Disclaimer: This disclaimer will apply to all further chapters. I don't own anything you recognize in this fanfiction except the characters of my own creation that will be apparent.

Well folks, I'm back with the sequel of Fiery Passions, Sparks of Love. It's been two years since Khyuss was rendered into a bunch of sparks, and all is peaceful…on Earth that is. A new adventure follows the rangers as they embark on a journey to free the planet of Mirinoi from the clutches of its oppressor, Romulus. Yes, I changed the name of the villian. As justin jack so helpfully reminded me, Maligore was the name of the villian in the Turbo movie, but who remembers the Turbo movie? I know I don't. Anyway, as they uncover this new mission for their Chosen Ranger and his friends, they will also uncover the mysterious past of their new teammate, an orphan gifted with the power of fire… So without further adieu, Blaze of Glory

Prologue

Far From the End

Excerpt from the Blue Bay Harbor Gazette:

Local celebrity, Blake Bradley of Factory Blue fame has been spotted today with girlfriend of three years, Maxeen Shaw, also of motocross prominence. That pair has been reported to be in town, on haitus from their respective careers, to attend the nupitals of Blake's adopted brother, Hunter Bradley, budding prospect for Crimson Tide Motorsports to his girlfriend Tori Hanson, star surfer for Tide's affiliate Sapphire Swell Surfing Co..

When asked about the rising competition between his brother and himself, Blake Bradley responded, "Are you kidding me? Hunter is possibly the only person that could kick my ass on and off the track."

The wedding will be held on Saturday, July 3 at Point Break Beach.

xxx

Hunter Bradley balanced precariously atop the long-legged stool he was using as a ladder, his face contorted in concentration, sifting through the many boxes still left to be unpacked stuck on the bookcase before him. A growl of frustration tore through Hunter's lips as his search proved to be fruitless, and he lifted his head to call to his wife.

"Babe, have you seen my morpher?"

Emerging from their bedroom, the blonde head of Tori Bradley poked around the corner to raise a questioning eyebrow at her husband.

"And why would you need it when you're supposed to be unpacking?"

Hunter's upper torso dug itself deeper into the box he was combing through as his muffled voice floated up from its depths, "Cam called earlier. You know how he's starting the foundations for the another generation of Ninja Storm rangers? He wants to analyze a thunder morpher to combine all of the technology. And since Blake's not exactly on this continent…"

"Cam's left with yours," Tori finished, hefting a sigh.

From his position on the stool, Hunter shot her a grin, "Bingo. So do you remember which box I put it in?"

His wife shrugged, cocking her head in bemusement, "I think it was that one."

Hunter gestured to the top-most box sticking out from its fellows, "This one?"

Tori gave a negative shake of her head, "No, the one under it."

Stretching to his full six-one height, Hunter grasped the box firmly, attempting to tug it free. The crimson ranger halted his progress as the stool beneath his feet wobbled in protest. Settling in a more stable stance Hunter grunted as he gave the box another determined heave. The results proved to be disasterous as Tori gave a shriek of surprise, the backward momentum propelling Hunter off the stool, sending the shelfful of boxes tumbling down with him. There was a moment's silence before Hunter's crimson-clad arm broke through the surface, triumphantly clutching the elusive thunder morpher, followed by Hunter's head and torso as he hauled himself into a sitting position, shaking his head dazedly. Trying in vain to contain her laughter, Tori waded through the sea of boxes to help her partially-buried husband. Seizing her hand, Hunter smirked with mischief taking advantage of her mirth to yank her down. Colliding with Hunter's solid body, Tori shook her curtain of blonde hair away from her face to gaze down at his grinning face. Hunter lifted a corner of his mouth, her arms winding around his neck.

"My hero."
Laughing, Tori slid down to lay next to Hunter, propping her head on her right hand, gentling removing the insect-shaped device from his grasp, "All that trouble for this thing?"

Hunter grinned, nodding in affirmation, "Yep." Taking back the morpher, Hunter kissed the hand that held it right above the diamond ring and its mate. Fingering the wedding band accompaning the diamond, he shifted, surveying the ambiance of their new apartment.

"I can't believe we have a home."

Tori threaded her fingers through his, lovingly twirling the broad white-gold band around his third finger, "I can't believe we've been married for almost a year."

Hunter chuckled with agreement, "A year without the latest evil trying to take over the free world."

"Two since the last one tried." Tori added.

Hunter's sapphire eyes met Tori's, "You think this summer will be as peaceful as the last?"

Tori chuckled, leaning in to press a kiss to Hunter's lips. Laying her head down on his chest, the Bradleys gazed at the thunder morpher laying on Hunter's stomach, dormant for the past two years.

"Knowing our history, I seriously doubt it."

xxx

Excerpt from an ESPN, The Magazine article.

Conner McKnight…Celebrity?

Everyone is aware that Conner McKnight is the darling of college soccer.

Everyone but him that is…

Freshman phenom Conner McKnight with the ball now for the Bruins, the clock winding down. He has two goals tonight, can he make it three? McKnight streaking down the right wing, marked by Yates, square pass to Schwall. Good move around Francos – Oh! What a move by McKnight to get free. Pass out in the open, it's McKnight and Cross in a footrace for the ball, and McKnight has it! Keeper Laslow out to intercept. McKnight with a quick shot – GOAL! Yes! It's over, folks! UCLA wins it 5-4! Conner McKnight with a beautiful chip over the Keeper Stan Laslow, and UCLA has won the NCAA title on a brilliant performance by freshman striker Conner McKnight scoring the hat trick in the final minute of his game. Keep your eyes on this kid, ladies and gents, no doubt about it, he is gonna be a star!

Conner McKnight doesn't look like the poster boy for college soccer, the man who led the UCLA Bruins to back-to-back national titles. Conner McKnight looks like your average, everyday college student, living off of Top Ramen, a textbook surgically attached to his hands. But Conner McKnight is far from average. In his freshman season, he did the unthinkable, leading the underdog UCLA Bruins to a national title while topping the Pac10 in scoring. Following what was deemed the most successful debut ever seen, Conner McKnight showed to all he was no one hit wonder, following his stellar freshman season with an even better sophomore one, once again reclaiming the NCAA title for the Bruins. In two years at the University of California in Los Angeles, Conner McKnight has led the Bruins to two NCAA national titles, stood a top the leaderboard in all offensive categories at one point or another, and risen to celebrity status as the darling of college soccer.

As he confidently strolls into the cafeteria of UCLA's campus, acknowledging saluatations from his many admirers, one wouldn't expect him to hold the icon standing he does. The man his teammates have dubbed "Torch" for the fact that he's "always on fire," accepts every greeting with a friendly hello, stopping to chat occasionally. He isn't caught up in the superstar lifestyle, spending every evening partying in all of LA's primary hotspots. On the contrary, Conner McKnight looks like he just rolled out of bed after a grueling all-nighter. Which apparently he did, he sheepishly informs me, easing his lean, six-two frame down into the chair across the table. He doesn't dress in designer clothes, flaunting his immaculate appearance or demand exceptions on account of his star power. In reality, today his wardrobe consists of a ratty, gray and crimson Reefside High gym shirt, faded blue jeans, a pair of Adidas Gazelles that have seen better days, and a gray cap is jammed onto his head, concealing his famously unkempt brown locks. Inscribed on the inside of his right forarm is a small tatoo of a peculiar footprint surrounded by flames.

Far from the intense, focused look permenently etched across his visage on the soccer field, he flashes me a charming grin, a feature that has graced many a cover of a magazine, and apologizes fervently for his lateness, blaming the malfunctioning of his alarm. Lunch goes well as he devours the heap of food placed before him, our conversation light, displaying his engaging charm and effortless wit. As the last scrap of food disappears from his plate, Conner leans back in his chair, patting the six-pack hidden underneath the t-shirt with satisfaction, and the man People magazine dubbed "Sexiest Man Alive" glances upward expectantly, beckoning that we head to his car. His choice of mobility, a Mercedes-Benze G500 SUV, is possibly the only expensive possession he owns, and he sheepishly explains it was a graduation gift.

Pulling into a dorm block parking lot, Conner hurridly leads the way with ease, stopping at a door on the second floor and raps rather eagerly on the entryway. It opens to reveal a pretty, petite blonde girl Conner introduces as his girlfriend of two years, Kira Ford. Coming from a notorious ladies man in high-school, this comes as a surprise, but Kira quirks a smile that rivals her boyfriend's, "He spent six months chasing after me." And here I thought the only thing he spent his time chasing was a soccer ball. The pair engages in a session of playful bantering that seems to be too quick for anyone to keep up with. Kira teasingly pushes him out of her dorm with a final parting shot, "Go savor your interview because even though ten years from now when you're playing pick-up soccer in the park because your dreams of turning pro didn't quite work out, I'll still love you." Ouch. Conner grins, shouting at the door, "That would have been good if you hadn't stolen it from Ethan!" Double ouch. The door swings open again, and Kira pokes her head out, stretching up to press a loving kiss to his lips, laughing appreciatively. Must be an inside joke.

A giddy smile afixxed across his face, we go to sit on the bleachers over looking the UCLA soccer stadium, and Conner jokes that the first time his twin brother Eric saw this stadium, he wanted to jump the steps on his skateboard. Talking about his family and friends currently scattered across the world in Switzerland, Massachusettes, and in a closer radius of the small towns of Reefside and Blue Bay Harbor, there is obvious affection veiled in every statement. When asked about his star power and the fact that his visage has been plastered on the cover of every major magazine: Teen People, Sports Illustrated, Time, and including this one, Conner blinks, his handsome features twisting in confusion. "You're saying that I'm considered a celebrity?" Hm. Apparently, the only person oblivious of his superstar status is the superstar himself.

xxx

Conner closed the magazine, storing away his grinning mug. Hauling himself off his condo couch, Conner tottered to the kitchen. As he passed the microwave, the illuminated numbers mocked the soccer star, reminding him of his current inability to sleep. The jock groaned, snatching a bottle of water from the fridge.

"Three in the morning, and I'm wide awake," Conner grumbled, "This is terrific. I am so gonna be sleeping through class."

Taking a swig from the bottle, Conner wandered out onto the balcony, pondering the reason for his untimely insomnia. It wasn't from stress. Soccer season was over, and his classes were challenging but far from overwhelming, and he was doing well in all of them. It definitely wasn't a relationship problem. He and Kira had only thus far suffered two minor breakups, both only lasting a couple of days, and one major one three months into the school year that lasted two weeks. Everyone was surprised it had even lasted that long. But now, everything was okay. Better than ever. Conner's brow furrowed. It was weird. The only time he felt like this was…

Conner's shoulder slumped in resignation as he realized exactly when he felt like this. Lowering the drink from his mouth, Conner gave a slight shake of his head in recognition.

"Caleb."

The ghostly figure flashed a grin, "I was wondering when you were gonna figure it out…"

Cocking an eyebrow in annoyence, Conner shot his guardian spirit a look, "Are you trying to make up for your absence the past two years by being overly pesky?"

Still grinning beatifically, Caleb shook his head, "Nope, just catching up." He tilted his head, casually continuing the conversation, "So, I was wondering, how was last summer? I wasn't really paying attention. Y'know, because nothing was really happening."

Taken aback by the question, Conner frowned slightly, suspicion beginning to bloom, "Um, it was relaxing, I guess. Kira and I went home to Reefside for a week, went to Blue Bay Harbor for Hunter and Tori's wedding, then stayed there with Trent, Ethan, and Eric while I taught classes at the academy."

"That's good." Caleb paused for suspense, flasing an innocent grin, "So, are you looking forward to this summer?"

Shifting on the balcony rail, Conner's eyes narrowed to amber slits, "Summer's not for three months. Why do I get the feeling that this conversation is going somewhere I'm not gonna like?"

Caleb gave his successor an appraising mock-glare, "What? Can't a spirit be interested in his ward's dealings?"

"Not when the ward was dead the last time they spoke," Conner retorted. Sighing, he relented. "Okay, I'll play along. Yeah, I am."

"Excellent! You know, I have a feeling that this summer is going to be much more fun for you."
Suspicious, Conner glowered at his guardian, "And why do you think that would be so?"

Smirking in self-satisfaction, Caleb shifted his glance to the non-existant watch at his wrist, "Well, would you look at the time? I gotta go. Sensei Mohanda's throwing a tea blast at his pad, and he promised fifteenth-century geishas." As he began to fade, Caleb lifted a hand in a wave.

"See you in three months…"

"Caleb - " Conner groaned as the last vestiges of his guardian faded away, "Figures. I get the guardian who steers me into trouble instead of away from it." A sigh burst forth from his mouth in a rush of breath.

"At least I have the summer to look forward to."

xxx

Cam Wantanabe's pink tongue poked slightly out from between his teeth as he concentrated on the task before him. Adjusting the lenses of the goggles resting heavily on the bridge of his nose, Cam slowly adjusted the wires in the new morpher he was creating. An urgent beep from the computer alerted his attention, and the samurai ranger briefly shifted a preoccupied gaze to the screen before returning his focus back to the unfinished morpher. Cam paused as the computer's readings registered in his frazzled mind. Flinging the goggles to the worktable, he launched the rolling chair to the console as his dark eyes frantically scanned the monitor. If the readings were correct, a massive energy source radiated from Blue Bay Harbor. Cam's brow furrowed. The only time energy of this magnitude appeared on their charts was when – Cam shook his head in disbelief.

"Oh, you've got to be kidding me…"

Coming Up:

The summer and the return to Reefside

More news from Caleb

Wellup, that's just the beginning. I hope I've kept you interested. But, I must remind you, predictability is so overrated, so I urge you to keep in mind, twists and turns might be down the road. 'Nuff said. Stay tuned.

Roxie