MMPR Revisited

Green with Evil Missing Part 4

There was no hesitation in the Green Ranger's actions as he charged forward. Zack gripped his power Axe firmly, ready to defend himself as he braced for the impending clash.

"We don't have time for this!" Billy exclaimed. "They've taken Trent and Scarlet!"

"And we have to find Jason..." Kimberly added with concern in her voice.

"There's no way we can take him... not right now," Trini said, her daggers twirling nervously in her hands.

The blaring sirens in the background only added to the mounting stress. It was only a matter of time before someone reported the massive explosion in Angel Grove Park, and the Rangers hoped to be long gone before the authorities arrived.

"He won't hesitate to harm innocent people... and they'll just get in the way," Kimberly said, her voice filled with urgency.

"Maybe we can lead him away from here," Billy suggested. "If we can get him to a location where we can use our Zords, we might have a chance."

"Isn't that extreme? He's still human, after all," Kimberly exclaimed, shocked at Billy's proposal.

"He could have seriously injured Jason. Think about it, Kim," Zack said as he transformed his ax into shotgun mode and opened fire, using his new weapon to deflect the incoming energy beams.

"Your efforts are feeble," the Green Ranger taunted, raising his arm and bringing his sword down at Zack.

"Power Lance!" Billy called out, his weapon materializing as he quickly inserted it between the Green Ranger's weapon and Zack. Kimberly summoned an arrow, and Trini readied her daggers. Together, they thrust their bladed weapons into the Green Ranger's stomach, just below his shield, while Zack cocked his shotgun and pulled the trigger, sending the Green Ranger flying about twenty feet away.

"We're going to need more than that to defeat him," Zack declared.

"And we need to lure him away from here, now," Kimberly added, pointing toward the Angel Grove Police Department, which had just arrived.

"Remember what we had to do with the King Sphinx?" Zack reminded Kimberly. "We can teleport him there."

"I'm not sure that would work," Billy interjected. "Not that it's a bad idea, but our teleportation systems are barely operational as it is. If he resists, it might not work."

"So, you're saying we need to incapacitate him first?" Trini asked.

"Perhaps just temporarily," Billy replied, though the prospect seemed bleak with the Green Ranger already getting back on his feet.

"Freeze!" a police officer's voice blared from a megaphone, and this time they didn't wait; an entire squadron of officers surrounded the Green Ranger, guns pointed at him.

"No!" Kimberly screamed, trying to rush forward, but Billy and Trini held her back. "Stay away from him! It's not safe!"

One of the officers turned to look at the Pink Ranger and then back to the Green Ranger, but before he could react, the Green Ranger thrust his sword forward, piercing through the officer's Kevlar and skin. The officer coughed, blood flowing from his mouth.

"Smith!" another officer shouted. Officer Smith fell lifeless to the ground. The other officers opened fire, but their bullets only ricocheted off the Green Ranger's shield, hitting them instead.

The Green Ranger got to his feet and easily incapacitated the remaining officers.

"This has to stop!" Trini yelled.

"We have to subdue him so we can get him out of here," Zack said, "If that even makes sense..."

"Any ideas?" Kim asked.

"Maybe if you three can keep him occupied," Billy suggested.

"Excuse me?" Kimberly asked pointedly.

"You three are the better fighters. If you give me some time, I'll think of a plan," Billy explained.

"Alright, Kim, stay back. You're not in any condition to take him on. Try to take a shot if you can," Zack instructed. He and Trini exchanged glances and then rushed forward with their weapons at the ready.

The Green Ranger leaped into the air, gracefully avoiding the two Rangers, and landed behind them. With a swift kick, he sent Zack sprawling before he could react. Then, he brought his sword down on Trini, who managed to parry his blade with her two daggers. They struggled for a few moments, but the Green Ranger's strength eventually overpowered Trini. He finished with a high kick to her chest, sending her crashing to the ground.

"Trini!" Kimberly called out, releasing a barrage of arrows at the Green Ranger. However, he effortlessly deflected each arrow with his sword, closing the distance between them. Kimberly swiftly turned and pulled back her bowstring, but the Green Ranger was quicker, dodging her thrust and landing behind her. Kimberly, not missing a beat, turned to face him and let loose her bowstring, releasing an arrow directly into the Green Ranger's stomach, just below his shield. He attempted to counterattack but was blocked by Zack's Power Axe.

"Fools. You can't protect each other forever," the Green Ranger taunted.

"We can certainly try," Trini retorted, kicking the Green Ranger in the stomach and drawing her blaster from her holster. Zack switched his axe to shotgun mode, and Kimberly pulled back her bowstring. "Fire!" Trini commanded, and all three unleashed a barrage of lasers upon their adversary, overwhelming him. Meanwhile, a car sped onto the grass and headed their way.

"Watch out, guys!" Billy called out from the rolled-down window. Trini, Kim, and Zack quickly jumped out of the way as Billy continued forward, ramming the Green Ranger head-on. The Green Ranger rolled over the vehicle and hit the ground with a thud. Billy parked the car and stepped out.

"Billy!" Zack exclaimed. "How did you manage that?"

"Just some basic hotwiring," Billy replied nonchalantly.

"Dude, you have to show me," Zack said.

"I can't believe you did that. This was an emergency," Billy said, a hint of nervousness in his voice.

"Enough, we have to seize this opportunity," Trini interjected, leading them towards the incapacitated Green Ranger. The four Rangers approached their fallen foe and cautiously placed their hands on him.

"Alpha, teleport us to the beach," Billy said into his communicator.

"Right away!" Alpha replied. Beams of light enveloped each Ranger, transporting them to the sandy shore.

"What... happened..." The Green Ranger muttered, his hand gripping his sword.

"Don't move," Zack warned, pointing his shotgun at the fallen enemy.

"Where are we..." the Green Ranger wondered aloud, grabbing a handful of sand and letting it slip through his fingers. "The beach? How clever..." He struggled to his feet, and the Rangers took a step back.

"Where is he?" Kimberly demanded. "Tell us the truth," she said, her arrow aimed at the Green Ranger. He began to chuckle malevolently.

"He won't tell us," Trini sighed.

"Perceptive," the Green Ranger retorted sarcastically.

"Maybe this will help," Zack said, pulling the trigger. The Green Ranger used his shield to deflect the blast, but it bounced back at Zack, sending him tumbling.

"Zack!" Kimberly cried out. She immediately fired an arrow, striking the Green Ranger in the arm.

"Damn it!" he cursed, then swiftly kicked Kimberly in the stomach. Trini and Billy readied their blaster-blades and moved to attack, but the Green Ranger blocked their strikes with his sword, then leaped into the air, kicking both of them and sending them crashing to the ground.

"You guys!" Kimberly shouted, attempting to rush forward but being held back by Billy and Trini. "Get away from him! It's not safe!"

The Green Ranger grabbed Kimberly's arm, delivered a knee to her stomach, and struck her helmet with the back of his hand. Kimberly winced in pain.

"I don't get it. You're a Power Ranger. How can you be this evil?" Kimberly asked.

"There are no rules here. Besides, who wants to be on the losing team?" the Green Ranger sneered, moving to kick her while she was down. But before he could, Zack's Power Axe was thrown at him from a distance, knocking him off balance.

"Are you okay?" Zack asked as he helped Kimberly to her feet.

"I am now, thanks," Kimberly replied. Trini and Billy also regained their footing.

The Green Ranger began to laugh, sounding more unhinged than ever.

"You are all pathetic! You can't protect each other forever," he taunted, raising his sword above him, its shimmering silver blade gleaming brightly in the sun. "What do you think of my sword, Rangers? It was a gift from Rita. The Sword of Darkness. It's said to be the final piece of the Dark Armor—the same armor that claimed the life of that weak human... what was his name? Daniel?"

"You heartless fiend..." Trini muttered, her fists clenched as Billy held her back.

"He couldn't handle it, but I can..."

"You're the fool here! The Armor of Darkness was a curse. It didn't make Daniel stronger; it took his life. You're a fool to trust that Rita would give you something so powerful freely!" Trini shot back.

"Silence! You know nothing!" The Green Ranger yelled, his anger escalating. "Rita is my Empress. She is the very reason I stand before you. She demands your destruction, and she will have it. Be sure to let me know how you really feel about my Sword of Darkness!" With a swift motion, he drove his blade into the sand, unleashing a dark energy wave that swept across the beach. Suddenly, powerful electrical currents coursed through the Rangers, causing them intense pain.

"What's happening?" Kimberly screamed, all of the Rangers writhing on the ground in agony.

"It's the Sword of Darkness... I felt the same energy from Daniel..." Trini explained before succumbing to a piercing scream. Zack struggled to reach his blaster, but even the slightest movement was excruciating.

"Do we have a way out of this?" Zack gritted his teeth, trying to maintain focus.

"Maybe... all of our Zords should come to our aid except for Jason's," Billy replied.

"That's all I needed to know..." Zack fought through the pain, raising his arm to the sky. "Mastodon!" he yelled with all his might. The ground trembled, and the Mastodon Zord emerged from a swirling black light. "Help us..." Zack whispered. The Mastodon Zord advanced, capturing the Green Ranger's attention.

"Huh? Where did you come from?" the Green Ranger muttered, clearly irritated. The Mastodon Zord exhaled a frigid blast of icy wind from its trunk, forcing the Green Ranger to leap out of harm's way. The relief from the powerful attack couldn't have come soon enough for the Rangers. Zack managed to get to his feet first, pulling out his blaster and firing at the Green Ranger to keep him at bay while the others recovered.

"Guys, summon your Zords!" Zack urged.

"Triceratops!" Billy shouted.

"Sabre-tooth Tiger!" Trini called out.

"Pterodactyl!" Kimberly yelled. Their Zords materialized out of thin air, encircling the Green Ranger and preparing to protect their Rangers. The Sabre-tooth Tiger Zord unveiled its cannon, and a blast was unleashed. The Green Ranger, despite his defiant posture, was unable to withstand the immense force of the attack, and he was sent hurtling backward.

"Yeah!" Zack cheered.

"You don't stand a chance!" Trini added.

The Green Ranger rose to his feet, struggling to regain his composure, and he let out a sinister laugh.

"You are nothing. You haven't won; you've merely delayed the inevitable. I will be there when it's all over, when you're begging for your end at my hand. And I will gladly oblige. Sleep well, Rangers, while you still can..." The Green Ranger's ominous words hung in the air as he touched his shield and disappeared in a flash of green light, his echoing laughter fading with him.

"Good lord," Trini said, falling to her knees. "He's gone..."

"For now," Zack concluded, the threat still looming over them.


The command center, while showing signs of improvement, remained a far cry from its former glory. Alpha moved swiftly from one console to another, frantically entering codes and interjecting "Ayiyiyi" into every other sentence. The Rangers materialized in the command center in their civilian attire.

"Rangers, you're back!" Alpha exclaimed, punctuating his joy with triumphant fist pumps.

"Barely," Kimberly responded with a heavy heart. "Alpha, have you found any sign of Jason?"

"Negative," Kimberly buried her face in her hands, and Trini offered her a comforting touch.

"I'm sure he's fine," Trini reassured, although her own conviction was far from absolute.

"What is she talking about?" Alpha inquired.

"The Green Ranger... He had blood on his Sword of Darkness. He suggested it was Jason's..." Billy explained.

"I can't believe it. There's no way," Zack stated, shaking his head. Alpha found himself momentarily speechless.

"The Sword of Darkness?" Alpha questioned.

"Yes," Billy affirmed.

"Ayiyiyiyiyi!" Alpha started shaking. "No! Why on Earth would Rita awaken that weapon again…"

"What weapon?" Zack inquired. "What's so special about it?"

"The Sword of Darkness is the final piece of the Dark Armor. Forged from dark fire and magic."

"The Dark Armor?" Trini echoed, her eyes widening. "You mean, like what Rita gave to... Daniel?" Trini's inquiry carried a sense of dread, and she almost regretted asking.

"Affirmative," Alpha confirmed, much to her discomfort.

"The Sword of Darkness is one of the most sinister weapons known. It can't simply be destroyed by anything... and it corrupts the soul of its user. It manipulates them," Alpha elucidated.

"So maybe he's not as evil as he seems..." Trini mused.

"Trini..." Kimberly interjected, sensing her reference to Daniel.

"This is different..." Zack interjected. "I think we all know that. Daniel didn't know what he was doing. This guy... he knows."

"I can't believe it. He's under Rita's influence. Correct me if I'm wrong, but you didn't make the right decisions either when you were under the influence. Billy almost died," Trini's words stung like a venomous rebuke, and Zack was left speechless in shock.

"Oh, dear," Kimberly sighed, taken aback.

Before Zack could respond, Trini pressed on, "Kimberly and Billy were under the influence of pure darkness, and they were saved. Daniel was under the influence of the Dark Armor. This Green Ranger possesses a power coin that Rita had to taint with evil, and when combined with the Sword of Darkness, it all makes sense. We have to save him."

"I can't believe you went there..." Zack said, clearly struggling with her words.

"I didn't mean it spitefully, Zack. I was just stating a fact. You were under the influence, and because of that, you couldn't help Billy and me. Billy almost died. I gave you the benefit of the doubt because you weren't in your right mind."

"And here's another fact," Zack retorted, "You're allowing Daniel's death to become an excuse for letting terrible people get away with unforgivable acts. Another fact is that the world would be safer without the Green Ranger in it."

"Guys, stop! We can't be fighting like this! This is exactly what Rita wants. Zordon is gone, Jason is missing... we only have each other. We have to figure this out," Kimberly pleaded, her voice growing hoarse, her face flushed, and tears welling up in her eyes. "He could have killed Jason..." Trini and Zack looked at Kimberly, then exchanged remorseful glances, both of them beginning to regret their heated exchange.

"I don't think he did. Jason's alive... I agree with Zack," Trini conceded.

"We need him back," Billy concurred. "I'm going to need to work diligently."

"I'll assist in any way I can," Trini offered.

"And it's not just that... they've taken Trent and Scarlet... I don't know where Baboo and Squat have taken them, but we have to find them," Billy stressed. Trini reached out and placed a reassuring hand on his shoulder, understanding that his worry was primarily for Brent.

"Trask is going to be on our case if Trent is missing. Didn't you say that Brent and Trent's mom is dating him?" Zack pointed out. Billy nodded.

"We'll have the authorities on our backs. We need to be extremely cautious," Kimberly added.

"Zack and I can work on tracking down Scarlet and Trent," Kimberly proposed. "I have a bad feeling about what Baboo and Squat might have planned for them."

"Agreed," Zack chimed in. "But first, let's get your arm looked at." Zack led Kimberly toward the medical bay, leaving Billy, Trini, and Alpha to focus on finding Zordon and Jason.