Disclaimer:I own the Overlords and the seven people. The rest is the property of Saban or Disney.

Ashley Hammond/Astro Yellow: Yup, you and Jenny have Andros's hair. I told you that already... The baby has to be a girl, but you know that too... Darn, I can't think of anything else to say. You and Jenny are identical twins! I didn't say that before! HA:P

Juzblue: I have no idea how to say the name. I just thought it looked cute.

Arwennicole: Thanks. I skipped Aidan's reaction, so assume he reacted well.

Jenny: Yup. Marieke wants a sister, and Jenny wants shoes. Which would you rather have?

DizneeDol: Thanks, here's more. :P

Mz. Daydream: Thanks.

Chapter 4

Andros opened one sleepy eye as the com signal beeped loudly in the dark room. He sighed and dragged himself out of bed as Ashley groaned, her head disappearing under the pillow.

"I'll get it," he said unnecessarily, stumbling to the device mounted in their bedroom wall. He hit the button and watched as Tykwa's face materialized on screen. "What's the matter?"

"I'm sorry to disturb you so early in the morning," she said apologetically. "But I need to meet with you, Ashley, Zhane, and Karone as soon as possible."

"It can't wait until Monday?"

"I'm afraid not," Tykwa said. "It must be today."

"Can it wait at least a few more hours?"

"I suppose so," Tykwa said. "They're still sleeping, after all."

"Who's still sleeping?" Andros asked, yawning hugely.

"There are some people that you need to meet," Tykwa informed him. "I'll see you in four hours."

She cut the link from her end, and the screen faded to black. Andros sighed heavily and crawled back into his warm bed, lifting the pillow off of Ashley's head. "Did you hear all that?"

"Mmm," Ashley said, her eyes still closed. Andros sighed, and shook her awake. She opened her eyes blearily, glaring at him. "What?"

"Sorry," he whispered. "That was Tykwa on the com. We're supposed to meet her in four hours."

Ashley mumbled something unintelligible that Andros took as "What's the matter?"

"She said that there were some people that we needed to meet," Andros said

"It's still dark," Ashley protested. "What time is it?"

"Four in the morning," Andros said. He brushed some hair out of her eyes and whispered, "Go back to sleep. I'll wake you up in three hours."

"Thanks," Ashley muttered, here eyes closing again. Andros kissed her and pulled her close before falling back asleep himself.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Four hours later

"All right, we're here," Andros said wearily as he, Ashley, Karone, and Zhane sank into seats in Tykwa's office. "What's so important?"

"Are you familiar with the Overlords?" Tykwa inquired, brushing a few strand of her hair out of her eyes distractedly, looking completely exhausted.

"The Overlords?" Karone repeated. "Were they the ones who took over Onyx?"

"Yes," Tykwa said tiredly. "That was them. At first, we paid no attention to them; Onyx is forever changing hands, and that fact distracts them from setting their sights on Karova. Things have changed. The Overlords completely control Onyx, and have begun expanding their empire."

"And they're heading towards us?" Ashley guessed. Tykwa nodded.

"It looks like they're trying to sweep their way across the universe," she informed them. "Fortunately for us, they started on the far side. That gives us time to defend ourselves. It's too late for the worlds that they've conquered, but there's still a chance for us."

"Tykwa," Andros interrupted. "Are you talking about rangers?"

"I am," Tykwa confirmed. A wan smile appeared on her weary face as she took in their expressions. "Don't worry, I wasn't talking about you."

"It's not that we don't want to," Zhane said hastily. "It's just that..."

"Our team is scattered," Ashley put in when he stalled. "And there's no one else that we could fight as well with."

"I understand," Tykwa said. "We have time still; they won't attack while Kin Won still lives."

"He's not dying?" Andros asked sharply.

"No, nothing like that," Tykwa sighed. "He's just too old for this. He wanted to be here himself, but his doctor wouldn't allow it."

A brief silence followed her words. Kin Won had been far from a young man when KO-35 was evacuated, and now, nearly eleven years later, his body was beginning to fail, if not his mind. Under his leadership, KO-35 held strong, but when he was no longer around to hold the colony together, trouble would arise.

"But we can't dwell on that now," Tykwa continued. "We need to focus on defending ourselves. As the Astro Rangers, and the pink Galaxy Ranger, you four are are owed a great debt by the free people of the universe, and I am here to ask you to make that debt a little greater."

"Tykwa," Zhane sighed. "Eloquent isn't your style. What do you want?"

"I am here to ask you, and whichever of your former teammates are willing, to train a new team to take your places," Tykwa told them. "You were all extraordinary rangers, and whatever you can teach them will make them stronger. Please."

"Who are they?" Karone asked. "You're talking like you know who they are."

"I do," Tykwa said. "Excuse me for a minute."

She stood and left the room through the doors. Andros let out a deep breath and turned so he was facing everyone else. "We can't say no, can we?"

"I don't want to say no," Ashley said firmly. "When we're needed, we help in whatever way we can. We're still rangers, Andros, even if we're not fighting. We'll always be rangers. The others will see it that way, too."

"Fine, be the responsible one," Zhane grumbled. Karone jabbed him in the ribs. "Just kidding! You know I'm in."

"Karone?"

The blond woman nodded silently, her blue eyes clouding for a moment. Zhane saw it, and wrapped his arms around his wife.

"You've got nothing to make up for," he said sternly. "You hear me? Nothing. Astronema's long gone, and you've been a ranger."

Karone nodded again, smiling slightly, and Zhane sighed with relief.

"Ash, are you sure you should be training someone right now?" Andros asked, placing a hand on her stomach. Ashley nodded stubbornly, but placed her hand over his to reassure him.

"As long as I don't spar with anyone," she said. "It's sweet of you to worry, but don't, I'll be fine."

Andros smiled at her, comforted by her determination. "I love you, Ash. Just promise me you'll be careful."

"I promise," Ashley repeated. "Don't worry about me, Andros. I'll be all right."

Tykwa returned then, leading a group of seven unfamiliar teenagers behind her. Andros's mind strayed to the purple Astro morpher that Karone had never used. How had Tykwa known to choose seven?

"These seven fled the Overlords," she explained. "They came to Karova with warnings three days ago, and the Power responds to them as readily as it did to you. Get acquainted with each other before you make a decision, but remember that there isn't an unlimited amount of time."

With that, she left the room again, leaving Andros, Ashley, Zhane, and Karone alone with the seven who were to take their place.

A/N: I got nominated at the Guardians of Earth awards! For Best Unique Author and Best Sequel for Unsealed Fate. So if you want to vote for me (and of course you do :P) go to www(dot)geocities(dot)com(slash)guardiansawards(slash)

index(dot)html. If you were the one who nominated me, I love you.