Disclaimer: I do not own the Power Rangers. They belong to Saban, blah,blah,blah

Summary: A new girl arrives in Angel Grove, and captures Jason's attention. But what will happen when              

                 he learns her secret? Please read and review.

The Phoenix Saga

Tommy, Kimberly, Billy, Trini, and Zack were sitting in the juice bar laughing when they heard an all to familiar beeping. They looked at each other, got up, and walked to the locker area of the Youth Center where they wouldn't be noticed easily.

"Go ahead Alpha." Tommy answered.

"Ai-yi-yi-yi-yi, Rangers, teleport to the Command Center, immediately."

"We're on are way." They looked away to make sure no one was coming, then disappeared in 5 flashes of light. They landed in the Command Center where Zordon was waiting for them.

"Rangers, look at the viewing globe." They all turned around. "I'm afraid Rita has sent Goldar and the putties after Jason and his friend. They are far outnumbered, and for obvious reasons, Jason can not morph. You need to get her out of there, then take care of Goldar." The rangers turned around.

"All right Zordon, we're on our….." Tommy was interrupted by Alpha.

"Ai-yi-yi-yi-yi! Rangers, Rita has sent down her newest monster! And he and Goldar are going after Jason! Ai-yi-yi-yi-yi!"

"Its morphin time!" Tommy yelled.

"Dragonzord."

"Mastodon."

"Pterodactyl."

"Triceratops."

"Sabretooth Tiger."

The five teens morphed into the Power Rangers and teleported to the park to help their friend.

Erin couldn't keep up with Jason in the sea of gray that now seemed to be concentrated on her. It seemed that the monsters' strategy had changed. The putties were coming after her, while Goldar advanced toward Jason. She had to believe that he would be ok. I could take them all down myself. But I can't bring myself to do it. If I do, there will be no going back. I don't want to lose what I've found here. I'm happy for once! Damn it, why me? She let her concentration slip, and two of the putties got the upper hand. One of them kicked her in the stomach, causing her to double over in pain, and the other slammed its fists into her back. She fell to the ground and the first putty kicked her in the stomach again. She couldn't catch her breath or get up, and the assault kept coming.

  "ERIN!!!!" Jason yelled. He saw the putties overtake her, and ran in her direction. A flash of light appeared in front of her, and one of Rita's monsters landed in between Jason and his target.

"Prepare to meet your doom! The monster kicked, and Jason went flying.

"Jason!" Erin choked out. She tried to get up, but the two putties kept kicking her back down. "You seriously are pissing me off!!! And trust me, you don't want to do that!" She was getting angry, and wouldn't be able to hold it in much longer. She prayed the Power Rangers showed up soon, before she did something she would regret later.

"Need some help?" she looked up as the putties went flying. The green power ranger stood there, offering a hand to help her up.

"Thank you."

"No problem. Now get out of here and leave them to us."

"But Jason…."

"We'll help him. Just run."

"No! I can help!"

"Are you deaf? I said get out of here!" The other rangers were already headed toward Jason. The green one just stared at her. She stared back.

"I'm not leaving without him." she stated resolutely.

"Man, you're stubborn. I didn't want to have to forcefully remove you, but you leave me no choice." He grabbed her arm, and made a short teleport to the woods behind the park. "You'll be safe now." He let go and teleported back to the battle. She stood there stunned for a second. I don't think so. She ran back towards the sounds of battle in the park.

In a flash of green light, Tommy rejoined his friends.

"Man Jason, you sure know how to pick 'em." the green ranger stated. "Its all clear though, you can morph now."

"Its morphin time!" Jason yelled. "Tyrannosaurus." Jason assumed the mantle of the Red Ranger, and they attacked. Tommy and Jason went after Goldar, while the others went after the monster. The battle was fierce, and seemed to be evenly matched. Unknown to the rangers, Erin had made her way back to the park and was watching from behind the tree that she and Jason had previously been under. Where is Jason? she looked around, panicking. I guess they teleported him out, just like they did me. She continued to watch the battle from afar. Suddenly, Goldar leaped over the red and green rangers to where the other monster was fighting.

"Time to let the rangers see your real power!" Goldar smiled menacingly. The other monster just nodded. The rangers regrouped.

"His real power? Man, he's strong enough as it is!" Zack exclaimed.

"Be on guard, guys. Who knows what is about to happen." Jason warned them. "Tommy, stay back. You're getting weak, I can tell."           

"I'm ok bro. Just a little winded."

"You heard me. Take it easy." At that moment, the hair around them began to crackle with energy. Erin could feel it all the way over to her hiding place. This can NOT be good. The monster extended his arms, and energy cascaded all over him.

"Nice trick ugly, but when do we get to see the real show?" Zack taunted.

"You want to see what I can do ranger? I'll do one better, I'll let you FEEL it!" With that, 6 tendrils of energy extended from his arms, each enwrapping one ranger. They all began to scream in agony..

He's draining their energy! No! This can't be! Unconsciously, she began to probe the rangers with her abilities. Their energy levels are dropping to fast. They can't counter it. She stopped as she felt the green one. He's the worst off. I don't think he had that much to begin with. I have to help them. I can't stand by and watch them die. So much for a normal life. But at least I can be more careful as far as protecting my secret. She concentrated hard, and turned her awareness inward. Finding the center of her being, she tapped into the power that she hadn't used in so long. It was frightening, but comforting at the same time. This was who she was. She had been wrong to deny this part of herself. She could feel the power coursing through her again; she could "hear" the thoughts of millions in her mind. It only took a few seconds to erect the necessary barriers and filters she needed. Now I'm ready. In a flash, of orange fire, she transformed her workout clothes into her phoenix costume. It was a black full piece leotard, with dark orange armor plating. To it, she added the benefit of a black mask to protect her identity. Now I'm ready. In a flash of light, she withdrew her sword, leapt over the monsters, and sliced the cords of energy binding the rangers. They fell down to the ground gasping.

"What the….?" Goldar glared at her. "Who are you?" he fumed.

"Your worst nightmare, you overgrown monkey. And as for your little friend there…." she turned around to face the monster who was still reeling from the abrupt disconnect from his victims,"….. he's dead." She leapt up, drew the blade over her head, and sliced down, cleanly chopping the monster in two. Goldar jumped back.

"You'll pay for that, you…."

"You can call me Phoenix."  Goldar lunged at her. As the two swords clanged, the green ranger started to wake up. Who is that? he thought weakly to himself. He tried to get up to help, but couldn't support his own weight and fell back down. This caught Erin's eye, and she momentarily slipped in her concentration. Goldar took advantage and slashed wide at her. She barely jumped back in time, but still his sword caught her arm, ripping through her costume, and slicing the skin underneath. Suddenly, Rita called to him.

"Goldar, return to the moon, now!"

"But my queen…."

"NOW!!!!!" he sheathed his sword and turned to his opponent.

"Next time, Phoenix, you will not be so lucky." With that, he teleported back out to Rita's moon base. Phoenix sheathed her sword, and ran over to the rangers. They were all waking up, even the green ranger, although he was by far the weakest of the group. The red ranger looked up at her.

"Who… who are you?" he choked out. She looked down at him. He turned his head to cough, and when he looked back, she was gone. The other rangers were getting up, slowly. Jason pushed himself up, and went to help Zack with Tommy.

"Man, I think he's pretty bad off, Jase. We should get him to the Command Center and let Alpha look at him." Jason slipped an arm under Tommy, and the six of them teleported out. Erin sat in the tree above them, and watched them go.

They all took off their helmets when they got to the command center. Tommy was deathly white, and could hardly stand on his own. He sat down on the floor while Billy scanned him over. The others waited.

"He'll be ok." Billy announced. "You just need to take it easy. I wouldn't try to morph for a few days, either. Save the energy."

"Zordon, do you know who that girl was?" Jason turned toward the being in the tube behind him.

"I have no idea, Jason." Zordon answered.

"I wonder whose side she is on?" Jason wondered aloud. Tommy looked up at him in surprise.

"She helped us Jason. That should tell you right there."

"Jason's right." Trini spoke up. "This wouldn't be the first time Rita has tried to trick us into believing that someone was on our side when they were really working for her."

"I don't believe you guys." Tommy sighed.

"Well, I don't think we should worry about it right now." Kim stated. "Are you all still up to going to see that movie?"

"Movie…Oh my god! I forgot about Erin! Tommy, where did you 'port her too?" Jason asked.

"Just into the woods behind the park. She probably went home by now." Tommy replied, leaning his head on the wall.

"So, Tommy, you still up to going?" Kim was set on this movie.

"Kim, we should let him rest." Billy said.

"No, I'm ok." he pushed himself up. "Yeah, I still want to go."

"Ok, let's go then!" They all demorphed and got ready to leave.

"Hey, I'll meet ya'll there. I told Erin I'd pick her up." They all smiled at him, then they teleported out.

She gazed at herself in the mirror. The tears were falling down her face rapidly. How could I be so stupid. I shouldn't have done that. The moment she had stepped into her apartment, she regretted what she had done. The whole reason she had come to California was to get away from the pain and misery that the Phoenix powers brought with them. She went into the living room, fell down on the couch, buried her face in her hands and wept. I should have known this would happen. As soon as I get a life and find happiness, it gets wrecked. Like always. She continued weeping, when suddenly her doorbell rang. She sat up with a start. Who could that be? She walked to the door and looked out the peep hole. Jason? What's he doing here? She panicked at the thought that he had seen her transform. Then rational thoughts caught up with her, and she realized he was here to take her to the movie that they had planned earlier. She hesitated as she was about to open the door. I look like crap! With a thought she telekinetically fixed her make-up and the splotchiness that the tears had caused. She glanced into the mirror beside her, and, satisfied with her appearance, reached down to open the door.

"Jason!" she acted like she hadn't known it was him. She reached out and hugged him. "I was so worried about you! Come in!" The two walked into her living room.

"I'm fine. I told you the Power Rangers always save the day." He smiled at her. Then he noticed the bandage around her arm, mid-way between elbow and shoulder. "What happened?" he asked concerned. She looked down at her arm. Shit. I forgot about that.

"I fell on a rock when those gray guys kicked me down." she lied.

"It looks pretty bad." Jason noticed the blood seeping through the bandages.

"It's ok. It looks worse than it is." Actually, it hurt like hell, but she couldn't tell him that. He looked back up at her.

"Still wanna catch that movie with us?" he asked.

"Oh, I'd forgotten!" she cried. "Of course, just give me a minute to change." She walked back into her bedroom. Jason looked around the apartment. He found the pictures of Erin and who he guessed was her mother on the table beside him. Wow, they could be twins! he thought. He was still looking at the pictures when she came into the room.

"Ready?" He turned and looked at her.

"Wow, that was fast." She was wearing the same outfit that she had worn to the Youth Center party Saturday night …. a black tank top with cargo khaki pants. Her hair was done in a french braid, and her make-up looked fresh. "Any other girl would have taken at least a half hour."

"Well, I'm not any other girl, am I?" she only half joked. One of the instances when telekinesis comes in handy. "Come on, we're gonna be late."

"Shouldn't you tell someone you're leaving?"

"They're all out." she hated to lie, but had no choice.

"Well, then. Let's be on our way!" He grabbed her hand and the two of the walked down to his car, and drove off towards downtown Angel Grove.

By the time they got their tickets and reached the lobby, the others had already visited the snack bar.

"Hey guys!" Zack waved them over.

"Hey man." Jason walked over to them, with Erin's hand in his. "Kim, Trini, Billy, Zack, this is Erin."

"Hi," they all replied.

"Hey Erin." Tommy added.

"Hi." She answered. She noticed that Tommy was leaning heavily on Kim.

"Hey, what happened to your arm?" Zack noticed the bandage there. Tommy glanced up when he heard that. Her arm? He noticed the bandage also. Wait a minute. He listened to her explanation about the putties throwing her against a sharp rock. I don't remember her bleeding when I teleported her out. Something's not right here. His mind flashed back over the battle. He remembered it all clearly, up to the point when he passed out. No, she definitely was not bleeding.

"Tommy? Hello?" Kim called.

"Oh, huh?" He brought his mind back to the present.

"The others already went in. Are you sure you're up to this?" she was concerned.

"Yeah. Just a little worn out. I'll be fine Kim."

"All right. Let's go inside then." The two of them went into the dark theater and found their friends.

Later that night Tommy laid in bed thinking. Why is this bugging me so much? So she cut her arm, big deal. No, not big deal. Something is going on, and I need to know what it is. He went back over the battle for about the 50th time since he'd lain down in bed. I'm missing something! He clearly remembered arriving on the scene and arguing with her. Then he had grabbed her and teleported her to the woods. He Jason went after Goldar, then the other monster had attacked. He shuddered as he remembered the feeling of the energy being sucked out of him. If that girl hadn't shown up, we'd probably all be dead. he jerked up as he realized what was missing.  I was the first to regain consciousness… The memory played out in his head. He heard swords clanging. Looking up, he saw a strange girl fighting Goldar. She noticed him look up, and lost her concentration. Goldar took advantage of the slip and sliced at her arm, mid way between the elbow and shoulder. The same arm that Erin had bandaged up. He recalled Goldar calling her Phoenix, then teleporting back to the moon. Could that really be her? He didn't need anyone to answer his question, he already had a pretty good idea.

to be continued…