Disclaimer: Belongs to Saban/Disney/people who are not me.

Note: Sorry about the delay, but with finals, as well as joining the World of Warcraft, I've been slightly busy, but anyway, new chapter. So yay.

Into the Darkness

The island itself was shrouded in mist, barely visible even to the best trained eye. Cole had seen it through a slight break in the fog, but it was there, and he knew he was going in the right direction. Diving into the freezing cold water Cole's head was immediately encased in his Ranger helmet…somehow it allowed him to be able to breathe. He had never really questioned how Ranger powers worked, nor was he about to start, he appreciated the aid, and began to swim.

He came ashore the island, and immediately he felt his body drying. He couldn't see anything through the fog as his helmet vanished. After attempting to see ahead of him he brought the helmet back to fruition, he was able to see a little better as infrared imaging appeared before his face, once again Ranger abilities to the rescue.

Cole had no idea what he was looking for, but he knew whatever it was it was on this island, and he knew he would find it…or her…or whatever.

He moved slowly through the mist, despite his slightly improved vision, it still wasn't easy. He would've killed for some light of some sort. Each step was cautionary, he wasn't sure whether or not he would step off in a hole, or bog, or something else equally unpleasant. The White Ranger was in unfamiliar land, with new and unfamiliar powers, in a world he knew nothing about, and looking for someone who may or may not exist.

(A cave somewhere on the mist-covered island)

A young girl, in her teens, huddled tightly on the ground. She had no idea how she had gotten there, and she was terrified as to what lay in store for her. She had never seen the creature; she had just heard its victims, the screams of agony, the loud shrieks of pain, and then the silence…the silence that signified death.

She lay there, waiting, but she wasn't sure what she was waiting on. Around the corner she saw the figure…or figures…she wasn't sure which. It showed itself, for the first time she had a complete visual. The creature had an odd appearance, almost simian in nature, a shattered monocle hung around the creature's neck. It had a bluish tint to it, but in the darkness of the cave she couldn't be certain. It had fur about its body, and the fur seemed to be matted with something red…something she knew had to be blood.

"What's the problem? Have you never seen a Vampire before?" The creature spoke to her.

"What…what are you?" The girl asked.

"In a previous life I was called Baboo…an alchemist in the service of Queen Rite Repulsa…a laughing stock amongst her loyal followers. A Vampire who had never tasted human blood…I was soft…weak, but here that has all changed," the creature spoke, "here I have tasted blood, and found that it was good…it's made me stronger, smarter and well a bit of a savage."

"Are you going to eat me?" The girl sobbed.

"I will feed, perhaps, or maybe she will. It has not been decided yet, but for now, rest easy. You will be able to live a bit longer," the creature, called Baboo, replied.

"She? Who is she?" The girl questioned, "Is she another thing like you?"

"You will meet her soon enough…I'm certain. You will meet…" He was cut off before he could finish his sentence.

"Baboo! Baboo! Someone is coming," a new voice approached, this one squeaky, but male, as a short, squat figure rounded the corner. It was the hobgoblin known as Squat, a long-time friend and ally of the Vampire. It obviously wasn't her.

"What is it Squat?" Baboo questioned the creature.

"I'm not sure, but it looks like it could be a Power Ranger," Squat replied.

"What!?!" Baboo's voice became excited, "but how?"

"No idea," Squat answered, "I'll get the guards ready."

(Outside the cavern)

The White Ranger made his way steadily forward. His eyes had become accustomed to the infrared vision, and he was able to see fairly clearly, allowing for faster travel. He soon found himself at the base of a large hill of sorts…closing his eyes he listened for anything…anything that would lead him where he needed to be…he heard nothing at first. Then a shuffling…it wasn't what he was hoping to hear.

In front of him several bodies appeared, their body heat not radiating on display. It was as if the bodies were cold. Something hit him from behind, a blunt object; it knocked him to the ground. If he had been a normal person it probably would've knocked him out, but he was able to get back to his feet. He heard others approaching, once again unable to see them.

"Well then, this isn't working," Cole thought to himself.

His helmet reverted to its head-band and crystalline form. He couldn't see far in front of him, but his attackers were right on him, and that distance he could see.

The attackers were human/Foils in shape, but they were badly rotted…as if they had been dead for a time. Basically Cole was facing the closest approximation of what he considered zombies. Therefore he had no qualms doing what he knew had to be done, that being killing the already dead.

Reaching to his side he withdrew his claws, and readied his own defense. The first zombie came at him; he buried a claw into the head of the creature, severing it from the body, as it collapsed into a lifeless mass. He continued his massacre of the undead creatures, ultimately causing all of the attackers to collapse into lifeless forms.

Someone knew he was here, and that usually meant he was on the right trail. Scanning the mountain he squinted, hoping to see through the fog. Narrowing his eyes he saw what he thought he was looking for, an entrance to something.

Cole began to climb towards the entrance, his eyes adjusting to the point that he could actually see. Either that or the fog was lifting, whichever it was he was thankful.

(Inside the cavern)

"The Reapers didn't work Baboo," Squat said not pleased.

"That's no surprise," Baboo replied, "where is the Ranger?"

"He's coming in the front door," Squat answered, "I have bombs waiting at the front though, maybe that'll shake him up."

"Maybe, but if not…well I've been wondering what Ranger blood could taste like," Baboo smiled coyly, "go see what you can do."

Squat turned and left the area, leaving Baboo and the girl alone.

"Now we can see what a hobgoblin can do," Baboo smiled.

(Cavern entrance)

Cole had made his way to the cave's entrance with little instance. The fog was thinner the higher he moved up, and that made the trip that much faster. Reaching the entrance the White Ranger examined his surroundings. It was dark as suspected, but a lot cleaner than he had imagined. The cavern seemed deep as well, but he wasn't sure how deep. Moving in cautiously he expected something to jump out at him at a moments notice. That's usually how these things worked.

He wasn't far from wrong.

Several loud explosions rang throughout the cavern, knocking the White Ranger to the ground. As if on cue his helmet formed around his head. Several more explosions rocked the Ranger about, but no severe harm done. Finally the explosions seemed to stop, and a short, stout figure stepped forward.

"Lookee here, I haven't seen a Ranger in a very long time," the creature, Squat, spoke.

"Who are you?" Cole questioned through his helmet.

"My name is Squat," the creature replied, "not that it matters."

The short, blue creature lunged towards the White Ranger; in one hand he had a blunt sword, in the other an explosive of some sort.

Cole easily dodged the sword swing.

Squat had intended that, and managed to attach the explosive to the Ranger's back. Hitting the ground across from Cole, he laughed.

Cole realized what had happened too late, and didn't have time to remove the explosive. It ignited, throwing his body against the cavernous walls. He blacked out.

When he awoke he found that his helmet had converted to its head band form, and he was bound by heavy chains.

"I know all about Ranger strength, but those should be more than strong enough to hold you," another unfamiliar voice spoke to Cole.

"And who are you?" Cole asked, voice showing no worry.

"I am Baboo, and you are going to be dinner shortly," the voice replied, before showing its source.

"Zombies, goblins, and now Vampires..." was Cole's only response.

Baboo disappeared from sight again.

To his left he saw a girl curled up on the floor. He realized that he was exactly where he needed to be.

He pulled at the chains. They were strong, but not that strong. He decided though to bide his time a little longer.

A few hours passed, the girl had spoke to Cole several times, but the most he ever responded with was, "It'll be okay."

Baboo showed himself again, but instead of approaching the Ranger, he moved towards the girl.

"Well it looks as if your time is up," he lifted the girl to her feet. Walking past Cole, the Vampire narrowed his eyes, "you will be for a later date. We need to finish this one while she's still fresh."

Cole didn't respond.

Baboo had said, "we," which meant that there was more than one, but how many? It didn't seem that he was referring to Squat and himself…despite being a goblin of sorts, Squat didn't seem like the human-flesh eating type.

From a different room Cole heard a scream. He didn't have time to think any longer. He had to make a break, and it had to be soon. He'd told the girl it would be okay, and he wasn't about to be made a liar.

Vampires? Well usually a stake of some sort worked…but something else that was equally effective seemed to be decapitation, looking around the room that seemed a much more plausible scenario. Nearby a sword lay unattended, it had a unique appearance, and dark energy seemed to emanate from it. It would work, at least until he could find his claws.

He waited for the next scream from the girl, hoping that would hide the sound of the breaking chains. Closing his eyes he focused his strength, and with a forceful pull he broke free the chains. Grabbing the sword he headed towards the direction of the scream.

He was almost too late when he arrived. The girl was forcibly kneeled as the Vampire sank his teeth into her neck.

She screamed again.

"Back off," Cole said calmly.

"You?!? I see you escaped, I told her we should've had stronger chains," Baboo lurched towards the Ranger.

Cole withdrew the sword from his back, and before the fight could even begin, he severed the Vampire's head, and the body fell stiffly to the floor.

The White Ranger moved towards the girl, "We have to get out of here before the others show up."

"Too late Ranger, the others are here. I see you've found the Sword of Darkness, congratulations. But I know all the Ranger tricks, so don't think I'll be as easy as that monkey," a female voice spoke.

(Elsewhere)

Maya was free of the prison, she had run as far and as fast as her injuries would allow. Finally the toll on her body won over, and she had collapsed.

There had been a blood trail left, she was sure of that. Though it didn't seem that anyone had followed, or at least the wild woman had hoped as much.

Then she heard the last thing she had hoped to hear, a rustling in the bushes nearby. Someone had followed her…she had run away for nothing. She was in no state to fight or defend or herself. It had all been a waste.

"Are you okay?" A male voice spoke from nearby, it was vaguely familiar.

Maya tried to look up, but she didn't have the strength to even do that much.

"I'll take that as a no," the voice responded.

Maya felt her body being lifted from the ground. She felt herself being carried away.

"Hang in there. We'll get you cleaned up. You'll be okay," the voice continued giving positive words.

She wasn't sure how far they had traveled, she barely remembered even being awake for the whole time. The last thing she did remember was the water that was being washed over her body.

"I wish I had better supplies than this, but I really hadn't seen this coming," the owner of the voice was bandaging her wounds with what appeared to be torn strips of a blue t-shirt, "so what's your name?"

Maya didn't reply.

"A girl of few words, not really used to that," he joked as he began to wipe the grime and filth from the girls face. He stopped as he got a good look at the face of the woman, "Maya?"

Even through the scars and dirt T.J. was able to recognize the former Yellow Galaxy Ranger.

Maya hadn't heard her name spoken in a long time. She barely even remembered it herself sometimes.

"It's me, T.J." the young man spoke again as he continued to apply makeshift bandages to the woman, "the Blue Space Ranger…well the Grey whatever Ranger now it seems."

Maya thought she was supposed to recognize that name…but she wasn't sure from where.

"What did they do to you?" T.J. was concerned. He'd only met the girl from Mirinoi once, but he knew that this was not the girl he had met. Something was wrong with her…and she didn't even know what it was.

Maya once again didn't answer. She just looked as if she was trying to figure things out.

"It's okay. We'll figure things out…I promise. You'll be okay," T.J. was trying to convince himself even more-so than trying to convince her. She had lost a lot of blood, and he didn't have near the supplies on hand to assure anything. The best he could do was clean the wounds, and hope that there was no infection. Either that or hope someone would show up, and that seemed even less likely.

TBC

End note: So Baboo is definitely different than his MMPR incarnation, but I stealing a little of the Japanese Zyuranger (basis for MMPR) with the fact of him being a Vampire who had never tasted human blood. So for sake of argument…let's just say that when he did get a taste…he got a little tougher. Also I'll give a massive No-Prize to anyone who can guess who the other Vampire is…it's not really that hard if you look towards the history of Vampires in any variation of Power Rangers.