Disclaimer: The Power Rangers do not belong, nor have they ever belonged, to me. (I wish they did though, 'cause then I'd be rolling in some serious green.) The timeline I'm shooting off from did belong to Haim Saban. Curse him for not keeping hold of the franchise. Any original characters do belong to me, and I would appreciate it if you asked me before attempting to use them.

Second chapter up and ready to go. This one continues my Friends Anew series, but is set after An Evil Game in the main continuity

A Choice of Friends.

by RedLion

Several weeks had passed since Leo Corbett and Ashlee Lynn Crider met in the Mountain Dome of the space colony. Since then, the two have been on quite a few dates, the most recent of which coming to a close during a clear, moonlit night-or a reasonable facsimile thereof.

"So what's the deal with your friends?" Ashlee asked as the two casually walked hand-in-hand through a park new the residential district. "Every time I see you, you're always around at least one. Why?"

"It's a long story," Leo answered. And one you probably wouldn't believe even if I did tell you.

"I've got time," Ashlee said. "You can start by explaining Kendrix to me. She seems to be the closest one to you."

"Why? Jealous?"

"Not at all. Just curious."

"Again, long story," Leo sighed "Soon after Terra Venture first took off from Earth, I had a major emotional issue within me. Kendrix is one of those thoughtful, considerate types who often has a few words of encouragement to say. Even after the problem's been long resolved, I guess we still maintain that link to a point."

"I see...so there's really nothing between you two?"

"No," the red-clad male laughed. "You know, you're cute when you try to keep a straight face, Ash."

"Sweet-talker," Ashlee replied, lightly slapping Leo's chest, at which he promptly smiled.

"Hey, it's a gift," he shrugged. "It's getting late though. Don't you think we should be heading home now?"

"I guess...if I can see you tomorrow."

"Sure, if you can stand the company I keep. They're not that bad overall."

"I know. Besides, I may be able to pry some secrets about you from the others."

"Now hold on a minute-"

"Leo, I'm kidding," Ashlee said. "I'm not like that."

"I know. I'm sorry, Ash. Forgive me?"

"How can I refuse to?" she cooed. "You're just that sweet."

"Like I said, it's a gift." The two made their way into the housing structures still playing off of one another, unaware that even though the vicinity was clearly empty, the two were still being watched.

-----

Aboard the Scorpion Stinger, Trakeena, the insectoid princess, glanced over a monitor showing the Red Ranger and his companion nearing Ashlee's quarters.

"So," Trakeena sneered, "even with this new girl, there may still be something between Red and Pink after all. That gives me a rather devious idea, but it will have to wait until morning. Even universal conquerors like myself need their beauty rest." Yawning, she stole into her personal chamber for the night.

-----

The next day, four of the Lost Galaxy Rangers, along with one civilian acquaintance, were gathered in the plaza, enjoying the atmosphere around them.

"It's such a nice day today," Maya, the Yellow Ranger, remarked, "much like what I used to endeavor on Mirinoi."

"Thank Mike and Kai for that," Kendrix said, referring to the two missing Rangers. "Things have been rather peaceful here on Terra Venture, and it wouldn't be right to spoil it with a storm."

"Amen to that," Damon nodded as he sat against a light post. "I've actually had a chance to run a few modification ideas by Commander Stanton."

"Um, guys, why are you talking about work?" Ashlee asked. "You're spoiling the mood."

"Sorry," the two answered together.

"It's okay. You know, since it is a nice day out, why don't we use it somehow?"

"Okay, any ideas then?" Kendrix replied.

"Maybe we could have a picnic in one of the other domes."

"That's...actually a good idea," Leo said. "Which dome did you have in mind anyway?"

"You know, I hadn't really thought that far. Maybe the Forest Dome, or the mountains...there's just so many."

"Why don't we figure that out while we prepare lunch, Ashlee?" Kendrix suggested. "Already you seem overworked."

"Sorry," Ashlee said, looking a little flushed. "I tend to do that sometimes."

"Okay. Come on then." Kendrix rose from the brick outcropping and started towards her quarters. "You coming?" she called back to the other two girls.

"Sure." Ashlee got up and followed while Maya continued to lay in the sun.

"Maya?"

"I think I'll stay out here a little longer," the Mirinoi native said.

"Not too long, I hope," the Pink Ranger warned. "Too much sun is actually bad for you."

"That's why I'm heading in now." Leo also stood up, but walked off in a different direction as the others. "Otherwise my face would be as red as my clothes."

"To be honest, I don't think that's even possible," Damon joked after Leo was out of earshot. Maya just giggled as she continued to stare into the cloudless sky.

"So how are things between you and Leo?" Kendrix asked while she and Ashlee were on their way to the grocery store.

"Quite well, actually. I don't think I've ever met something like him before."

"Yes," Kendrix nodded. "He's definitely one in a million." Just then, a swarm of Stingwingers buzzed before the two. "Speaking of a million..."

"Gross, I hate bugs," Ashlee said. "Where'd they come from?"

"You don't want to know," Kendrix answered. "Can you fight?"

"Only my cousins during family reunions."

"Good enough. Yah!" A swift kick from the Pink Ranger sent one alien bug into two others of its kind. Nearby, Deviot, one of Trakeena's current lackeys and the most untrusting of them, watched from the side of a building.

"Excellent," he said. "It all goes according to plan."

-----

On the other side of the main structure of Terra Venture, Leo had his hands full with Stingwingers as well. Vilimax, Trakeena's more noble underling, was leading this assault and also adding a more personal touch.

"What do you want this time?" Leo asked, avoiding a swipe from Vilimax's thin blade.

"Whatever Trakeena wants, and that means your inevitable destruction."

"Like that's gonna happen. Go Galactic!" In the blink of an eye, Leo morphed into the Red Galaxy Ranger and started slicing through Vilimax's entourage with his Quasar Saber

Predictable Ranger, Vilimax thought. Too bad you don't see the real reason for our dance. Oh well. You'll find out soon enough.

After several minutes, the Stingwingers were gone with only Leo and Vilimax to face each other in combat. "Now what are you going to do?" Leo asked. "It's just you and me now."

"I'd save your breath if I were you, Ranger," Vilimax said, "for this is only the first act of today's show, and the best part is still to come." With that, he teleported off in a blur, leaving Leo more than a little confused.

"Now what the hell was that supposed to mean?" he asked himself. No sooner did a beep from his wrist jolt him back to the present time. "Go ahead, Alpha," Leo said, lifting his arm to his helmet.

"Finally I got through," squeaked the Rangers' robotic assistant. "Someone's been jamming our frequencies for the past twenty minutes.."

"Do you know why?"

"No, but I still can't contact the others."

"Strange."

"What else is strange, Leo, is that there's another energy that appeared as soon as you came back up on the scanners," Alpha reported. "It's coming from the Forest Dome."

"Hmm...I guess I'll have to check it out. Keep me posted on anything else you find."

"Will do, Leo." The transmission crackled into non-existence as the Red Ranger called for his Jet Jammer and took off through the colony.

-----

On the opposite side of the traveling city, a half-bear, half-croc monster tore his way though Mike Corbett, Leo's older brother and the Magna Defender. Alongside him were Damon, Maya, and Kai in their Ranger uniforms.

"Someone get this guy a dentist, please," Damon remarked.

"No one talks to the Grizzly Gator like that and gets away with it," the monster roared before lashing out at the Rangers with his claws.

"Where are Leo and Kendrix?" Kai asked.

"No clue," Maya responded, fending off a blow with her Quasar Saber. "We tried calling them after you two came, but we couldn't get through somehow."

"Not even Alpha would answer our communicators," Damon added. "Whoa!" He dropped back from Grizzly Gator and retaliated by drawing the Trans Blaster and firing at the hybrid creature.

"My turn now." Mike holstered his sword and brought out the whole piece of the Magna Blaster. He pumped the muzzle before letting loose a volley of laser fire. Wherever you are, bro, he thought, we need you here now.

-----

"From what Alpha told me, the abnormality looks like it's coming from that cave," Leo said to himself. He landed his Jet Jammer nearby and proceeded into the tunnel. The light faded into blackness as the crimson-clad Ranger continued down the perilous-looking corridor.

"Greetings, Red Ranger," a sinister voice called through the depths of the cave.

"Deviot," Leo hissed. "What do you want?"

"I'm just here to play a little game," Deviot replied, "and you happen to be the lucky contestant."

"I'm not here for games."

"Oh, but you'll like this one. I know I do." A set of lights flashed in the cave revealing a large pit in front of Leo. Dangling high above the pit were two cages, each one complete with an occupant inside. Leo looked up and almost fell over at who the prisoners were.

"What's this about, Deviot?" Leo demanded.

"Simple. One cage has your precious Pink Ranger, the other your new girlfriend. You can only save one. The other will be dropped into the abyss." Deviot laughed maniacally has the cages lowered to half the height they were before. "It's your choice, Ranger. Where does your loyalty really lie?"

Of all the nerve, Leo thought. He knows I can't choose one over the other, especially out of this pair.

Excellent, Deviot schemed. While he's beside himself, I can dispose of him as well as his friends. He slipped out of the shadows and towards the Red Ranger with one laser gauntlet aimed at his head.

"Leo, look out!" Kendrix screamed from above. Leo whipped around and swatted Deviot's arm away before flinging him towards the gaping hole. Deviot slid over the edge, but hung on for dear life while Leo turned back towards the hanging cells.

"That's Leo?" Ashlee asked. Kendrix looked at the other girl and mentally kicked herself for blurting out such an important and long-lived secret.

Good one, Miss Morgan, the Pink Ranger said to herself. Talk about letting the cat out of the bag.

"Don't worry, ladiess," Leo called. "I'll have you out shortly." He then faced the console Deviot came from before and blasted it with a flame burst courtesy of his Galactic Fire Power. Even with the complete destruction of the machinery, the cages remained suspended in mid-air. "Or not."

"Leo, if that is you," Ashlee shouted, "I know you can get us out of this somehow."

Don't worry, Ash, I will. Wait. "Back away for a moment," Leo yelled upwards. He then drew both his Saber and the Magna Talon, ran towards the cages and leaped in between them. At the peak of the jump, Leo swiped down and cleanly sliced the fronts of the cages off like deli ham. He came back around and made another leap, this time straight into Ashlee's cell.

"Leo?" Ashlee asked with considerable doubt. The Ranger before her reached up and removed the lion-shaped helmet, therefore removing any and all skepticism.

"Yeah, Ash," he said calmly, "it's me."

"Leo!" Ashlee squealed as she hugged him tightly. "God, I thought I'd never see you again after that creep grabbed us. Wait a second though." She loosened her grip and faced Kendrix. "How did you know Leo was a Ranger?"

"That was a mistake before," Kendrix answered, "but the reason I knew Leo was a Ranger is because I am too." She lifted her wrist and exposed the Transmorpher under her sleeve.

"I guess that explains why you two are so close then."

"Yeah," Leo nodded. Just then, Alpha's mechanical voice crackled over the morpher.

"Ay-yi-yi, so many disconnections. I guess I should start paying the phone bill here on the Megaship."

"Maybe you should, Alpha," Kendrix said. "What is it?"

"The others are having trouble with a monster on the colony. They need you and Leo right away."

"We're there," Leo interrupted. "Just do me a big favor first, would you?"

"What is it, Leo?"

"Can you teleport my friend here back to the city?"

"Sure thing," Alpha replied.

"It's okay, Ashlee," Leo assured her. "I'll be back as soon as I can."

"Alright," she said, kissing Leo on the cheek. "Give him one for me."

"You got it." Leo replaced his helmet just as Ashlee was whisked away in a streak of white.

"Are we ready now, lover boy?" Kendrix teased. Leo just shook his head as he jumped back to the ground below. As they ran back out of the cave, Deviot dragged himself out of the hole and growled in their direction.

"Next time, Rangers."

-----

"Man, we can't take much more of this," Damon huffed as he and the other three Rangers huddled together against Grizzly Gator.

"Where are those two?" Kai asked.

"By the time they get here," Grizzly Gator sneered as he slowly approached the downed heroes, "you'll be nothing more than a pile of bones." A few seconds later, sparks of red and pink tore into the monster's back, causing him to roar in both pain and anger.

"Sorry, we're late," Kendrix called. "I had a bit of a housing issue to take care of."

"And what's your excuse, Leo?" Mike asked.

"Long story. New let's kick this up a notch with a little Orion power." The five main Rangers grouped up in front of their alien foe and raised their Quasar Sabers to the sky.

"Lights of Orion, activate!" A burst of gold energy empowered them with the extra equipment given to them by the legendary source of power. The five then stood together with claws and swords interlocked together. "Power-up mode!" As one unit, they raced at their foe and ripped through him in a blaze of golden energy, leaving him staggering for dear life.

"And one more for good measure. Hah!" The Magna Defender flipped towards the dual-species invader and sliced him in two with his sword as Leo and his friends held their usual pose after the charge. Grizzly Gator fell to the dirt in a less than glorious blaze surrounded by the six young adults.

Later, Leo, Mike, Kendrix, Maya, and Damon sat around the dinner table in the guys' quarters as Kai brought in the evening meal, a pot roast large enough to feed roughly half the population of Terra Venture. The doorbell chimed, however, before the first cut could be made.

"I'll get it," Mike said, rising from the table. He opened the door and found Ashlee on the other side. "Leo, I think it's for you."

"Thanks, Mike," Ashlee nodded.

"Hi Ashlee," Leo greeted. "Something wrong?"

"No, not really. I just wanted to say thank you for not leaving me hanging today. I would've been just as proud even if that wasn't you in the costume, but I'm glad it was."

"You weren't supposed to know though. Kendrix has a big mouth sometimes."

"Hey!"

"He didn't mean it, Kendrix," Ashlee called into the room. "I know I wasn't, Leo, but I won't tell a soul. I promise. Just answer one question for me."

"Anything, Ash."

"Your friends, are they...?"

"Yes, they are," Leo nodded. "Ever since Terra Venture took off, we've had the responsibility of protecting it from harm."

"That's cool. Now how about one more?"

"Ashlee..."

"No, seriously. Just one more. Even if none of you were Rangers, and you were faced with the decision you had in the cave, what would it be?"

"Honestly?"

"Honestly."

"I couldn't make such a decision," Leo said, "not without hurting at least one person I care about. I treat everyone equally: friends, relatives, fellow Rangers, everyone. I can't place one over the others like that. It isn't right. I'd rather lose myself than lose a loved one in such a manner."

"A true hero's answer," Ashlee replied. "I like that. I guess that's one of the reasons I fell in love with you."

"Even before today?"

"Even before today. I could just see that heroic attitude within you."

"You know, speaking of equality, my friends and I were about to sit down to dinner. Would you like to join us?"

"I'd love to, Leo. What are you having?"

"A pot roast as big as the colony itself, proof positive we have plenty for one more. Come on." Leo led her inside by the hand and shut the front door. "Just one thing though. No more shop talk, otherwise I may have to sic another of my friends on you."

"And which one is that, pray tell?" Ashlee asked.

"A really, really big lion."

END

*****

Better? Worse? Come on, throw me a bone here, would you? I need some level of progress here so I'll know what to do in the future.