Not As It Seems

Disclaimer: I do not own the power rangers. I don't think I own the name Solaris either. I'm pretty sure I heard it somewhere else.

Summary: AU. Karone and Zhane, along with four new astro rangers search for Karone's lost brother. Meanwhile, Ashley's new boyfriend seems perfect, but he's hiding something that could destroy her, the rangers, and himself.

(A/N: Zhane was never in a cryogenic sleep and the purple morpher has always existed and belongs to Karone. Oh, and Solar Spear was the best I could do for Karone's weapon. I thought about Purple Pulverizer, but that just sounded retarded. Lol! )

Chapter 1

Karone sat at the console on the bridge watching the video of the day her brother Andros was kidnapped. She had a big decision to make and she had no idea what to do.

The four stowaways were obviously friendly and they had helped fight off Ecliptor and the Prince of Evil, Solaris's army of quantrons. And though they hadn't actually fought Solaris that day, she was sure that the strangers would have fought with her and Zhane. Besides, Zhane really liked them, and he did have a good sense about people.

She had given the four stowaways the astro morphers so they could help in the battle, but she wasn't sure if she wanted to let them keep the morphers. It just didn't seem right to form a team when her brother wasn't here to lead them, and she didn't really think she would be a good leader.

"You still awake?"

Karone turned at the sound of her boyfriend's voice. "I couldn't sleep."

He smiled knowingly. "You know we need them Karone. They're good people. And you saw them in battle, they're a great team."

"I know, but…" She stopped knowing it was useless to argue. She knew they would have a better chance of finding Zordon and defeating evil with the new people. "Alright, I give up. I'll talk to them tomorrow."

"Good." He kissed her cheek. "Let's go to bed." She didn't fight when he pulled her out of the seat and led her to their room.

Dark Fortress

Solaris sat at the console clad in black denim pants and a long sleeved red shirt and black biker vest looking at the footage from the earlier battle. He looked to his left as Ecliptor entered the room. "There are four more thorns in my side." His crimson eyes burned into Ecliptor. "Where did the others come from?"

"They come from Earth. Apparently the rangers Devatox supposedly destroyed made their way into space."

Solaris's jet black hair shifted from his face as he stood. "Dark Specter should have never given her the task of killing the rangers. I guess it's up to me to get rid of them once and for all." He moved to the door. "Prepare the quantrons. We attack Earth tomorrow."

Ecliptor bowed grudgingly. "As you wish, my Lord."

Megaship – Food Hall

Ashley, Carlos, TJ, and Cassie sat at the table in their new flight suits. They all felt good about being rangers again, and having the chance to save Zordon. The only thing they weren't sure about was the purple ranger.

"What do you guys think of Karone?" Carlos asked.

"First impression," TJ responded. "She's kind of mean."

"Yeah." Cassie agreed. "And it's pretty obvious that she doesn't really want us here."

Ashley sighed. "That's not fair you guys. She's obviously been through a lot."

"So has Zhane and he doesn't look like he would kick us off at the next available planet." TJ commented.

Ashley caught a quick movement by the door. I hope that wasn't Karone. She thought to herself. "I'll be right back guys." She left the food hall and walked into the corridor just in time to see Karone turn the corner. Ashley rushed to catch up. "Karone, wait." She called as she turned the corner. She was actually surprised when Karone stopped, and even more surprised to see the hurt expression she wore. "So you heard that?"

Karone nodded. "I know I can be mean at times, but I don't do it on purpose."

"I never thought you did it on purpose." Ashley smiled a little.

"But your friends do. And I don't really blame them."

"Look Karone, we want to be a team and we want to be your friend, but it's kind of hard when we don't feel like you want us here."

"I'm sorry." Karone sighed.

"It's not too late to change. We're not that good at holding grudges." Ashley thought for a moment. "At least I'm not."

Karone laughed a little. "Thanks Ashley."

"You're very welcome. And if you need to talk to anyone, you can always talk to me."

"I'll keep that in mind." Karone smiled, but her smile quickly disappeared when DECA's alarms went off. "What is it DECA?"

"Solaris and Ecliptor are on Earth." The AI voice responded.

"Solaris?" Ashley frowned.

"Just great." Karone mumbled, not hearing Ashley. "Let's get the others."

"Right." Whoever Solaris was, Ashley had a feeling he wasn't a good guy.

Angel Grove

Solaris wore a cocky grin as he eyed the six morphed rangers before him. "So I guess you think this team of Earthlings is supposed to defeat me."

"I don't think it." Karone spat. "I know."

"We'll see." He turned to Ecliptor. "Destroy them."

"Gladly." Ecliptor responded. "Quantrons attack!" The quantrons surrounded the four new rangers while Ecliptor went for Zhane and Karone went for Solaris.

"Solar Spear!" Karone's weapon appeared in her hand as she lunged at Solaris. He blocked her attack with his staff and took her down with a sweeping kick, but she was on her feet fast. Solaris swung his staff hitting her in the head. Her helmet absorbed the impact, but it couldn't protect her from the blow to her midsection, sending her to her knees.

Solaris sighed and had the nerve to look bored. "This is getting old." He raised his staff prepared to strike when he was blasted from the side.

"How about something new?" The yellow ranger charged him and managed to land another punch.

Solaris stared at the yellow figure. "This ought to be interesting."

Karone got up to help Ashley fight but found her self surrounded by quantrons. Surprisingly, when she glanced over at Ashley and Solaris, Solaris was the one who seemed to be in need of help.

She was stronger than she looked and Solaris couldn't help but be pissed and impressed at the same time. He hadn't had to be on the defensive in a while, but then again it had been a while since anyone really challenged him.

Ashley ducked under Solaris's spinning kick and countered with one of her own, causing him to stumble and drop his staff. He ducked and rolled away when Ashley came at him again.

He reached for his staff which was a few feet away and it seemed to float into his hand. Ashley frowned behind her visor as Solaris spoke. "We will finish this yellow ranger." He sneered.

"You're already done."

Solaris disappeared in a flash of crimson light. A moment later, Ecliptor and the others followed.

"Ash, are you okay?" Carlos asked concerned.

"I'm fine." She responded.

"I'll say." Zhane commented. "You made Solaris retreat. I've never seen anyone fight like that."

"Ashley's a natural." Cassie stated and draped an arm around her friend.

"You were really good." Everyone seemed taken aback by Karone's compliment. Everyone but Ashley.

"Thanks Karone." Ashley responded easily.

"Let's get back to the ship." TJ suggested.

"DECA, teleport six." Karone called.

Dark Fortress

"I want to know their identities." Solaris snapped at Ecliptor.

"What do you plan to do, my lord?" Ecliptor asked cautiously.

"I plan to destroy the power rangers…from the inside out." An evil grin slowly spread across Solaris's face.

(A/N: I'm having a little writer's block with No man's land. So I decided to start putting up what I have so far of this story. This story was originally titled 'Out of This World', but I'm working on another story and the title fits better for that story. Tell me what you think.)