Disclaimer- I do not own Power Rangers
Last time- After Zhane's attack, the other rangers are on a search for the monster that attacked him. In the mean time Cael, Talon, and Tynan finished off a group of men after one was 'flirting' with Talon. Ashley on the other hand went out to meet Cael and his friends. After the meeting, she and Talon went shopping. Afterward Cael and his followers led the yellow ranger to a deserted area in Angel Grove Park. There, the leader did the first out of three blood exchanged that would make Ashley become his vampire queen. With Andros returning soon, will he be able to save Ashley from becoming Cael's bride?
Never what it seems to be
Chapter 4
Ashley awoke rubbing her neck. It was throbbing painfully as if someone had hit her or something to that nature. Laying in her bed she finally opened her eyes and looked around. She felt incredibly exhausted, as if all her energy had been sucked right out of her. Letting out a sigh, she looked around the completely dark room. "I wonder if everyone else is up." She wondered aloud. "DECA, turn the lights on to dim." The computer complied and the lights turned onto a low level. Ashley looked at her clock and saw it read 6:15 A.M. Rather surprised that she was up early, the yellow ranger decided to get up. She collected her uniform, showered, and dressed.
Afterward the yellow astro ranger stumbled down the hallway. The only thing on her mind right now was to eat something, anything. Upon entering the mess hall of the ship, she quickly had a stack of pancakes made for her. Once created, she sat down and covered them in syrup. She cut into them, took quick bites, and then swallowed. Without even waiting, she shoved more in her mouth. If someone where to see her now, they would think she had never eaten in her life. Nearly halfway through her breakfast she became thirsty. She quickly got herself a glass of milk.
Once she finished she let out a sigh and drank the last of her milk. Afterward she wiped her mouth with her napkin and leaned back in her chair. "Wow I was hungrier then I thought." she mumbled to herself. Absently she rubbed the spot on the neck that Cael had pierced. She could not remember anything that had happened in the park, only the fact that she was tired. Glancing at the clock over the entrance to the room Ashley saw it read 7:02.
"When was I supposed to meet Cael?" Ashley asked herself. It was as if something in the back of her mind was nagging her to remember. She wished she could have remembered better but it was hard. Her mind seemed so foggy. She stood up; decided she should start on her chores. By chores, it was the daily maintenance and any other things she had personally to do for herself. She tried hard to remember exactly what her job was to do. Should she check the engine room or go to the bridge and run a routine check? The only thing on her mind was meeting Cael and his friends tonight.
The yellow ranger entered the bridge to find Alpha working. The robot looked over at Ashley. "Wow you are up early." He said rather surprised. Ashley looked at him, instantly Alpha could tell she looked incredibly sleepy. "Maybe you should get back into bed." He suggested. Ashley shook her head and began to press buttons on one of the back consoles. Words appeared on the screen yet she could not concentrate on what they were saying. It was as if it were all mumbo jumbo.
Ashley stared at the console screen not noticing her best friend Cassie walking in. "Morning Alpha." Cassie said with a smile. "Good morning Cassie." The robot greeted. As Cassie was about to begin her work she noticed Ashley, with her elbow on the console and hand holding her head up. The pink ranger walked over to her and placed a hand on her friend's shoulder. The simple act caused her friend to jump.
"I'm sorry." Cassie apologized.
"It's okay." Ashley replied
"Wow you look beat, why aren't you sleeping?"
"I woke up and I could not get back to sleep. I just feel a little out of it I'll be fine."
"You sure, I mean come on Ash you are usually the last one to wake up."
"Yeah well I guess there is a first for everything."
"I guess so."
Ashley once again tried to focus on the screen yet nothing was getting into her head. She barely could think of her conversation was Cassie.
What is happening to me? She asked herself internally. The only thing I can think of is tonight. I have to see Cael and Talon… and I guess Tynan. He seemed a bit freaky. What time was I suppose to meet them? Seven o'clock or maybe it was eight o'clock.
For a moment, she felt as if someone was pushing her mind saying "8:00 tonight." Was that the time? It felt as something was brushing against her mind, gently pushing her to comply with yes. Yet, she had no energy to argue and agreed with what her mind was telling her. You need liquids… drink more. Was someone talking to her? Ashley looked around and saw Cassie silently working as well Alpha. Was she dreaming? Did she hear a voice tell she needed to drink something? Shaking her head, she continued to work, or at least try too. Yet everything began to become dizzy, her vision was blurry, and everything seemed so quiet.
As the yellow ranger pressed a button on the console, the blue astro ranger walked in. "Morning Cassie, Alpha… Ashley?" he said the yellow ranger's name in shock. She did not look up. "What are you doing up?" TJ asked in complete surprise. When she did not respond, he walked over to her. This caught Cassie and Alpha's attention. TJ walked over and placed a hand on her shoulder as he called her name. The second he did Ashley slumped forward, causing TJ to gasp. "ASHLEY!" he called out in horror. Cassie jumped up and ran to his side as Ashley collapsed to the ground.
Cael cursed loudly, as he sat up from his coffin. His muscles were tense and it took sheer willpower to sit. His body felt like lead during the daylight hours. It was always like that. When the sun rose, he would become like lead, unable to move, his body constricting and tired. If he was out in the sunlight, his skin would burn and blister, blood would seep through his skin, his tainted blood. Like all vampires, the sun was their enemy. He could not survive in the sun for long before his body would completely burn up. Yet now that he established a link by taking Ashley's blood, he could tell her body was weak.
At first, the prince of the vampires did not think taking a little more then a pint would harm her but he figured it had weakened her. Not only that, but her body was adjusting to his tainted blood. In less then a few days, her body would reject it. She would then return to normal human. That is why he had to convert her soon yet he could not risk converting her too fast. He did not want to risk anything, like her body becoming scared and shutting down on Ashley, killing her.
"You should have pushed her to drink more water and rest." Tynan said trying to keep himself up. The link he had with his leader awoke him. Like Cael, Tynan's body was like lead, trying to pull him down to sleep, needing the sleep. He glanced at Talon's coffin, which is closed. "Her friends are watching over her." The black haired prince stated. Tynan snorted still trying to support himself. The prince tried to get up but it was useless. He would soon become completely paralyzed and stuck in his sleep. "Damn this curse." He muttered, "All the strength, immortality, and power I have and my only forsaken weakness if that damned sun." Tynan finally fell back his body locking in place in paralyses. The lid slid back into place but still the two vampires could communicate telepathically.
You know there are plenty of humans to turn. Tynan spoke through the mental path between their minds.
Ah yes, but choosing a power ranger will most likely be more successful. The turning is a delicate task and with the power on her side, it will easier.
Agreed, but it will also come in handy. With one less power ranger, it will be easier to crush those fools.
It will also be nice to have another girl. Talon interrupted. Now be quiet, I am trying to get my beauty sleep.
Cael grunted and then lay back down in his coffin. With his eyelids heavy, they closed instantly as the lid to the coffin closed. Yet before he went to rest, he traveled the mental path that he created with Ashley. He gently brushed inside her mind, reminding her to meet him. The impulse would surly work, with that the prince finally rested.
"She seems so exhausted." Cassie said as TJ laid her down on her bed. "It seems like Ashley isn't that big of a morning person." The blue ranger noted. Cassie covered her best friend with her blanket as she slept peacefully in her bed. The two then quietly left the room. Once outside the door slid close.
"I bet Ashley is really just bummed because she misses Andros." Cassie said once outside. "I bet she cannot even get a wink of sleep." As the two headed down the hall the came to an intersection and found Carlos heading their way. The black ranger was in his uniform, his long black hair tied back in a ponytail. He looked as if he had just woken up, not all awake.
"Hey guys," Carlos, yawned. The pink and blue ranger greeted him with a friendly hello. "Where were you guys?" Carlos asked as they headed for the bridge. "We were taking Ashley back to her room." Cassie stated as they walked on. "She passed out while working, she looked so exhausted." The black ranger stopped looking incredibly confused. TJ and Cassie noticed this. Arching an eyebrow Cassie waited for her fellow ranger to explain.
"Ashley was asleep early last night like ten something." He explained. "I was heading out of the simudeck when I saw her entering her room. She looked dead tired when she walked in. I thought she would have got plenty of sleep." Carlos rubbed his chin as he pondered. "Maybe she's sick?" TJ wondered. The three rangers continued to walk down the hall continuing the conversation as they went. It puzzled them. Not only that the monster they had been searching for had not made another appearance out in the open. Could it be stalking people or making attacks on certain types of people? They did not know and all the work was confusing.
"Maybe when Ashley wakes up we should have DECA run a scan on her." Cassie said, "Maybe she is a bit under the weather." The three entered the deck to where Alpha 6 was. He was continuing working on the ship making scans to make sure nothing bad was happening on Earth either.
Back in Ashley's room, the girl curved herself in a ball. Several times, she opened her eyes only to notice her vision was blurry. "Andros…" she whispered seeing his picture on her nightstand. Reaching her hand out to the picture she felt her arm tense up. Then instead of reaching for the picture, she grabbed her calendar and a pen that was in her drawer. She quickly scribbled down 8:00, meet Cael. Then her hand went limp and she fell asleep, exhausted.
In another part of the ship, the silver ranger was sitting on his bed staring at a little mini computer. He pressed a few buttons, searching for any records on the monster that attacked him. There were no signs of the monster being any of Astronema's or any former foe of the power rangers. Zhane had been up all night trying to find any information on this creature. He finally fell asleep but it was only for a short time. When he awoke determined to find something on this monster. Finally, he gave in for now realizing his body was moaning for nourishment. He turned off the mini computer and rubbed his face in frustration. Then he got up quickly washing his face and dressing in comfortable clothes. Just as Zhane was about to exit his room, a beeping noise came from his mini computer. The computer came up with a message saying "Incoming transmission." He pressed a button and an image of Andros appeared.
"Hey, I got your message." The red ranger stated. "What's going on?" Zhane let out a sigh. Andros could tell his friend was exhausted. There were dark black circles under his eyes, his eyes were bloodshot, and his posture was poor. "There have been attacks on Earth." Zhane said. "DECA cannot even detect them. I met up with this monster that would have destroyed me if the others hadn't shown up." He deliberately left out the part of Ashley not showing up. He did not want to explain the whole situation with her new friend. "That thing, whatever it is, is stronger then any enemy we have faced. I could barely get a hit out of it. Not only that, if it is the cause of the attacks then Angel Grove… no the whole world could be in danger. Its killing people and we do not even know how! We need you back her Andros. It is a better idea if the whole team is assembled." Andros could hear the concern in his best friend's voice. "I will be back as soon as possible." He replied with a solid nod. "Is everyone else okay?" Andros was more leaning toward if Ashley was okay, because he knew his sister would not go out and fight.
"Yeah, everyone is fine." Zhane's tired reply came. Andros nodded rather relieved. "I'll be leaving and I'll be back in two days tops." The native of KO-35 said. Zhane nodded and then ended the transmission. Sitting there for a moment the tired ranger leaned back lying down on his bed, when there was a knock on the door. "Come in." he called out. The door slid open and the familiar blonde-haired girl walked in. "Good morning Zhane." Karone said with a smile. She held in her hands a tray of eggs, bacon, toast, and juice for him. "I thought I'd bring you breakfast. I know you have been working hard." He gave her a weak and took a bite of the toast.
"Andros is coming back I'm guess in two days." Zhane replied. "I told him about the attacks." Karone sighed and then rubbed his sore shoulder. "I hope we can stop whatever it is." She said softly. Zhane nodded and then continued to eat. "I hope Ashley is all right, I was talking to TJ when I got to the bridge and he told me Ashley passed out while working. You think she is sick?" Zhane stopped eating. Then slowly he began to chew and swallowed. "Well she has been out late with some friends… maybe she caught a cold?" he said. Karone shrugged. "Let's just hope she isn't coming down with something. We will need her for whatever is attacking people."
Late that afternoon Ashley awoke feeling much better. Stretching out, she slipped out of bed and then began to undress out of her uniform. She thought of what to wear when she decided on the new outfit she bought last night. She placed on the black tube top, pants, and hat. Then after digging out her black sandals in her closet, she was ready. Heading out the door, she felt her throat dry and decided to get some water before she decided on heading down to Earth. It was only five-thirty but she needed the air. Upon entering the room, the other astro ranger looked up wide-eyed.
"ASHLEY?" TJ said in disbelief. Ashley got herself a tall glass of water as the group stared at her. She noticed them still looking at her as if she was a monster or something. "What?" She asked placing a hand on her hip. Cassie stood up and pulled off her black hat. "Why are you wearing black?" The yellow ranger snatched her hat back and carefully placed it on her head. "What is it a crime?" she snapped before drinking her water. The pink ranger backed off, not understanding why her friend was becoming all snippy. "Yeah but you usually wear yellow." Carlos pointed out. Finishing her water the annoyed yellow ranger slammed her cup down. "So you think just because you are the black astro ranger means I can't wear it? So I wanted to wear something different big deal."
"Yeah but you looked really good in yellow." Karone said. "Yeah you look nice in yellow." Carlos added. Ashley huffed. "SO I looked ugly?" Carlos and Karone looked at each other. Neither of them had meant it as an insult. Ashley glared at them as if daring them to say another word.
Before anyone else could get another word in Ashley had skipped out of the door not wanting to listen to her friends anymore. While walking to the jump tubes she felt her neck begin to throb. She rubbed it hopeful that it would sooth the pain.
"Is it just me or is she a moody?" TJ asked. "Ashley never acted moody like that before. It was only a question." The rangers shrugged. "Oh shoot I forgot to tell her Andros is coming back." Karone piped up. "I guess I will tell when she gets back. I bet she is upset with Andros being gone." The other rangers nodded and then continued to eat. "Yeah but I think Ashley has been acting weird ever since she met those friends of hers." Carlos said. "She's been exhausted, staying out late with them at times, wearing black, being moody, and not doing her work as a ranger!" The other rangers had to agree with Carlos. The question though is what could they do?
Cael opened his coffin with just mere thought. The sunlight was almost gone, he could sense it yet he could no longer rest. His licked his lips, the taste of Ashley's sweet, pure blood lingered at his taste buds. He knew she was waiting for him. The impulse he sent made sure of that. A smile crept along his face as he followed the path into her mind, recalling what she had done earlier. She snapped at her friends. It was his bloods doing. His blood ran through her and luckily, she did not notice a change in her. Stepping out of his coffin, a torch lit, followed by the others.
"Tynan, Talon, awaken now." Cael called. "The night calls to us." The two coffins burst open and the brown haired vampire swooped out. Hunger ached through his entire body. He wanted to feed. Talon walked gracefully toward them, her long golden locks slowly tying themselves into small strands of braided hair. "Is it breakfast already?" Talon grinned. She could feel the need to feed as well. Any blood would suffice. "Come my queen is waiting for us." Cael swept forward and out of the sub basement. In a flash Cael transformed into a creature of the night, along with his followers. Together they flew off into the night.
The three found Ashley outside the Surf Shack. Cael admired her attire tonight, black. She looked simply lovely. The three vampires swooped down into the shadows and transformed into humans. Casually they walked out. Once Ashley saw them, she ran over to them. "Hey," she greeted them. Cael smiled locking his dark eyes with hers. "Let us go for walk just you and me. Talon and Tynan want to get a bite to eat." Ashley nodded and allowed followed Cael like a kitten. Talon and Tynan watched them go off. As they did, a young couple exited the Surf Shack, holding hands. "Shall we get a bite my dear?" Tynan asked holding out his hand. Gingerly Talon took it and said, "Of course."
Talon and Tynan quickly followed them. "After you my dear," Talon said as they perched on a rooftop. "And give them a scare… makes the blood taste much sweeter." Tynan smiled having a perfect idea. In a blink of an eye, he transformed into the beast that he was and prowled on them. When he saw his chance, he attacked. The young couple screamed in terror hoping someone would save them. Yet this time, help did come. Before Tynan could get a bite, the four-astro rangers shot up with their blasters, sending him to the ground. "So we meet again." Zhane said. "Well, this time you will not escape." Tynan growled. "We'll see about that." As they fought Talon watched, she was mildly interested in this and wanted to see how Tynan would measure up.
The ranger pulled out there Astro Blasters and fired directly at Tynan. Yet the creature of the night moved out of the way and jumped over the rangers. He landed with a loud thud, his claws burying into the concrete. He used his tail to whip the rangers, sending each of them flying back. "We need Ashley!" TJ said. "If we can combine our weapons we can take him out for sure!" Carlos held up his communicator. "Alpha you have to contact Ashley before…" but before Carlos could finish his sentence Tynan flew at him slashing at him with his claws.
"CARLOS!" The pink ranger screamed, pulling out her Satellite Stunner. She fired it at the beast. He cringed in pain, his ears twitching painfully. Zhane then flew out behind him, shouted, "SILVER SILVERAIZER!", and slashed his back. Tynan growled. His eyes glowing redder, quickly he used his wings to hit Zhane and then slashed at him. TJ jumped in the way to protect his friend and was able to catch Tynan by surprise and able to get a hit on him. Yet one it was all he got. Tynan grabbed the blue ranger by the neck and threw him like a rag doll against the wall. The other Rangers came to his defense, weapons ready.
"ALPHA WHERE IS ASHLEY?" Cassie yelled into her communicator. "Ranger's she isn't responding!" The robot replied. Tynan grunted and then let out a loud screech. On instinct the rangers' hands flew to the spot on the helmet where there ears were.
Talon watched and then smirked. Let them go we will finish them off later. With that Tynan flapped his enormous wings and vanished into the darkThe rangers looked at each other in confusion. "Why did it not finish us off?" TJ asked.
Elsewhere in a secluded area, Ashley's communicator was beeping loudly yet she could not hear it. Instead, she was lost unable to think. Cael had his head bent his mouth against her neck, tasting her sweet blood. His fingers entangled in her hair. His other hand wrapped around her waist, holding her possessively to him. Soon Ashley began to grow weak in his arms. That was when he knew he had to stop. He closed the holes he made in her neck and then held her up. He looked into her eyes, which were glossy and distant. Stroking her cheek for a moment, feeling her soft skin made his inside clench tightly. "Soon you will belong to me my queen, now drink." He pressed his wrist to her mouth and coaxed her to drink enough to turn her. When she was done, he was smiling. Instead of taking her out of the trance, he kept her until her communicator silenced. When it did, he lifted it allowing her to think again.
They spent only a less then an hour together. Ashley was beginning to become weak again and he only gave her enough blood to make it back to ship in space so she could rest. He read her mind, knowing only a few secretes within her. One he was more particularly interested was his competition, the red astro ranger. It did not matter though. He would destroy him if he ever got in the way. He sent Ashley back, who was wobbling as she went.
Once she returned to the Astro Mega Ship Ashley was about to head to her room when she saw all her friends in the hanger with there helmets off. "What's going on?" Ashley said. The rangers all looked somewhat hurt but nothing worse then a bump or a bruise. "We were in a battle." Carlos snapped, his dark eyes staring at her. "Where were you?" Ashley swallowed hard, "Out with some friends of mine." Zhane stepped forward. "We needed you out there. This new monster is attacking and all you are doing is hanging with these friends." He said. "Ashley the Earth is in danger!" Ashley was about to protest but Cassie cut in. "You've also been acting weird lately. We don't mind you having friends but don't forget us!" Ashley looked down. It was like a blow strait in the gut for her. All the rangers passed her by but Carlos stopped. "Andros is coming back soon, are you going to forget him too?"
Author Note- Harsh, poor Ashley is not having a good day. With Andros coming back will he be able to snap Ashley out of her ways and keep Cael away from her? With only one more transfer left, is Ashley going to be the new Queen of Vampires?