Chapter 6: The Perfect Gift

Andros sat on a table away from the other Rangers during Ashley's birthday party. He didn't really understand this weird custom to celebrate the day someone was born. The only time they really acknowledge an age is when they're of age to marry. Andros looked over at Ashley and saw how happy she was. "She's so beautiful," he pondered. He felt himself getting drawn to Ashley day by day. However, that's what scared him. The last person that made him feel like this was Adora. "But Adora's dead…gone forever. I mean, I know that we were young and we were following the planet's customs, but I still loved her. She made me feel things that I never felt before. Just like…Ashley," he pondered. Andros looked up when Ashley walked up to him.

"Want some birthday cake?" Ashley asked.

"Thanks," he replied.

He took it and looked at her. "We don't celebrate birthdays on KO-35," he commented.

"You didn't have to get me anything. I never expected you to know all the weird customs here on Earth," Ashley answered.

Andros smiled and reached into his back pocket. "Actually…" he said as he handed her the box, "happy birthday, Ashley." He watched her eyes shine when she opened it to see the necklace inside. "The stone's a rare gem from KO-35, I hope you like it," he informed. He saw a smile come across her face as she held the necklace.

"I love it…thank you," she answered.

He nodded and he hugged her. The same tingling feeling pulsed through him while he hugged her. Ashley pulled back with a smile. "Here, could you help me put this on?" She asked.

"Sure," he replied.

Ashley lifted her hair up as he snapped the necklace around her neck. She turned back around to look at him. "Thanks, Andros. I love it," she told him.

"No problem," he answered.

Andros rubbed the back of his neck. "Well, I should be going," he informed.

"Going…where are you going?" She asked.

"I have to get back to the ship," he replied.

Andros teleported back to the ship and Ashley let out a sigh.

(Angel Grove Park)

Cassie and Ashley were walking through the park. "So, anymore weird dreams?" Cassie asked. Ashley shook her head.

"Not lately," she replied.

"Good," Cassie answered.

Ashley let out a sigh. "You know, I sometimes feel that Andros likes me, but he won't say anything," she commented.

"Well, he is a widower and a lot of the time you can't really get them out of their funk," Cassie answered.

"Yeah, good point," Ashley agreed.

Cassie grinned as she glanced at Ashley right before quantrons captured her and dragged her away.

Ashley looked up and her eyes widened when she saw an exact replica of her stood in front of her. "You won't be the only one to pull this off," her double laughed.

"Astronema!" Her mind screamed.

Ashley struggled against the quantrons as Astronema took her place. "You'll see your friends get destroyed before we destroy you," Ecliptor laughed. Ashley closed her eyes and continued to struggle against them. She was able to fight the quantrons' grasp off her and ran around the bush. She tried to call out for Cassie, but then Ecliptor grabbed her and pulled her back behind the bush. "You won't escape this time," he laughed.

Ashley was dragged into a weird forest looking place. Ecliptor tied her against a tree and Ashley tried kicking him away with a glare. "You'll be joining your friends soon enough Yellow Ranger," he laughed.

"You can't defeat the Power Rangers," Ashley snapped.

"We'll see," Ecliptor answered.

Ashley fought against the ropes that held her there, but after a few minutes, she leaned back against the tree with a sigh. "Now what?" She whispered. She lowered her head, but then she felt worry rise in her chest. She struggled harder against her restraints.

After a few minutes, Ashley had the monster turn her into Astronema. Once she was able to escape, she looked down at herself and let out a sigh. "Hope this works," she mumbled.

(Earth)

Ashley pushed Andros back when he tried to fight her. "It's all a trick and I can prove it," she insisted. She turned and looked at Astronema. "If you're Ashley. What did Andros give you for your birthday?" She asked.

"What?" Astronema asked.

Ashley grinned. "What did he give you?" Ashley repeated. Astronema stuttered to get something out.

"Ashley don't you remember?" Andros asked.

Ashley grinned. "It was a necklace from KO-35," she announced.

"W--What? Ashley?" Andros asked.

She turned and stood behind Andros as he shot at Astronema. While he grabbed her morpher, Astronema attacked her. "Hey, Ashley," Andros called. They both stopped. Andros held up the morpher. "Let's rocket," he told her. Ashley grinned as she did the moves they do before morphing. "That's Ashley," Andros announced.

(After the Fight)

After the effects of the spell wore off, Ashley was sitting on the bridge playing with the necklace that Andros gave her. She heard the doors open and turned to see Andros standing there. "Hey," she greeted.

"Hey," he answered.

He walked over to the computer and set in a group of coordinates. "How are you doing?" She asked. Andros shrugged his shoulders slightly.

"I'm doing okay, what about you?" He asked.

"I'm fine."

Andros nodded and kept working. He was wishing that Ashley would just leave him alone, because all he wanted was to be alone at the moment. "Thank you again," she told him. He looked up from his work.

"For what?" He asked.

Ashley held the necklace up. "For this," she replied. Andros nodded.

"No problem, glad you like it," he answered.

He stalled when she kissed his cheek. "It was the perfect gift," she answered. She turned and left the bridge leaving a stunned Red Ranger there. However, the weight on his left hand made Andros come out of his trance and going straight back to work.