Rangers:
Red: Jared Scott
Blue: Omar Ellis
Yellow: Jennifer/Jenny Callahan
Green: Hunter Jacobson
Pink: Katherine/KZ Walker
Black: Arthur/Artie Carter-Scott
White: Gwen Anderson

THE NEXT day the rangers were at the Batcave before school. Adam had formally filled the rangers in about the events at Reefside the other day, which to Jared's surprise ended the way it did. KZ noticed on her boyfriend's expression that he does feel guilty for not stopping what happened. While the others were just shocked from the news.

"I cannot believe that happened at Reefside," Gwen started, "You hear things like that but never picturing it happening."

Artie wrapped his arm around his girlfriend's shoulders, Gwen felt Artie kiss the top of her head.

"You're telling me." Hunter said as he held onto Jenny's hand.

"Iris had a lot of courage to take the bullet for that mean cheerleader." Jenny said.

Jared gritted his teeth, "There should have been something done that could have stopped her." Jared said.

Artie frowns, "Bro, no one knew this would happen."

Jared looks up, "Iris told me the conversation she had with Denise. I went up to the main office before homeroom, but they told me that they were busy with other things like getting the morning announcements ready. After homeroom, I saw her leaving the school building and driving away in her car. I went back to the main office and trying to tell them about Denise and what she did. All I got was they were busy with another student that got caught cheating on a test that got brought to their attention prior what happened. If they had listened to me, none of this would have happened, Iris wouldn't be in the hospital." Jared said.

KZ held onto his hand, "Jared." She had a worried expression.

Omar crosses his arms on his chest, "This is not right at all." He said.

Artie nods, "I think they should have noticed the signs before it got out of control." Artie said.

"The warning signs were there, and yet someone should taken action long before it happened." KZ said.

"I know. Plus from what Corey told me is that they tried to warn Cassandra about it, but she did not listen to them. Yet Iris took it for her." Jared said.

Gwen shakes her head, "It is messed up."

Omar nods, " I mean if something is seriously wrong that multiple red flags are going off in this person, you tell a trusted adult. Why it didn't happen here?" Omar spoke.

Hunter shrugs his shoulders, "I don't know man." He said.

As the teens spoke, Adam noticed Zara interest in the topic. Adam knew much like Tia that Zara had a small experience like how the teens are talking about. Zara stands up and walks over to the rangers.

"These things happen," Zara spoke which gained their attentions, "It's not right but you can't fault people for not noticing. Sometimes the signs are quite easy to fool." Zara said.

Jared looks at Zara, "You speak from experience."

Zara sighs, "I wasn't personally involved but- back in my senior year, my boyfriend's junior year, there was a shooting at his school." Zara said.

All eyes were on her now.

"From what he told me about that day was some kid was who was getting bullied had enough, brought bombs and a gun to school. The shooter killed one person but injured countless, but the shooter ended up ending his life in the halls of the school. My boyfriend and his friends were affected by that event. I was at my own school when it happened and- I remember the call I got from Zane, saying that my boyfriend was in a school with someone wielding a gun. I nearly collapsed." Zara said.

Jenny fought back tears, "Sounds awful."

Zara nods, "It was. But I say this with understanding that dark side that the kid was going through, the best way to make sure nothing like that happens again is to try your damn best to make sure no one feels that depressed or alone." Zara said.

Hunter frowns, "Easier said then done. The kids at Clover Hill High, well we can say they aren't the nicest people." Hunter said.

Gwen nods, "When I moved here the kids began spreading hateful rumors. It was insane." She said.

Zara nods, "The easiest way to fight the gossip," Zara started, "Is ignore what they say. So if someone says something trashy about a kid you know, instead of mocking the kid maybe sit with him at lunch."

KZ nods with a smile, "I think we can do that."

Omar nods as well, "Yeah."

Tia looks at her watch, "Okay kids, you all better head off to school before you're late for homeroom." Tia said.

The teens nod and began to leave. Tia was gathering her things and then stopped to turn to her former teammate, she formed a smile on her face when she looked at Zara. Zara was about to return to her own work but felt a hand on her shoulder, it was Tia.

"Look," Tia said, "You've grown up so much."

Zara smiles, "So I've been told."

Tia snickers, "You use to be my music student before I began a teacher. You were a villain turned into ranger. You were the kid and now, you're a fully mature young lady. I'm proud of you, Zara. And I'm certain Jayden is as well." Tia said.

Zara didn't even realized she hugged Tia, but she did. Zara didn't realized how much she needed to hear Tia say that.

"Thanks, Tia." Zara said.

Tia holds onto Zara, "You're welcome."

Adam pokes Tia, "Sorry to interrupt, but you'll be late for your class." Adam said.

Tia nods and pulls back, "Right. I'll see you on my lunch break." She said.

The two nod and watch Tia leave.

---

Jared sat in study hall, in the school's library. He was flicking a pencil off his desk as he was looking over his French assignment. He did not notice someone walking behind him, until he saw the chair in front of him move and sitting down was someone faintly familiar but Jared wasn't completely sure. A women sat in front of him with long black hair, had sunglasses over top of her eyes so Jared couldn't see, and she wore a fitted women suit with dress shoes.

"Hello, Red." She smirks.

"Geena?" Jared seemed shocked.

Geena lowered her sunglasses to reveal her golden eyes then pulled it back up, "Bingo!"

Jared glares, "What do you want, witch?" He asks.

Geena smiles, "Well glad you asked. You see I am lucky enough because of your success I got my old job back, due to Delilah's failure and the sins." Geena said.

Jared shuts his text book, "Why should I care?"

Geena clasp her hands together, "Oh deary, that's why I love talking to you. You are so straight forward, unlike your brother." Geena said.

Jared made his hands into fists, "Your point?"

Geena smirks, "You see, I have been in contact with Drago. He wants to meet, he wants his fight." She said.

Jared crosses his arms on his chest, "I'm not fighting to just fight." Jared said.

Geena rolls her eyes, "Stop the noble act for a moment, you do realize as much as you'll deny that you have to fight him. You want to know if you're powerful enough to stop him. If you're worth being the leader." Geena said.

Jared heard the bell ring to dismiss them.

Geena looks at him, "If you change your mind. He's at the park," She stands, "And if you change you mind chances are, Drago may attack the city. So, either way you'll be fighting him."

Jared watched as she vanished through the crowd in the high school. Jared grabbed his stuff and shook it off of him so he could pretend he was okay. Upon exiting the library, he spots his friends talking by some lockers. Jared adjusts the straps on his shoulder and stared at his friends. 

Jenny was holding hands with Hunter, the two wouldn't have been in a relationship a year ago. Omar was laughing while showing the group some ASL he learned for Violet, if it hadn't been for Jared teaching him basic ASL the boy wouldn't have been dating the girl he has been dating. Gwen was laughing as Artie failed at signing, if the two hadn't transferred in the two wouldn't have been dating or good friends with the others. Lastly, KZ stood a bit off to the side but included in the conversations. Jared counted himself lucky to be her boyfriend, but sometimes he still wonders if he is even worth her time. Before any of them saw him, Jared sneak off.

KZ looked up a second after Jared vanished.

"Anyone else is wondering what is taking Jared so long?" KZ asks.

Hunter shrugs, "Maybe he had already left for Miss Moore's class." He said.

Jenny looks from the library door, "It's not like him to leave without us." She said sounding a little worried.

Gwen looked at her cell, "Well if we don't go to class now, we'll be late." Gwen said.

Omar motioned KZ, "He probably wanted to talk to Miss Moore before class." He said.

KZ had a small gut feeling that something was wrong, but wasn't sure why though. She kept her eyes on the door a little longer as her friends began to walk away, only to begin to follow after slowly.

"Right- yeah. Let's go." She said.

---

Drago was sitting crossed legged in the forest in the park. He heard a snap from a stick breaking, Drago knew exactly who it was before he turned his head to look at the person. Drago smirked as he opened his eyes.

"Red Ranger," Drago said.

Drago stood up now. Slowly, Drago turned around to face Jared. Jared looked at his foe, Jared held onto his morpher in his left hand while keeping his cool.

"I am glad you came," Drago spoke, "For a second I was wondering if you weren't coming."

Jared kept his cool, "I only came because I didn't want you to attack the city." He said.

Drago grins, "Or is it the thirst to unlock that darkness you try to keep hidden." Drago said.

Jared glared, "I don't have any darkness inside!" Jared yelled.

Drago pulled out his sword, "Ready your weapon. Let us finally see who is more powerful." Drago said.

Jared's eyes narrowed as he watched Drago.

---

"Omar, KZ, Jenny, and Hunter can you four stay after." Miss Moore said.

Music class was dismissed. Students were heading to lunch, all expect the teens and they had a reason why. Jared wasn't in class, and it was very unlike him to ditch class. Miss Moore was erasing the chalk board over their lesson on classical music, then she turned her attention to her students. At the door now was Gwen and Artie, the two were motioned to come inside and even close the door.

"Where is Jared?" Miss Moore asks.

Omar looked at her, "He was in homeroom." Omar answers.

Hunter shrugs his shoulders, "He was in English." He says.

KZ nods, "He was even in his other classes before. I saw him go to study hall which was right before this class." KZ said.

Miss Moore looks at her, "Did you see him leave?"

Jenny shakes her head, "No. We didn't see him leave the library." Jenny said.

"We just assumed he came here," Gwen said.

Miss Moore rubs the bridge of her nose, "This is so unlike him to ditch." Her voice sounded frustrated.

Artie looks at the music teacher, "Think he left for a good reason?"

"Like what?" Omar asks.

Artie shrugs, "I mean- what if someone contacted him." He said.

"Like his mom?" Jenny asks.

Artie rubs the back of his neck, "Either her or maybe- Drago." Artie said.

KZ frowned, "Jared wouldn't- would he?"

Hunter crossed his arms on his chest, "As much as I'd want to tell you he wouldn't, this is Jared. He has always had a score to settle with Drago." Hunter said.

Jenny frowns, "Why go without us?" She asks.

Gwen sighs, "He wouldn't have to worry about anyone getting hurt." Gwen said.

Omar goes to hit the wall, "Damn it."

Artie looks at Miss Moore, "Miss Moore?"

Miss Moore nods, "Go."

With that said, the six teens ran out of the classroom and even out of the school building.

---

Blades clashed loudly. Jared, who was in his ranger suit, was slashing his blade at the beast in front of him. Drago pushed hard at Jared, which set him on the ground but rolled on the ground and bounced back up. Jared landed on the ground with his blade about to strike at Drago, however he was blocked by the very beast.

"Looks like you've gotten stronger," Drago grins.

Jared smirks underneath his helmet.

"I'd say the same thing about you, but you haven't." Jared said.

Drago went to slash his blade at Jared but the boy ducked, "Cocky, I like it." Drago spoke.

Drago slashed his blade at Jared, but it hit the tree trunk after Jared dodged the blade. The sword got stuck in the tree, Drago tried to pull it out but Jared punched Drago in the jaw with his right hand. Then Jared went to slash his blade at Drago, who was on the ground, but then Drago tackled the young man. 

The sword went in the air until it struck down on the ground, sitting in the earth it pierced. Jared was punching Drago to get off of him, whereas Drago grabbed a hold of Jared's helmet and hit it against the ground hardly.

"Jared!"

Drago stopped for a second so did Jared. The two fighting heard foot steps getting closer. Jared knew they had figured it out, and he wasn't surprised that they were able to find him. After all their morphers do have trackers on them. 

While distracted, Jared reached for his sword but slammed his helmet against the ground again. Jared had enough of this, he kneed the lizard beast in the gut. Drago released his helmet, so Jared managed to tackle Drago down. Now Jared was on top, Jared was punching the beast in the face.

"Jared!"

Jared stared at Drago. He stopped punching Drago and stood up to get his sword, upon turning back Drago was holding a large rock in his hands. Jared held the sword in his left hand, tightly. The sweat slid down the side of Jared's face, the boy bit his lips for a moment. Drago spit blood on the ground and formed a smirk on his face.

"Your move, Red." Drago spoke.

Jared hesitated at this moment.

"Jared!"

Now the voices and steps were getting closer. They had found him.

"Over here!"

Drago watched as their battle was interrupted. The ranger he had been fighting had changed back to a different person, Jared lowered his sword slightly but had his guard up. Drago could tell the boy had no intentions in fighting at his point. Drago dropped the rock, and it was at that moment when the rangers were right behind Jared.

"Looks like back up has arrived." Drago smirks.

Jared remain silent.

"Well I know when I've been made." Drago said and walked past them.

The rangers watched as Drago walked to the tree trunk, he pulled the sword out of the tree. Then he turned to Jared, Jared remain in the suit staring at the dragon beast in front of him. Drago holds a smirk on his face, before a gust of wind came through and Drago vanished through this distraction. Afterwards, Jared powered down and put his hands in his pant pocket.

"So," Artie started, "You going to explain yourself?"

Jared turned to them.

Omar crossed his arms on his chest, "Seriously, bro."

Jared exhaled, "Can we talk about it later." He didn't even ask, it was more like a demand.

Jenny placed a hand on Jared's shoulder, "We better get back to school." She said.

"You guys go ahead." Jared said.

KZ shakes her head, "No way. You're coming with us." She said.

Jared felt his girlfriend grab a hold of his hand, then began to drag him away with the others right behind him. Jared remain silent the entire way back to campus, they were lucky enough to have about twenty minutes left of lunch. So the gang managed to find a table to eat lunch. The group went on as if nothing had happened.

Omar was talking about how Violet and him went to a silent movie showing, while he was eating his pizza. Hunter then mentioned about how his dad had been trying to get a hold of him and his family, but the Jacobson's were ignoring his phone calls. Hunter felt Jenny hold onto his hand, while the two ate their pears. KZ mentioned about how she went to the doctors with her mom for her mom's check up, she mentioned how health the baby is and how excited she is to be a big sister.

"So," Gwen stabbed her pear, "Anyone going to mention the elephant in the court yard?"

All eyes shift to her, "What?" Artie spoke.

Gwen sighs, "You all have been avoiding asking our faithful leader why he went rouge."

Jared silently took a sip of his soda.

"I mean its great to hear that for the most part your guys lives are great, but what the heck was that?" Gwen started.

"Gwen," Artie said.

Jared shifted his eyes at the others.

Gwen turns to her boyfriend, "Look I get it, you don't want to bring it up at school but for the past couple of weeks we've been talking about our after school activities at school no problem." Gwen said.

Hunter sighs, "She's gotta point."

KZ turns from the others to her boyfriend, "Jared?"

Jared heard the bell.

"Saved by the bell," He muttered to himself.

As he stood up he felt Omar grab a hold of his shoulder.

"This chat isn't over." Omar said.

Jared looks at Omar, "For now, it is. Come on, we can't be late." He said.

And with that said, Jared just walked away from the table. He headed to the direction of his next class.

---

It was after school and somehow Jared managed to avoid every single person who cares about him. However, he knew he needed to talk to someone who knew his secret identity. He walked to the music classroom, and knocked on the door frame. Miss Moore looked up from her papers she was grading to see the student who ditched her class.

"Jared," She said as she took off her small reading glasses, "It seems you managed to return to school."

Jared leaned against the door frame.

"Is this a bad time?" He asks her.

She shakes her head, "No. Come in." She said.

Jared nods and enters the classroom fully.

"So everything alright? You worried everyone including myself when you ditched my class." Miss Moore said.

Jared looks at her, "Did the others tell you why?" He asks.

Miss Moore shakes her head, "No. So why don't you fill me in." Miss Moore said.

Jared leaned against a desk in the first row, the desk he was leaning against was the closest to her own desk. Miss Moore had held a red ink pen in her right hand, which really made Jared realize he was interrupting but at this point she wasn't going to let him leave without explaining himself and his own actions.

"Geena got into the school," Jared started, "She looked like a human. She came to speak to me."

Miss Moore nods, "She is getting smarter." She spoke.

Jared nods as he lowers his head.

Miss Moore notices, "Continue, please." She spoke softly.

"She mentioned how Drago wanted to fight. He wanted a serious fight and well he wanted to fight me, alone. Geena claimed if I didn't go that he'd attack the city, and I didn't want to risk it." Jared said.

Miss Moore sighs, "So that's what led you to go alone?"

Jared nods.

Miss Moore frowns, "Jared look at me."

Jared lifts his head up to face her.

"As mad I am for you going in alone, I am glad you took the threat seriously. It's hard to be able to know for sure what the enemy is thinking." Miss Moore said to him.

Jared just silent listens to her.

"Chances are at this point, any of their threats shouldn't be overlooked. But next time, don't do it alone. It's better to have back up and comrades there to support you instead of going solo." Miss Moore said.

Jared nods.

Miss Moore smiles, "And another thing," She say the confusion in his eyes, "Keeping yourself quiet may be who you are but you are smart and you shouldn't allow your past to silence yourself. Jared, I see the way the gears are working in the mind of yours. You are speaking even if you are silent. Maybe, you need to try being more vocal." She said.

Jared nods again, "I- Um yes ma'am."

Miss Moore still smiles, "Now head off to the dojo. I'm certain the others are wondering where you are."

Jared nods, "Um- will I be seeing you there?"

She nods, "Yes. Now go along now before they send a search party." She joked.

Jared smiles, "Yes, Miss Moore." He starts to leave but stops, "And thanks."

Miss Moore smiles, "You're welcome."

---

Jared was walking down the sidewalk, he had nearly reached the dojo and he had texted KZ saying how he was talking to Miss Moore for a moment after school and how he was almost there. That was until he heard his phone ranging. He reached for it and saw the caller ID, it was Brooke. Jared was a bit confused, his sister never calls.

Jared clicked answer, "What is it, Brooke?"

He heard sobs and suddenly Jared got worried.

"Ja- Jared-." Brooke cries.

"Brooke, what's going on? Are you okay?" Jared spoke.

The sobs were still there, "I'm scared. He came out of no where and- and now I am his hostage." Brooke cried into the phone.

Jared nearly collapsed hearing those words out of his sister's mouth, "Who? Who took you?"

"A monster. His- his name is Drago." Brooke cried.

Jared looked at the direction of the dojo and then kept the phone to his ear, "Where are you?"

Brooke yelped and then a different voice was on the phone, "Want your sister back?" It was Drago.

"Damn it! Give her back!" Jared yells.

Drago snickers in the phone, "If you want her back, you'll meet me at the abandon factory in ten minutes or I kill her. Come alone or he life is at risk." Drago said.

Jared took in a deep breathe, "Fine. I'll be here, but if you harm her I swear to god I'll kill you." Jared said.

"Time is ticking." Drago spat and hung up.

Jared ran to his car and put the keys in, he reached for his phone and typed into the text message to KZ about how he was going to visit his mom with Brooke because she didn't want to go alone. After that, he turned off his phone and took out his GPS locator in his morpher. He wasn't going to allow this monster to threaten his sister, since Miss Moore told him to take the threats seriously that's exactly what he is going to do.