MMPR Revisited
Trigger Part 3
11:43 A.M.
Cindy V. stood outside Angel Grove High School, her voice steady despite the chaos unfolding behind her. "This is Cindy V. reporting live from outside Angel Grove High School. The school is currently on lockdown. Approximately twenty minutes ago, an armed individual, believed to be a former student, entered the campus and opened fire. We do not have confirmation on the identity of the shooter at this time. Two office secretaries have been injured but are reported to be in stable condition. Principal George Kaplan acted swiftly, securing them in a locked room and notifying the rest of the school. As of now, all students are in their locked classrooms… wait, breaking news just in; we have reports that a group of students who had study hall during this time are unaccounted for."
12:16 P.M.
Cindy V. returned to her report with urgency. "This is Cindy V. reporting from Angel Grove High School. Several students are now confirmed to be outside of their classrooms and have been directed to designated safe zones. Unfortunately, due to the risk to students, the Angel Grove Police Department has refrained from entering the school premises. The school is surrounded, and we are awaiting the arrival of the Angel Grove Police Department's S.W.A.T. team."
12:30 P.M.
Cindy V. managed to secure an interview with Police Sheriff Adamson once the S.W.A.T. team arrived. "This is Cindy V., and I'm here with Police Sheriff Adamson. Sheriff, could you please update our viewers and concerned parents on the situation inside the school?" Cindy held the microphone to Sheriff Adamson, who appeared cautious in his response.
"The situation is extremely fluid and unpredictable," Sheriff Adamson began. "We are dealing with a troubled and highly dangerous teenager with no formal firearms training. His actions and behavior are erratic, and we are working diligently to ensure a swift and safe resolution."
Cindy pressed for more information. "We appreciate your efforts, Sheriff. Can you confirm if there have been any further injuries since the initial two reported earlier?"
"At this time, we cannot provide specific details. I can confirm that the injuries reported earlier are real. Principal Kaplan is assisting us in tracking the shooter's movements to the best of his ability," Sheriff Adamson replied. Suddenly, a gunshot rang out from inside the school, causing panic among the onlookers.
"Oh my goodness, another gunshot!" Cindy exclaimed. "Sheriff Adamson, what will be the next course of action? We fear that another person may have been injured."
As a second gunshot echoed, Sheriff Adamson rushed back to his fellow officers. "Ladies and gentlemen, we understand this is unsettling, but rest assured, our police department is actively working on a solution."
12:47 P.M.
Cindy V. returned to the airwaves, attempting to provide a sense of stability amidst the crisis. "Viewers, I'm Cindy V., and we're going through this tragedy together. It has been nearly ten minutes since the last two gunshots, and no more have been reported. I'm joined now by S.W.A.T. Commander Trask, who is leading an extraction team. Commander, can you share any updates as your team prepares?"
Commander Trask took a moment to address the situation. "Certainly. Principal Kaplan has informed us that there have been no further gunshots since the initial two, and we are unsure of the status of any injured students or faculty inside. We are planning a careful sweep to cover as much ground as possible and establish safe perimeters for evacuation. Additionally, we have James's parents, Mr. and Mrs. Lewis, on-site for support."
Cindy, unaware of the latest information, asked abruptly, "Is James Lewis the shooter in question?" Commander Trask hesitated for a moment before confirming, "Yes, that's correct."
Just then, another S.W.A.T. team member approached and whispered in Trask's ear, "Our team is ready for extraction."
Commander Trask turned to leave and said, "Thank you, Cindy. We'll do our best." Cindy watched him go, then faced the camera. "We have just learned that the shooter is James Lewis, a former student who was expelled after being caught with a large quantity of drugs, alongside the late Eric Mitchell," Cindy paused, her voice filled with gravity.
As she prepared to offer words of support, a sudden commotion among the crowd drew her attention. A bright white light shone from the school's entrance, gradually revealing a silhouette— a student holding a bloodied arm, collapsing to the ground.
"I don't know if you can see this," Cindy said, leaping over the restricted lines to get closer to the scene. Police officers attempted to hold her back but were unsuccessful. "What is your name? Sir, what happened?"
Gasping for breath, the injured student managed to respond, "Brent Redford." Paramedics rushed to his side, and Sheriff Adamson and Commander Trask hurried over as well.
"Are you okay? How did you get here? Can you tell us what happened?" Cindy fired off her questions as she was slowly pushed away by the police officers.
"The Power Rangers…" Brent whispered, causing everyone present to pause.
"The Power Rangers are inside?" Commander Trask asked, his face flushed with anger. Brent nodded before succumbing to his wounds and losing consciousness.
Cindy, undeterred by the police officers trying to restrain her, continued to speak into her microphone. "You heard it here first, live. Somehow, the Power Rangers have become aware of this threat and have entered the building without detection. Brent Redford was shot, and the Power Rangers came to his rescue. We do not yet know how Commander Trask plans to proceed or if it's even necessary at this point. Let go of me! I can walk!" She pushed aside a police officer, determined to keep reporting on the unfolding events.
12:53 P.M.
Cindy V. continued her live coverage in front of Angel Grove High School, her voice tinged with astonishment. "Ladies and gentlemen, I'm here at Angel Grove High School, and I must say, it's been an extraordinary day. Just moments ago, we witnessed the arrival of three more students, emerging through the same enigmatic light as Brent Redford did earlier." Cindy motioned to her cameraman to join her as they approached the paramedic station, hoping to get a closer look at the newcomers and perhaps even conduct an interview.
Commander Trask directed his questions to the two conscious students while the third remained unconscious on a stretcher. "Could you please tell us your names?" he inquired.
The first student, a young man, responded, "Billy Cranston."
The second student introduced herself as "Trini Kwan."
Commander Trask pursued further, "And the unconscious student, you mentioned his name is Daniel?"
Trini confirmed, "Yes, Daniel."
Cindy V. seized the opportunity to ask the question that had been on everyone's minds. "Can you confirm the presence of the Power Rangers inside the school?"
Trini hesitated for a moment before speaking, her voice trembling. "Everything happened so quickly. There was James—he knew Brent—Brent! Is Brent okay?" She began to panic.
Cindy reassured her, "Your friend Brent is fine. We just witnessed the paramedics loading him into an ambulance." Trini visibly relaxed upon hearing the good news.
Commander Trask, eager for information, pressed again, "Were the Power Rangers inside the school?"
Trini's emotions got the better of her as she stammered, "There was so much... blood. So much of Daniel's blood."
Billy reached out to comfort Trini. "It happened really fast. We were saved just in time. Isn't that what matters most?"
Cindy concurred, "Of course."
Commander Trask, clearly frustrated, shot Cindy a disapproving glance. "We need to transport Daniel to the hospital. Both of you should come with us so we can assess your condition more thoroughly," a paramedic suggested. Trini and Billy nodded in agreement and joined Daniel in the ambulance.
"Three more students have been rescued, and while Brent Redford claimed that the Power Rangers saved him, Trini Kwan and Billy Cranston did not confirm nor deny their presence," Cindy reported, understanding the shock they must have felt.
1:09 P.M.
Cindy continued her coverage, updating the viewers on the situation. "As of now, the SWAT team has not yet entered the school. The reported presence of the Power Rangers seems to have made Commander Trask more cautious. There have been no additional student arrivals so far, but... Oh, look at that!" She pointed her cameraman toward the front doors as another set of lights approached, one black and one white. The Black Power Ranger emerged, carrying James Lewis, who was then released and quickly disappeared into the same black light.
"It appears the Power Rangers are indeed involved, with the Black Power Ranger delivering James Lewis, the student-shooter, to the front of the building. Police officers have surrounded him, and it seems Commander Trask has decided to send his unit inside."
1:20 P.M.
Cindy maintained her live broadcast, capturing the evolving events. "Reporting live, I'm Cindy V. Just moments ago, the SWAT teams entered the school to assess damages, locate any more victims, and evacuate all students and faculty. And now... wait, is that another student?" She moved closer to the front doors to get a better view. A paramedic and a SWAT member were guiding an unconscious individual on a stretcher.
1:23 P.M.
"At this time, both secretaries have received medical attention and are en route to Angel Grove Memorial Hospital for further evaluation," Cindy V. reported. "James Lewis is now in police custody. His parents declined to comment, as did Sheriff Adamson. Regarding the other student we saw earlier, identified as Jason Lee Scott, paramedics have reported no surface injuries or gunshot wounds, but he appeared unresponsive, with no strong pulse. He's being transported to Angel Grove Memorial Hospital immediately for further care."
1:49 P.M. – Current Time.
Trini couldn't bear the silence any longer. She turned to Kimberly, her voice trembling with worry. "What happened to Jason?" Her question hung heavy in the air, but it met only with tears from Kimberly. Trini felt a wave of uncertainty wash over her, unsure whether she should also start crying.
Desperation drove Trini to speak again, her tone more forceful this time. "What happened?" Kimberly took a deep breath, wiping her tear-streaked face.
"Something went horribly wrong," Kimberly began, her voice shaky. "James was about to shoot himself, and Jason… Jason tried to stop him. But when Jason moved suddenly, it startled James, and he fired at Jason."
"I don't understand," Billy interjected, trying to make sense of the situation. "Our suits are bulletproof. We've been shot before, and it didn't harm us."
Kimberly nodded, her eyes red from crying. "He shot at Jason's morpher, Billy. And something went terribly wrong. Jason's morpher got damaged, and he automatically demorphed. There was this red, electrical energy surrounding him..."
"Why didn't you teleport him to Zordon or Alpha?" Billy inquired, his concern evident.
"We tried," Kimberly replied, her voice heavy with guilt. "For some reason, Zordon couldn't teleport him. He told me…" She hesitated, wiping another tear away as a nurse passed by. "He told me to take Jason's morpher and let the authorities find him, in the hope of saving his life."
"What do you mean, saving his life?" Trini asked, her voice low and filled with dread.
Kimberly's face grew even more troubled. "He wasn't breathing, Trini. He was unresponsive. I didn't want to leave him, but I had no choice. If anyone saw me, the Pink Ranger, with Jason, they might put two and two together. I had to go. I teleported back to Ms. Appleby's classroom, where Zack was." Kimberly started crying again, and a single tear fell from Trini's eye as well.
"It doesn't make sense," Billy interjected, his disbelief evident. "A bullet to the morpher? That's our weakness?"
"Where's Jason now?" Trini asked, her voice barely above a whisper.
"He's in the ICU," Zack answered. "We tried to go in, but they wouldn't let us. They won't tell us anything, but... it's bad."
"We need to get to the command center," Billy suggested, his determination clear. "There must be a way to bring Jason there. Maybe Zordon or Alpha can help. I can't fathom why Zordon would recommend a doctor when Alpha's medical bay is far more advanced."
"I agree," Trini said firmly. "We can't just stand by and do nothing."
With the hospital's tight security and potential witnesses, the four Rangers left the area and teleported to the command center seconds later. They turned to face Zordon and Alpha 5, who was busy entering data into the mainframe.
"Hello, Rangers," Zordon greeted them.
"Zordon, what's happening with Jason?" Trini demanded, her anxiety palpable.
"We've been closely monitoring Jason's condition. Please, observe the viewing globe," Zordon responded. The four Rangers turned to the viewing globe, which displayed a grim scene—Jason in an ICU bed, surrounded by doctors and medical equipment.
"Oh my God," Kimberly gasped, her eyes locked on the image.
"Zordon, this doesn't make any sense," Billy said, turning back to the interdimensional being. "Our suits are supposed to be impervious to bullets. It stings, but this outcome defies logic. His morpher—"
"Yes, his Power Morpher was indeed damaged," Zordon confirmed. "Your Power Morphers are vessels of sensitive energy. When the bullet struck Jason's morpher, it compromised the connection. Centuries ago, when the Power Morphers were first created, concepts like bullets did not exist."
"Even so, why is Jason suffering so much?" Kimberly asked, her voice quivering.
"Your powers are linked to your Power Coins," Zordon explained. "Since bonding with your powers, your life forces have become intertwined with your Power Coins. When Jason's morpher was damaged..."
"His life force took a hit. I felt it. I felt his pain," Kimberly said, her eyes welling up with tears. "When I tried to take his morpher, I felt his pain."
Zack clenched his fists in frustration. "This doesn't make any sense. We can't lose Jason like this."
"It's a possibility," Zordon admitted solemnly.
"No, we can't accept that. Not happening!" Zack declared.
"Why can't you bring him here, Zordon? Alpha could do something!" Billy urged.
"Ayiyiyi! We're trying, Billy! When Jason's morpher was damaged, his connection to the morphing grid was also compromised. Our sensors won't allow him into the command center!" Alpha exclaimed.
"This is ridiculous. We won't lose Jason!" Zack shouted, resisting Trini's attempt to comfort him.
"There is a way to save him, but it requires all five of you to be together," Alpha suggested.
"What is it, Alpha?" Trini asked, her voice determined.
"As Zordon explained, your life forces are connected to your Power Coins. If all five of you concentrate your energy from your Power Coins onto Jason and his Tyrannosaurus coin, it might be enough to restore him."
"Why didn't you mention this earlier, Alpha? It sounds straightforward," Billy remarked.
"Ayiyiyi!" Alpha shook his head. "As I mentioned, it requires all five of you to be together. We can't bring Jason here, and he's surrounded by doctors and witnesses. Performing this ritual would expose your identities to the world." The Rangers exchanged apprehensive glances and turned back to Zordon.
"Rangers," he began.
"No, Zordon, we don't have a choice," Trini interrupted. "This is for Jason." She looked around at her teammates, and they all silently concurred. "Alpha, please give us the instructions one more time. We're ready."
