Behind The Mask
A/N: Hi guys! This is my first attempt at writing a story so bare with me. I hope you like it!
Chapter 1: Wanting A Normal Life
"I'm never gonna get the hang of this," Ashley said in frustration. She was staring at the rotating ball floating in front of her.
"You'll get it, it just takes time and a lot of practice. It took me years to perfect." Andros replied with a smile. "Come on, try again, I'll help you." He walked over behind her and put his hand on her outstretched arm.
Ashley closed her eyes and focused all her concentration on the telekinesis ball. When she opened them again, she saw that the ball was no longer in front of her but halfway across the room. "Did I do that?" she asked, her eyes wide with disbelief.
"That was all you, I only guided your hand." Andros told her.
"Really... I really did it?" She turned around to look at Andros. He grinned and nodded. "I told ya you'd get it." Ashley laughed and jumped into Andros' arms.
"Um...are we interrupting something?" Zhane asked.
Ashley and Andros broke apart quickly to see Zhane standing in the doorway of the work bay. T.J., Carlos, and Cassie standing behind him with amused looks on their faces.
"No, we're just finishing up." Ashley replied while grabbing the telekinesis ball out of the air.
"You're blushing Andros." Cassie said.
"Did you guys want something?" Andros asked when Ashley giggled.
"Yeah, we came to see if you guys were hungry." T.J. replied. "We're going down to Earth to get something to eat, wanna come?"
"I know I do, I'm starving." Ashley said.
Andros glanced over at Ashley. "Yeah, telekinesis takes a lot out of you, especially when you're first learning how to control it."
"What about you Andros, you want to go eat?" Carlos asked.
"Yeah." Andros replied.
"Well then what are we waiting for? Let's go, I'm hungry!" Zhane said as he teleported out in silver sparkles. Laughing, the others followed, teleporting in their own respective colors. They landed in Angel Grove Park in an abandoned area.
"So, where are we eating?" Ashley asked.
"We haven't been to Adelle's in a while, how 'bout we go there?" T.J. said glancing around at everyone.
"Sounds good to me." Cassie replied. "Lead the way."
"I don't care where we go, I just know I'm hungry!" Zhane said as he took off running.
"Hey, where are you going?" Carlos called.
"I'll see you guys when you get there."
"I guess he'll be leading the way then." Cassie laughed following in the direction Zhane went.
On the Dark Fortress...
Astronema stood watching the rangers on the viewing screen. She envied their friendship and their closeness with one another. She had never had a real friend, someone who she could truly trust in. She didn't trust anyone, except Ecliptor. He was the only one who cared about her, but he felt more like a father to her than a friend.
She watched as the silver ranger took off from the rest of the group. 'I wonder what he's up to now.'she thought. She had been watching the silver ranger closely ever since he'd shown up a few weeks ago. 'I'll just go down and see for myself.'
In one swift motion of her arm, she turned into her human self, a teenage girl with shoulder-length blond hair. With another swift motion, she disappeared in a shower of purple sparkles.
On Earth...
Astronema appeared in the alley behind Adelle's place. She decided to go to the front of the building to watch for the silver ranger. She barely reached the main entrance when someone ran smack into her, knocking her down.
"I'm so sorry, I guess I wasn't watching where I was going." Astronema looked up to see the silver ranger bending down to help her up. She took his proffered hand and stood up.
"Thanks." she replied, brushing herself off.
"Hey, my name's Zhane by the way."
"Ast...Astra." She barely caught herself. 'I have to be more careful.'
"How about I buy you lunch to make up for knocking you over? My friends and I wouldn't mind you joining us." Zhane said.
"Um...I..."
"Hey Zhane." a girl clad in yellow called from behind her. "I figured you'd already be eating by the way you took off."
"I would have been but I ran into someone...literally." he replied looking at Astra. "I'd like you guys to meet Astra. Astra, these are my friends, Ashley, T.J., Andros, Carlos, and Cassie." He pointed to each of his friends in turn as he said their name. "I invited Astra to eat lunch with us, I hope that's ok."
"Well of course it's ok." Ashley told Zhane, then, looking at Astra, she asked, "So Astra, have you ever eaten at Adelle's before?"
'What have I gotten myself into?' She shook her head "No."
"You're gonna love it, Adelle makes great food." Cassie replied with a smile. She walked over and put her hand on Astra's arm. "Come on, let's go on in."
'Is this what friendship feels like?' Astra thought to herself. It felt good just to sit here and talk to people who were her own age and be carefree. This was something she had longed for since she had been kidnapped. She barely remembered the life she left behind when she was taken from KO-35. It had been so long ago... And the red ranger seemed so familiar to her, but she didn't know why. Even his name was familiar...Andros...she knew that name from somewhere. If only she could remember where.
"Astra" a voice interrupted her thoughts. "Astra, are you ok? You kinda zoned out there." It was Zhane, he was frowning at her. 'Is that concern?' she silently questioned. He seemed so sweet and she couldn't help the feeling that she got knowing that he cared about her. 'But he's on the opposite side', her mind argued. "Yeah, I'm fine, I was just thinking."
Once they finished eating, the rangers and Astra sat there talking. 'It's amazing how normal they are. No one would ever guess that they're rangers...unless they already knew.' Astra grinned at the thought.
"Hey, do you guys want to go to the park, it's too nice outside to stay indoors." Carlos said.
"Sure." Zhane said. They got up and headed outside.
On another ship orbiting Earth...
A dark figure stood in front of a viewing screen. It watched as the rangers and their friend exited the restaurant.
"Ah, you finally came out rangers, now I can have my revenge!"
A/N: So what did you think? Should I keep going? Please review!! Oh and I need an evil name for the 'dark figure'. I haven't decided if it's going to be a guy or a girl yet so suggestions for both would be greatly appreciated and it might help me decide. Anyways, thanks for reading, and review please.