Disclaimer: Not mine…

Into the Darkness: An Unbalanced Soul

Part 2

The island itself was shrouded in mist, barely visible even to the best trained eye. Cole had seen it through a slight break in the fog, and he knew he was going in the right direction. Diving into the freezing cold water, Cole's head was immediately encased in his Ranger helmet…somehow it allowed him to be able to breathe. He had never really questioned how Ranger powers worked, nor was he about to start, he appreciated the aid, and began to swim.

He came ashore the island, and immediately he felt his body drying. He couldn't see anything through the fog as his helmet vanished. After attempting to see ahead of him he brought the helmet back to fruition, he was able to see a little better as infrared imaging appeared before his face, once again Ranger abilities to the rescue.

Cole had no idea what he was looking for, but he knew whatever it was it was on this island, and he knew he would find it…or her…or whatever.

He moved slowly through the mist, despite his slightly improved vision, it still wasn't easy. He would've killed for better light. Each step was cautionary, he wasn't sure whether or not he would step off in a hole, or bog, or something else equally unpleasant. His infrared vision could only do so much.

The White Ranger was in unfamiliar land, with new and unfamiliar powers, in a world he knew nothing about, and looking for someone who may or may not exist.

Inside a cave hidden deep within the mist covered island, a young girl, in her teens, huddled tightly on the ground. She had no idea how she had gotten there, and she was terrified as to what lay in store for her. She had never seen the creature; she had just heard its victims, the screams of agony, the loud shrieks of pain, and then the silence…the silence that signified death.

She lay there, waiting, but she wasn't sure what she was waiting on. Around the corner she saw the figure…or figures…she wasn't sure which. It showed itself, for the first time she had a complete visual. The creature had an odd appearance, almost simian in nature, a shattered monocle hung around the creature's neck. It had a bluish tint to it, but in the darkness of the cave she couldn't be certain. It had fur about its body, and the fur seemed to be matted with something red…something she knew had to be blood.

"What's the problem? Have you never seen a Vampire before?" The creature spoke to her.

"What…what are you?" The girl asked.

"In a previous life I was called Baboo…an alchemist in the service of Queen Rite Repulsa…a laughing stock amongst her loyal followers. A Vampire who had never tasted human blood…I was soft…weak, but here that has all changed," the creature spoke, "here I have tasted blood, and found that it was good…it's made me stronger, smarter and well a bit of a savage."

"Are you going to eat me?" The girl sobbed.

"I will feed, perhaps, or maybe she will. It has not been decided yet, but for now, rest easy. You will be able to live a bit longer," the creature, called Baboo, replied.

"She? Who is she?" The girl questioned, "Is she another thing like you?"

"You will meet her soon enough…I'm certain. You will meet…" He was cut off before he could finish his sentence.

"Baboo! Baboo! Someone is coming," a new voice approached, this one squeaky, but male, as a short, squat figure rounded the corner. It was the hobgoblin known as Squat, a long-time friend and ally of the Vampire. It obviously wasn't her.

"What is it Squat?" Baboo questioned the creature.

"I'm not sure, but it looks like it could be a Power Ranger," Squat replied.

"What!" Baboo's voice became excited, "but how?"

"No idea," Squat answered, "I'll get the guards ready."

Outside the cavern, the White Ranger made his way steadily forward. His eyes had become accustomed to the infrared vision, and he was able to see fairly clearly, allowing for faster travel. He soon found himself at the base of a large hill of sorts…closing his eyes he listened for anything…anything that would lead him where he needed to be…he heard nothing at first. Then a shuffling…it wasn't what he was hoping to hear.

In front of him several bodies appeared, their body heat not radiating on display. It was as if the bodies were cold. Something hit him from behind, a blunt object; it knocked him to the ground. If he had been a normal person it probably would've knocked him out, but he was able to get back to his feet. He heard others approaching, once again unable to see them.

"Well then, this isn't working," Cole thought to himself.

His helmet reverted to its head-band and crystalline form. He couldn't see far in front of him, but his attackers were right on him, and that distance he could see.

The attackers were human/Foils in shape, but they were badly rotted…as if they had been dead for a time. Basically Cole was facing the closest approximation of what he considered zombies. Therefore he had no qualms doing what he knew had to be done, that being killing the already dead.

Reaching to his side he withdrew his claws, and readied his own defense. The first zombie came at him; he buried a claw into the head of the creature, severing it from the body, as it collapsed into a lifeless mass. He continued his massacre of the undead creatures, ultimately causing all of the attackers to collapse into lifeless forms.

Someone knew he was here, and that usually meant he was on the right trail. Scanning the mountain he squinted, hoping to see through the fog. Narrowing his eyes he saw what he thought he was looking for, an entrance to something.

Cole began to climb towards the entrance, his eyes adjusting to the point that he could actually see. Either that or the fog was lifting, whichever it was he was thankful.

Back inside the cavern, the hobgoblin made his way back towards his long time ally.

"The Reapers didn't work Baboo," Squat said not pleased.

"That's no surprise," Baboo replied, "where is the Ranger?"

"He's coming in the front door," Squat answered, "I have bombs waiting at the front though, maybe that'll shake him up."

"Maybe, but if not…well I've been wondering what Ranger blood could taste like," Baboo smiled coyly, "go see what you can do."

Squat turned and left the area, leaving Baboo and the girl alone.

"Now we can see what a hobgoblin can do," Baboo smiled.

Cole had made his way to the cave's entrance with little instance. The fog was thinner the higher he moved up, and that made the trip that much faster. Reaching the entrance the White Ranger examined his surroundings. It was dark as suspected, but a lot cleaner than he had imagined. The cavern seemed deep as well, but he wasn't sure how deep. Moving in cautiously he expected something to jump out at him at a moment's notice. That's usually how these things worked.

He wasn't far from wrong.

Several loud explosions rang throughout the cavern, knocking the White Ranger to the ground. As if on cue his helmet formed around his head. Several more explosions rocked the Ranger about, but no severe harm done. Finally the explosions seemed to stop, and a short, stout figure stepped forward.

"Lookee here, I haven't seen a Ranger in a very long time," the creature, Squat, spoke.

"Who are you?" Cole questioned through his helmet.

"My name is Squat," the creature replied, "not that it matters."

The short, blue creature lunged towards the White Ranger; in one hand he had a blunt sword, in the other an explosive of some sort.

Cole easily dodged the sword swing.

Squat had intended that, and managed to attach the explosive to the Ranger's back. Hitting the ground across from Cole, he laughed.

Cole realized what had happened too late, and didn't have time to remove the explosive. It ignited, throwing his body against the cavernous walls. He blacked out.

When he awoke he found that his helmet had converted to its head band form, and he was bound by heavy chains.

"I know all about Ranger strength, but those should be more than strong enough to hold you," another unfamiliar voice spoke to Cole.

"And who are you?" Cole asked, voice showing no worry.

"I am Baboo, and you are going to be dinner shortly," the voice replied, before showing its source.

"Zombies, goblins, and now Vampires..." was Cole's only response.

Baboo disappeared from sight again.

To his left he saw a girl curled up on the floor. He realized that he was exactly where he needed to be.

He pulled at the chains. They were strong, but not that strong. He decided though to bide his time a little longer.

A few hours passed, the girl had spoke to Cole several times, but the most he ever responded with was, "It'll be okay."

Baboo showed himself again, but instead of approaching the Ranger, he moved towards the girl.

"Well it looks as if your time is up," he lifted the girl to her feet. Walking past Cole, the Vampire narrowed his eyes, "you will be for a later date. We need to finish this one while she's still fresh."

Cole didn't respond.

Baboo had said, "we," which meant that there was more than one, but how many? It didn't seem that he was referring to Squat and himself…despite being a goblin of sorts, Squat didn't seem like the human-flesh eating type.

From a different room Cole heard a scream. He didn't have time to think any longer. He had to make a break, and it had to be soon. He'd told the girl it would be okay, and he wasn't about to be made a liar.

Vampires? Well usually a stake of some sort worked…but something else that was equally effective seemed to be decapitation, looking around the room that seemed a much more plausible scenario. Nearby a sword lay unattended, it had a unique appearance, and dark energy seemed to emanate from it. It would work, at least until he could find his claws.

He waited for the next scream from the girl, hoping that would hide the sound of the breaking chains. Closing his eyes he focused his strength, and with a forceful pull he broke free the chains. Grabbing the sword he headed towards the direction of the scream.

He was almost too late when he arrived. The girl was forcibly kneeled as the Vampire sank his teeth into her neck.

She screamed again.

"Back off," Cole said calmly.

"You? I see you escaped, I told her we should've had stronger chains," Baboo lurched towards the Ranger.

Cole withdrew the sword from his back, and before the fight could even begin, he severed the Vampire's head, and the body fell stiffly to the floor.

The White Ranger moved towards the girl, "We have to get out of here before the others show up."

"Too late Ranger, the others are here. I see you've found the Sword of Darkness, congratulations. But I know all the Ranger tricks, so don't think I'll be as easy as that monkey," a female voice spoke.

"What are you talking about?" Cole moved toward the female voice.

"The Sword of Darkness was once wielded by the Evil Green Ranger. It is a sword forged in darkness; it is a sword of evil's bane," the female voice replied, "that's enough of a history lesson. As far as knowing all the Ranger tricks, well…from one former Ranger to another…very little changes, apart from the costumes."

Cole's uncertainty was obvious, but he still stood strongly. He whispered to the girl he didn't know, told her to run towards the entrance as fast as she could…he would handle this woman.

"What? No, 'what do you mean one former Ranger to another,' well that just really lessens the effect of what I was about to reveal," she stepped forward, "well since you took away all the pizzazz of the big reveal, there's no need for a commercial break to add to the suspense." She stepped forward into the light. Her skin looked dark, even in the dim light; her hair was shoulder-length and black with bright red highlights.

"Am I supposed to know you?" Cole asked defiantly.

The woman didn't reply to his question immediately, but instead leapt towards the human girl, with inhuman speed and distance, "Where do you think you're going?"

The girl fell to her knees, she was terrified.

"I'm not a fan of fast food…"

"What's with the bad puns?" Cole tried bringing the focus back to him.

"Remnants of a past life," the un-named female kicked the young human girl aside, knocking her to the ground.

"That was uncalled for," Cole fired towards the strange black-haired woman, "so are you going to introduce yourself?"

"How rude of me," the black-haired woman turned towards the White Ranger, "in a previous life I was called Vida Rocca…you can call me Vi. I used to be a Ranger, and then thanks to a neat little thing called a Vampiric Possession, I was born. They tried to purge my host and destroy me…their plan…mostly worked…"

Cole had no immediate response, he readied the sword…

"Well…I guess we're going to have a Ranger fight…" The woman, apparently named Vi, leapt towards the Ranger, long talon like extensions came from her fingers.

Cole met her attack mid air, but somehow she was able to block his attack. She moved with ridiculous speed, probably a side-effect of the vampirism, the White Ranger could barely dodge her blows. For every two or three he was able to block, she seemed to land at least one, and each one was quite painful…if it wasn't for the added Ranger powers he would've been doubled over…and probably Vampire food.

"This is fun," Vi laughed before blocking a counter-attack from the Ranger.

Cole's attacks weren't quite as effective as the Vampires, but they did find their target every now and again. They fought fiercely, the ex-Ranger and current Ranger, neither seemed to give way to the other. Cole was getting angrier though, the thought that he was being bested never came into his mind, and he would not lose. The sword he carried seemed to feed off the anger, and as it fed it sent its powers back into Cole. In essence the sword and wielder were feeding off one another.

"Someone's getting mad," Vi smiled, "excellent."

Cole didn't disagree…he was getting angry…in fact he was enjoying it…as the anger built he felt himself getting stronger, faster, he began to feel he could match the Vampire.

Vi could feel the strength building…he would be able to best her…she knew it…

Cole sensed her fear, he smiled beneath his helmet. He struck one blow, then another and then another. Vi collapsed to the ground under the constant blows of the Sword of Darkness.

"So Ranger, are you ready to kill?" Vi asked as she looked into the faceless mask.

Cole retracted his helmet, raised the sword and smiled. He thrust the sword fiercely into the Vampire, burying it in her stomach.

Vi's eyes opened wide with shock. Part of her, the tiniest part that still vaguely remembered being a human Ranger, was disappointed that he had succumbed to the powers of the Sword.

Cole withdrew the sword from the Vampire, her blood coated the blade. Against Baboo he felt no remorse, he had always been a monster, but this woman had once been a Ranger…he did not feel at ease…he tried to cast the Sword to the side, but its sheer power made him reconsider. The Sword of Evil could grant him power…it could be used for good…at least that's what he told himself. Wiping the blade on the ground he felt his strength fading. The sword began to glow a dim, black light, then it vanished from his hands, but as it vanished he felt a charge run up his arm, then build in his chest. Something appeared on the crisp white Ranger uniform he wore, on the right side of his chest the image of a black sword appeared.

Cole had to focus elsewhere now. The human girl he had come to rescue was still on the ground, barely breathing. Reaching down he lifted the girl to her feet, and wrapped her arm around his neck, slowly they began to walk away.

Vida Rocca lay on the ground; she was not dead…not yet anyway. A figure appeared before her, vague at first then clearer. It was a large figure, dark and cloaked.

"My lord yet has use of you Vampire, he sends his bidding," the figure spoke in a raspy voice, "he also sends this." The figure placed a small bottle before the Vampire.

"What is this?" Vi questioned the figure.

"Something that will get you to your feet…but you will need to feed soon, and I believe there is a ripe piece of meat trying to escape…but not the Ranger, my lord still has plans for him," the figure faded back into nothingness.

"May as well, not like it'll make me any deader," Vi struggled to reach for the bottle. She popped the cap and drank in deep. She felt her powers returning, diminished, but returning, "well this doesn't suck." Vi stood up, cracked her neck and shoulders, and began to walk after the two escapees.

Outside of the cave, Cole supported the girl's weight about his shoulders.

"How are you holding in there?" Cole asked the human girl.

"I've been better…" the girl replied, "where are we going?"

"Out of here," Cole answered.

Not far away the blue hobgoblin, Squat, watched as the white Ranger continued to lead away the human girl. Figuring that he had bested not one, but two Vampires, Squat figured it was in his best interest to go in the opposite direction…sure he'd lost his best friend, Baboo, but he also realized that he preferred the living aspect of life more than the death aspect…plus; he admitted, the Vampires freaked him out…besides he who fights and runs away, lives to run away another day.

"My name is Heather," she tried to introduce herself.

Cole didn't give his name; in fact he didn't even respond in any form, he just continued moving forward.

Squat continued to watch from a distance.

"So you're just going to let them run away?" A voice came from behind the hobgoblin.

"Vida? I thought you were dead…I…umm…I was just…" Squat tried to come up with a reason why he was just watching and not actively trying to stop the Ranger and human.

"You were just what? Watching a Ranger escape? Cowering behind a rock?" Vi the Vampire hissed.

"…I uh…" Squat had no way to respond.

"I always knew you were a waste of space, I only kept you around because Baboo insisted, and he's gone now, so I have no use for you. Besides I need to feed to regain my strength…even if it is on something as disgusting as you," Vi lunged towards the blue goblin.

He didn't have time to try and stop her, in moments the Vampire had sunk her teeth into the thick neck of Squat.

Vi gagged at the rancid taste of hobgoblin blood, but despite that she could feel some energy returning to her. She continued to feed until there was nothing but a lifeless blue body in her hands

"Well…that was vulgar," she cast the body to the ground fiercely, "so now for the good meal."

Vi leapt from the ledge Squat had been spying from and ran in the direction of the Ranger and human. She would catch up to the two quickly, and apparently…for some insane reason…she was supposed to leave the Ranger alone.

As she had figured, it only took moments to catch up to them, "So here we are again."

Cole stopped mid-step, "you again?"

"Aw, you don't look happy to see me, but I thought we went so well together," Vi teased the White Ranger.

Cole turned to the human girl, Heather, "stay straight, don't stop for anything, and keep going."

Heather nodded in agreement and started to run in the direction the Ranger had pointed her in.

"Come on now, I didn't survive being killed to let her escape again," Vi turned away from Cole.

"You want me, remember," Cole tried to bring the attention back to himself.

Vida didn't bite the bait this time; instead she bolted after the human.

"Leave her alone Vampire," Cole demanded.

She paid him no attention, and quickly tagged the human girl to the ground.

Heather knew what came next, "please…don't…" she cried.

"Your tears of begging reach my non-beating heart; I just can't take the torture. I want to be good, I want to change, I want to be a good girl again," Vi mocked the human girl.

"Please don't," Heather pleaded.

"Back off Vi," Cole sounded as he charged towards the former Mystic Ranger, "Sword of Darkness return," Cole shouted as the black sword emblem on his chest glowed then vanished as the sword appeared in his hands.

"Keepsake?" Vi faced the White Ranger.

"You're done for," Cole threatened as he swung down the sword.

Vida didn't reply this time, instead she caught the blade in her hand, dark black blood seeped from the fresh wound.

"We're done for now," Vi hissed at the Ranger as she kicked him firm in the stomach, knocking him back with a fierce force, "play with the Reapers for a little while."

The ground around Cole opened as the lifeless corpses he'd fought when he first approached Mist Island came back to un-life.

"Not again," Cole fought fiercely as the zombie-like creatures seemed to pour out from the ground around him.

Vi didn't watch the fighting, she merely smiled, "Dinner time."

The Vampire sunk her teeth into the sealing wound on the girl's neck and drank deep.

Cole continued to fend off the 'zombies' as he saw what was happening to the girl he was supposed to be saving. He fought fiercer, decimating the remaining corpses that assaulted him. Finally none were left and Cole took the opportunity to spring back towards the human and Vampire.

"That was yummy. Later Ranger," Vi stood up, dropping the body to the ground and vanishing into the mist.

Cole ran to the girl's side and lifted her body towards him. There was no life left.

The Sword of Darkness vanished back into nothingness as the black sword emblem re-appeared on the Ranger uniform. Cole shook his head, he had failed, but he knew what he was going to do. He would hunt down the Vampire, and make sure nothing like that would happen again.

End? (Yes, I know its cliché…)

There are many stories yet to be told in this world...many others must face their own trials...as they tread deeper into a world built upon evil...

Has Dustin Brooks met his match in a former Machine Empire royal?

Will Trini Kwan face her own vampires?

Can T.J. Johnson keep a lost soul safe?

Why is Maya forced to fight to keep others entertained?

What evil hides in the darkness, waiting for its moment to arrive?

That and many more stories await those willing to travel, "Into the Darkness."