Last time: After realizing that Ashley's friends are vampires, the rangers go to confront these monsters. Before Cael could do the final blood transfer, the rangers arrive to the house. Tynan and Talon go out to confront the silver, black, pink, and blue ranger but Cael wants to deal with the red ranger personally. Andros arrives to find Ashley still under Cael's compulsion. After a brief fight, Andros and Ashley escape the house. Yet the dark prince perused them. When Ashley went to morph it turned out that Cael had taken her morpher leaving her helpless. The dark prince continues to try to make Ashley follow him but with Andros at her side, she fights him. Realizing the only way to get Ashley, Cael makes a challenge to Andros for a fight to the death. Andros agrees to the fight, which leads to Cael finally transforming into his true form. Can Andros beat the Prince of Vampires and save Ashley?
Never what it seems to be
Chapter 7: The end if it all?
Andros stared at the dark prince. Behind him lying motionless was his beloved Ashley. Cael's frame began to expand. His muscles were bulging now two times the size of his normal size, his claws lengthening, and wings exploding out of his back. His pale body began to transform into massive deathly white color, his incisors lengthened as they rested on his lower lip. His eyes were a piercing blood red. His black hair was matted and hung dead to his skin. The vampire prince size was now much larger then Andros, which looked incredibly intimidating. The clothes he had been wearing were in tatters, holding tightly to his body. His tail whipped around as he lowered his body to walk on all four legs. His feet, like the others were arched, making him stand on the balls. The wings on his back looked like black leather, gargoyle like wings.
Cael moved on all fours like a beast, a predator hunting its prey. Andros held out his spiral saber ready to defend or attack. Yet, this beast was intimidating. Andros did not know what to expect with this thing. With their eyes locked on one another, the two began to move in a slow circle, waiting for someone to make the first move. Growling came from deep within the vampire prince's throat. He moved, looking for an opening, slowly. His eyes were scanning the red ranger for a weakness. Then with a quick movement Cael jumped to the side, the moment he landed he pushed off the ground and dived at Andros. The vampire hit the red ranger square in the chest sending him to the ground. Cael jumped off him and began to circle him once again.
He is fast! Andros thought. Andros got up quickly and began to follow the beast. Placing his finger on the trigger of his astro blaster, he fired several shots at the monster. Cael dodged them easily and then went in for a head on attack. Andros went to fire on him, but when he did, Cael moved out of the way. The dark prince this time slashed at him with his claws. Next, Cael did a back flip hitting the red ranger with his tail in the process. He then landed on the balls of his feet, looking all the more powerful. Andros fell to the ground feeling every hit he received.
It is as if he got more powerful when he transformed! The red ranger thought in horror. He let out a soft groan feeling the pain in his chest. It was at this time the red ranger knew he would need more power. Finding his morpher, he pressed a button. Cael watched arching an eyebrow when in a flash of light the red ranger began to transform. A new plate of armor attached to the red ranger. Metal wings flew onto his back as well as a visor. After the transformation, Andros stood looking stronger then ever.
"So is that suppose to scare me," came Cael's voice. "The red battalized armor will even the odds," came the braver red ranger. Cael only smirked as he wiped a thick piece of black hair out of his face.
Back in the front yard, the other rangers were about to head back inside the house when Tynan landed behind them. His crimson eyes glared at them. "You think you were rid of me so easy?" he said getting their attention. The four rangers turned to see the vampire standing behind them. His one hand still oozing out blood while dried blood crusted around the wound hole. How something in one form could look so elegant and hideous in the next was beyond them. It must have been an illusion of some sorts. "Come on rangers, attack me." Tynan said motioning them to attack. Unsure what to do the rangers extracted their weapons. "This time we are going to finish you off," Zhane said stepping forward. Tynan grinned, his fangs showing. "We shall see,"
At the same time, the four rangers and the vampire ran at one another ready for a fight. Zhane led the rangers his weapon stretched out in front of him. He raised it high in the air as he reached Tynan and struck down at him. Tynan blocked the attack and kicked Zhane away. TJ attacked with his ax and Carlos with his lance at the same time. Tynan caught both of the weapons. With a quick movement, he kicked both rangers in the abdomen. Cassie however fired her satellite stunner at him. The vampire was use to the pink ranger's attacks dodged it. He rolled across the ground and then got on all fours. He ran at the pink ranger dodging all her blasts. When he reached her, he jumped and used his claws slashing her across the chest.
Cassie flew back and landed hard on the ground. Instantly the blue and black rangers were at her side while the silver ranger covered them. Quickly, Zhane changed his weapon into blaster mode and fired at Tynan. Tynan dodged each attack with ease and was prepared to attack them. TJ seeing his chance jumped over Zhane and then fired at him with his blaster. Tynan took a hit sending him back. Next, Cassie and Carlos fired there blasters sending several blasts him. Tynan drew back his eyes burning with rage. Letting out an ear-piercing howl the vampire rose back to his feet. He stretched out his leathery wings. Flying high into the air with lighting speed, he looked like mere blur. The rangers tried to find him in the vast night sky but when they did, it was too late. He came crashing down, slashing at each of them.
All four rangers found themselves on the ground. Zhane groaned as he got up. "Come on, we can't give up," He said. Carlos, Cassie, and TJ got up one by one. "We won't let him or his sick friends take Ashley," Cassie said making a fist. Standing up they all attached their weapons to there astro blasters. Tynan watched in amusement. "You bravery is foolish, surrender now and your end will be quick." He spoke. TJ held out his blaster and smirked. "We never give up." Carlos nodded. "We will protect this place from freaks like you!" With his uninjured hand, Tynan raised so it was level to his face. "Then I shall make each of you suffer,"
Andros and Cael were in a heated battle. It was back and forth. At one moment, it looked as if the vampire prince would win, but then Andros would counter him and take control. Andros fired several streak of energy from his new form at the vampire prince. He blocked the attack easily and charged at him. The red ranger took to the skies to get away but Cael only laughed as he flapped his wings. "You cannot run from me boy!" his voice was like venom. Cael reached the red ranger and grabbed his foot. To get him off Andros sent several kicks strait into his face. Letting him go, Andros stared at evil prince.
On the ground, Ashley's began to stir. She opened her eyes, her vision was blurry but she could see two figures in the sky fighting. Blinking a few times her vision returned and she saw Andros fighting with a monster, who she assumed was Cael. Gasping the yellow ranger got up and stared in horror. She felt helpless. Ashley tried to take a step but her ankle was throbbing from her previous fall. The yellow ranger tore off the end of the dress and then kicked off the spike-heeled shoes. She was disgusted with herself.
This is all, my fault! She thought. Cael played me for a fool, he made me think things were true. He made me feel alone. I should have known. Now my friends could get hurt and it is my fault!
Tears began to from in the yellow rangers eyes. She shut them tightly when she heard a scream. Her head snapped up as she saw Andros fall to the ground. The red ranger came crashing to the ground. Seconds after he hit the ground his armor disappeared, returning him to his normal red ranger. "ANDROS!" Ashley cried out. Forgetting about all the pain, she ran as fast she could to his side. Andros tried to get up but the pain was unbelievable. He let out a scream of pain mixed in with frustration. "Andros, I'm so sorry." She cried out. The red ranger looked at his girlfriend and then said, "Ashley get out of here its not safe!" Just then, Cael landed to the ground. The yellow ranger gasped at his disgusting form. The vampire prince laughed a hideous laugh as he approached.
"This was too easy," Cael said. He laughed again as he saw the red ranger struggling to rise. His blood red eyes then lingered on Ashley. Her creamy skin looked beautiful in the black dress, now in tatters. He could see her long slender legs, her feet scratched up, ankle swollen. Gathering up all the courage she had she stood in front of Andros.
"Leave him alone," she said starring at him. She threw her arms out to the side. Cael smirked. Andros looked up wanting to call out her name but the pain in him was rising. "Leave him alone and I will become your vampire queen." Andros felt his heart skip a beat and then another. His blood began to run cold. Did he hear her right? "What are you doing?" his voice was agonizing. It tugged on her heart hearing him in pain. Cael stared at her. "You would become my queen?" he questioned. "You would be my bride, my love, become what I am?" Ashley looked away from a moment she could see Andros, knowing in his mind he was screaming at her to refuse.
"I will become your queen, your wife, I'll be a vampire like you." She confirmed. A brazen smile appeared on the vampire prince's face. His body transformed back into its human form, the clothes on him still in tatters. The turtleneck was no more while his jeans now looked more like shorts covered in holes. His black hair returned to a thick braid. The long claws returned to normal nails, his tail and wings shrunk back. The dark prince's eyes went from red back to the dark, hauntingly beautiful eyes. He beckoned her forward. Slowly she approached her head bowed down.
She stood inches from him. One of his hands found her shoulder while the other tilted her chin up. She stared into his nearly black eyes. His callous hands held her firmly. Her lower lip was so full, he wanted to kiss it and he did. Andros felt his body go numb. His stomach churned, wanting to vomit at the sight. When Cael pulled away, he looked at her his eyes furious. "No reaction?" he questioned coldly. Ashley glared at him with all her hate. "I'll never love you," she said he voice barely a whisper. Andros looked up wondering what they were saying. She then swallowed the lump that formed in the back of her throat and took a deep breath. "I WILL NEVER LOVE YOU!" she yelled out. "I love Andros. I'll be your queen, I'll be a vampire, but I will never love you!" Glaring at her, he backhanded her harshly sending her to the ground.
"ASHLEY," Andros shouted. Cael watched her crumple into a heap on the ground. She clutched her throbbing cheek. Cael then advanced toward the red ranger. He extended his claws. "I'll kill him and then I will take you Ashley." His voice was a low hiss. "You will learn to love me because without him you'll forget." Andros stared up in horror as the vampire prince was about to plunge his claws into him. Before he hit him through four well-aimed streaks of light hit him. The blasts hit him in the hand, chest, neck, and leg. Cael flew back rolling across the ground.
Ashley and Andros both looked up to see their fellow rangers running to their sides. "Are you all right?" Zhane asked helping Andros up. Slowly and painfully, Andros stood up. Cassie moved to Ashley helping her to her feet. "We're fine," Andros believed. He looked at Ashley, her cheek scarlet. "Why didn't you morph?" TJ asked as he watched Cael like a hawk. "He has it." Ashley said showing her bare wrist. The rangers pushed Ashley safely behind them, safe from harm. "What happened to the two vampires you were fighting?" Andros asked. "The guy took the blond one away and then when he tried to fight us we took him out." Carlos replied.
Just then, they saw Cael stand up, once again in his monstrous form. His eyes were focused on the group. Power radiated off him. The rangers all took there place in front of Ashley, keeping her safe. "So I see you cannot defeat me alone red ranger," Cael taunted. "I see that you rely so much on your pathetic friends." Andros smirked. "And that is what differs from us. With my friends by my side we can take you out!" Cael arched an eyebrow. "We shall see." The rangers were readied as the dark prince charged at them.
In the Angel Grove woods, Talon picked herself up from the shelter. She looked at the wound she had received. She looked around for a moment finding nothing but darkness around her, but with her eyes, she could see clear as day. She closed her eyes and searched for the telepathic link with Tynan and Cael. She searched for Cael first but when she tried to establish contact, she found he had closed off his mind. She slumped to the ground feeling her shoulder throb. It would only take one sleep to heal it but it was throbbing immensely.
One after another, the rangers attacked never once giving Cael a moment to rest. When one ranger fell, another took his or her place. Cassie went to deliver a kick to Cael but he ducked under her. With a swish of his tail, he sent the pink ranger off her feet. Zhane jumped in next attempting to attack with his weapon but the prince dodged it then sent a fist strait into his abdomen. TJ and Carlos attacked together hitting Cael only to have the dark prince grab both men by the throats. Next, he smashed them together and threw away like simple rag dolls. Behind him, though Andros came up and struck him quickly with his spiral saber. He sliced through his back, once, twice, three times before retreating. Cael spun around, his sharp nails, clawing against the ground. He charged at the red ranger but before he could the four fallen ranger sent several laser streaks at him. Cael stopped abruptly, wrapping his torn wings around him for protection.
Once the firing stop he unfolded his wings, one hand supported him as on knee bent to the ground. "Do you surrender?" Andros said, his astro blaster withdrawn. Cael could feel his tainted blood dripping from his lip. Wounds all around his body were emitting his blood. One of his eyes slightly closed, bruised and cut. His wings were in tatters, several times, he used it to shelter his body from their attacks but soon his wings would be destroyed. He let out several labored breaths. The dark prince was fatigued. Not only because he was dealing with more the one ranger, but because he had not properly fed. Cael had assumed he would be drinking Ashley's blood turning her into a vampire but his plan did not go according. Right now, she was not in his view but he knew exactly where she was. She was hiding behind a tree, watching the battle, urging her friends to stay strong. The mental bond he created when he took her blood allowed him to know where she was.
"This is the end for you vampire," Andros said aiming his astro blaster at his head. Blood, any type of blood would have helped Cael now. Even a small amount would help him wipe out these pests. They too were fatigued. Talon and Tynan had done their job well. Yet, now he was in trouble. Surrounded and blasters aimed at him. He needed a diversion, even a small one.
Suddenly there was a loud moan. The rangers diverted their attention to see Ashley clutching her neck, the exact spot where Cael had bitten her. Her head began to leak with perspiration and tiny droplets of blood. The dark prince cursed inwardly. He was running out of time. Ashley's body was beginning to dispose of the toxin that was his blood. She was clutching her neck, feeling intense burning within her whole body.
"ASHLEY!" The red ranger called fearfully, "What's wrong?" That was all the time Cael needed. With a quick movement, the dark prince had got up, and jumped over the rangers. Then using the little energy he had left he placed himself behind the yellow ranger. "NO!" Carlos shouted realizing the error they all had made. The rangers watched as Cael violently lifted Ashley up. Upon seeing his face, Ashley screamed. Quickly, one hand clamped around her mouth and the other around her slender waist. Several of his claws made small puncture holes in her ivory skin, causing tears to pour out of her eyes. Cael's blood red eyes looked at the rangers as he grinned. "Fools should have finished me off when you had a chance," he laughed, "Your compassion for each other will be you undoing!"
Pulling Ashley's head to the side, he exposed her neck to him. The prince bent his head down and bit down, tearing away at her skin. Ashley's screams were stifled by Cael's large white hand. Yet the fear in her eyes was immense. She began hitting him everywhere her hands slapping at his body in complete disorder.
"NO!" Andros pushed past his friend running to the yellow ranger. Cael continued to feed, regaining his strength. When he felt Andros near he used his tail strike him back, hard. The red ranger skidded across the ground as Cael lifted his gruesome head. Crimson juice slipped down his chin and neck like a river. He looked insanely at the rangers as he held Ashley like a human shield. Then with a quick movement, he opened up a wound on his arm bigger. Grabbing a handful of Ashley's hair, he placed the wound over her mouth. He tried to force his blood into her mouth but the yellow rangers violently shook her head holding her mouth tightly closed. Ashley felt her body burn and she wanted to scream in pain but she held it all in. Cael began to get annoyed. He slammed the girl into a nearby tree in hopes she would open her mouth.
The moment he turned his back the rangers fired. "And your impatience will be your end!" Andros pointed out. Cael growled but before he could retort he felt a hard kick in below the belt. Feeling immense pain his eyes flew to Ashley and then he threw her aside. He hugged himself in pain but now that her blood had regenerated him, he was feeling stronger. He would take out the five rangers and then finish what he started with Ashley. "Your end is near rangers."
"LET'S ROCKET!"
The prince of vampires head snapped to the side as he saw Ashley become the yellow ranger. He touched his pocket where he had placed the morpher. It was then he realized when Ashley was slapping him she actually was searching for it.
"ALL RIGHT ASHLEY!" Cassie cheered.
The yellow ranger stared at the dark prince, her star slinger in hand. "What do you think you are going to do yellow ranger?" he spat. Ashley could feel the burning in her but because of her suit it dulled down, thankfully. "I'm not going to do anything," Ashley said confidently, "We are going to take you out!" Cael then felt the blast coming from his back. He flew against the tree he had slammed Ashley into hard. Ashley then shouted out, "STAR SLINGER!" and fired repeatedly at Cael. The dark prince tried to get back up but before he could Carlos hit him with his lunar lance. Next TJ with his astro ax slashed the dark prince, once, twice, three consecutive times. Cael stumbled back and when he went to attack him, he received an attack from Cassie's satellite stunner. Before he could even get up this time, Zhane made a quick hit with his silver silverizer and then Andros came up and made a direct hit in the chest with his spiral saber. The dark prince found himself sprawled on the ground, his wounds expanding, and the loss of his own blood immense.
"Glad to have you back, Ash," Andros said stepping next to her. She nodded, under her helmet a smile on her face. "You're finished this time Cael," Ashley stated. Cael glanced up weakly and his breath laboring. He saw the black, pink, blue, and yellow ranger combine their weapons to form the quadroblaster. He then noticed the red ranger's weapon more advanced then before. Slowly he stood up and then he realized it was over.
"QUADROBLASTER FIRE!" shouted the four rangers.
"SPIRAL SABER FIRE!" shouted the red ranger
"SILVER SILVERIZER FIRE!" the silver ranger added his strength.
The last thought he had before the blast hit him was how.
The direct hit to his chest sent the vampire prince, flying strait into the house. On impact, the aged house being old began to collapse as well as burst into flame because of the blast. The rangers watched as the house began to go up in smoke and flames. One by one they went back to there normal selves. All of them were exhausted and sore. They looked at one another happily. Andros looked over at Ashley. She smiled at him and took a step toward him. Then all of a sudden her eyes rolled back and she began to fall. Gasping, Andros caught her and began calling her name out. He saw droplets of blood coming out of her pours. The rangers stared in horror and quickly decided to return to the ship. They did not care if the house burned to the ground they only cared about their friend, who was suffering.
The house burned as they teleported away. The only things watching were a blue-eyed wolf, and an amber-eyed bird.
Back on the Astro Mega Ship, Andros carried his girlfriend back to the medical ward. Alpha was there waiting as well as Karone. After entering with Ashley in his arms, the other rangers followed. "What's wrong with her?" Karone asked seeing the pain wedged on Ashley's face. Alpha did a quick scan of her and he seemed somewhat relieved. The rangers looked curiously at the droid, still worried.
"You did it rangers!" Alpha said happily. If he could have cried, he would have. "Ashley's body is getting rid of the tainted blood. It will cause Ashley a lot of pain but she is all right. We just have to clean up her other injuries and she will be just fine!" Each ranger and Karone let out a sigh of relief. Andros stared at Ashley. He hated seeing her in all this discomfort. Placing his hand in hers, he would see her through all the pain until she was back to her normal self.
Ashley awoke, her eyes still feeling heavy, her body incredibly sore. How long had she been lying in bed? She could feel bandages all over her body, as well as different clothing. She looked around and found herself in her room, sleeping in her own bed. Letting out a noise, she turned to her side, her body brushing against something. She looked over and saw through the dim light someone watching her. A pair of chocolate brown eyes was staring lovingly at her.
"Andros," Ashley murmured softly. The native of KO-35 looked at her as he gently he caressed her cheek. The yellow ranger loved the feeling of his warmth touch against her. It seemed so foreign feeling his touch but it was something she wanted, needed to feel. It sent waves of love into her, pushing away all the horrors in her mind.
"How are you feeling?" Andros asked his voice barely above a whisper. Her cheek fell onto her white pillow yet she could not look at him. "I'm okay," she responded feeling rather ashamed. The red ranger touched her, pulling her closer to him. "I've been waiting three days for you to wake up, please don't hide from me." His voice was begging her. Tears began to stream down the yellow ranger's cheek. She buried herself into his chest. Her hot salty tears soaked the red ranger's bare chest. Earlier he had discarded his shirt carelessly to the ground as he slept in her bed, keeping her close to him.
"Oh Andros, I'm so sorry it was my entire fault!" she wept into him. Andros stroked her hair lovingly as he placed several kisses on her head. "If something happened to you or the others I would never have forgiven myself. I fell for his tricks and nearly became what he was, a monster. I nearly cost you your life." She stopped for a moment feeling his kind hands hold her close. "Andros, you're breaking me apart! How can you still be so nice to me after what I did? I betrayed you and yet you still are here holding me, watching over me, why Andros why?"
Andros calmly lifted her chin so she would look at him. He kissed her tears away and smiled. "Ashley, I love you so much. I would have died to make sure that monster never laid another finger on you. I was so afraid that I was going to lose you. Now that you are here, I never want to let you go. Ash, I watched over you, watched you suffer and cry out when you had nightmares these past three days. I'm doing this all because I love you and no matter what you do I would never hate you."
She looked up at him and then kissed him softly on his lips. Andros held her close, afraid to let her go. When they broke apart, Andros laid on his back and Ashley resting her head against him. He could see how tired the yellow ranger still was. He gently caressed her, his hands running through her hair. "Rest Ashley, until you feel better," he whispered softly. "He's gone, they are all gone and I'll be here when you awake." The yellow ranger closed her eyes hugging Andros closely. "I love you."
"Oh look dear the new neighbors are here," Said Mrs. Smite, as she peeked out her window. "Come on let's go meet them." Mrs. Smite was a somewhat heavy woman with gentle yet naïve face. She had dark hair with gray streaks showing. Her husband was a balding man, tall and lanky. "Might as well," he said as they exited there house to go next door. Mrs. Smite waddled across her yard toward her neighbors.
"Hello," she called out into the dark at two figures. The shorter figure looked over and watched as their new neighbors came to edge of the fence. "Welcome to turtle cove, we're your new neighbors, Judy and Robert Smite." Mrs. Smite introduced. The two tried to see through the dark at there new neighbors who were standing by a small moving truck. The only light came from the street lamp and the house lights on the outside. Finally, the shorter figure moved out into the light. She had blond hair and hauntingly beautiful amber eyes. "Hello, I'm Talon Amaya," she spoke, her voice beautiful.
"Why would you move in late at night?" Robert questioned to which his wife stomped on his foot for being rude. Talon snickered. "Oh, my friend," she motioned for the other figure to step out, "Tynan Faolan got lost." Judy Smite looked at the man in shock. His brown hair and piercing blue eyes were amazing. Robert Smite however shrunk back, intimidated by the man. Just then, Judy noticed gauze wrapped around Tynan's hand. "Have an accident?" she questioned. He nodded, "A slight mishap that was a complete fluke." Talon snickered and said, "Well it was a pleasure to meet you but we need to finish unloading our things."
"Need some help?" Judy inquired. "Robert could help, oh and my two sons Patrick and Julian can too." Tynan shook his head. "No, we only have a little left." Judy nodded and then looked at her husband. Robert knew what was coming next. "How would you two like to come over for dinner tomorrow, I make a mean casserole." Judy giggled. Talon arched an eyebrow she looked a Tynan. There was a long silence. To Robert it looked as if they were discussing something. "Well, we would love to but our… roommate is ill and I'm sure he would love to meet you." Talon explained.
Judy frowned. "What a shame!" Talon waved her hand brushing it off. "How about you and your family come over for dinner at our place," The blond suggested. "That way you can meet Cael. He just loves having people for dinner." Judy clapped her hands in delight. "How about five…" "Seven," Tynan corrected the woman. "Okay we will be over at seven tomorrow." Robert confirmed for his wife. "What are we having?" Talon smiled, "Something… fresh." Judy smiled and then said goodbye to her new neighbors. Robert waved good-bye and they headed inside their home.
Once they were inside Talon and Tynan went into the back of their moving truck. Only one thing left. Tynan alone carried the rather large object inside as Talon observed. "You were lucky to get him out of fire," the beautiful blond vampire said placing her hand on her master's coffin. Tynan smiled as he looked at her. "Yes, and by tomorrow night we shall return to our full strength." Tynan said. Talon tilted her shin up, a small smile spread across her face. "And then we can continue our search for a new candidate for queen."
Author's note: I smell a "To be continued!" Well looks like the Astro Rangers did not defeat the vampires. The vampires however moved to a new location, Turtle Cove! What could this mean for the rangers there? Well anyway thanks for reading the first story of many to come. Keep on a look out for the next chapter in this exciting series!
Blazing Aries