This chapter goes back in time, beginning after the Shiera/Rangers battle.

6. Can't have it all

"We know when to kiss

And we know when to kill

If we can't have it all

Then nobody will"

"The World is Not Enough", "Garbage"

"Poor Rangers" said Shiera. She unmorphed, revealing a rather sarcastic grin. "I wish I could see their faces"

"This is not a laughing matter", stated Ecliptor. "You could have done better than that. You could have killed at least one of them"

"If I had done that, the word that princess Astronema's warrior killed a Power Ranger would have spread like fire, and every good-doer in the known universe would have come to help the Astro Rangers. I find it hard to believe that such a situation is desirable"

"Still, your mission is to kill the Astro Rangers"

"You know them longer than I do. Would you say that they fought as hard as they can today?"

"Yes, they did. You, however, didn't"

"Therefore, they are more tired than I am. With each passing day, they will be more and more tired"

"So will you"

"But not as much as them. They will wear out faster than I, until fatigue will get the better of them: and then the six Rangers shall be wiped in a single blow"

The general and warrior considered both plotter and plot. He had to admit, Shiera had a point.

"This is a matter for the princess's consideration", he said finally.

Astronema looked at both warriors standing before her.

"What do you think of this, Ecliptor?"

"Have I not supported this plan, princess, I would have not ordered Shiera to bring it before you"

"Very well. I shall adopt Shiera's plan". The Earth-born was almost glowing with pride. Astronema smiled lightly before proceeding: "I command only one alteration: to make things harder for the Rangers and easier for us, I want the two of you to take turns in battling them".

Both warriors replied with a "Yes, my princess"

"It is late, my princess. You should go to sleep"

"I'm not tired, Ecliptor" said Astronema. She was pouring over some huge maps, spread across her work desk.

"It is still late"

"Dark Specter ordered me to review those battle plans. The war is reaching its crucial point"

"You have done more than enough for a single day"

"I'm still not tired"

"Go down to the Arena than. You haven't trained for days, and you are a warrior princess"

"Fine. I leave you in command of the Fortress, for the night"

"As you wish, my princess"

The princess expected to find the Arena deserted. To her surprise, it wasn't so.

"Shiera"

"My princess". The warrior bowed deeply.

"What are you doing here in such an hour? You should be on Earth, sleeping"

"I usually sleep very little. I used to spend those hours in the Park, but I like the arena better. However, if I'm interrupting…"

"No, stay"

"As my princess wishes"

There was a certain tenderness in Shiera's voice that made Astronema look at her deeper than she did so far. She's my age. She's the only one who ever called me "her" princess, save Ecliptor. I suppose I can always kill her.

"When we are alone, you can call me Astronema"

"Okay"

"Much better. Now, as this is an arena, not a social lounge…". She let the sentence dangle.

Shiera didn't miss her cue. She assumed a base position. "Shall we spar?"

"Good morning, my princess" greeted Ecliptor when he brought his princess the breakfast tray. She seems more refreshed than she's been in too long a while. "I hope you slept well?"

"Most well".

I know that twinkle, he thought, something happened.

"Apparently, I was not the only one who turned to the Arena last night. Shiera has had some trouble falling asleep, too"

"And?"

"We sparred"

Now, this was interesting. My princess's training surpasses Shiera's, but Shiera has the greater talent. His curiosity leaked into his voice. "And?"

Astronema chuckled. "I almost pity the Rangers for having to face her. Perhaps we should sent the black Ranger a thank-you note, for revealing her to us"

"I can't imagine how thrilled he would be, when he realizes he helped achieve the noble goal of Evil's victory"

She laughed at the mental picture. "Today, however, is your day of tackling the Rangers, not hers"

"I've already considered this, and I think I know the best way to ruin the pests' day"

Cassie was waiting for Carlos outside his classroom.

"I'm here to ask a question and deliver a message"

"Go ahead"

"The question is whether you would be like to be left alone at lunchtime"

"Yes"

"The message is, Zhane is inviting you to join him on the ship's library, where he is researching relevant spells"

"Okay"

"If you would change your mind about lunch, we'll be having it by the lake today. It's a shame to stay indoors in such a weather"

"Okay"

"I'll be leaving you now"

"Bye"

"Bye"

"I only have a minute, princess, what is it?"

"There's something you need to be prepared for". Astronema quickly explained Shiera Ecliptor's idea.

"This is cute. Why don't you come down here and watch the action close up?"

"You think?"

"Camouflaging yourself shouldn't be hard. I don't see why you should miss the fun"

"All right than. I'll call you later for details"

"See you"

TJ raised his brows when he saw Cassie approaching. She answered him with a frown and a shake of her head. He confirmed with a nod and returned his attention to the grilling meat. Cassie went past him and joined Andros at the picnic table.

"He's not coming" she told him.

"I'm not surprised", he answered. He was looking at Ashley, who was strolling on the edge on the lake, jumping an occasional stone across its surface. "But I still wish he would've come. This isn't good for the team"

"Is it only the team you think about?" she prodded, following his gaze.

"No", he admitted. "Ashley is blaming herself, and nothing I can say would make her feel better. Zhane is more furious than I've ever seen him. He kept me awake half the night with the research, did you know that?"

"I didn't. Is he still in the library?"

"He is. He's growling when interrupted. Between those two, I'm far from being in my best shape, and all the load falls back on you and TJ"

"You shouldn't worry for us. We can handle this. TJ was red Ranger once, don't forget"

"I won't. Ever since I joined with you guys, I considered myself lucky – as a leader – for having a second-in-command who's a leader in his own right. It's just that the current situation is too tough"

"You sound beaten"

"Have you heard Shiera's biography yet?"

"No"

"I heard it from Zhane, who heard it from Carlos. She was trained in a local dojo by a pair of active Rangers"

"No matter how good a fighter she is, she's still one. We're six"

"But we'll hold back, knowing who she is, while she has no such inhibitions. Suppose we'll have to tackle both her and Ecliptor at the same time, what then?"

Cassie didn't get a chance to answer him: their communicators beeped.

Andros answered his: "Yes?"

"Yo yo yo, Rangers, I have some very bad news!"

In the school's cafeteria, people were screaming and ducking under tables. Those who tried to escape were blocked by Quantrones. It was complete mayhem, and Ecliptor was enjoying every second of it.

He was pacing around the cafeteria, severing tables with his sword and shooting fiery green sparks at the scared students. He blasted the doors leading to the sunny terrace, and many of the teens fled outside before realizing that the outdoors portion of the cafeteria offered no shelter from the black terror, who was enjoying himself more and more with every passing second. "Rangers!" he shouted. "Oh, Rangers!"

"Over here!" cried an angry voice. The black Power Ranger swung his ax. Ecliptor blocked it easily enough: the black Ranger's raw force just wasn't enough against a warrior of Ecliptor's caliber.

"Where are you friends, Ranger?" he sneered.

"They'll be here soon enough"

They exchanged several blows before Ecliptor spoke again: "Looks like they'll be too late to stop me from grinding your bones into very fine powder" he teased. The agitated human was fighting at a lower level than his usual. He was losing. "Left you all to yourself, didn't they?"

"In your dreams!" cried the black Ranger, but Ecliptor knew he hit a sore spot: the human became even less composed than he was before, if that was even possible. Unwillingly, Ecliptor eased his blows. He wasn't supposed to kill the pest just yet.

Soon enough, the other Rangers appeared, and the battle begun in earnest. It didn't take long for Ecliptor to realize that they knew Shiera's identity: they were all upset. Ecliptor decided that the day just went from "good" to "better".

"You were enjoying yourself, weren't you?" asked Astronema in mild amusement when Ecliptor returned to the Dark Fortress.

"All those kids made quite a crowd", he answered. "I noticed you and Shiera there, watching"

"Watching the battles close-up is much more fun than doing it from here. Especially when you almost tore the yellow Ranger in half. She wasn't in very good shape, wasn't she?"

"I think they know about Shiera. Most of them can't handle their anger very well"

"Except for the red and the silver; they seem to take extra charge from it"

"They are the best of the lot any given day, but they can't make up for the black and yellow Rangers' complete lack of rational thought"

"Will you remind me in three hours time?"

"Of course. May I ask what for?"

"I've scheduled a sparring session with Shiera"

"So she succeeded where I failed, and made you invest in your hand-to-hand combat skills"

She hesitated briefly, and then told him the truth: "I enjoy her company". His answer almost surprised her.

"I was hoping for this, when I suggested we take her. That's why I spent a whole week watching her: her skills as a fighter were obvious, but I was hoping she would make you a worthy companion". His voice softened. "You were unhappy lately"

This alerted Astronema more than she cared to reveal. I've been neglect in hiding my emotions. It's ok that he knows I'm unhappy; he must never know why, because if he would, he would have the silver Ranger killed the very day. Loudly, she said: "I am so lucky that you are the one who raised me, Ecliptor"

"This only happened because the Power Rangers killed your family"

"I know" she said bitterly. Her hand traveled to her locket. "I could never forget. But I'm going to have my revenge. I've got my own Ranger now, and she'll finish them off easily enough"

"What's that?" asked Astronema, pointing at the yellow plastic bag.

"Peanut M&M's. It's the best post-sparring snack"

"I don't snack"

"Oh really?". Shiera held her the bag. Astronema picked a single chocolate candy and munched the small thing thoughtfully.

"It's good" she decided.

"Told you so"

The two girls were sitting on the Arena's sandy floor, catching their breath after a rigorous sparring session. Shiera was nursing a quite few burns, unintendedly cause by the sorceress princess when she lost her temper; Astronema had several bruises and a few cuts.

"Astronema, princess… There was something I couldn't help but notice today"

"What is it, Shiera?"

"The way you were watching, and whom… We share a weakness – though for two different ones"

Astronema caught her breath sharply. "Was I so obvious?"

"As I said, we share a weakness. None else would have noticed". She put her hand on the other girl's knee. "You're safe with me"

Astronema put her hand on top of Shiera's. She never saw anyone doing such a thing: it was an instinctive response.

"And you're with me", she promised, then sighed. "They have to die, you know"

"I'm the one who's gonna have to do it", reminded her Shiera, "Unless you want to do your one: I would understand"

"I don't"

"I'm going to make it quick, painless… If all goes well, they won't see the deathblow coming. I'll take them down first, so they won't suffer much grief either"

"You gave it much though"

"I want to do it right. Ours will go first, quick and easy. The blue and the pink will come next; I don't care much for them. The red and the yellow will be the last ones, and they'd beg me to finish them off before I'm through"

Astronema was surprised at the anguish in the other girl's voice.

"Why do you hate them so much?"

"They've done something that hurt mine. They'll pay"

Astronema chuckled. "I can hardly believe he would've approved of this"

"Oh, I know he wouldn't", smiled Shiera, "But I'm not going to let it ruin my fun"

Next time: "So that's the girl of your nightmares"