DISCLAIMER: Andros, TJ, Carlos, Ashley, Cassie, Zhane & all other PR characters are not mine. The only characters that are mine are the monsters and Phantom 2 whom I had decided to name Hugo who will be making a very short appearanceJ. (If you would like to use them please let me know.) Power Rangers are the property of Saban Entertainment and the Fox Network. One thing, those of you who watched Star Trek during Commander Spock¡¦s pon farr will know where I had gotten the idea. I¡¦ve taken it and twisted it to my own liking so it won¡¦t be exactly the same as pon farr. I would like to thank Signkat for all her advice and help regarding this story. I have taken one of her advice and the other advice I will fix in the next chapter, Chapter 7: The Discovery.
Chapter 6 The Escape
By: SpaceRanger
Andros looked around with bewilderment as the Quantrons left. He sensed danger but it was not directed at him. Then he saw someone who looked familiar but he couldn¡¦t remember where he¡¦d seen it before.
¡§Well powerless Kerovan,¡¨ it laughed evilly. Andros then recognized the disgusting creature.
¡§Shut your trap Darkonda,¡¨ Andros shouted trying to attract attention. He started coughing and his chest became painful. He summoned the training he had received on Eltar and discovered that he had one cracked rib.
¡§Big words from a weakling like you.¡¨ Darkonda punctuated his sentence by punching the captured Ranger on his head. As soon as the blow hit something exploded within his mind and he realized that the danger was to¡KAshley! In his anger Andros had some how managed to be able to yank himself free from the wall.
¡§What?! That¡¦s impossible!!!¡¨
Anything *is* possible! Andros thought to himself. He pulled the cuffs apart breaking free and he snatched Darkonda¡¦s sword out of his grasps and ducked. Darkonda threw a punch and Andros lift up the hand containing the sword and cut off Darkonda¡¦s hand.
¡§ARGH!!!!!!!¡¨ Darkonda yelped with pain. Andros then used his sword to slice through Darkonda. Darkonda exploded before Andros could turn away or shield his eyes, blinding him. He noticed his vision dimming and swore mentally. No time to worry about it now. Andros removed something from his pocket and slipped it on before running out of his cell.
¡§Ahhh!!!¡¨ Ashley yelped as she was slashed across her chest. Pain echoed through out her mind. The monster, known as Slaivia, was laughing at their attempt to destroy him. Zhane you¡¦d better hurry over here with Andros away we need you more then ever.
¡§It¡¦s too bad your leader ain¡¦t here. I would have enjoyed killing him. But I¡¦ll settle for you!¡¨ With that Slaivia planted his scaly sliver clawed hand and lifted her up in a fashion that reminded her too much of a choke slam. She was glad that her face was under a helmet for she knew that it would betray her feelings and she did not want that ugly monster to have the satisfaction of seeing the fear on her face. She quickly did a scan of her surroundings as she felt it squeeze her throat and found large boulder stones at the bottom. They don¡¦t call this Stone Canyon for nothing. Ashley thought dryly.
¡§Good-bye Yellow Ranger,¡¨ Slaivia laughed gleefully. Ashley then felt herself being released from it¡¦s crutches and dropping, fast.
*ANDROS!!!!!!!!* Ashley projected unknowingly with her mind as she grew closer to the stones. Someone snagged her hand and lifted her up on a familiar object; all she saw was a dark maroon cloak before she passed out.
T.J. watched helplessly as he watched Slavia let go of Ashley over the cliff.
¡§NO!!!!!¡¨ T.J. gasped weakly. He and Ashley were the only ones who were conscious enough to fight back against Slavia the others were knocked out by Slavia¡¦s trap.
¡§Next!¡¨ Slavia said mockingly. It picked Cassie up and was about to turn when there were two flashes of silver fire and Phantom¡¦s black fire that was tinged with a little crimson. This was enough distraction to allow T.J. time to get off the ground and catch Cassie as she fell to the ground.
¡§Ready Phantom 2?¡¨ Zhane growled. T.J. could hear the bitter hatred in his voice.
¡§Ready Zhane,¡¨ Phantom 2 agreed.
¡§Count me in.¡¨ Carlos snarled as he picked himself off the ground.
¡§Don¡¦t forget me,¡¨ Cassie piped up as she struggled to stand.
¡§Me too.¡¨ T.J. said with narrowed eyes focused on Ashley¡¦s murder. T.J. drew his Astroblaster at the same time the others did.
¡§Ready?¡¨ Zhane and Phantom 2 asked. They nodded.
¡§Fire!!!¡¨ Five different colored beams of light hit the monster destroying it. Each of the Rangers slapped hands with the other for a job well done, congratulating each other. Suddenly, a green beam shot out from above. Within it, T.J. saw the monster grow in size. T.J. swore under his breath. These monsters just don¡¦t give up he thought to himself.
¡§Zhane!¡¨ T.J. shouted. ¡§We¡¦re short on Rangers! Can you and Phantom 2 handle the Megaship?!¡¨
¡§Then who¡¦s going to drive the Mega Winger?¡¨ Zhane yelled back.
¡§We can use it when we really need help.¡¨ Zhane nodded.
¡§Alright then! Let¡¦s do it!¡¨
¡§We need Astro Megazord Power NOW!!!¡¨ They shouted as one.
¡§T.J. if you would¡K¡¨ Zhane said to him. T.J. grinned at the Silver Ranger who was currently occupying what was Andros¡¦ usual seat and there was nothing humorous about it.
¡§It¡¦ll be my pleasure.¡¨ T.J. said. ¡§Mega V3 missile mode ready at your command.¡¨
¡§I¡¦ve got a lock.¡¨ Cassie said from her position.
¡§FIRE!!!!¡¨ Zhane shouted as he fiddled with his Joystick and pressed the red button.
¡§No!!!!!!!!!!!!!!¡¨ Slavia cried out before it exploded. T.J. turned to the others to make sure they were all still there. They weren¡¦t. T.J. blinked as he looked around again.
¡§Hey guys?¡¨ T.J. asked. Everyone stopped their conversation. ¡§Where¡¦s Phantom 2?¡¨
Ashley opened her eyes and blinked with confusion at her surroundings. The figure that had save her was at the console. He almost seemed to smile at her before he disappeared into thin air.
¡§Yellow Ranger!¡¨ A familiar voice called. Ashley turned her head to see Phantom standing at the doorway.
¡§Oh there you are.¡¨ Phantom said with relief. ¡§Are you alright?¡¨
¡§I¡¦m fine,¡¨ Ashley said. Extending her hand she said sleepily,
¡§Hi I¡¦m Ashley Hammond of Earth.¡¨ Phantom extended his hand
¡§I am called Phantom 2.¡¨
¡§Oh then you must be Hugo.¡¨ There was a sudden boom that jointed Ashley fully awake. Phantom 2 picked her up off the bed and teleported them out.
¡§Ashley!!!¡¨ Carlos exclaimed. ¡§We thought you were¡Kwell¡K¡¨
¡§Dead?¡¨ Ashley laughed shakily. ¡§To quote one famous author ¡¥Reports of my death had been greatly exaggerated¡¦ or was that ¡¥have been greatly exaggerated¡¦? I don¡¦t know I can¡¦t think straight right now.¡¨
¡§That¡¦s not unusual,¡¨ Carlos joked.
¡§HEY!!!¡¨ Zhane pouted ¡§Jokes are *my* department.¡¨
¡§You were late on the punch line.¡¨ T.J. teased.
¡§What is this ¡¥pick-on-the-Silver-Ranger-day¡¦?!!¡¨ Zhane said with mock-exasperation as he threw his hands up. Ashley stifled a giggle.
¡§Yup!¡¨ Cassie said grinning. ¡§You are awfully fun to pick-on.¡¨ Zhane rolled his eyes with mock-resignation.
¡§I give up!¡¨ Zhane sighed. ¡§Three against one is not exactly fair.¡¨
¡§Who says it was suppose to be fair?¡¨ Carlos shot back.
¡§What?!¡¨ Zhane mock-shouted. ¡§When *you* play a game or something you¡¦re *suppose* to play fair!¡¨
¡§Did I hear right?¡¨ Cassie said with mock-surprise and wide eyes as she cupped her hand to her ear, ¡§Did Zhane just say something about playing fair?!¡¨
¡§Since when do *you* play fair Zhane?¡¨ T.J. pointed out.
¡§Huh,¡¨ Zhane admitted. ¡§Good point.¡¨ Ashley grinned and shook her head at the scene as her friends continued their mock-argument.
¡§Are they always like this?¡¨ Hugo asked with disbelief in his voice. Ashley giggled and shook her head again.
¡§Not always but Andros and I have always found it amusing to watch from the sidelines. Sometimes I join in although Andros doesn¡¦t. He¡¦d rather watch then participate.¡¨
¡§Hey guys did you know that Andros proposed to Ashley?¡¨ Zhane asked in a mischievous tone of voice.
¡§Hey!¡¨ Ashley protested, ¡§Since when did *I* become the object of your conversation?¡¨
¡§Andros did what?!!!¡¨ T.J. said with amazement. Ashley turned bright red with embarrassment as all of their eyes toned in on her.
¡§Did you say yes?¡¨ Cassie teased.
¡§Ashley did say yes to Andros.¡¨ Deca offered, everyone but T.J. and Phantom 2 snickered. T.J. still had the look of amazement on his face. Ashley glared at Deca¡¦s eye/security camera who was trying it¡¦s best to get noticed after that comment.
¡§Deca! You intruded on our privacy!¡¨ Ashley scolded.
¡§So he did do it!¡¨ Carlos said laughing so hard he fell out of Ashley¡¦s seat that he was currently occupying. That brought laugher to all the Rangers and a smirk upon Ashley¡¦s face.
¡§Serves you right.¡¨ Suddenly Ashley¡¦s exaustion, pain, fear, and close call rushed upon her so fast that she grew dizzy. The room spun and she fell unconscious.
Andros looked at the stars as he lay on his side, where his ribs wasn¡¦t cracked as he waited for the Power to fully heal it. The stars were only a projected hologram but it made him peaceful. Usually. But it wasn¡¦t helping now. Andros sighed with annoyance. For some reason he couldn¡¦t sleep, a thought kept nagging at him.
It¡¦s been several days now since his escape from Darkonda. He couldn¡¦t teleport to the ship since he hand no morpher or communicator nor could he even attempt to fly the velocifighter he had stolen back to the Megaship. As he lift up his blanket he wondered idly if the Megaship was still in orbit around Earth. Probably, Andros thought. He had been able to get a scrabbled message to Phantom telling him where he could find Ashley. Phantom sent the message back telling him about his replacement. Just a while ago Phantom 2 sent a message to him telling him Ashley was safe. He felt his heart beat hard and fast against his rib cage at the thought of Ashley. Andros groaned. Gods no one told him it would feel like this. But then he understood for he could not describe this feeling, he doubt that anyone could.
Andros¡¦ fingers twitched, he had dreamed of Ashley every night even before he met her. He didn¡¦t understand why. During that time he had not known of her name just that he had loved her and when he had awoke he shook it off as a hallucination. That is until he saw her that day on the Megaship. Somehow he had recognized her on the bridge as the one in his dreams. He mentally slapped himself for treating her so cold and vowed that when he returned he would apologize to her. He was glad that Ashley was so persistent with him. Then he grinned, but I¡¦m still not going to wear shorts or even a short-sleeve shirt no matter what she said. She drives me crazy enough as it is. Considering where he was he added, Even when I¡¦m* this* far away from her.
He then remembered the kissed they shared when Tommy brought him back to the ship and let out an involuntary moan of pleasure. He couldn¡¦t control himself. But he knew he had no one to blame but himself. His body ached, not with pain, but for someone and his soul agreed. He felt his blood on fire and he was feverish, all he could hear was the sound of his blood roaring loudly in his ears. He longed for the only person in the universe who could quench his desires and the fire burning within his veins. Andros let out another groan; it occurred to him that he was, perhaps, losing his sanity but that thought was lost as soon as it came. By the Powers Ashley, why do we have to be so far apart? Andros thought feverishly. Andros closed his eyes and gritted his teeth trying to get rid of the burning sensation that threatened to burn away his body, his mind, and his soul. It had worked before and there was no harm in trying to do that again. Try as he might he couldn¡¦t, and then he remembered what his teacher had told them.
*Flash*
He and Zhane were sitting in the middle of the room trying as hard as they can not to dose off in class. They had spent all of last night training to become Rangers. The teacher didn¡¦t care if they slept in class for he had known how hard it was to become Rangers and allowed them to sleep there. The two had often come by to catch up on their studies often. Today they were discussing about love. Andros didn¡¦t remember how they had gotten into that conversation but it did perk his interests enough to keep him awake as he listened with fascination.
¡§¡KAfter a few more years, depending on who your bond mate is you would feel within yourselves when it is the *Day* for you. Now we labeled it as the *Day* because that¡¦s when you know when you can propose to her and when you¡¦d say *Yes* to him. And then *it* begins.¡¨
¡§What do you mean by *it* begins?¡¨ Zhane had asked.
¡§The burning of you blood, the urgings and desire you will feel.¡¨ Their teacher explained. ¡§You will understand when you are that age. Now where was I¡KOh right, when you feel these symptoms you would want to be with your bond mate when it happens or these symptoms will hit you full force. The further you are away from your bond mate the stronger your need for each other and when that happens all of your training you learned to stifle your desires will no longer work. And when this goes unheeded you will die¡K¡¨
*Flash*
Andros shivered as the words echoed within his mind and curled himself into a tight ball. His teacher was right. His blood was leaping up higher and higher by the minute found himself burying his mind in nothing else but the thought of *her.* Andros then uncurled himself and turned to lay on his back suddenly a vortex opened in front of him and enveloped him.
Andros blinked at the sudden light change and it cooled his desires a bit as his curiosity got the best of him. Then he saw *her* and his breath caught. Flames leaped out again as she turned her gaze to him and their eyes locked.
He wasn¡¦t sure who moved first, him or her but a large part of his mind didn¡¦t care for *She* was in his arms once again. He heard her cry silently against him and he pulled her away gently enough so he could see her face.
Ashley felt tears stream down her face but she didn¡¦t care. Andros pushed her away far enough so she could look into his hazel eyes. She saw several emotions flicker within them: Happiness, Sadness, Concern, and the longing Passion. Her control snapped and she found herself leaning forward and she closed her eyes just before their lips touched. Ashley felt him respond to her unspoken demands and lifted a hand to run his fingers through her hair and he nudged her mouth open gently. He ran his tongue lightly over her lips, pulling her a little closer and letting his hand slide around behind her neck.
Ashley couldn¡¦t stand it, she squirmed to get closer, moving her hands up to his shoulders. Her tongue met his and she pressed closer to him. Andros wrapped his arms around her and kissed her again and she linked her hands behind his neck and returned his kiss. He stroked her hair distracting her so much she couldn¡¦t focus on anything but their kiss, the feel of his arms around her, and his warmth was flowing into her.
She felt his hands running gently down her back sending shivers down her spine.
She felt him hesitate but she wouldn¡¦t allow it. She had missed Andros before but these past few days gnawed at her. She felt a need for him, something she just couldn¡¦t explain but it got worse with every day. She needed Andros¡K no¡K she *wanted* Andros. Her hand slid down his chest, and felt him kissing her neck, lower and lower, until his lips were on her collarbone. The fingers of her free hand were caressing his hair.
Suddenly Andros stopped and she saw him look at her with pleading and scared eyes.
¡§What¡¦s wrong, Andros?¡¨ She asked with a husky voice. His body protested against his withdrawal from her
¡§Ashley, don¡¦t do this to me once I start I won¡¦t be able to stop,¡¨ Andros pleaded. He hoped she would ignore his warning. Then he added indicating their surroundings, ¡§And¡K we¡¦re in a public place.¡¨ Ashley looked at him with an amused look on her face
¡§Andros, this isn¡¦t a public place this is my Dream Wonderland.¡¨ Andros blinked confused and as he continued to ignore his body¡¦s protests.
¡§Huh?¡¨ Andros asked. Ashley smiled and beckoned him to follow her.
They rounded the bend and he found himself in front of Ashley¡¦s house. Andros blinked
¡§Wasn¡¦t your house surrounded by other houses?¡¨ He asked. Ashley smiled and nodded.
¡§And this is my dream.¡¨ Andros smiled at her words.
¡§Our Dream,¡¨ Andros corrected and pointed to the KO-35 Eternal Falls and the multicolored telekinesis ball beside the house. Ashley giggled and he turned toward her and her brown eyes met his.
His fight against his desires was lost when she wrapped her hands around his neck and kissed him. The heat of her body against his was make him crazy causing him to forget about everything he had ever known and thought. It was like letting lose a flood shield for suddenly all of his pent up feeling he had kept within himself burst open and he found himself kissing her harder then he intended and his body became even more feverish where she pressed against him.
Ashley broke away from him long enough to ¡¥teleport¡¦ them into her room. Andros pushed her into the bed and she grabbed him pulling him on to her. He moaned involuntarily as she ran her fingers through his hair and dimly realized that his mind wasn¡¦t controlling his body any more, his heart and desire was.
¡§It is 7 o¡¦clock,¡¨ A familiar voice said.
¡§Thanks Deca,¡¨ Ashley yawned. Deca blinked at her and her red light blinked off. Ashley turned her head to look out the window as she usually would before she got out of bed and blinked. Andros was lying beside her with his eyes closed and a peaceful expression on his face. One side of her lips quirked and she wished for a camera so she could be able to see his peaceful expression everyday. She then realized that he had one arm around her and she smiled as she snuggled up against him.
¡§Andros...¡¨ She whispered unable to believe where she was waking up if she wasn¡¦t already.
Am I still dreaming? She wondered. Andros chose that moment to wake up and blinked up at her.
¡§Ashley?¡¨ Ashley smiled at the uncertainly in his tone and kissed him.
¡§You¡¦re on the Megaship,¡¨ she whispered.
¡§How?¡¨ Ashley shrugged her shoulders.
¡§I was hoping you could tell me. But right now, I don¡¦t care, as long as you¡¦re here.¡¨
¡§Yeah¡K¡¨ Andros said. Ashley didn¡¦t want to leave right now but she knew she had to. She kissed him one last time before she slipped out of her bunk, showered, and dressed. Andros was gone when she came out and as she headed for the holding bay she wondered if he regretted last night.
*Actually no,* Ashley heard in her mind.
*Hey!* Ashley sighed dreamily and thought teasingly back at him. *Don¡¦t you know it¡¦s *rude* to invade people¡¦s thoughts?* Ashley could hear him chuckle at her and she grinned.
¡§Ash?¡¨ Someone called.
*Gotta go, I¡¦ve got company. See you at breakfast.*
*Right.*
¡§ASHLEY!!!!!!¡¨ Several voices called out. Ashley blinked and looked around her seeing her friends and, recognizing the posture, Phantom 1 gathered at the table.
¡§What?¡¨ Ashley asked puzzled but unable to keep her grin off her face as she punched in her order.
¡§Are you alright?¡¨ Carlos¡¦s concern voice asked. Ashley raised an eyebrow puzzled at his question as she took her food from the Synthetron and made her way to her seat.
¡§Of course I¡¦m okay, why won¡¦t I be okay?¡¨ Ashley didn¡¦t miss the look that was exchanged between Carlos and T.J. Those two can really get on peoples nerves. But she was too happy so she decided to ignore the exchange and ¡¥apple-pie¡¦ their beds later. She mischievously formed other plans to get back at them.
Soon she lost interest in her plans and her thoughts went back to Andros and she sighed contently.
¡§You aren¡¦t, by chance, thinking about Andros were you?¡¨ Cassie asked with a knowing tone Ashley blinked.
¡§How did you know?¡¨ She asked blushing.
¡§You sighed.¡¨ Ashley sighed with mock-irritation then noticed Andros at the doorway.
*I need a little help here,* Andros grinned at her.
¡§Who sighed?¡¨ Andros said with an amused tone of voice looking at all in the world like he just came in instead of standing there long enough to catch the end of their conversation. Everyone spun around as best as they could on their stools to look at him. Everyone¡¦s jaw dropped.
¡§Andros!!!¡¨ Carlos said shaking his head with a grin, ¡§You did it again.¡¨
¡§Yeah we should start calling you Houdini.¡¨ T.J. agreed stuffing his face with waffles.
¡§T.J.!¡¨ Cassie exclaimed making a face, ¡§Chew before you swallow that¡¦s disgusting!!!¡¨ T.J. mock-pouted at her.
¡§Is it really my fault that you feel it is necessary to chew the waffles 100 times before swallowing?¡¨ Cassie rolled her eyes.
Ashley watched as Andros shook his head amused at the scene. And Phantom chuckled from his position, nodded at them, and left the holding bay.
*Hey Ashley, I¡¦m going to be up on the bridge okay?*
*Okay Andros, just don¡¦t over work yourself.* Andros grinned at her.
*I won¡¦t.* Ashley giggled at his innocent ¡¥puppy face¡¦ Does he know how cute he looks like that? She thought to herself as she waved at him.
Andros tensed as he heard a shriek coming from the holding bay, dropping his pad he ran toward the sound. When he got there he screech to a stop and stared at the scene with raised eyebrows.
T.J. was pouring his juice over Cassie who was keeping her eyes tightly shut and throwing ice everywhere. Ashley was sitting on Carlos reaching for her backpack and punching him while Carlos stretched his hand out of her reach laughing at her attempt to get her backpack back. Zhane was sneaking up behind Ashley with a bowl of something Ashley called ¡§Macaroni and Cheese.¡¨ Ashley shrieked as Zhane dumped the contents over her head.
¡§Zhane you Son of a -----¡¨ Ashley mock-growled and began chasing Zhane around the room. Carlos walked over to the Synthetron and removes a pie as Zhane and Ashley ran by him. Ashley snatch up the pie and throws half of it at Zhane while the other half was on Carlos¡¦ face. Andros shook his head then cleared his throat, loudly. Everyone at once stopped what they were doing and looked at him guiltily.
¡§What¡¦s going on here?¡¨ His friends exchange a glace with each other and replied as one.
¡§Nothing,¡¨ Andros raised his right eyebrow at them.
¡§Who started this?¡¨ Everyone turned their head toward T.J.
¡§What?!!¡¨ T.J. exclaimed, ¡§I might have done it but Zhane started this.¡¨
¡§WHAT?!!!¡¨ Zhane yelped, ¡§I¡¦m not the one who splashed grape juice all over Cassie!!!!!¡¨
¡§Well *I* certainly didn¡¦t do it!¡¨ T.J. shot back, ¡§The juice fly up on it¡¦s own. And I certainly couldn¡¦t have done since *I* happen to *not* have telekinesis.¡¨ Andros successfully stifled a grin as the two argue back and forth.
¡§Never mind, all of you clean up yourselves and this room before Deca does something drastic.¡¨ Andros said. His teammates groaned. Andros left and headed towards the Engine Room, once in the lift Andros gave into his laughter that he was holding back.
You know the drill, tell me what you think!