SHOUT OUTS/ANSWERS

JasonLeeScottFan: We'll see. Ah, but he is. Perhaps, but it just worked out that way. Hope this is soon enough.

DISCLAIMER

Okay, I'm trying to finish this and "Ranger Danger" as soon as possible so that I can focus on my "How It Should've Been" reality, but I'm stuck on the other story, so just bear with me. Plus, I'm taking my computer in to get some stuff taken off and I don't know how long they'll hold the computer. Power Rangers belongs to Haim Saban, Fox Kids, and Disney. I only own the plot and any characters you don't recognize.

At Darkonda's announcement, members of the Alliance looked at each other in disbelief. Dark Specter destroyed? Could it be?

"Well, I'm not following Darkonda," Divatox huffed, crossing her arms. Her minions looked at her, but said nothing. Rita and Zedd stared at each other.

"Zeddy, do you really want to serve under that blowhard?" Rita queried.

"Not a chance, my Putrid Pumpkin," Zedd responded. All across the universe, other members of the Alliance made similar statements. Hearing the statements, the Rangers, Astronema, and Jason all stared at each other.

"Is this common behavior for them?" Cassie asked Astronema.

"I don't know. I never cared much about other members of the Alliance except for what Dark Specter was grooming me for," she replied. Jason looked at Astronema, but said nothing. From his position in Dark Specter's base, Darkonda frowned. Why wasn't anyone responding to him? He was now the leader of the Alliance. The other members should be flocking to pledge their allegiance. He pressed the intercom again.

"Monsters, hear me once again: anyone who destroys or captures even one Power Ranger will have the honor of being my top and most trusted general," he announced. His proclamation was once again met with silence. He frowned and his eyes darkened. Why wasn't anyone answering? Meanwhile, the other members of the Alliance had gathered together.

"So Darkonda thinks he can be the new ruler of the Alliance. What nerve," Divatox fumed.

"I can't believe I'm saying this, but I'm with Divatox," Rita commented.

"Yes, we all know who should be the next ruler: me!" Zedd agreed.

"You? Hah!" Divatox responded.

"Yes, me…with Rita by my side. She was, after all, the one who enslaved Earth," Zedd reminded. There were murmurs of agreement and remembrance at the statement. While this was going on, the Rangers, Astronema, Ecliptor, and Jason were making their own plans.

"We could take out this part of the Alliance and-" Andros' statement was cut off as a transmission came through. Astronema and Jason quickly stepped out of sight, earning strange looks from the Rangers.

"Andros," a man said in a voice of surprise.

"Zirtan?" Andros queried.

"Andros, this is-I can't describe it," Zirtan said excitedly.

"What? What is it?" Zhane questioned.

"The slaves-they're joining-they're all banding together. They've met in a safe house on the south side of KO35," Zirtan replied.

"The Resistance is growing?" Cassie asked in surprise.

"Yes," Zirtan replied. Jason and Astronema shared a look. That was amazing. "But it may not be enough. There are reports that the other members of the Alliance are banding together to overthrow Darkonda. If they succeed, the Resistance may not be enough to stop them."

"What if someone who defected from the Alliance was to help you? Would that even up things a little?" Zirtan watched in surprise as Astronema stepped up to the screen.

"Andros! What is this?" he questioned. Had the Rangers turned on them?

"She's really my sister, Karone." Zirtan stammered for a few seconds. He didn't know what to do or say to this. Finally, he had something.

"You trust her?"

"I do." Zirtan blew out a breath. He wasn't sure what to think. He knew Andros had been looking for his sister, but the fact that it was actually the Princess of Evil who had been groomed by Dark Specter himself…it was a little strange. But he trusted Andros.

"Okay. On a temporary basis. No offense."

"None taken. I must earn your trust." Zirtan nodded and then cut off the transmission.

"Wow. So the other people we saved are getting up the strength to fight back. That's amazing," Ashley stated.

"But will it be enough?" Jason wondered.

"I think it's going to have to be. If we all work together, I'm sure we can overthrow the Alliance," Astronema stated.

"Okay, let's all meet together," Zhane said.

"I'll go make the call," Cassie stated, and went to do so as the other Rangers made preparations to leave. Presently, they were ready and then off to the planet. Astronema began to wave her hand.

"What are you doing?" TJ asked. He still wasn't sure about her, but he'd be polite to her for Andros' sake.

"If we're going to help the Resistance, it would be better for me to go in a civilian appearance until they learn that they can trust me," Astronema responded, finishing the gesture to reveal her with blonde hair, a green shirt, and brown pants. That makes sense, he thought to himself.

'Wow. You look good," TJ commented.

"Thank you," Astronema answered as the others walked in.

"Wow. You're lookin' good, Mistress," Jason commented with a curved grin.

"Call me, Karone. That's my name," Astronema said.

"Mistress?" Jason asked in confusion.

"Karone," Astronema corrected, putting a hand on his cheek. "I don't think the Resistance will understand our relationship. I'm going in civilian form," she continued. She looked in his eyes to see if he understood and he nodded that he did, though she could tell he didn't like the idea. She smiled sympathetically and leaned in close. "I know," she whispered in his ear. Then, she kissed his cheek and he moaned as her fingers caressed his neck. With a sharp inhalation, she pulled back. "Later. We have a war to win." He smiled.

"Of course." When they finally got to the planet, they stopped the ship, and then disembarked. The Rangers led Jason and Astronema to a large warehouse. Inside, Jason was surprised to see the rest of his friends, plus Justin and some others.

"All of these people have joined the Resistance?" Jason asked.

"Wow," Ashley breathed.

"It's amazing," Cassie said. Jason looked around, and when he saw who he was looking for, he grinned.

"Kim! Zack!" he called, and hurried towards them.

"Jason!" Kimberly cried excitedly. She laughed, and she and the others also hurried towards him.

"Oh! You got away from your mistress!" Kimberly cried in relief as she threw her arms around him.

"Um…something like that," Jason replied. Actually, she's here with me, but you wouldn't understand why, he thought to himself.

"I am most relieved that you are unharmed," Billy told him.

"Same here. You don't look so bad yourself," Jason stated. Trini was next in line for a hug. Wow. They all look so great, he thought. They were unaware that they were being watched another small group of people.

"Who's that?" a Korean boy asked.

"I don't know. But it looks like he was rescued by the Rangers," his friend, a boy of Mexican descent, answered.

"Hey, Rocky, Adam!" The two boys turned at the sound of their names being called.

"Hey, Kinwan," Rocky responded.

"Hey, what's all the commotion about?" Kinwan questioned.

"New slaves were brought in. I think one's been reunited with his friends," Rocky answered.

"You mean like how we were reunited with Aisha?" Adam queried. Rocky was about to answer, but was interrupted.

"Hey, I heard my name. You guys must've been talking about me," a voice teased. They turned to see their friend.

"Hey, girl," the boys greeted, and Adam took the girl in a hug. Oh, he still couldn't believe she was here and that she was safe! Aisha reveled in the warmth of her friend's hug.

"Oh, I missed you guys," she told them.

"We missed you two. We've been so worried. We heard you ran," came the response. She nodded. Kinwan cleared his throat.

"Come on. A meeting's been called," Kinwan told them. The three nodded and they followed him. When they got there, the meeting was already in session. The four found empty spaces and sat down.

"With Dark Specter's death, the Alliance is reeling. We should strike soon-while they're still scrambling for direction," a man said.

"I agree. They're weak and they don't trust this Darkonda creature," Astronema stated.

"Do you have any ideas?" Kinwan asked.

"We strike tonight-at different camps, small teams," Astronema proposed.

"You're saying divide and conquer," Ashley realized.

"Exactly," Astronema confirmed.

"It's a reasonable plan. We'd just have to make sure that there's a large enough group so that we don't get overwhelmed," Carlos said.

"Of course," the others agreed. Then, they went on making their plans. When they were done, they went their separate ways. Then, when the time came, everyone broke off into their assigned groups and then snuck away.