Disclaimer: I don't own Power Rangers or anything affiliated to it. Just the characters.

Having fun? I am. I've been busy with more chapters to come. And to think, we're not even close to Winter Break! Enjoy. -Kai

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Ara looked at the clock. It was only recently she realized Jared was a part of her martial arts class, but when she thought back, he'd never missed a session. 5:30.. Where is he? Ara worked with the others in her class, warming up, doing her self-defense moves, basic combinations and such, but she still thought of Jared. Sean said he wasn't in school today.. I hope a monster hasn't kidnapped him or something.. The session finished at 6 and the group departed. Ara went home, ate a light dinner and finished any left over school work which had been dubbed homework. Afterwards she watched her usual fill of Power Rangers and went to bed. In the morning she came to school and still no Jared.

"Uh, guys, something's wrong," Sean started.

"What?" Kari asked.
"I stopped by Jared's place yesterday and his car was gone, and today, I see his car in the parking lot, but I don't see him within a fifty mile radius," Sean explained.

"He's gone after his power," Matt concluded.

"How? If we destroyed Drakonia and he still didn't get his power back, then doesn't that mean he's never gonna get it back?" Tamara asked logically.

"Sidira must've found a way for Jared to get it back, and he left yesterday for it and just hasn't come back yet," Ara thought outloud.

"Exactly," Matt commented.

"But what if something's happened to him?" Kari asked worridly. "Shouldn't we, you know, go after him?"

"Afterschool, maybe.. We'll have to talk to Sidira. I'm willing to bet a penny he knew what he was getting himself into. Sidira wouldn't send him into danger blind,"

"If it's afterschool, you'll have to go without me. I've got this thing I gotta do," Sean announced.

"Don't worry. Sidira may be this powerful sorceress person who could turn us all into toads if she wanted, but I think we can handle talking to her on our own," Tamara said confidently with a smile, making everyone but Sean realize it was meant as a joke.

"Hey, I'd come if I could. It's a stupid thing, really, but my parents insist," Sean retorted.

"Calm down, I was serious. Don't worry about it," Tamara said trying not to laugh.

"I knew that.." Sean said sheepishly. He sat down and worked on homework he neglected to finish. Ara finished any of her work, but it wasn't much. She started playing a game of tetris on her i-pod when a suddenly rumble was heard and the ground shook. Everyone looked up from what they were doing and to see eachother's reaction. One thing popped into everyone's mind: Trouble. The group packed their things quickly, but left their bags, believing no one would think of stealing them while the school was in danger. They ran to the front, but didin't find anything and after another shake of the floor beneath them, they ran to the back to look for the danger. They passed a bunch of kids in the cafeteria who didn't seem to care too much, but a few did seem a little panicked. Still they didn't seem to find the monster or even a nator, until they went outside and started looking around. Ara looked high and found Dogun on the roof, doing what looked to be a strange dance.

"Guys, up there! Let's ranger up and go," Ara declared.

"Here? Anyone can see us," Sean argued.

"Then go the little boys room and morph, I don't care. We gotta stop Dogun before he destroys our school," Ara stated.

"Hey, I wouldn't mind a little break," Sean thought with a smile.

"Sean, we just had one. Come on, we gotta learn something!" Kari argued.

"I guess.." Sean said dismally.

"Come on, guys. Elemental," Ara called. The others caught on and assemebled.

"Transformer" Sean called.

"Healer" Tamara and Kari called together.

"Light" Matt called. The group morphed quickly and made their way to the roof jumping from the ground to the trees and from the trees to the roof.

"Ok, we give up. What are you doing?" Ara asked outloud.

"It doesn't concern you rangers, now leave me alone!" Dogun demanded. He continued his dance without stopping to talk and ignored as the rangers gave him wierd looks under their helmets. Ara was the first to race into action. She pulled her pistol and started running at him, shooting as she ran. Immediately Dogun stopped to see what was happening. He tried to jump, but Ara was too quick. She'd fired her gun in his chest, making him unable to move in time. Once she was close enough, she attacked with a kick to the chest, sending him flying off balance, but not off the roof. He came staggering back with an energy beam of his own which struck her even harder in the chest, making her fall back towards her friends. Luckily they ran to catch up with her, trying to get into the action right behind her. Matt led the charge behind Ara and caught her as she fell back. He fired his pistol at the monster just before the others did the same. Ara struck with the others which sucessfully blasted the monster off the roof and landing hard on his back.

"Ow. You haven't seen the last of me, rangers!" Dogun struggled to stand and dissappeared in a warp. The group jumped off the roof, made sure no one was looking and demorphed.

"You ok, Ara?" Matt asked seeming concerned.

"I'm ok, thanks," Ara tried. She did feel a little sting from Dogun's blast, but she didn't mind too much. Nothing felt broken, so she didn't see a need to complain. "What about the rest of ya?" she asked.

"We didn't get hit," Matt pointed out.

"So? Doesn't hurt to ask," Ara pointed herself.

"We're fine, ok? What did he want here?" Tamara asked.

"I'm not sure.. First Kari's house, now here.. we'll have to keep an eye out for where ever he shows up next," Ara thought outloud.

"Think it's a mystic force spell circle?" Matt asked.

"What the heck's your problem? This isn't tv, we can't base everything off Power Rangers the tv series," Sean said harshly. Ara could tell Sean said it worse than he meant it, but she also noticed Matt more than just a bit insulted by the words.

"Lighten up, Sean. He's only trying to help," Ara tried. "School's intact, so let's get to class,"

"Fine," Sean commented irritated. The group went to pick-up their things and departed when the bell rang which did so within a few minutes. Matt followed Ara to English and took a seat next to her. They ended up passing small notes to eachother while the teacher wasn't looking, mostly about the latest inter-ranger social developments.

What was Sean's problem today? Matt wrote.

He's just mad, what else is new. she wrote back.

I don't get it. Why is he only mad at me? What'd I do?

Besides upstage him in Power Rangers? Nothing. He gets annoyed from the littlest things, ignore it.

I can't. I swear, one day he's gonna end up ripping my throat out.. on purpose.

No he's not. He knows his duty and knows he's not supposed to hurt his team mates. Ara scribbled. The teacher looked up and Ara locked eyes with him for a second before he continued. She could tell he knew what she was doing, but she was thankful he didn't do anything about it. She passed the note one last time and the two waited for the bell to ring. Immediately they got up as the first ring sounded and started heading quickly out the door.

"Ara, he may know he's not supposed to hurt me, but it doesn't mean he won't. Just one slip and he'll be all over me, trying to blast the sucker off my wrist!" Matt exclaimed. They got a few looks, but Ara ignored them. She knew Matt was making his point by not revealing they were power rangers, but she still gave him a look that told him to keep it down.

"Look, he's loyal to the orignal five, just like us, and he knows it'll only hurt the team if he does anything. He's knows not to do anything that'll split the team up, and even if he tries, it'll be all of us against him," Ara tried logically. Still, she wasn't so sure herself that Sean wouldn't try to hurt Matt in training. "Besides, Kari and Tamara will always be standing by," Ara smiled, trying to get Matt to smile, which he did, as they sat in their seats. The conversation ended there, but Ara could tell this would pick up again another time.

After school the group met in their morning spot except for Sean who went home. They teleported when no one was looking. "Hey, Sidira, we got a question!" Ara called.

"Yes?" she replied. She didn't seem surprised to see the group, but she didn't seem to be expecting them either.

"Where's Jared?"

"You mean he hasn't reported to you all yet?"

"No.. was he supposed to?" Tamara asked.

"I suppose he wouldn't.." Sidira mumbled.

"So you know where he is?," Ara asked assumingly.

"Yes. He is on a quest for his black ranger power," Sidira answered with a sigh.

"Great! See guys? No problem," Matt said happily.

"Just a little problem actually. Would it really take him this long to get his power back?" Ara asked concerned.

"She's got a point there.." Kari started.

"Sidira, can we see Jared in action right now?" Tamara asked.

"I'm afraid not. My viewing capabilities do not reach that far," Sidira reported dismally.

"That far? How far is that far?" Tamara asked.

"Quite far,"

"That's it. We can't just leave him alone anymore. Game's over, I vote we go after him," Ara stated.

"I agree. Let's go," Kari replied.

"Tamara, Matt?" Ara asked quickly. Both nodded silently, but Sidira shook her head no.

"I'm afraid my power does not extend that far. I only have power to teleport one of you,"

"Ok, then I'll go," Ara stated.

"No, let me. I'm the man here," Matt insisted.

"Matt, this isn't about who's a man and who's a woman," Ara tried.

"Then what is it about?" Matt asked.

"Nothing. Point is, I'm leader, so it's only fit that I go," Ara stated. Matt gave her a look which made Ara smile. "No worries, I'll be fine. Sidira, teleport me, please," Ara stated.

"Very well," Sidira answered. Matt took a step back, eyes pleading that she stay.

"Besides, you gotta be here to help watch for Dogun. If he shows up, don't hesitate to destroy him," Ara instructed. Matt nodded his head once to show he heard.

"Ara, I will be sending you to the entrance of the Abyss of Darkness. You'll have to go down the abyss first to get to the area Jared is in. I'll give you the same warning I gave him. There are many creatures there, some are even worse than nators. You must be very careful," Sidira stated.

"Right, thanks," Ara answered.

"Ara, we'll be waiting for you," Matt called as he watched her get teleport into darkness.

Ara looked all around wondering where she was. She saw a large pit, which was pitch black for far as she could tell, and black-ish looking trees all around. "Jared!" she called out. She didn't hear anything that was close to a response so she started down the pit. She did her best to watch her footing, but a few times she slipped and fell onto a small terrace she hadn't been expecting. It took her a long time, but she finally made it down in one piece. "Jared!" she called again. As she looked around she saw a glowing lake. It was beautiful and glowing which easily attracted her, but somehow she still found it fitting with the darkness. "Jared!" she continued as she walked closer and closer to the lake. As she neared she saw a figure floating in the water with a bunch of green-yellow eyes all focused on the figure in the water. "Jared!" she called a final time as she ran to the water. She got to the edge, but adruptly stopped. The figure was swimming towards her, but as her eyes quickly scanned the area, she saw he was probably coming for his clothes as opposed to her. He got up and Ara's eyes moved to the glowing lake quickly. "Sorry.." she said sheepishly. "Are you ok? We were worried when you didn't show up for school," Ara commented, eyes still not returning to Jared until she was sure he was dressed again.

"You shouldn't turn your eyes on the enemy," he answered.

"Enemy? But you're my friend," Ara thought outloud as she turned back to face a fully dressed Jared.

"He isn't," he answered, nodding towards the glowing eyes.

"If I didn't know those were probably dangerous, I'd want to come back to look at the pretty lake," she commented thoughtfully.

"We need to go, before he changes his mind,"

"Changes his mind, what do you mean?" Ara wondered outloud.

"Too late!" an evil voice stated. A cat lept and the eyes followed. Dozens of, what looked to Ara, mutated cats jumped out from the dark and appeared, each one ready to claw Jared and herself.

"Ah!" a loud high pitch came from Ara before she had time to supress it. Jared acted quickly, though, running to the side, yanking Ara with him. They kept running until the eyes couldn't be seen. Ara stopped and pulled her wrist back sharply so he would be sure to let go. "What are those things?" she asked as she rubbed her sore wrist with the other hand.

"I'm not sure, but I believe they are what Sidira was referring to when she said more dangerous than nators," Jared answered evenly.

"So let's morph and fight. We gotta get back to the others soon," Ara stated.

"How do we get back?" he asked logically.

"Uhm.. your new black ranger power?" Ara tried with a hopeful smile, though she knew it was useless.

"I don't think so. I'm recharged and stronger, but not by much. I can't teleport us yet,"

"Darn.. So, let's go back up the way we came down and use our morphers to have Sidira teleport us back,"

"I'm not sure she'll be able to hear us," Jared commented.

"Well do you have any bright ideas?" Ara asked a little irritated.

"I do," a voice laughed. Ara jumped back behind Jared to see the cat was right by her shoulder.

"We don't have time for games, Doesn't Matter. Spill!" Jared commanded as placed a hand in front of Ara to make sure she would be protected. She'd never heard Jared so in charge. He'd always been the dark, mysterious, soft talker type, in her oppinion.

"But I still have more tasks for you. And now you'll have help!" the cat stated playfully.

"No, she's not involved. If anything, send her back and I'll finish your tasks," Jared bargained. Ara looked at him with surprise.

"No, I'm not leaving without you. I'm supposed to bring you back," Ara said quietly by his ear.

"It may be the only way. You know I'm fine now, so you guys can bring me back," Jared tried.

"I don't care, I'm not leaving you," Ara strained to keep quiet, but it was difficult as she grew more fustrated.

"No, you're going back, end of discussion," Jared stated, no longer staying quiet either.

"No, you're coming with me. I'm red ranger and that's the end of discussion!" Ara stated.

"This isn't S.P.D. space acadamy. There are no ranks, and for your own safety, you're leaving," Jared insisted.

"Not without you. Think of your safety while you're thinking of mine," Ara replied.

"Ara,"

"Jared!"

"A married couple! Hahaha, I love it! I'll tell you what, I'll let you both go, but you must keep me entertained for three minutes. Do that and you'll both go home," the cat intruded happily.

"Butt out, ya devil cat!" Ara complained. She stared Jared down, not daring to look away. "Look, let's just do what he wants. He said he'll send us home, all we gotta do is entertain him for three minutes!"

"Honestly, what have I done?" the cat asked offended.

"No, you're going home now!" Jared retorted, ignoring the cat.

"Be sensible," Ara tried, still fustrated.

"I agree, sensible," the cat commented calmly.

"Follow your own advice," Jared stated, again ignoring the cat.

"I am. It's only tree minutes!"

"Three minutes isn't long," the cat continued.

"Ara, you don't know what you're talking about!" Jared stated

"Jared, it's entertaining. We can sing a song, tell a joke, juggle, kick eachother stupid, it doesn't matter! Three minutes and we'll be home free!"

"True, I can be easily amused," the cat said lightly.

"Shut up!" Jared finally ordered the cat. "She's going home, I'm going to finish your task, then I'm going home, and neither one of us are coming back!" Jared stated.

"Quite offended I am, but not to worry. This is entertainment enough. Three minutes are up. You may go home," the cat's head motioned towards a warp that suddenly showed. Ara started walking to it, but was halted by a firm hand on her shoulder.

"What now? It's home. You wanted me to go home first, so let me go first,"

"It might be a trick," Jared stated back in his usual quiet voice.

"Oh give it a rest!" Ara said exasperated.

"Trust your knight, he only means the best," the cat said teasingly.

"Shut up, cat. This princess can save herself," Ara stated annoyed. Jared suddenly did something unexpected. He took Ara's hand firmly, but silent, and began walking to the warp, tugging her along lightly. It didn't take much for Ara to walk forward, but she was suprised none-the-less and felt her cheecks blush. They went through the portal, happily leaving the cat called Doesn't Matter, behind. They soon found themselves in the command center with four pairs of eyes on them.

"Ooooo," Kari toyed. Ara blushed again, and quickly let go of his hand. She noticed Jared looked away, back to his stone expression, and also let go of her hand just as quickly.

"Well, she sure brought him back alright," Sean teased.

"Shut up," Ara mumbled.