Nick had just turned the sign from open to close and was about to lock the door when Leelee burst through the door.

"Hey!"

Sorry, Leelee, we're closing," Nick informed her.

"Perfect that means you have no excuses for not coming to see this great new DJ tonight," said Leelee holding up a flyer.

"No can do, already have plans," said Nick brushing her off.

"Please," she pleaded.

"Don't waste your time throwing yourself at him Lee, throw yourself at me," said Xander making Novi roll her eyes.

"Okay you can come with me," said Leelee sadly.

"He can't go either. He's the one I have plans with," said Nick opening the office door.

Vida left Novi behind the counter and took the flyer out of Leelee's hand, turning it over to look at it.

"DJ Fly, never heard of him. Any good?"

"He's just like the hottest new DJ around. Surprised you haven't heard of him."

"I've got to check this guy out."

"Great you can come with me."

"Hey Novi, you wanna come too?" asked Vida turning to her.

"Sure. If he is as good as you say, maybe I can see about working his stuff into my set," Novi replied.

"Vida and Novi have plans too," said Nick joining them.

"But there's a new talent in town," Vida whined. "Our plans can wait until tomorrow."

"No, they can't," said Nick escorting Leelee to the door. "You gave your word you would help, V. Thanks for the invite, Leelee. Some other time." He said as she closed the door and locked it. "We have half the Fireheart scroll to figure out. Chip and Madison are waiting at Rootcore remember?"

"Since when did you become Nick, the good of witch of Briarwood," asked Xander grabbing his coat.

Novi and Vida continued to look at the poster.

"You are coming guys?" Nick asked.

"We'll be there in a few," said Vida. "I need Novi's help with some paperwork."

Once they had left Novi turned to Vida.

"That paperwork doesn't happen to include that leaflet, does it?"

"You know it," replied Vida her eyes bright with mischief.

~~~xXx~~~

A little while later Novi and Vida meet up with Leelee outside the club and the trio headed inside. The club was packed with teens dancing and swaying to the EDM-style music and DJ fly played. It was so loud Novi could feel the bass pounding through her body and she found herself swaying to the beat. She turned to see Vida and Leelee also enjoying the music.

"Do you like?" Leelee asked over the music.

"I like. It's so hypnotic," said Vida.

"I know what you mean. I could listen to it for all of eternity," said Leelee. Just then her phone chimed in her pocket.

"Hello me?"

Leelee wandered deeper into the crowd and Novi could no longer hear her conversation. She found herself being drawn in by the music and she barely noticed that Leelee had returned.

"That's so unfair, my mom totally blew a fuse. I've got to go. I'm sorry."

"We better split too," said Vida.

"No, no, no don't now I feel guilty," said Leelee.

"Okay, but I'll just stay for one more song," Vida reassured her. "I love this DJ."

Novi waved goodbye to Leelee as she left, they pair alone. They continued to listen when suddenly Novi was hit with a massive headache that came on suddenly. The pain was so bad it made her feel sick. She touched Vida on the shoulder to get her attention.

"Hey V, I'm gonna go too. I'm suddenly not feeling very well."

Vida nodded in response but didn't look at her.

"V?"

"Uh-huh. I'll see you later," Vida responded absentmindedly.

Novi shrugged before turning and pushing her way through the crowd. Once she was out of the club and could no longer hear the music the headache was gone.

That's weird," she thought to herself but thought nothing else of it as she headed back home.

~~~xXx~~~

The next day, Vida failed to show up for work and Maddie said she hadn't heard Vida come in after the pair had bailed on research the night before. Novi had apologized and explained that she had not been feeling well after which is why she had just gone home. Novi's concern and guilt grew as day turned to even with no sign of Vida.

Once she and Xander finished work and had closed up the store, they headed to Rootcore to join Nick and the others to continue to solve the mystery of the scroll before Necrolai could.

"Ugh, I give up. Maybe we weren't meant to find the secret of the Fireheart," sighed Xander closing the book he was reading with a thud.

"Come on. Don't give up, Never give up," said Nick hitting Xander in the chest with a book as he spoke, and he passed another book to Novi.

"Wow Nick, that's inspiring," said Maddie.

"Yeah, that's what I thought when Udonna yelled it at me this morning when I was ready to quit," said Nick looking over at Maddie. "By the way, where is Udonna?"

"Last time I saw Udonna, she was teaching Claire another invisibility spell," Maddie replied.

"Which could be the problem right there," said Chip with a laugh.

There was a whoosh as the doors opened and Vida walked in.

"Yo crew, sorry I'm late," she said slumping down into one of the chairs.

Novi frowned as she studied Vida, something was off about her, but she couldn't really decide what. Even the way she moved was weird, it was sluggish, which was the total opposite to her normal behavior.

"Late? We haven't seen you since yesterday, that's beyond late," scolded Nick. "So much for giving us your word."

"Relax, you're not my dad. So, I missed a night of saving the world. Good news is worlds still here."

"V, it's not that you missed last night, you missed all day too. It's nighttime again," said Xander.

"Yeah, I had to cover your shift at Rock Porium because you didn't show. Is everything okay?" Novi asked.

"I was worried about you," said Maddie.

"Look I'm sorry. I gave my word, and I blew it. It won't happen again," said Vida sounding a bit more like her normal self.

"Hey, no problem, V. We all make mistakes," said Chip reassuringly.

Nick winced as Nick pressed his fingers to the side of his head closing his eyes for a few moments.

"What's up Nick?" Novi asked when he opened his eyes again.

"It's Koragg he wants us to meet him in the forest, he says the fate of the world is at stake if we don't show up," said Nick still rubbing his temples.

~~~xXx~~~

The teens were running through the forest was a group of Hideaks popped up out of the ground.

"Let's ranger up," said Nick.

"Why bother?" said Vida as she launched herself into the group of Hideaks.

They stood back and watched as Vida tore through the creatures taking them down like she was swatting flies.

Man, look at V go," said Nick approvingly.

"This catching up on her sleep must really be paying off," noted Chip.

"Go sis, "Maddie cheered as Vida continued to destroy the Hideaks. "I've never seen her like this."

"Neither have I," said Novi watching Vida closely.

Once she had taken down most of the Hideaks she flashed the teens a grin before calling on her wind abilities. "Tornado powers!" she commanded and finished off any Hideaks that remained.

"Way to go, V!" said Nick high fiving her.

"Well done, now how about a real challenge," said Koragg stepping out of the shadows. "Uthe Mejor!" he called out and a dark spell seal appeared which caused him to grow larger until he towered above them.

Without missing a beat, the six teens pulled out their morphers and powered up to their Mystic Titan forms.

"Welcome to your last fight," threatened Koragg.

"That's, what you think," said Nick.

Koragg raised his shield and held the sword across it as the eyes opened up. Wolf Attack!" several purple wolf heads come out of the eye and slammed into them. Only Chip and Nick came out unscathed as they charged at Koragg. Their attacks were blocked by Koragg, and he retaliated with an attack of his own, causing them both to stumble. He then turned and attacked Maddie as she rushed in. He slashed at her with his sword, sending her crashing to the ground.

"You want some of this?" Xander asked, holding up his ax. He swung at Koragg, but the wolf warrior blocked it with his shield.

Pushing Xander away, Koragg attacked him with his sword and then turned to block Nick's next attack.

"Could use some help, V!" Chip called.

"Incoming!" Vida yelled. She transformed into her ball mode and soared through the air as Novi used her tails to send her to Chip.

Chip caught the pink ball between his wings and spun in a circle. "A little game of catch, Koragg?!" he called; releasing the ball on the third spin and watching it sail towards him.

Koragg held his shield up to deflect Vida but the force of the ball slamming into the shield made him stumble backward. "I'm not done yet," he said, having recovered quickly. "Major Catastros!" he called, summoning Catastros and merging with it to form Centaurus Wolf Megazord.

"Now you will feel my real power," he warned them.

"Talk is cheap. You don't scare us," said Nick.

The others agreed.

"Mystic Titans, Dragon Formation!"

Just as they were about to combine the sun peaked over the horizon and Vida cried out in pain. She tried to shield herself from the bright rays but fell out of the sky, landing hard on the ground "The sun's so bright!" she whined, her voice slurred.

Novi looked down to see Vida power down and also lose her morphed form as she collapsed onto the ground.

"V what's wrong?" asked Novi her voice full of concern for her fallen friend.

"You okay sis?" asked Maddie as they crowded around Vida as she laid motionless in their shadows.

"You lose one and you all quit?" jeered Koragg taking advantage of them being distracted to take a shot at them, but the movement caught Novi's attention and she pushed Xander out of the way taking the brunt of his attack.

The Kitsune titan sparked before it powered down and Novi landed on the ground still morphed, not too far from where Vida was laying. She rushed over to Vida's motionless form.

"V? She asked shaking her shoulders and Vida tried to lift her head but was too weak. She groaned in response.

"You guys deal with Koragg, I'll take Vida back to Rootcore until we can figure out what's wrong with her," said Novi through her helmet to the others.

She powered down and gently scooped Vida up in her arms. "Here goes nothing," she thought to herself as she pictured Rootcore unsure if she would be able to flame holding another person.

~~~xXx~~~

To her surprise, it worked as she found herself in Rootcore earning another smile from Udonna before she realized something was wrong with Vida.

"What happened?"

"I don't know, we were fighting Koragg, and she suddenly collapsed. I heard her say something about the sun being too bright, but sunlight doesn't affect our Titan form at least it never has before."

"I've heard of this before," said Udonna.

"Really? What is it?"

"I need to check a few things to be sure."

Beside them, Vida groaned and opened her eyes.

"V, You, okay?" Novi heard from behind her.

Novi turned to see Maddie had come back to Rootcore.

"Where are the others?" Novi asked.

"It's 9 so they left to open the store. I wanted to make sure Vida was okay," said Maddie.

"She—," Novi started to speak but Vida interrupted.

"I'm fine, just a little sensitivity to light is all," said Vida grabbing a dark jacket, shades, and a hat before she headed out.

Novi looked at Maddie who shrugged before following Vida out of Rootcore.

~~~xXx~~~

The next morning Novi had headed early to Rootcore to continue looking through the vast number of books for anything mentioning what the secret of the Fireheart was. Even though they had spent several days researching they had only made a dent in the massive collection of books and ancient texts that Udonna kept but so far nothing about what the Fireheart was. Soon Nick and Chip had arrived followed by Xander and Maddie.

"Any luck?" Maddie asked noticing the pile of discarded books beside her.

"Sadly no. I haven't even found a single mention about the Fireheart.

"Good morning Rootcore," said Vida strolling in. She looked better than she had yesterday but there was still something off about her. Novi remembered that Udonna had said she might know something about what happened to Vida, and she made a mental note to ask her when she returned.

"Hey, sis. You're feeling better," said Maddie.

"I'm feeling great," said Vida stretching her arms. "Slept like a baby. Let's rock and roll."

"You slept like a log —22 hours' worth," said Nick.

"Hey V, say a few words to your fans," said Maddie grabbing her camcorder.

Vida strutted towards the camera. "All right, I'll show you a new pose that came to me in a dream," she said holding up two fingers in a sideways V to the side of her head.

Novi stared at Vida as she realized that pose was familiar, she had seen it before, but she just couldn't place where or when.

"After a long nap, you must be very thirsty V," said Chip offering her a glass of red liquid.

Vida hungrily grabbed the glass from his hands and gulped down a large mouthful before she retched and spat out the drink. "Yuck! Its tomato juice," she cried out.

"Aw, what? Did you think it was blood?" he asked emphasizing the last word.

"Pardon me?" Xander asked surprised.

"I'm a card-carrying member of C.O.U.N.T.V," said Chip taking a card out of his pocket to show them. When he saw the confusion in their eyes he sighed. "Containment of Underworld Nocturnal Transylvanian Vampires Club. And I, my friends, have found myself a vampire."

"My sister's a vampire?" asked Maddie in confusion.

"Pale skin, sensitivity to light, sleeping all day, thirst for blood," said Chip listing off Vida's symptoms. "Textbook vampire signs." Chip said pointing to a 'How to spot a Vampire' book he was carrying.

The others were silent for a moment then started laughing all except for Novi.

"That's where I've seen that pose before!" Novi exclaimed. "It all makes sense. I knew I recognize Vida's so-called new pose and I couldn't remember where but now I do. It's not a new pose, it's Necrolai's pose!"

"You're just as crazy as he is," said Nick still laughing. "Come on guys. We're late for work."

"I'll meet you guys later," said Vida still chuckling. "I've got to grab a bite before I go," she lunged towards Chip when she said the word bite making the others laugh harder.

The others walked out of the doors leaving Novi and Chip with Vida.

"Okay, maybe I'm wrong. I'll stay here and go in with Vida," said Chip still eyeing Vida.

"I'll stay with you if you want," Novi offered. "I don't have work and I wanted to check in with Udonna about something anyway."

"By the way Chip," said Vida her back to them. "You were right. I am a vampire."

Chip and Novi froze each looking at the other fearfully. Novi turned around slowly to see Vida had turned to face them, fangs extended, and her eyes were red. She hissed and lunged at them, but Chip grabbed something from his bag and whirled around holding the object in front of him. Vida hissed again and pulled away taking a step back.

"Garlic clove, I knew it! You're a vampire," said Chip excitedly." This is great…oh well except for you, you're a blood-sucking night demon."

~~~xXx~~~

As day changed to evening Novi and Vida decided to go outside to a small balcony with a swing that was hidden high up in the tree that made up Rootcore. Chip had given Novi a second clove of garlic for her protection, and she sat twirling it in her hands.

"I'm sorry," Novi finally said in almost a whisper.

"What for?"

"I should have persuaded you not to go—or made you come with me when I left. It was a trap and I just left you…"

"It's not your fault. How could you have possibly known what was going to happen," said Vida lunging at Novi her fangs bared. Novi held up the clove and Vida backed off.

"I am going to do everything I can to help you, I promise. We will find a way to make you human again."

Vida lunged again at Novi, who held up the clove again forcing Vida back to the other end of the swing.

"I'm sorry, I just can't help it," Vida whined. "You know I'd never hurt you."

"I know but there is a very fine line between hurting me and biting me to give me eternal life. As fun as it sounds, I wouldn't want to live forever."

"No?"

"Nope, it has its upside but the downside of being forced to watch your loved ones wither and die while you remain young forever would be devastating, plus the idea of drinking blood…ick," Novi said with a shudder.

Vida laughed.

"I suppose that's true."

"It must have happened sometime after I left you at the club. We find DJ Fly and I'm sure we'll get to the bottom of this. As Novi spoke, she noticed Vida slowly inching closer to her, her eyes fixated on her neck. Novi held the clove between them making Vida hiss as she slowly back away. "I'll call the others and tell them what we are up to."

"No, they already think you and Chip are off your rockers, let's get as much info as we can, then tell them."

Novi nodded standing up to head back inside when Vida once again tried to lunge at her. Novi whirled around holding the clove in front of her and Vida hissed backing off.

"I have a feeling this is going to be a long night."

Novi had checked her phone and saw that DJ Fly was playing in the club again that night, so she and Vida got changed and headed to the club.

~~~xXx~~~

Once inside the club Novi noticed that once again it was people around her age, the music was blaring, and it seemed all the teens were in some kind of trance-like state.

"They seem to be in some kind of trance…V?" she said turning to Vida, but she was also staring and swaying just like the others. Novi watched the DJ and found herself copying the movements of the others. Suddenly Necrolai was behind her, and she forced herself to not react.

"Good girl, you have brought another ranger for us to control," Necrolai to Vida as she placed a hand on her head. "Do your thing Flytrap but leave the ranger to me, she is all mine."

Novi watched as DJ Fly changed into what resembled a Venus flytrap and shot out several spiked tentacles into the crowd and stabbed teens turning them into vampires.

"Welcome to the dark side ranger," Necrolai crooned in her ear and placed a hand on her head, pulling it to the side exposing her neck. However, before she could lean in Novi slapped her hand away and pushed her back.

"Nice try Necrolai, you'd have to get up early in the night to pull that trick on me," she pulled the earplugs out of her ears showing them to her. "I already know your game."

"No matter," said Necrolai knocking them from her hands as she charged at her.

Necrolai kicked out at her, but Novi crossed her arms blocking the kick before striking out with a punch, but Necrolai turned to avoid it. She grabbed Novi and threw her across the club where she hit the wall and crumbled to the floor. Necrolai stalked towards her, but Novi pushed herself to her feet shakily and when Necrolai was close she kicked Necrolai knocking her back. Novi grabbed a nearby chair and slid it across the floor at Necrolai's legs, but she moved to avoid it. Novi flipped over and grabbed the chair to use it as a battering ram but again Necrolai swerved to avoid her. She jumped on the chair and tried to kick Necrolai, but she ducked and kicked the chair out from under her and Novi fell hard onto the floor. Necrolai grinned and leaned in closer. Novi remembered she had tucked the garlic clove in her pocket, and she fumbled to pull it out and held it out in front of her. Necrolai cried out in pain and backed away giving Novi the ability to get to her feet still holding the clove in front of her she smiled.

"Just kidding," Necrolai laughed knocking the garlic from her hands. "Your little vampire tricks won't work on me!"

Novi made a move to run but Necrolai grabbed her by the collar and pulled her back throwing her into the crowd of teens.

"Alright," said Novi getting back on her feet. She reached behind her and pulled out her morpher. "Let's try a big trick." She flipped open the cell phone and entered in the correct code.

"Magical Source, Mystic Force!"

"Game's over, Necrolai," she warned.

"Flytrap!"

Suddenly Novi felt tentacles wrapped around her body and she struggled against them, trying to break free.

"Wrong, the game is just beginning. Flytrap, destroy the girl!" Necrolai ordered.

Novi watched as he aimed a cannon at Vida.

"NO!" she cried out breaking free on the tentacles and launched herself between Flytrap and Vida, the blast hitting her directly in the chest. She landed on the floor at Vida's feet demorphing as she hit the ground.

"Ouch that had to hurt," Necrolai said looking at Novi on the floor. She then turned to the crowd behind her. "Go my servants into the night and destroy the city and in a few hours when the sun rises you will turn to ash."

Novi winced putting her arm around her chest as her eyes slid closed. A few minutes later she felt hands pulling her and opened her eyes to see Vida crouched behind her holding her upright.

"Novi, next time don't save me," Vida scolded. "Sometimes to have to sacrifice the one in order to save everyone else. You could have stopped her. You don't always have to be the hero."

"A hero no, just a friend. Remember that time when that boy kept teasing me about my parents not being around. Well, you stuck up for me and told him that I was your friend and if he wanted to pick on me, he would have to go through you first," Vida laughed. "Like it or not, I'm your friend for life," Novi turned so she was facing Vida. "So even if you're a vampire, I'll never give up on you and I will fight those that try and hurt you with my last breath. I—I…," Novi trailed off unable to find the words to express her feelings so instead she leaned in and kissed her. She felt Vida stiffen at first, but she relaxed and kissed her back. Novi cupped Vida's cheek in her hand deepening the kiss. After what felt like a lifetime Novi pulled away a smile playing on her lips as she looked at Vida lovingly.

"So will you fight with me V?" she asked breaking the silence.

"Do we even have a chance?"

"I don't know but we'll give it our best shot as always. And V…" she trailed off looking into Vida's eyes.

"I know," Vida said with a smile.

Vida offered her a hand and pulled her to her feet then the pair headed out of the club following the sounds of the other vampire teens as they shambled into town.

~~~xXx~~~

Novi and Vida found the teens in a large group in the city of town just as Nick and the others joined them.

"V, you, okay?" asked Maddie.

"Never better," Vida replied posing with her new pose.

"Good. Let's swat this fly," said Nick.

"Galwit Mysto Ranger"

"Strong as a tree, Green Mystic Ranger!"

Ever-changing as the wind, Pink Mystic Ranger!"

"Fluid as the seas, Blue Mystic Ranger!"

"Fast as lightning, Yellow Mystic Ranger!"

"Forceful as fire, Red Mystic Ranger!"

"Wielder of the Elements, Scarlet Mystic Ranger!"

"Courage is our magic…," started Novi.

"…and your downfall," finished Vida pointing at Flytrap.

"No problem," Flytrap replied shooting the spiked tentacles out which wrapped themselves around the rangers. The ranger struggled against them as the vampire minions stalked closer, but they couldn't break free.

"Let me try some magic," said Vida shrinking herself into a tiny sprite. She flew out of the grasp of the tentacles and grew to normal size in front of Flytrap and cut through the tentacles freeing the others.

Chip pulled out his crossbow and fired lightning arrows at Flytrap knocking him back. Together the six-ranger surrounded Flytrap and on Vida's commanded of "Tornado power!" they spun around in a circle creating a tornado that lifted Flytrap high into the air before crashing back down again.

"Enough of this," he cried out as he grew in size.

"Let's even this out," suggested Novi.

"You got it," Vida agreed as the teens pulled out the morphers activating their Titan modes.

"Galwit Mystio Provior!"

The six teens brought the Titans together to form the Titan Megazord.

"You okay sis?" Maddie asked again once they were inside the cockpit of the Zord.

"Never better," Vida replied doing her 'V' pose again

"Loving that pose V," said Novi approvingly.

"Titan Saber!" they called out and the saber appeared at their side.

Flytrap tried to grab the Megazord with his Tentacles, but several smaller swords appeared and shot at him cutting through the vines before the rangers swung the saber down his body. They were about to attack again when Novi noticed the sun was just about to peak over the edge of the mountains that surrounded Briarwood. They didn't have much time to save the teens below.

"We have to break the spell and fast," she warned pointing to the horizon.

"Right," the other agreed.

"Ancient spell seal!"

They held their hand over the podiums in front of them and they lit up as the seal formed and they used the saber to send the completed seal at Flytrap. He exploded just as the sun crested the mountains and the teens below returned to normal just in time. The teens quietly powered down and went to the railing that overlooked the plaza to see the teens had returned to normal. Much to the ranger's relief, it seemed that Vida had also returned to normal upon the destruction of Flytrap.

"Novi saved the day, I got my sister back and Briarwood teenagers are back to normal," said Maddie happily.

Nick high-fived Xander and cheered.

~~~xXx~~~

Later that day the six teens were back working in the Rock Porium and with Toby away, they were having a celebration over a good well done. Vida had cranked the music up and Vida, Novi, and Leelee were dancing together, and Chip was trying to get them all to sign up for C.O.U.N.T.V. Some of them had refused on hearing the cost and so far, only Novi had agreed to join. He was currently trying to pitch it to Nick.

"Before you said no, let me show you what you $200 gets you," he said opening the case in his hand and setting it on top of one of the racks. "Three cloves of garlic, 'How to spot a vampire' handbook, mirror, vampire chalk, a vial of…" He paused as Nick interrupted him.

"Wait vampire chalk?"

"No Vampire Hunter worth his wooden stake goes anywhere without it."

"Ah," Nick scoffed.

"Just draw a circle around the vampire and they cannot cross the line," Chip explained. He then walked over to where the three girls were dancing and got down on the floor.

"What is he doing?" asked Maddie walked over to Nick.

"Showing how vampire chalk works," Nick told her.

Novi jumped back feeling Chip bump into her leg and she heard Leelee give him a warning.

"Sorry, these are $300 LeSage boots, so draw your chalk near someone else feet."

Novi watched as Chip continued crawled around Vida drawing a circle around her, then he stood up and walked back to Nick and Maddie.

"So, if Vida was a vampire, she couldn't cross that line?" Nick asked.

"Yep."

Maddie and Nick laughed at the idea.

"Hey V, we got any Coltrane on CD?" called Xander from the front of the store. He was holding a red phone, pressing it to his chest to block out the noise from inside the store.

"Let me check," said Vida walking forward but as she was able to cross the chalk line a blue barrier rose, and Vida cried out in pain. She looked towards the others and tried again but the force field appeared again, and she cried out again. Novi walked over to Chip as he stared dumbfounded at Vida.

"V, are you alright?" He asked nervously as Vida had her head down.

Vida lifted her head as hissed at them her eyes once again red and fangs extended. Novi took a step back her hand flying to her mouth.

"Oh no!"

To be continued…