-Dark Void-

"And who are you?" Roxas asked, his hands igniting with emerald fire. "Not another step toward the King."

The new creature grinned and said, "Peace, I pray you… I'm a once in a lifetime opportunity for you." This creature was a vampire. He had the stereotypical pale skin and fanged teeth. His eyes were pitch black and his dark hair was slicked back. He wore a black cloak over a black tuxedo. His glistening smile and calm composure, as charming as both were, did not mask the aura of danger that surrounded him.

Phoenix converted to his Phantom form and threateningly said, "Explain."

"I hear you've been having issues with the Power Rangers. I've killed many, two victims being close to the Red Ranger."

"What? The Slayer?" Medusa asked in disbelief. She crossed her arms and said, "Do tell."

"Yes... One year ago, I killed the new Slayer's Light-Watcher and dear friend."

Cepheus felt a strong aura from this vampire. He grew very interested. "So why have you come?"

"I, Vladmir, wish to finish what I started and destroy the Red Ranger, but I want him to suffer first. You see, I want to drain his blood. Anguish makes Slayer blood taste exquisite. I get the Slayer, your problem will be solved, we all win."

"Interesting..." Cepheus thought for a moment. "Wiseman! Please help Vladmir with everything he needs."

Wismen said, "Of course, sire." The Phantom swept his white cloak up and revealed his human form. It was that of a young man with a mature face. He had light skin, green eyes and brown hair.

"Please come with me."

Slade watched on from the Shadows. "This should be interesting."

Vladmir did not miss Slade's presence. "I'll need your help as well," he told the mysterious soldier, wrapped in shadows.

-Cue Theme-

"Hey, Jared. What're you doing here?" Alicia asked. The Pink Ranger found Jared sitting alone in the mall's new cafe, "Haley's Cyber Cafe," which is supposedly a branch off of an original cafe from Reefside, California.

The Slayer slowly nodded his head. "Meeting Tobias for lunch." It had been a little over a week since the Rangers had come clean to Tobias. Not knowing how to proceed, they brought him to the Base to meet with Xander. After giving Tobias a mystical once over, Xander concluded that Tobias himself had some latent Supernatural ability. What it could be was beyond him, but the Mystic could tell it was rare.

Over the that week or so, Tobias proved himself useful to the Rangers in other ways. Almost everyday since the truth went out, Supernatural incidents would take place around the city. Missing people, strange attacks, and mysterious beings to name a few. Tobias' sharp mind proved instrumental in solving these cases and keeping Bayview safe.

"You okay?" Alicia asked Jared, sitting across from him.

"Yeah, everything's fine. Vampires kept me up last night."

Alicia pointed out, "You know..." Alicia gingerly placed her hands on Jared's and immediately felt his apprehension. She pressed on, "You have Noah, Liam, Sonia… and me. We're a bit stronger now. We can help you. We're teammates… and friends."

The last word made Jared look up at Alicia. "Yeah... um... sure." Suddenly, Jared's wristband went off. The two quickly got up and ran outside of the cafe. Jared lifted his wristband between himself and Alicia and said, "Go for Jared."

Rachel's voice informed, "Guys, we're picking up Twilight energy. The others are already on their way."

"We'll be there," Jared nodded as he ran off, Alicia trailing behind. The two passed by Tobias who called out, "Jared?"

"Sorry, man!" Jared called back, "Raincheck! Something came up."

"Um... alrighty!" Tobias replied, unsure if Jared even heard his reply.


Shadowlites were attacking random people, causing their usual chaos. Noah, Sonia, and Liam were already on the scene fighting off the foot soldiers. Vladmir and Phoenix watched from above, intent on seeing the champions of the Supernatural fight.

Noah low swept a few Foot Soldiers before back handspring ing away from a few more. He let his molecules speed up and, in a blur of blue, quickly took them out. Liam erected a slanted wall of green energy for Sonia to slide down as she clapped her hands, sending forth a yellow sonic boom, disintegrating more Shadowlites.

Jared and Alicia stopped about 10 feet away from the Shadowlites and their teammates.

"Let's go, Alicia."

"Right."

The two materialized their Morphers. "Spirit Legend..."

Alicia ended up being the only one who finished, "Awaken!"

Now morphed up, Alicia turned and gasped at Jared, whose eyes were widened in shock. She asked, "Jared, what're you doing?!"

The Slayer sensed an aura; a cold and bloodthirsty one. It felt all too familiar. "He's back to finish what he started... Just like he promised..."

"What?" Alicia asked in confusion. Shadowlites swarmed them and the Pink Ranger did her best to defend a motionless Jared.

Vladmir grinned. "I can feel his Mana… So he has grown as a Slayer. Well, now that Wiseman has given me Phantom powers, I can fight him in broad daylight." The new hybrid jumped down and waved at Jared. "Nice to see you again."

The moment Jared saw Vladmir, he lost it. "You!" He readied his Morpher and charged full on. His team mates watched in shock.

"Jared, don't be reckless!" Sonia called out, kicking a Shadowlite away from her. The calm and withdrawn Jared was replaced by a violent lunatic.

The Slayer materialized both his Legend Sword and X-Sword, slashing at Vladmir. The Vampire laughed as he smacked the attacks away. Jared jumped forward sending rapid kicks, but his right foot was caught, and Vladmir threw the Slayer into a car. The others tried to help, but Phoenix jumped down.

"Phoenix!" Noah growled, getting into a low fighting stance.

"Although I'd love to fight the Slayer… orders are orders." Phoenix charged at the four Rangers, while transforming into his bright red Phantom form. Sonia jabbed her daggers at Phoenix, but he caught her wrists and kicked her in the stomach.

Alicia fired a few arrows, but the armored Phantom lifted his left hand and easily swatted them away. Liam tried to swing in from above with his axe, but in a flash, Phoenix was above the Green Ranger and kicked him into the ground. They tried to swarm him again, but Phoenix let off a huge wave of crimson fire that struck them, sending them all flying.

Noah turned and noticed that Jared was struggling.

"Jared!" Noah yelled. He jumped into the air with his Staff and sliced down at Vladmir who caught the blade and threw Noah into Jared. The others crowded around them to support.

"Jared, what's up with you?!" Liam asked, grabbing the Slayer's arm.

"Let go of me!" Jared shouted. He shoved Liam away and charged forward. He sent a punch at Vladmir, who dodged. Jared sent a low kick but missed. He back flipped away from Vladmir's counter attack and jumped into the air.

"Soul Fire, Ignite!" The burst of flames covered the hybrid, but Vladmir swung his arm and extinguished the fire.

"What?! How?!"

"I guess I was wrong, you're still weak." Vladmir laughed and finished with, "I'm no longer interested. Come back to me when your flames burn brighter." With that, Vladmir and Phoenix disappeared.

-HQ-

"His name is Vladmir," Dr. Bly explained. "He's a notorious vampire. He has Twilight power which now makes him immune to the sun."

"Just great..." Liam muttered, dejectedly. "Ow…" Devon sat next to him. The Light-Watcher's hands were glowing a brilliant white light that was in the process of healing Liam's minor injuries. Devon apologized as he worked, and Liam nodded in understanding. The boy in green asked, "Is there anything about Phoenix? Ow…"

Rachel began going through the Destiny Book. After a few minutes, she found him. "Phoenix isn't his real name. According to the Book, his real name is Pace. He's a descendant of a Phoenix Bloodline that's been associated with the Twilight since the Great War in the Mystic Realm. He gets stronger every time he comes back to life."

"Really?" Alicia asked, fearful.

"Yeah. And get this; He fought two Slayers in the last century, and killed them both."

"He's that tough?" Liam asked, his voice beginning to quiver.

"Yeah," Dr. Bly nodded, "Listen, these things happen. You're not always gonna win, but you have to stay strong." This brought comfort to the young Rangers.

Sonia then remembered the battle. "Jared, why'd you freak out when he greeted you? Do you know him?"

"It has nothing to do with you.," Jared answered, getting up to leave.

This drastic change in Jared's attitude made Noah snap. "Like hell it does! Jared what's the deal?!"

Devon stepped up, "Cool down, Noah." He placed his hands on Noah's shoulders as a calming gesture.

Noah countered, "How can I when Jared doesn't even wanna tell his friends anything?! It ticks me off!"

Jared snapped too, shooting straight up. "Friends? You think you're my friends?! Back off, you don't understand ANYTHING about me!" He turned his head to the side and looked at the ground. "If... if we weren't Rangers, things would be different..." With that he ran off.

"Jared!" Alicia called after him. She reached out with her Empathy, only to be met by a 'brick wall' of emotion. She couldn't decipher anything beyond anger and sorrow.

"What was that?" Liam asked, visibly worried.

"He just needs time to calm down," Rachel responded, "He's been through a lot."

"What do you mean?" Sonia asked, "What do you know Rachel?"

Rachel looked toward Dr. Bly for guidance, and he nodded.

"Well… Jared told me not to tell you…"

-Dark Void-

"That was an impressive battle, Vladmir." Cepheus complimented. "What are you going to do now?"

"I wish to make the Slayer suffer even more. I want to target those he cares about..."

Medusa approached him and said, "I like your way of thinking. Mind if I help?"

-The Beach-

Jared sat on the sand and stared at the ocean. He thought to himself, "If I was just stronger, maybe..."

-Flashback-

It's a dark night. A thunderstorm rages on. Freshmen Jared is running away from a vampire. He approaches a brick wall and runs up and back flips over the vampire's head. The rookie Slayer jabbed his stake into the vamp's heart and dusted it.

He turns around and sees Vladmir grinning.

*Flash*

Jared is on the ground, his Light-Watcher and Best friend are dead at Vladmir's feet.

"Noooo!" Jared yelled in rage.

-End Flashback-

Jared's mind was brought back by Rachel contacting him.

-On a building rooftop-

Jared was the first on scene, intent on destroying his old enemy. He sprinted up the stairs of this building, his rage and desire for revenge fueling every step. "I'll get him… I'll do whatever it takes!"

Finally, Jared arrived on the rooftop to see the Vampire overlooking the city.

"Vladmir!"

Without turning around, Vladimir smiled, "Hello, Slayer."

"This ends here." Jared threatened as he Morphed.

"Oh, but the fun is just beginning."

Jared charged forward and swung his Legend Sword. Vladmir quickly formed a blood red bladed sword from smoke. The two clashed. Each one of Jared's slashes were met by Vladmir's blade. The vampire's attacks grew progressively faster in which Jared was barely able to keep up with. When the other rangers arrived, Jared was disarmed. Vladmir disappeared in a black streak and sped by Jared, repeatedly slashing him as he went by. Jared screamed in pain and was finally knocked far back toward his friends, de-morphing.

"Jared, you okay?" Liam asked. This question was ignored.

The four rangers summoned their X-Swords.

"Let's go guys..." Noah took command.

The four charged at Vladmir. However, this battle was quick. The vampire dispersed into many bats and swarmed the rangers.

Jared looked up and screamed, "Guys!" He struggled to get up.

Sparks flew from Jared's team mates as the bats struck them. Vladmir formed again, flying above. The four rangers de-morphed and fell, barely awake.

Jared got up and clenched his fists. Anger boiled through him.

"You should've stayed out of the way!" He sprinted toward Noah and looked into his eyes. With his own brown eyes turning red, Jared forcefully slammed his hand inside Noah's "soul gate", the blue portal on the sternum, and pulled out a blue orb and inserted it into his own chest. Jared pulled out and gained Noah's super speed.

Jared, unmorphed, flashed into the air and entered another high paced battle with Vladmir.

His friends watched on in worry.

"Jared... you can't do this alone..." Sonia tried to call out.

Eventually, Jared was slammed out of the air and into a railing.

Vladmir knew what was going to happen next. He sent a stream of red energy at Jared, but he hit something else. Jared looked up and saw his friends, all unmorphed protecting him.

They collapsed in front of him. His vision kept flashing from that night one year ago to that exact moment.

"No!" He screamed. He contacted HQ through his wristband and yelled, "Rachel, get them the hell out of here!"

"Jared... no..." Alicia said weakly.

"Please..." Noah coughed.

"Ja-" Liam tried to talk, but he coughed up some blood.

The four were gone in a flash of their respective colors. Jared, having returned Noah's powers, teleported away, following them.

-HQ-

Noah, Sonia, Alicia, and Liam were in critical condition. They were brought to the infirmary and were immediately given medical attention by Devon.

"Will they be okay?" Jared asked hysterically.

Rachel was angry with Jared about his behavior. "Why do you care? What do they mean to you, Jared?"

Jared knew exactly what Rachel was talking about.

Little did they know, the four were still awake, listening.

"Vladmir..." Jared said. "I have to slay him… I just have to..." With that, he left. Dr. Bly placed his hand on Rachel's shoulder and nodded her in Jared's direction, telling her to go find him. Understanding, she did so.

Alicia weakly asked, "Dr. Bly, please tell us. What happened?"

Liam sat up. "We need to know."

Dr. Bly sighed and said, "Okay…"

Xander then began, "I'll start with this. Vladmir tried to kill Jared a few weeks after he received his powers. This vampire killed both Jared's Light-Watcher and his best friend. But first, I'll start from the beginning of his story..."

To Be Continued...


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