was tuna!" she nearly yelled out, getting to her feet. But Conner quickly pulled her to sit back down covering her mouth with a kiss. She had pushed him away smacking him on the shoulder. "You guys are worser than I thought. Don't tell me you guys were also involved with vandalizing Charlie out front, too."

"Us? You think we'd stoop that low?" Ethan raised an eyebrow. But the look on his face gave every hint that they had something to do with it.

Krista nearly jumped off of the chair, pointing fingers, but Conner had stopped her again. He pulled her closer to him, sealing her mouth with his finger.

"Don't ruin it. We don't need anyone to know we were behind that one," he said.

"But we covered our tracks. And any and all evidence of it has been cleared. The statue is fine," Kira said.

"I knew you guys had to have been apart of that," a voice called out from behind.

The team quickly sprang to their feet, pulling off a defensive stance, but eased out of it when they saw it was only Cassidy and Devin. Not that they would hang out with the two from time to time, but they were just as absorbed in their own love to notice a whole lot around them. Each with a camera in hand, they were capturing the remaining hours of the time in high school. Luckily, Devin had not been using his video camera, or he might have caught the last set of statements on film, evidences the rangers did not need. But if all else failed, they would just have to go to Dr. Oliver and he would take care of it. Or as the saying goes as he told them from time to time he had their back.

"Seeing how you guys have the power and connection to do something like that," Cassidy replied as she pulled up her camera. "Don't worry, that secret is safe with me along with all the others ones I've locked away. But for now, photo op."

The team groaned shaking their heads. They had already been captured by too many cameras in the last week that they were getting tired of it. But it was done. They had to, for the sake of remembering the last hours of senior year. They, too, had brought their own digital cameras and video cameras to capture their own moments. They had for the last week, capturing priceless moments of the pranks all over the school.

"My only question is how did you manage to do it without getting caught?" Devin had to ask.

"We gotta lot of people looking out for us," Ethan winked.

"You guys are still wrong. But this school was in need of a lot of good laughs. I just did not like half of them," Cassidy shook her head. "The jelly on the railing and baby oil on the locker doors and handles. And the saran wrap... do not tell me that was you guys."

They shook their heads. Though it was on the agenda, they didn't do it since another group of people were doing it. Along with several other ideas.

"How many of those pranks were done by you and your crew of pranksters?" she asked.

"Sorry, that's classified stuff, Cassidy. I mean, we don't need our cover being blown any more then it needs to," Conner said with a smile.

Then the bell rang. And it was off to their final day of high school.

XXXXXXXXXX

First hour, AP Biology.

The ten seniors had been rather antsy about the whole thing. Their science teacher had secretly agreed to give them Krispy Kreme donuts and some milk as a final farewell to their time as a class, but was still nowhere to be found. A good fifteen minutes of class had been devoted to a tribute and goodbye to the class of '05.

They had watched the Reefside High News for the final time. It recapped moments of the entire year from the dances, to sporting events, to fundraisers held, and field trips some of them went on. There were pictures that were submitted from the entire four years of their stay at the school, and it was starting to hit home for some of them. People laughed, others in awe to see a picture of them even from the past year, and few shedding tears or trying to hide the evidence of their tears.

This was it. This was the final time they would be in this classroom. The final time to walk through the halls. See people for the first time, others for the last time. And to top it off, through the clips they had played Vitamin C's "Graduation (Friends Forever)" among other graduation-type songs.

And after the clip show, it had showed some of the seniors giving off their final goodbyes and shout-outs to friends, the staff and underclassmen of Reefside High. Even some of the staff members had giving off their wishes to their students and the class as a whole. Some of them were getting emotional through their messages as well, which made those watching it get a little teary-eye themselves.

But as it began to play through the shout-outs, silence fell over the entire room.

Trent had to turn away more than half the time to grasp the moment. This was it. He had made it to the end of his years as a high school student. Now, it was off into the future...whatever future that was. He wasn't so sure if he was set to go to college in the fall or wait it off after all that had happened. So many things had caught him off guards, so many others he didn't want to leave behind. And he wouldn't have been surprised if his teammates were feeling the same way. His teammates and friends. The moment where he had said that shout-out, recorded only two days ago, played in his head like a broken record.

Cassidy and Devin had gone all around the school trying to find seniors who wanted to say something to the school. He had been one of them.

"What am I supposed to say?" Trent asked as he looked at the mic in his hand.

"Whatever you want. Just keep it clean," Cassidy told him.

For a moment, he had to think about what to say, but then just pulled the mic up to his mouth and watched as the red light went on to record his message. "Well, I guess I have to say, congratulations to you, 2005. We finally did it. We waited far too long for this moment, but we did it. To all of my friends, ya know who you are, thanks for keeping the memories alive. To my best friends, Conner and Ethan, we're done. We pulled through every obstacle set in our way and conquered it. Nothing will hold us down. To my baby, Kira, ya know, you have been more than I could have asked for from anyone. And where ever the road takes us, I want you to know you really have been a true inspiration and real power to keep me going. I love you always with my heart. To the teachers who helped me get through my years in high school, thank you and I'll make sure to make a difference in the future, especially you, Dr. Oliver and Coach Oliver. Thank you. But we did it, class of 2005. Nothing will hold us down. Smile big and soar high into your dreams. It's our time to go and make a difference. Peace out, Reefside High. But this won't be the final time you hear from me."

And as Trent blinked back into the reality of the moment, he had felt his eyes well with tears as he wiped it on the cuff of his sleeve. He had looked down noticing he had been sketching an image of himself along with his close friends on graduation day throwing their caps into the air. And it was still in another week. But he had done it. They had done it. They were on the verge of graduating, a moment they could never forget for a long time.

XXXXXXXXXX

First hour, Creative Writing.

Close knit with mixed emotions, the seniors in Kira's and Conner's creative writing class were all having their own thoughts as they watched the final episode of Reefside High News play over for them. Looking throughout the room, even some of the underclassmen had to turn away, some even showed evidence of tears running down their face or welling in their eyes. It was definitely a segment that had hit them hard.

This was it. The senior class of 2005 was on the brink of moving on in their lives, and it had finally hit home for many of them. Others were glad for it to be over. For the most part, they all were, but it was hard to go. They just weren't sure if they were ready to hit that part of their lives. To step out into the real world as many of their teachers had put it.

Kira had looked down noticing the few tears that had blurred her vision for the moment. This was it. She had made it. After working hard for nearly thirteen years of her life, waiting nearly eighteen, to grasp the very prize she had wanted for so long, she had done it. She would be a high school graduate, moving on in her life. It was a new chapter in her life after this moment and after the day she would finally have her diploma in hand. A new start to her life as she began to ponder what would happen in her future. Not just her alone. But with her friends, especially the close knit bond she shared with her fellow dino ranger teammates and friends. She had questioned her own thoughts with Trent and what type of relationship they would get into after school. And wondering if she wanted to go to college, or accept her entrance at the United States Air Force Academy, or get a break and finally land that record deal she had dreamed of getting for a long time. Or just take a break for a semester, or even year, and just kick back and relaxed. After all that happened in her life that last option didn't sound like a bad idea.

And as she tried to relay the thoughts of that news report, it had hit home again, making her feel some sadness. And the messages her friends had left for her as she had for them had hit her again.

"Well, we did it, Class of 2005. In only a matter of days we will all be going up on that stage as our name is being called and grab the evidence that will pull us out of our past lives and show us into a new light. We're more than a class of students that are graduating high school, we will be the future of this world. Make a difference and take a stand. We hold our future in our hands. To my friends, you have been my inspiration for more than I could have imagined despite what I would have thought about you. Conner, Ethan, you guys were like my big brothers, especially these last two years of high school. And I know no one may ever understand the friendship we share, but you know exactly what it is. To a guy who has changed my world, made it something more, Trent, you will always be my King, no matter what. I know the future looks bright for the two of us. To the teachers and staff that pushed me to achieve a whole lot more, you guys will forever live in my heart with the words of wisdom you gave me and everyone in the class of 2005. To the underclassmen, grasp what you have here in high school. Your time here will grow short, quickly and you'll be right along with us who made it. As long as you have a dream, you can overcome anything. Don't let anyone tell you something cannot be done because as long as you believe you can do it than you can. See you around, Reefside High. And congrats to all of my 2005 classmates and friends."

There were so many things going on in her head. And as she looked over at Conner, his head was down. But the indication in his shoulders showed evidence that he was trying to keep his cool and not cry. Not here, but he had.

Conner had sunk lowered into his chair, burying his face into his desk as he covered it, not wanting to show any evidence of him crying. But he had forgotten that he, along with his best friends, had given their own shout-outs to the school. And here he was, on the brink of it all ending. He had made it to the end. He was gonna be a graduate. He would get his high school diploma and move on in his life. But to what future he had no clue.

The future was always in motion as told by the watchful eye of his mentor, Dr. Oliver and his friends. The legacy and where it all began. He was at the end, but not that it would stop with him or his fellow dino ranger teammates. He had a lot of people who looked out for him, and that's what kept him going. Now, he felt he had to pay his debt for their help. But that was the thing. He wasn't sure where he was going from here. Was it really off to college? Accepting the full ride scholarship to go to UNC or go to UCLA and play soccer over there? They both wanted him, and he had not decided where to go. Or would he just take it easy and go to the community college for a year or so and transfer out later. Or just take a long well-deserved break. These shoulders, his shoulders, had held up so much as his friends did in the last two years of his life. And as he tried to raise his head, the sadness leaving him, the image of him making that shout out played in his head, making him tear up again.

"Hey, guys. What's up, Class of 2005. We're at an end. We did it. We're finally graduating. I mean, I don't know really know what to say, except that we did it. We are outta here after so long. To the guys on the soccer team, we had a few rough spots throughout the year, but we still had a good year. We got by. We got as far as we could. And it has been a great four years with all of you. To my friends, we did it. We are about to move on in our lives, but I know I will remember all you have done to inspire me. Ethan, Trent, and Kira, you guys are my best friends. You kept me in line and made sure I didn't get into a whole lot of trouble. To my girl, Krista, I love you with all of my heart and I hope we can continue to grow as a couple. Thank you for everything. To the teachers who always kept me on my feet and challenged me with a whole lot more than I would have expected. I will make sure to carry your messages and advices with me in the future. To the juniors, well, now that we're outta here, you guys are running this school. Run it well, but remember your place, young ones. To the other underclassmen, you all have dreams. You all have goals. Don't let anyone tell you it can't be done. You can and will make it. If I did, then you can. I'll see you when I do Reefside High. We did it, class of 2005. We're dismissed."

XXXXXXXXXX

Ethan had been sitting there in math class, excited and wrapped up in getting so close to freedom, he didn't think he'd get out of it. There were several other seniors in his class that were acting the same way, but there were many of them also feeling the down-side of leaving. He was so agitated with the day. All his finals were completed, for many seniors it was, and a day like today was just pointless. They would be cleaning out their lockers by 3rd hour and be done with it.

The rest of their classes just had no real point, but he still had to go. The whole regulation for the day, which he felt was stupid. Even if he tried to call out, he couldn't. This was just one day the seniors couldn't skip out, and he didn't quite understand why.

Then it had fallen silent as he watched the very last production for RHS News. The entire show was devoted to the year of the seniors, recapping sporting events, social events, fundraisers, etc. Songs related to the graduation season played in the background of the clip show. And at the end, even though throughout the week, seniors were shown giving shout-outs and he knew he was among those on there for the final shout–outs.

And that's when it had hit home for Ethan. When he had heard and seen the messages from his friends – his best friends – his stomach sunk. This was it. This was the last time he would be sitting in this classroom. Last time he really walked through these halls as a student. He was at the top, running the school alongside his fellow senior classmates, and now, he would be the new "meat" on campus. That was if he decided to go to college right away. After all that he had been through, despite the full-ride scholarship to MIT, he felt like he just needed to take a big long break. A break to be as normal as he could be for someone who had gone through what he did.

He lowered his head to his table burying it into his arms, lowering his shoulders. He had waited for this moment, to graduate, and now he wasn't so sure if he could do it. He had been through so much in his last two years of high school, and he felt like he was gonna turn his back on them if he decided to go to college. Then he heard his voice on the screen, his own shout-out as he recited the whole thing as it played back.

"Class of 2005, you are dismissed! Yeah, that's what I'm talking about right here. We have waited far too long to hear those words and it is so close. And yet so far. And lemme start off by telling the underclassmen, some words of advice. Cling onto the friends and memories you make here in high school. They are far more priceless than you'll ever know. And don't be afraid to speak up and expand your horizons. Look beyond what you can do and experiment with something you thought you couldn't do. Look at me. I was literally known as a computer geek throughout my entire high school career until my senior year, and now, I'm one of the most-talked about dancers up in here. Don't worry. Some of you people may take some time to break out of your shell, but we all got talent that needs to be explored and seen. To my best friends, Trent, Kira, and Conner, you guys got my back like I got yours no matter what type of things we've gone through. We're like this...we're tight. We can't break. To the guys on the dance team, thanks for giving me a chance to show my full potential as one of you. To the computer crew, you guys aren't geeks, we're just more literate when it comes to technology. We will rule the world and take out Bill Gates...haha. Just kidding. To the teachers and staff here at Reefside, some of you stuck by us, kept going despite how life in the city was, but you guys carry more knowledge and advice that will take us places. I want to thank you personally, Dr. Oliver and Coach, the two of you have been more than teachers to me, but mentors that I could never forget. Where ever the road will take us, let your dreams soar. And never give up to the nightmares. It is a brave new world out there, but it is our turn to conquer it. Good luck, Class of 2005, we will meet again."

XXXXXXXXXX

Dr. Oliver had quietly strode down the science hall, but heard the news as he went. And as promised, had several boxes of Krispy Kreme donuts with some milk for his AP Biology class. He had no idea how that class had convinced him to do it, but could see no harm it. It was bad to treat his classes differently, but for a class of ten, and many who had found him an inspiration, he thought he could return the favor for them.

But that's when he got his own set of emotional mixture and confusion. He had to admit, it didn't hit home as much last year with the class of 2004, despite the friendships he had made with several of the students. But there was something about the class of 2005, and he didn't want it to be judged on the fact that four of them were his teammates as crime-fighters, but something else. He didn't quite know what.

He slowly strode into the classroom, despite the silence in the room. Everyone's eyes were either fixed on the TV in awe, sadness or mixed emotions. One or two of them had to look away, trying to hide a burst of tears or the thoughts of leaving behind the school they had went to for four years...or how long they had attended Reefside High.

Then the shout-outs from the seniors were done, and several staff members had their own words of wisdom and closing remarks to present to the Class of 2005.

Slowly setting the bags on the table, the science teacher turned to watch the scene, seeing the shout-outs, many short and quick congratulating the class, some long. And then, as if in a dream, he had forgotten that he, himself, had left a message for the class as well.

"Well, you guys did it. Class of 2005, you're outta here. Thank God! ...No, I'm just kidding with you guys. But you should be proud, each and every one of you. For the two years I have been here teaching at Reefside, I can't really judge quite yet, but you guys have a whole lot of potential. I know you'll go far as a class and as individuals. I don't know, but there is just something about you guys that stands out. I'm really proud of you. May you soar high and let your dreams take you to places you never thought you could. The real world will be tough, but you'll carry with you the wisdom and knowledge that sets you apart from the rest of the world. You are our future, so don't screw up too badly. And don't forget to keep in touch with us here at Reefside. Good Luck, class of 2005 and congratulations."

The science teacher slowly let out a breath as he turned to look at his students. Some of them could only briefly look at him before looking away to clear away the tears that welt in their eyes. He had not realized how much this was impacting his students, but it did.

But then again, he had to recall that his own graduation, and getting out of high school, was a whole lot different. He wasn't even at the ceremony because his uncle had offered him that position on the Angel Grove Race Team. So, he took it, but had not walked, grabbed the diploma in a cap and gown, alongside his friends. He got to graduate early. And college was...well, it was college. And graduate school...well, that was graduate school. It didn't have the same impact as high school because so much had happened in high school. And here he was teaching in a high school, where the last two years of his teaching was more then he would have guessed would happen to him in the past eight years since his own high school graduation.

Then his own message had faded out, and it had been an image of his wife on the screen. She was clearly trying to hold back her tears in the segment, but he knew by the time it was done, she would actually be in tears. Not only because she was pregnant, but she had grown rather close with a lot of the seniors, not just the dino ranger teens. She was just an approachable, friendly person, when she wasn't filling out due to raging hormones.

"Hey, guys. Class of 2005, congratulations. You did it. You made it through high school and now, you're out of here. I could never be more proud of any of you, and I want to thank you guys personally for making my first year here at Reefside one to remember," she paused for a moment as she looked away to collect her thoughts. "You guys will truly go far, I could never doubt that. Let your dreams be your guide as you move away from this chapter of your lives to a new one. And I also want to thank you guys personally for also giving me and my handsome falcon our senior prom back. We never got our chance years ago, and it was one night I will never forget. And all of the other momentous events you guys had mustered, even these pranks you've hit the school with, they're not forgotten. Though, I didn't agree with some of them, but they were well-needed. May your future look bright and good luck to each and every one of you. You are dismissed, but not forgotten."

Dr. Oliver almost felt his knees lock at the sound of those words. Not that it was just meant for him, but for the rest of students in the class of 2005. It was hitting home.

And as the last of the segment was being played, the students, all seniors, had shown some evidence of sadness. The look on their faces had shown it as their science teacher called forth their attention. Their eyes fell on him as if he was all that mattered at the moment. That what he had to say was important, but that was the thing. He didn't know what to say. Most of it had been said already in the clip, his shout-out, to the class of 2005. But they were eager to hear more words of wisdom come from him before they left.

Dr. Oliver cleared his throat, tossing his glasses on the desk and moving around towards the front of his desk. He had looked at each of his students, the ones in this class, and he knew he would in all of his other classes full of seniors. A sense of sincerity and being proud like a parent would for their child, sadness, happiness, and a whole line of mixed feelings. "I meant what I said when you guys had potential. You do. Each and every one of you. As people, we teach each other things day in and day out. And sometimes, the glass will be half empty or half full, depending on how you look at it. And you'll look at the world and ask why. Want to take your life away or do something crazy like that. But if you dig deep, look into the qualities that make you who you are, you'll make it. You guys are like my heroes. Anyone who can make a difference, or make something of themselves is my heroes. So, go far. Soar high. Smile big. And never give up on what you do. I congratulate you guys. And well, we all have a certain power that keeps us going. Let that burn brightly in each of you. And may it always protect you."

He had meant every word of what he said. And he didn't care if he had left them with that last statement. The statement he had heard numerous times from his mentor, but it held so much significance that he could never forget. And he was just passing it one to his students. They may hear it again in the future, they may not. But he wasn't lying to them.

Still in awe, no one had anything to say. And he wasn't surprised. He would just let his words sink in; let them mingle in their thoughts over the news segment. He didn't want to ruin the moment. He had sorta absently said that there were donuts and drinks for them if they were hungry, and they were free to just hang out for the rest of the class period. He walked back over to his desk and began to compile the notes and reviews for his underclassmen students.

But it was it, this was the end. They had made it to the very end of this entire thing. Of being in school, moving on in life. And taking on a new challenge that would pull them into new directions. One chapter closes and another begins.

XXXXXXXXXX

Hours passed. It was lunch time.

Many seniors were still in some sorta sadness over what had happened earlier in the day. They had recalled the memories they shared, raced to capture the moments that still remained in their final day of high school.

Dr. Oliver had casually walked through the halls alongside Trent, Kira and Ethan. Though, they had hidden their sadness under the agitation of getting out of there, their science teacher could tell they were still bummed out. And when he had not said anything, it just made their stomachs sink more.

"Why haven't you said anything? Don't you have anything to say, Dr. O?" Ethan asked as he fell into a panic. He would have thought that his teacher would have more to say to him, but he had not said anything as they strolled through the halls of the school.

"What is there to say, Ethan? I've said all I really can right now," the science teacher replied with a shrug. He turned to look at the trio of students following him as if by a leash. And he could read the mixed and scared emotions that moved through each of them. He pushed open a gentle smile. "I understand you guys are freaked about the move. About graduating and stuff, but it's worth it. It'll be worth all the shit you've already been through. And it won't be an easy transition, but trust me, you'll make it."

The trio of teens had exchanged a look. It was clear they were still shaken by the move of graduating. They were glad, but they were upset. They didn't know what to do or say about any of this. They had not expected any of this to happen so quickly, but it did. This was the end.

"Don't worry, you guys. I mean, would I ever lie to you?" the science teacher stated as the smile still remained.

"Do you really want us to answer that?" Kira asked as she clenched her boyfriend's hand a little bit more.

Dr. Oliver could only sigh as he continued to lead them through the halls. Some seniors would race to the teacher to get one final photo op, as if they were never gonna see him again. But they still had graduation, and any other time they would run into him. Some were trying to keep their cool, but it seemed he and the messages set by other teachers and staff had hit them firmly.

"Man, either you guys are real wusses or... I'm not so sure," Dr. Oliver sighed as he shook his head.

"You gotta be kidding me, Dr. O. You seem all cool about this, but this morning you were just as sad as all of us," Trent protested.

The science teacher turned to look at the teen in white as he shrugged again. "I guess I can hide my feelings well sometimes..."

BAM! BAM!

Students were screaming as they dropped to the floor. Some dropped slower than others. There were many that were in shock, fear, and tears welt quickly in their eyes. They had no idea how to react. Some had raced into classroom, slamming doors shut as teachers were struggling to pull a few students into the classroom. But many were way too frozen in the hallway to move. They didn't want to take their chances. No one had any idea what just happened.

They just heard two loud booms that had sounded like a gun going off and they hit the ground. But no one had gotten shot. They were merely shots that rocketed through the air to stir up attention to those around the noise.

Without saying anything, the team had raced around the corner to see a figure dubbed in black from head to toe. But they froze in fear as they saw the gun in the hand of the assailant. It was a Sig P226 9mm gun, which was usually seen only on government agents. The figure was dubbed in a black garb from head to toe. And even the head was shielded off by a ski mask, so they had no idea who it was.

"On the floor now!" the figure demanded as everyone slowly sunk lower to the ground, everyone except for the science teacher and the trio of students behind him.

But Ethan, Trent and Kira had their own set of fear running through their bones. They had already taken several steps back from their teacher. This was a whole other thing. It was way beyond their control. Or so it seemed.

Despite the fear of ever seeing a gun, let alone it being loaded, Ethan still managed to create some sorta shield around the teen in yellow. Just as Trent had done the same, but he was just as freaked as any of them. This was real life. This was a reality. This made their stomachs churn and sink in ways fighting monsters could not compare to. It was in their own backyard in a place where education was important. It was a big deal. It meant something to them. And here they were, in front of a tragedy waiting to happen in the very school they were being taught in, and getting ready to leave.

The figure had turned to see the four people who still remained on their feet. Though, the teens had lowered just a bit lower to the floor. They tried to hold their ground, but didn't want to take any real chances with it. In battle on the field, they had a suit, an armor they could move in, that would protect them from attacks. All they had now was their own flesh and blood covered by clothes. Not a good defense against something of that nature. But the science teacher either didn't seem at all threatened by the gun, or he was too frozen in fear to move. But the second option just didn't sound possible for him.

"What part of 'on the floor, now!' do you not understand, Dr. Oliver!" the figure growled as he slowly raised the gun to level against the man's chest.

Dr. Oliver had slowly raised his hands in surrender. The assembly of students in the hall were freaked, but pondered what the science teacher was gonna do. "So, you do know me? Then this eliminates that you're an outside source. But why don't you just put the gun down? You don't wanna hurt anyone."

The figure scoffed as he waved the gun around in a threat, pointing it at people as they cried or looked away. "Why do you care? I ain't after you. It is all these shit heads right here."

The man slowly approached the figure dubbed in black. He could only conclude, according to the height and sound of the voice, it was a teenager. Maybe even a student of his, he wasn't quite sure. His hand still raised up in a guard and surrender, he had taken a few steps forward until the figure had pointed the gun back at him. "I thought I ain't someone you're after?"

"Hey, man. You keep coming closer and I'll make sure to pop some lead up your ass," the figure bellowed.

The man let out a breath as he shook his head. "Look...um, I don't want any trouble. None of us do. But I must ask, why? Why are you doing this?"

"Why? Because there are a lot of stupid people in this world. So, I'm trying to rid it of some of them now. Get rid of all the people who will never make it after high school, if not during..."

"You know that's not a very reasonable idea for you to even bring a gun to school. I mean, you'll always run into people who are difficult. But do you think by rolling on something like that that it will make it better?"

"Hell, yeah," the figure nodded as he pushed the pistol forward to meet dead square with the chest of the man. "I gotta protect myself from the likes of these people. I mean, you have no idea the type of shit I've gone through my entire life."

The man had taken another step toward the teen. "Well... I probably wouldn't. But do you wanna know something about me that might compare or comes pretty close?"

"I don't give a..."

"Well, I'm gonna tell you anyway," the science teacher cut him off, his voice rose a little bit higher. But the teen had not showed any signs of fear from the military voice of the man. "When I was four years old, I lost both of my parents in a terrible car accident. I was placed into an orphanage for almost two years, until a young couple found it necessary to take me in. It wasn't easy for me either. I had to fight to keep my place at that orphanage among the bigger and tougher guys. I got into a lot of fights. I began to practice martial arts to protect myself, and that hobby became something more for me. It was a refuge. I traveled a lot throughout my years as a teen, so it was hard for me to fit in anywhere, since I was always moving. It wasn't until I came to Angel Grove where things changed..."

"And that's where you met the love of your life and lived happily ever after," the teen mocked as he shook his head. "That doesn't compare!"

"I'm not finished," the man declared as he continued to walk toward the teen, but was now taking small steps away from the man. "I thought I did. But it took eight years for the two of us to get back together after we broke up. I even found out I had a brother I had no idea about and his life was taken a few years ago by a disease that no one still hasn't figured out. One of my best friend's lives was taken by a terrible accident a few months after my brother's death. I even lost a few more good friends two months ago when those cheap display of stormtroopers took out the cities of Mariner Bay and Turtle Cove. And that doesn't even compare to all the other things I've gone through in my years!"

The teen had fallen silent. He had lowered his head only for a second, but raised it back up pushing the gun against the man's chest, the metal met the dress shirt on the science teacher. "Back off, Dr. Oliver! Don't make me pull the trigger."

"Do it and you'll be charged with assault, battery, murder and possibly a first or second-degree charge among other charges. Do you want that to happen?" The man slowly placed his hands on the gun, but had not touched it hoping it wouldn't cause some unconscious thought for the teen to fire. "C'mon, man. You can be so much better than this. You can be the bigger man and just give me the gun. We can get you some help."

"You wanna help me? So many people wanted to help me, and they couldn't. They thought I was insane. You won't make a difference," the teen took another step closer to the teacher. "And where are your friends now?"

Dr. Oliver didn't even look behind him, but he knew that Ethan, Trent and Kira had lowered themselves to the ground. But they were trained with the skills of the ninja, and several other forms of martial arts, to spring back on their feet in record time and help their teacher out. But at that moment, they were just too scared to move. And he, too, had to admit, with the gun against his chest it had brought back memories to his honeymoon when he had ran into Carl, Kimberly's ex-boyfriend. He could almost feel the impact of a bullet graze the side of his chest as he re-lived those moments with a shudder. And here he was, in the path of a gun once again as he tried to keep his cool with the teen. "Give me the gun. I don't want to hurt you..."

XXXXXXXXXX

Minutes earlier.

Conner had opened the door to the building leading into the science wing as Coach Oliver followed him through the halls. For most of the lunch period, he had been seen talking to her. Mostly about his relationship with Krista and questioning how the change could impact the two of them. They were graduating, and Krista was heading on up to San Francisco for college, and he had been wavering over the last few weeks if he should just take that full-ride scholarship or not. Or just take a break.

They had walked through the halls, noticing it was dead silent. No one was in there as they exchanged a look. They knew it was still lunch time, many were outside, but there should be some in the halls, but no one was there to greet them.

Just as they had walked around the corner, they had seen a swarm of kids on the ground, some in tears...but all were in fear. In the center of it was a figure dubbed in black holding out a gun that was pointing right into the chest of Dr. Oliver.

"Give me the gun. I don't want to hurt you..." the science teacher began to say as he held his breath.

"Tommy!" Kim nearly screamed.

And it seemed to all happen in slow-mo after that. The assailant had turned around, startled, pulling the trigger as a bullet escaped the barrel in the direction of the soccer player and P.E. teacher. The echoing cry of the crane filled Tommy's ears as he felt his knees lock. But with the skills of his dino gem, despite the on-looking eyes with fear, Conner had pushed himself and the P.E. teacher to the ground, covering her as the bullet had hit the wall behind them.

The cry of the falcon echoed in Tommy's mind, if not his teammates as well, as he felt a new line of anger fill his bones. And when the assailant had turned to face him, Tommy had gripped the gun in his own embrace trying to pull it away. But the teen decked in black had a death grip on the gun, and he just couldn't break it free.

"Drop the gun, now! Before you actually kill someone," the man stated as he breathed, trying to keep his cool. The last thing he needed to do was blow up in a teen's face among other peers and students. He had to reason with him without as much as a threat, but he had to get that gun out of the hands of the other individual and fast.

"Why's that matter? There are more of us all around the school. And you wanna know something about all of this, Dr. Oliver? They say that the Power Rangers are usually there when people need them. Yeah, there to protect us against those strange monsters and evil sorcerers who want to rule the planet. But not for the actual reality of violence on the streets..." the teen bellowed almost as if he had known something more about the science teacher.

At that point, Tommy felt his knees lock again. Those last few words had hit home for him, if not his team who had been sprayed all across the floor among the frightened students. The assailant almost had a point. He was there as a Ranger to protect the city against the evil beings and monsters that threatened Earth, but he wasn't there for the violence that went on in their own backyard. For not stopping the robberies that took place, the car chases on the highway, for innocent people to die at the hands of a drunk driver, to helping out the troops in Iraq, to the gang violence in the shadows of darken alleys, etc. But they weren't gods. They weren't the all-around miracle workers. They could only do so much as any other authority or hero could do.

And that was one battle he had to face on his own. Everyone else around him was too freaked to move or say anything, not risking to see a bullet fly their way. He had to tell himself that he wasn't perfect. He as a ranger, and as a human. And neither was his assailant, but he could still try. And that's what he was doing.

"We all have our place in this world," the science teacher shook his head as he felt the loose grip on the gun from his assailant. "Give me the gun, and I swear, you'll get put down for a lesser charge."

"No. I can't do that," the teen growled.

The two continued to fight over the possession of the gun, the weight caused the teen to lose his footing as the man came crashing down on him. Then...

BOOM!

Hearts stopped. Eyes widened with tears, others looked away.

Looking into the eyes of the assailant as he looked into the dancing alert eyes of the science teacher, their vision blurred. And he knew that the teen had not survived. The science teacher felt his whole world stop, that breathing was almost impossible as he slowly rolled to his back. The evidence of blood stained his shirt, but it wasn't his own warm blood. It wasn't his. The gun in his possession, and by second nature, a call from the falcon, he had seen the other figure dressed in black looming over his three teammates.

He fired it once, then twice as the second assailant groaned and cried in pain. The first shot grazed his left shoulder. The other hit the right thigh as he hit the ground. Several students, including his teammates, yelped or screamed with fear. The other gun had skid across the ground to meet the science teacher's feet.

And then finally, Dr. Oliver had relaxed only a moment as he felt the air return to his lungs and he could breathe again. And he never felt so glad to get air into his lungs. It was the best thing he could have asked for at that moment as he gripped the gun tight in his hands. And as he could only peer over at the motionless body right next to him, his body sunk. His stomach lurched in pain as he wanted to vomit. So many thoughts went on in his head. Was he responsible for pulling the trigger? What if the gun was facing the other way? And what if he didn't stop the other assailant? Would he be dead on the ground? Would anyone else? He had no idea how to react as he felt a set of arms wrap around him tightly as he clung onto them with his life, tears began to welt in his eyes.

And it was clear that neither he, nor his wife, had cared all too much about being in the professional state of their careers, they were glad that was over. They had shared a passionate kiss as he pulled her as close to him as he could.

His teammates had raced over to him all questioning him about what had happened. But he had shook his head. He had no idea what had happened. He knew that his hands were nowhere near the trigger of the gun. But he had no clue which way the gun was facing. He just knew that it fired a round somewhere between his struggle to pull it from the teen.

And as he re-lived that moment in his head again, his mind went blank and he shuddered in fear as tears wanted to fall, but couldn't. It was over. It had to be. Other students in the hall had slowly peeled themselves off the ground questioning each other before cheering on and congratulating the science teacher. They were just as glad for it to be over.

The other teen that had gotten shot had slowly dragged himself across the floor. He winced under the pain as he caught the attention of several students. "Don't tell me you think this is over? There are more than just two of us in this school with a damn gun. You'll all be dead before you realize it."

The science teacher looked at the other teen who had grabbed his shoe, letting a breath escape his lips. "What do you mean? How many more are we talking about?"

"You'd think I'd tell you?" the teen had pulled out a hidden knife in a side pocket on his pant leg. The man twisted out of the grip thinking the teen would strike him, but instead had taken his own life as he slit his own throat right before the team of rangers.

Kira's eyes welt with tears as she crashed into the arms of Trent as he held her close. Ethan looked like he wanted to vomit. And Conner was just as speechless as Trent as they exchanged a look before lowering their heads. The moment Kim had seen the knife she had turned away, as if she knew what was going to happen, still locked in her husband's arms. And Tommy had to force more air into his lungs. He felt like his life had already been threatened enough in the last few moments, and he didn't need anymore right now.

Not on this day. A day that was meant for the seniors of Reefside to celebrate. Only mere feet away from them, another teen's life was taken. And by his own actions. The answers he held were locked away in his mind as he took it with him to his deadly fate. But the thoughts ran through his mind like wildfire. That last statement made by that teen shook him to the core. As desperate as he wanted to know who was under the masks, he had found no strength or dignity to do it. But there were more. How many more?

Then he had thought back to that night. The night when he was pulling the biggest of pranks with his ranger team and a swarm of figures in black came to the school to reek their own damage. But not like he and his team did. Not until now... were they the same guys? If so, there were still eight more to deal with. If not more.

His eyes darted over to Conner and Trent as they looked over at their science teacher with some confusion. His eyes danced with words that could not quite be spoken. And he knew they were still in shock, fear, guilt, etc. over the recent events. He slowly got to his feet, though his wife pulled him back down, shaking her head.

"No, don't try to be a bigger hero and find the others," she cried as tears filled her eyes.

The man shook his head. He did have a job to do. And he knew his students just didn't have the mind set to go on with this and help him. Not that he could ask a whole lot from them, but he just could not risk it. Their minds had already been rattled in more ways than it needed to on this day, and he just couldn't afford to make it any worse on them. And though, he had wanted to stay, be locked in his wife's arms, he had to find those other guys. Before they hurt anyone else, or possibly injure them. He laid another warm kiss on her lips as she pulled him as close as she could to him.

The kiss broke slowly as their eyes melted and drained into the other, watching and hearing the spirits of the crane and falcon dance in their eyes and minds.

"Be careful, Handsome," she whispered against his lips.

"Stay with the teens. And keep your head up. Be strong for me, Beautiful. I love you," he said against hers before planting a kiss on her lips again.

"Love you too, my falcon," she said.

And slowly, Tommy had slipped one gun in the back of his pant, locking the safety into place. And took the other gun in hand and headed down the hall. Students looked at him with confusion and insanity thinking he was insane for searching the school for the rest of the gunmen. But they just couldn't say anything to him or each other. They were in shock, awe and a sleuth of mixed feelings they didn't need at that moment.

XXXXXXXXXX

Dr. Oliver swiftly moved through the halls, using the skills of the ninja to search out anymore threats. But had not found it right away. He lowered himself to the ground and saw no one else in the hall. With little concentration, he had disappeared from anyone's view as he used the powers of the dino gem to become invisible.

Crouching down low, despite the invisibility, he had made it to the front office where he had seen four more guys suited up from head to toe in black garbs. It was clear they had struck there first. Luckily, none of them were carrying more than the 9mm Sig guns, but it was beginning to make sense to the science teacher as he began to calculate the status of the situation. Attack when it seems to be the most vulnerable to the students and staff. During their lunch time, and on the last day where the seniors would be spending time in the school as apart of the learning environment. They had moved into the office first, which made sense for why the call for the Code Red could not be issued. Yet, he didn't understand how no one had not realized a line of teens dressed from head to toe in black walk onto the school grounds without looking extremely suspicious, or were people too caught up in the day's farewells and good-byes to the seniors to even notice? Or the shots heard. Gunshots could go out with a bang, if it wasn't silenced. That was one thing that bothered the science teacher.

The four assailants were stationed throughout the office each had a gun pointing at someone who was bound to crack or pull some hidden button to set the Code Red alarm. Code Red was a system that would force the school to go into a lock-down. And if it was the real deal, another warning would siren the authority of Reefside to come to the school and check out it. And after the events of what happened at Columbine High in Colorado, it had struck the school systems nationwide to practice the procedure at least once each semester.

But on a day like today, it had not happened. So, no one quite knew. Teachers, other staff members, and students had just assumed it was a regular day until there were backfire echoing through the halls. Now, the status was unclear on the entire situation. The science teacher could only ponder what was going on outside of the school, perhaps on the soccer fields, or in the quad, or elsewhere on campus. If he had already seen two, and there were four more assembled here, there was still another four left in the school. If he had his theory right. The same guys that had wanted to pull their own prank of giving the statue its manhood and failed. Was this why they were taking out students? Just because someone had beat them to the punch? Or was it more than that? Too many questions had gone on in his head that he just didn't need. He had to focus on the situation at hand.

He had to disarm these four students and find where the other four remained...if they even were on campus. Whimpering, tears and fear ran in the people of the office. Many of them were women, only two of them were guys, one a janitor and the other was a social studies teacher.

The science teacher had moved around to the other side of the main desk, peering out to see what exactly was going on. In the center of the office was Principal Santos roped down to the chair, blood was already streaming down the side of her leg from a shot she had taken. But she was tough, and the science teacher knew that. She hadn't showed much signs of pain, even though she was in a lot of it.

One of the assailants had loomed over her, teasing her with the gun. "So, I wonder when we're gonna get our air time about all of this?"

"Is this what it's all about? Putting us on the map as some nationwide tragic story to a city that's already been faced with 30-story high monsters?" the principal stated quietly as she tried to keep her breathing leveled from the wound on her leg.

"That's one reason. But there is plenty more. One of them being, some other punk ass group decided to take our air-time from the local news to monument how pathetic we think this school really is," the masked figure bellowed. Or was it man? He had a thick Hispanic accent that made him sound a whole lot older.

The figure had gone on to say that the city itself was crumbling under the destruction of these monsters and evil beings wanting to rule the world. And like his fellow assailants in the science hall, he had brought up the concept of how real life tragedy was so much more different then saving the world from evil sorcerers.

Behind the counter, Dr. Oliver had held his breath as he heard those words rang in his ears. He knew the first time he heard it that it crushed his spirit. The second time, he knew it hit even harder. He was not perfect. He was no god. He was only a human being doing what he could to protect the world in all he knew. Now, here he was faced with the reality that crushed every living aspect of being a hero in his heart. It was almost as if he had no clue what that word meant anymore.

He sunk to the ground, wanting to cry, push away this reality and have it all end like some bad nightmare. It should be a nightmare he just wanted to wake up from, but this was a reality. It was happening right before his eyes. And when he had struggled to get the gun away from the first assailant, he felt his world stop. He thought he had gotten shot when the gun went off, but it wasn't his life. It wasn't his world that stopped. And to see the other assailant slit his own throat before him, several other students and his dino ranger team, he wanted to gag. He wanted to vomit. He was sicken by the greed and selfish power these teens had abused by bringing guns to school and acting like they were the toughest thing in the world.

But then he had realized something. He had looked over himself, and though he could see himself, he knew others couldn't, which would include the assailants. He just had to be careful about how he approached it. He knew if one of their team members went down, they'd fire in all directions, and it could come into his path. And his own blood was one thing his invisible powers would not be able to hide.

But he had to risk it. That's what his life was all about. He was a Ranger for as long as he could remember. He had looked danger in the eye several times, and this would make no difference. He even looked at death in the eyes more times than he liked. It just couldn't bring him down. He had come so far.

He forced air back into his lungs as he leaped over the counter, taking down the closest assailant with the butt of the gun. The assailant groaned and whipped around firing the gun, but the invisible man was already there to block it as he kicked the gun aside and swiped the guy off his feet. The second assailant had saw it letting the sound of gunfire ring through the office, but it had stopped when he had stumbled back, receiving a shot to the chest. He stumbled and groaned grabbing his chest, only inches from his heart as he hit one of the office desks and hit the ground face first.

The two remaining assailants had already been freaking out as their own gunshots rocketed through the office in all directions.

"Dude, this school is haunted," one of the said.

The one that had teased the principal had kept his ground as he began to let the bullets fly, hoping to hit something, if not someone. But it had hit walls, shattered glass and debris and smoke flew through the air. Then he watched as his friend had been thrown back by some invisible force as if tripped from the feet to stumble to the ground.

The leader had continued to open fire, even if it including shooting his friend. And two had hit his friend, but it seemed another had hit something else.

The invisible science teacher winced in pain as he felt the bullet graze the side of his chest again. Only inches from where he had gotten shot from his Carl months ago. How could he not notice the danger? His falcon spirit had guided him through the entire fight up until that point where he felt the heat of a bullet strip through his shirt and some flesh. He covered it with his left hand as he jumped to buck the other assailant in the face.

The man groaned as he stumbled back and the science teacher took him out with a tornado kick as he stumbled flying over the counter to the other side. The invisible science teacher held his breath as he moved to free the principal from the chair. But he knew if he didn't get out of there before his blood had hit the ground, others would get suspicious. They were already confused enough to see the four armed men were now either in sheer pain, if not dead.

"Thank you, Tommy," the principal whispered as she felt the ropes loosen around her.

"Anytime. You okay?" he replied through his thoughts as it seemed to startle the principal just a little.

"I'll be fine. But there are more out there." she said with a nod.

The ropes had finally dropped as Tommy's left hand began to fill with his blood. He had to get out of there. He didn't say anymore as he raced out of there. Stopping only for a moment to see that the man that flew over the counter was gone. He caught his breath as he raced out of there and outside where he could catch some air and drop his control on the dino gem.

He crashed against a wall dropping the control of the gem and looking at the wound on the side of his chest. It had gone a little deeper than the first time he had gotten shot, and stung a whole lot more. He was at a closer range, which made the impact that much more painful. He groaned as he wiped his bloody hand on his shirt. But he had to stop the bleeding or slow it down somehow. He stripped off his sleeve wadding it up and pushing it against the side of his chest as he winced under the pressure.

"But four more...no, five remain," he told himself. But now that he was in the open he had his chance. He pulled out his cell phone and dialed 911. As soon as the operator had came on to ask what the emergency was, he didn't hesitate to answer. "My name is Dr. Thomas Oliver and I am a teacher over at Reefside High School. We are on lock-down. I repeat we are on a lock-down and we have issued a Code Red. There are several men here on campus with guns, some are dead and several are injured. We need police and paramedics over here as soon as possible..."

BAM!

But as if milliseconds before he had heard that gunshot go off, the science teacher had already dropped to the ground as the bullet had hit the wall where his head had just been. But in the process, he had lost his phone as he turned to see who had attempted to shoot him. It was the same figure who had threatened the principal only minutes ago.

"I see you got shot, Tommy," the man replied, again the thick Hispanic accent had escaped his lips. "It seems even the best of us have to get taken down sometime."

For a moment, Tommy's heart had stopped. Why did that voice sound familiar to him? As he looked over the man again, a rage he knew only came when one person was in his presence filled his body. This man, under the ski mask, was the very man who had taken his love away years ago. It was Carl Lopez. "You! You plotted this whole thing, didn't you?"

"Unfortunately, it had not gone according to plan," the man had nodded as he stripped away the ski mask to reveal the very face that made Tommy's heart boil to degrees he couldn't describe. Almost a spit image of himself, but of Hispanic descendant, was in fact, Carl Lopez. "You should be dead, and I should be taking my wife home with me."

"That's my wife. And she'll always come home to me," Tommy forced air into his lungs as he slowly got to his feet, but another gunshot inches from his feet had sent him back down.

"Don't bother getting up. I'll end your life right here," the man said darkly as he leveled the gun at Tommy's head.

"Is this what it's all about? Revenge? By taking out students and staff at this school just because the supposed love of your life decided to fall into the rightful arms of the man she loves?" Tommy spat back as he held his ground. He didn't want to charge the other man, or he knew he would fire on him.

"Not the only reason. But did Kimberly ever tell you that she felt like you didn't love her anymore? That's why you had sent her to Florida because you were trying to get rid of her. I mean, wasn't that around the same time as that new girl came into town that I heard took her place in your friendship... or relationship... whatever you want to call it?" Carl questioned with a quizzical look.

Tommy growled internally. That was not the case at all. He only wanted Kim to be happy. To have her follow her dreams. He had not even looked at Kat as anywhere being a girlfriend to replace Kim at the time. But after he had gotten that letter it had screwed up everything. "I only wanted her to be happy. I wanted her to follow her dreams and become what she wanted."

"Cute, really it is. But did she ever tell you that she would have been more happier to have you stop her from getting on that plane? Because her dream was to be with the man she loved, and she had thought it was you, but when she was in Florida she began to realize that the calls were getting shorter, the letters even shorter. And your time together just could not last..."

Tommy held his breath as the words had escaped the mouth of Kim's ex-boyfriend. Was that the truth? He had never heard it come from Kim at all, nor did he really want to risk asking her about it. It would only bring back painful memories he longed to forget. "But we found our way back to each other. We needed a break. You know what Carl, I think what you got is infatuation with Kim. You only loved her for what she could do with her body, but I was not like that. I had more going for me and what I loved about her. It wasn't just her beauty, but her personality, stamina and heart as an individual. And truth be told, if you find true love, you'll always find your way back to each other somehow or some day. And we did."

Either that had ticked off Carl even more, or it only made him stop short of what he was about to do. But at that moment, he looked frozen in his tracks. He had no idea what to do. Against the wall behind Carl, Tommy had seen something stir and move. And by other means, he had known it was Trent. And just as the teen had moved against the man, so did Tommy. Carl had not expected it as he felt a kick to his back flying forward as Tommy grabbed him and threw him to the ground. And through a painful deja vu, he had fought with the man over the control of the gun.

"Dr. O," Trent cried as he raced to help his teacher. He had managed to grab the gun tucked away in his teacher's pants.

But as Tommy continued to struggle with the gun, Carl had pushed him off. The gun was still in Carl's possession. He leveled it pointing it at Tommy, but...

BAM!

He had stopped for a moment, froze and slowly turned to where he saw the teen in white stood. Trent had shakenly pulled the trigger of the gun in his hand as it hit Carl's back. Carl groaned as he slowly turned to face the teen pulling the gun up. Trent froze in more fear as he dropped the gun hearing the echoing cry of the falcon as he watched the science teacher take down the man.

BAM!

Frozen in more fear, the teen in white stood there almost motionless as if he had taken the bullet, but he had not. Tommy was shuddering in fear as he loomed over the man under him. Motionless. He slowly rolled off the other man rolling him over too, to see that Carl had fallen against his own gun. And as he fell, his finger had slipped and the gun had shot him in the chest. As if their hearts finally got jump started again, Trent had slowly walked over to his science teacher as tears seemed to fall from his eyes. Another tragedy that shook both of them to the core. And though that madness was over, Tommy felt his stomach churn with disgust and rage.

"How many more people have to die before this tragedy is over?" he asked barely above a whisper.

The teen in white had collapsed to his knees beside his science teacher and could find no words to say. The science teacher slowly sat up pulling the teen into a tight and comforting hug as they sat there in silence. Both of them were already in tears, and it didn't matter to either of them.

A day that was supposed to be full of great memories was now shadowed by the tragedy of several dead bodies and others injured, including the science teacher himself. A tragedy that would forever scar the staff and students of Reefside High on the day of May 20th, 2005.

Within ten minutes a swarm of police and SWAT had entered the school, directing the staff and students to fall out of the building, leaving all material inside and rushing out with their hands on their heads. And with the wake of nearly every task force in Reefside on scene at the school, it didn't take long for it to hit news here in the city, the state and finally the whole nation.

Live footage had captured the students leaving the premises with hands on their heads directed by the SWAT. Theremaining assailants had been found on the soccer field, all gunned down when they had brought out huge military-issued machine guns, not wanting to back down. And according to the status, none of the suspects had survived, or in critical condition that was clearly of no-state to return. They were all dead, bringing with them their reasons for attacks with them to their graves.

Parents of the students had Reefside had swarmed the surrounding streets as they rolled with happiness to see their son or daughter alive along with several other citizens coming to pay their respect or see for themselves what was going on.

Yet, it was clear no one had seen this event coming. Getting used to monster attacks, this was a step up – or down, it was hard to say – from what the citizens were used to. But it was something no one had expected or wanted to see again. But it did. Years ago it occurred in Colorado, but with two assailants, not a whole army.

But it was over. The tragedy was over and they no longer had to deal with anymore of this scarring mayhem.

Minutes passed.

The star reporter from Reefside High News and the newest edition to the Reefside Eyewitness News, Cassidy Cornell had made the final report for the news cameras to capture. "Reporting to you live from Reefside High School on May 20th, 2005, a day that was meant to leave behind good memories for the graduating class of 2005, was left in tragedy. Apparently, as the seniors here were enjoying their final meal in these halls, a group of ten men, some of them were students here at the school, had entered the building with guns planning to kill several other students in their wake for attention, or so the police have reported. The surviving suspects will be questioned, if they ever wake up from their critical condition. However, many of them were killed in this tragic event. The names of these suspects have yet to be released to the public as well as the names of victims who have been killed or injured. Our deepest and greatest sympathy and condolence goes out to the families of the victims. It is indeed a tragedy to the students and staff here at Reefside High, and I hope we will overcome all of this and come out stronger than before. This is Cassidy Cornell signing off for Reefside Eyewitness News."

to be continued...

A/N: Wait! What just happened? Did a group of people bring guns to the school and decide to go on a rampage? And who did they kill, or injure? I know there are a lot of questions flying through your heads. And trust me, some of them will be answered, but there are a few that must always be left in mystery. You gotta understand. That's how I am sometimes. But I hope you liked it. I'll see you next chapter. Let's see what else I got stuck in my little mind of mine... Peace out for now. May the Powers Always Protect You.