Summary: As the fight continues, the rangers try to keep their lives as normal as possible while learning about their full powers.

Phantom Rogue: Yeah, really have to hurry to get ready for school. grumbles I'll review your chapter when I get home tonight.

Juzblue: Yeah, just wait and see what happens the next chapter. :D

Ghostwriter: That's okay, I'm having a crazy day at school. :(

DizneeDol: Hate homework, hate school. sigh

Mz. Daydream: Sense might be knocked into their heads, that doesn't make them a team and you know me too well.

The-power-of-love: Always

Mel: Abby's 12. School sucks. MEL FOR QUEEN!

Jenny: Don't worry, don't have time to write today. I'll send you something to you tonight, see what you think, won't be used for a long time, but yeah, still started.

As The Battle Rages

Chapter 5

"Cassie." Ashley exclaimed happily as she opened the door.

The two gave each other a quick hug after Cassie stepped into the house. Cassie shrugged off her coat and hung it up while Ashley closed the door again.

"It's quiet in here." She remarked calmly.

"Yeah, Ciana's upstairs taking her nap, Andros is off to work, Aurora's back in Angel Grove and Ray and Gwyn are off to fight a monster… though I suspect Aurora joined them, though I'm not sure on that matter."

"The kids told me about this strange new ranger - who is she anyway?"

"You wouldn't believe me if I told you." Ashley laughed, shaking her head slightly. "Come on, let's have a seat and I'll tell you all about it. Want something to drink?"

"Tea please. I still can't get used to the taste of coffee."

Ashley let out another laugh and nodded.

"The only thing it's good for is waking you up in the morning." She agreed, going into the kitchen to get her friend and herself something to drink while Cassie walked into the living room.

A few minutes later Ashley walked in with two steaming mugs of tea. She gave the second to Cassie and sat down next to her on the couch as the two sipped their drinks in silence for a few moments.

"So… what's this about that strange ranger that's suddenly staying over here?" Cassie questioned.

"Well… She's Ciana from the future." Ashley replied.

Cassie's eyes widened and grew the size of saucers.

"No way." She declared, sounding for a moment like she was seventeen again.

"Yes way." Ashley retorted laughingly. "It's strange but true. Like Ray and Aurora she is supposed to have been born with her powers, those of the elements. She's got the element of electricity."

"Wow… so even your baby girl doesn't escape the legacy of the power rangers." Cassie marvelled.

Ashley groaned and closed her eyes.

"It sounds so much worse if you put it that way. I've heard some of her stories. Her team could really use a mentor like Zordon or Dimitria. They keep using their powers for personal gain."

"Oh really?" Cassie questioned. "How come?"

"Remember those really boring and useless field trips we were forced on while still in school?"

"How could I forget?" Now it was Cassie's turn to groan in thoughtful dismay.

"Well, they never have to, because for some reason there's always bad weather the day of the field trip. Strong winds, rain, thunderstorms, the lot." Ashley informed her matter-of-factly, the two now caught up in the wonderful world of gossip.

"Oh, come on, Ash. You got to admit it's funny." Cassie laughed. "Zhane probably had something to do with corrupting them."

"No, that's the worst part, it's Ray and Aurora whom corrupted Ciana, probably Kirl too, since Gwyn seems to know him the longest."

"Kirl?" Cassie asked, interested.

"Yeah, he's their 'spare' ranger, like Zhane was ours. Controls the element of air. Gwyn seems really fond of him. But I'm sure that's not the reason you suddenly wanted to come over."

"Are you becoming empathic?" Cassie mock glared at her friend.

Ashley laughed and shook her head.

"Well… you're right." Cassie sighed, resigned to confessing all. "Abby, Dymphna and Murtagh came to see me. They doubt their actions of, well, throwing Aurora and Ray off the team. It seems now the team is falling apart, since Chaitlin and the twins chose to leave the team along with your two. I don't think the others agree with those three." Cassie informed her sadly. "I'm afraid the team will only break further apart until someone steps up and takes up the role as leader." Cassie sighed, finishing her story with a slow nod.

"Don't worry about it too much. I think the team is supposed to fall apart so they'll learn the true value of teamwork." Ashley replied thoughtfully. "They haven't even come close to discovering the full potential of their power, or at least, that's what Gwyn says."

"What do you mean?" Cassie asked, shocked.

"Ever heard of Levitation, Transfiguration, Clairvoyance and Clairaudience?" Ashley replied, managing all those 'big words' in one breath.

"Yeah…" Cassie replied, trailing off, eyes narrowing in suspicion.

"Well…" Ashley started.

A/N: You don't think I'm going to give away what that means, right? Hope you liked it. Please review.