It's all up to you, to tell me to go
'Cause it won't be me to walk away
When you're all that I know
And I know...

It's been over an hour now, and I've resorted to sitting in the hallway, leaning against the wall as I count the tiles along the floor.

Yeah, I know it's pathetic... but what else can I do?

Suddenly, I hear voices, and a door sweeping open beside me. I leap to my feet, and quickly straighten my flight jacket. I try to look as casual as possible, as my eyes drink in Cassie's appearance as she gracefully glides into the hallway. With a smooth motion, she turns her head back, a bright smile on her face and her hair floating on currents of air behind her. She reaches out her hand to someone who is still out of my field of vision.

I see a bare hand take it.

I swallow hard.

The man who steps out of the lounge is the kind of guy you'd love to hate. He has black hair, smooth and curly, hanging about his ears carelessly. Piercing green eyes, unnaturally green by human standards, rest their gaze on Cassie warmly. He's got a noble chin, distinctive nose, broad shoulders, and muscular form, that is very much displayed by the black spandex uniform he wore.

He looks like he just stepped out of one of those cheesy romance novels or something.

I'm doomed.

Chapter Seven

I don't wanna lose you now
We're gonna get through somehow
I don't wanna lose you now or ever and ever
Baby I've finally found
The courage to stand my ground

"Teej!" Cassie calls, when her almond eyes finally sweep in my direction. I'm stunned, as if finally realizing that this was really happening.

Oh boy... how can I face her now?

"Hey, Cass," I say weakly, watching as the pair approaches me. Despite myself, I can't seem to pull my eyes from the tall man standing behind Cassie.

"Hello, T.J.," he said, extending his hand, "I am pleased to finally meet you... out of uniform. I am Zebulon-Astrid of Eltar, granted honor as the chosen Phantom Ranger."

I look into his eyes for a moment longer. Typically, that shade of green would look creepy and cold to me. Yet, for some reason, they glow with warmth.

I can guess why.

I enclose his offered hand in mine, and shake it briskly. "A pleasure to meet you, Zebulon."

He smiles at me. "Zebulon is my family name. Astrid is my given name."

"It means Divine Strength," Cassie comments, "Isn't that cool?"

Astrid shrugs slightly. "It is only an approximate translation of the Eltarian, Cassie."

My smile is still plastered on my face, and I observe the warm expressions passing between the two of them.

My heart continues pounding on my chest, like it's begging to escape. I don't know how much more of this I can take.

Man... it hurts. It hurts more than I was expecting it to.

For the briefest of moments, I'm angry at Cassie. I'm angry that she doesn't see what she's doing to me. Can't she tell that this is slow torture?

No, she can't see it. All she sees is the Phantom Ranger, now unmasked before her.

But the anger doesn't last long. It fades as quickly as it erupted.

I could never be mad at Cassie for long.

Chapter Eight

But if you want me
I'll be around, forever...
Forever, yeah , yeah

"Well," said the Phantom Ra... uh, I mean Astrid

, Mr. Divine Strength

, as he pulled his hand from my firm grasp, "I must make my introductions to the other Astro Rangers now. I don't mean to hurry, but..."

"It's okay," I say, my plastic smile remaining a mask of my churning feelings, "I understand."

I feel Cassie's eyes on me, and I turn my gaze to meet hers. She looks at me with such confusion! I wish I could just blurt out all that I'm feeling!

"Uh," she says, pulling her eyes from me to turn to Astrid, "why don't you go ahead to the bridge. I'll be right behind you."

Astrid smiles, and salutes us as he went on his way. Cassie then turns back to me, shaking her head slightly.

"You're awfully cold today," she comments.

My eyes went wide. What does she want from me?! "What makes you say that?"

Her eyebrow arches. "Oh, c'mon, Teej... you're not fooling anyone! That smile's as fake as Mr. Caplan's toupee!"

My lips purse, as my eyes scan the room, looking everywhere except

at Cassie. How am I supposed to respond to her?

Should I tell her the truth? Could

I?

Well, it's either now, or never. I chose the former.

"I... can't say I'm... happy Phantom came back," I whisper. I suddenly feel the shame of bearing so much bitterness toward the Phantom Ranger. After all he's done for the team, all I can feel toward him is... jealousy.

I thought I was more mature than that.

"Why?" she asks, completely innocent of the mental torture I'm enduring.

"Because..." I croak, closing my eyes and bracing myself, "Idon'twannaloseyounow!"

Cassie frowns at the Word Soup I spewed at her. "Uh... a little slower this time?"

I swallow hard, and force my eyes open to look directly into hers. "I don't wanna lose you now," I repeat, in clear English this time, "Especially not to some Space-Cowboy Casanova from Eltar."

Epilogue

Don't wanna lose you, lose you now
We're gonna get through somehow
Don't wanna lose you now
Don't wanna lose you
Don't wanna lose you

I was expecting her to be completely shocked by what I had said. I was expecting her to be tongue-tied, and maybe even to apologize for not noticing my feelings earlier, or just out of pity for my broken heart.

I wasn't expecting her to laugh

.

But that's what I get.

"Teej," she says gently, grabbing my upper arm as she fights off laughter, "don't worry. I'm not going anywhere with that... Space-Cowboy, as you put it."

I blink in confusion. She sees my distress, and smiles warmly at me.

For the first time ever, I think I see something a bit more than friendship in her smile... in those eyes.

Just a little bit more than friendship...

"Astrid is going back to Eltar," she explains, pulling me toward the lift so we can join the other Rangers on the bridge, "He just wanted to say good-bye to us all. Remember, Eltar is millions of light-years from here. He needs to catch that wormhole before it closes."

"So, he's not staying with... us?" I whisper, incredulously.

"You mean with me," she observes. A guilty grin tugs at my dry lips. "No, he's not staying. He's got lots of responsibilities at home... including a betrothed."

If a truck had suddenly materialized in the hall, and had run me over, I wouldn't have been so shocked. "Betrothed?" I breathe, "As in... a fiance?"

Cassie nods. "You got it. He's going home to his loved ones, and I'm going home to mine. It's better this way."

I may be dumfounded, but I still can detect the sense of loss in her silver-bell voice. "I... I'm sorry it didn't work out."

Okay... I'm lying to her. Sue me.

Cassie shrugs. "Don't be. Actually, I wasn't as upset about it as I thought I'd be. I guess I wasn't really as interested in him as I thought. I was... curious. I wanted so much to know more about him... what he was like, where he was from, and what he was fighting for. Once I found out all that I wanted to know... the attraction just died."

She's leaning against my body, so closely that I'm sure she felt the sigh of relief that escaped my lungs. She giggles slightly, snuggling closer into my arm.

"Don't worry, Teej," she whispers to me, "You're not losing me anytime soon. And I'm not going to lose you, either."

I wanted to ask her exactly what she meant by that... but I realized that I didn't need to.

She told me all I really needed to know.

Don't wanna lose you
Don't wanna lose you now...

Character Thesaurus

Space Rangers

The four remaining powerless Turbo Rangers travelled to outer space to prevent Dark Specter from draining Zordon's powers. On their way to Eltare, they met Andros, a Red Ranger from a distant space colony, who took them in as his crew and gave them powers as Space Rangers.

The Rangers travelled in the Astro Megaship, which had living quarters, a training area, jump tubes, a synthetron, and was armed with megalasers. The Megaship was destroyed in battle against Trakeena in Power Rangers Lost Galaxy

.

Andros - Red Space Ranger

Full Name:

Unrevealed
Ranger Designation:

Red Space Ranger
Weapons:

Spiral Saber, Astro Blaster
Gear:

Astro Morpher, Red Battlizer Armor, Red Galaxy Glider
Zords:

Astro Megazord, Delta Megazord, Mega V1

Andros is the stubborn, brooding leader of the Rangers. Upon meeting them, he was unwilling to accept their help, but after a little convincing he let them join him on the Megaship as Power Rangers. Andros is from the planet KO-35, a human colonization which was evacuated. He is serious and decisive, and did not rest until he found his long lost sister Karone, who was revealed to be Astronema. He appealed to the good in her, and successfully brought her over to the side of good. His weapon is the Spiral Sabre, and he piloted Mega V1, the robot. Using the Battlizer, he could control the Delta Megazord, and summon armor and a wings.

After years of inactivity, Andros returned as the Red Space Ranger to help the Galaxy Rangers fight the Psycho Rangers.

Andros was once again called into action to help the legendary Ranger Tommy gather intelligence on the Machine Empire's plans to unearth Serpentera and destroy Earth. Using his new space ship, the Astro Megaship mark 2, he teamed up with 9 other Red Rangers and traveled to the moon to stop the Machine Empire.

TJ - Blue Space Ranger

Full Name:

Theodore J. Jarvis Johnson
Ranger Designation:

Blue Space Ranger
Weapons:

Astro Axe, Astro Blaster
Gear:

Astro Morpher, Blue Galaxy Glider
Zords:

Mega V3

T.J. is the courageous and fearless second in command. After the Turbo Rangers lost their powers, he successfully led the team into space, where they found Andros and the Megaship. While fighting Darkonda, TJ took a serious blow to head, and lost his memory. By remembering his friends and what they meant to him, he was able to regain his memory just in time to help Andros and save his captive friends. His weapon is the Astro Axe, and he pilots Mega V3, the missile.

After years of inactivity, TJ returned as the Blue Space Ranger to help the Galaxy Rangers fight the Psycho Rangers.

When Machine Empire forces unearthed Serpentera to destroy Earth, TJ regained his Turbo powers to team up with 9 other Red Rangers and travel to the moon to stop them.

Carlos - Black Space Ranger

Full Name:

Carlos Vallerte
Ranger Designation:

Black Space Ranger
Weapons:

Lunar Lance, Astro Blaster
Gear:

Astro Morpher, Blue Galaxy Glider
Zords:

Mega V2

Carlos is a good natured and friendly person, and has a strong sense of loyalty and compassion. He has taken a shine to fiddling with the technology on the Megaship, and takes full advantage of his resources. During a battle with a monster who could instantaneously switch places with anyone in contact, Carlos accidentally attacked and injured Cassie, which led to him resigning as a Ranger. With Adam's help, he regained his confidence and overcame his fears, returning to the team. His weapon was the Lunar Lance, and he piloted Mega V2, the shuttle. After years of inactivity, Carlos returned as the Black Space Ranger to help the Galaxy Rangers fight the Psycho Rangers.

Ashley - Yellow Space Ranger

Full Name:

Ashley Hammond
Ranger Designation:

Yellow Space Ranger
Weapons:

Star Slinger, Astro Blaster
Gear:

Astro Morpher, Yellow Galaxy Glider
Zords:

Mega V4

Ashley provides the team with a shoulder to lean on. She is very sweet and caring, and comforts those who need it. Her bright and cheery personality, coupled with her slightly ditzy nature bring a smile to anyone's face. When her grandmother came by for a visit, she was so eager to see Ashley with a nice boy, that Ashley made Carlos pretend to be her boyfriend. Her weapon was the Star Slinger, and she piloted Mega V4, the flying saucer. After years of inactivity, Ashley returned as the Yellow Space Ranger to help the Galaxy Rangers fight the Psycho Rangers.

Cassie - Pink Space Ranger

Full Name:

Cassie Chan
Ranger Designation:

Pink Space Ranger
Weapons:

Satellite Stunner, Astro Blaster
Gear:

Astro Morpher, Pink Galaxy Glider
Zords:

Mega V5

Beneath Cassie's sarcastic and gutsy exterior lies a caring and compassionate soul who finds it difficult at times to show her true feelings. She gives everyone a chance to prove themselves to her, and puts a lot of faith into people. Cassie discovered a wasp with a heart, one of Astronema's monsters who did not want to be evil. She stuck by him, and defended him against both the Rangers and Astronema's forces. Her weapon was the Satellite Stunner, and she piloted Mega V5, the tank. After years of inactivity, Cassie returned as the Pink Space Ranger to help the Galaxy Rangers fight the Psycho Rangers, and almost lost her powers to Psycho Pink.

Zhane - Silver Space Ranger

Full Name:

Unrevealed
Ranger Designation:

Silver Space Ranger
Weapons:

Super Silverizer
Gear:

Digimorpher, Galactic Rover, Silver Cycle
Zords:

Mega Winger

The Silver Ranger is said to be the most powerful Ranger in the universe. Zhane is an old friend of Andros' who was injured in a battle on KO-35 a few years before he was released from a cryogenic chamber which kept him alive on the Megaship. His powers were weakened upon release from his cryo-sleep, and he was recharged by being struck by lightning. Zhane is smooth and charming, and lives life to its fullest, at times being a bit of a hotshot. When Astronema was attacked by her own monster, Zhane rescued her, and the encounter led to a romance between the two. His weapon is the Super Silverizer, and he pilots the Mega Winger, as well as the Galactic Rover. His whereabouts after heading to Earth with the Space Rangers in unknown.

Mentors and Allies to the Space Rangers

Alpha 6

Alpha 6 continues to assist the Rangers, travelling to outer space with them, and finding a new home in the Astro Megaship. He remained on the Megaship to assist its new crew - the Galaxy Rangers. He currently resides on Mirinoi, the "new world" found by Terra Venture.

Zordon

The original mentor of the Rangers became a captive of the evil Dark Specter. Before his powers were completely drained, Dark Specter was destroyed. Zordon was reluctantly destroyed by Andros so that his energy could destroy the combined evil forces that had been attacking the universe.

D.E.C.A.

D.E.C.A. is the Astro Megaship's computerized operating system, and controls the ship's functions, manages security, and responds to verbal commands. She went offline when the Megaship was destroyed in Power Rangers Lost Galaxy

.

Bulk and Skull

Bulk and Skull are now assistants to Professor Phenomenus, reluctantly following his foolish plans to find aliens on Earth. When the Prof. went off in space on Terra Venture, only Bulk followed, with Skull remaining on Earth.

Professor Phenomenus

This nutty professor has undertaken the mission of finding alien life on Earth. His attempts are often misguided, and end up in catastrophic and embarrassing failures. He took his research to space on board Terra Venture in Power Rangers Lost Galaxy

, where he took a job at the Comet Cafe.

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles

The Turtles were turned evil and teleported from New York by Astronema to infiltrate the Astro Megaship and take control of it to destroy the Power Rangers. They were broken free of the spell, and helped the Rangers take on the Quantrons.

Phantom Ranger

The Phantom Ranger has once again reappeared into the adventures of the Power Rangers, this time revealing himself to be searching for Zordon on his own throughout the galaxy. In his first encounter with the new team, he gave Andros the Delta Megaship.

Justin - Blue Turbo Ranger

When the Rangers were captured, Storm Blaster left and came back with Justin, reuniting him with his Turbo Morpher. Justin freed the others as the Blue Turbo Ranger, and later returned to his normal life with his dad.

Adam - Black Power Ranger

The former Black Ranger reappeared to help Carlos through a rough time. When a monster attacked a powerless Carlos, Adam risked his life by morphing without a Power Coin and holding off the monster until the rest of the team arrived.

Adele

Adele runs the Surf Spot, an Angel Grove eating establishment where the Rangers hang out when they aren't on duty. Her tough love teaches customers valuable lessons in life.

Karone

Karone is Andros' sister, formerly known as Astronema. She was kidnapped by Darkonda years ago on KO-35, and raised by Ecliptor to be evil. When she discovered her true heritage, she joined Andros' side. Karone later joined the Galaxy Rangers as the Pink Ranger.

Villains of the Space Rangers

Astronema and her forces operated from the Dark Fortress, which was armed with satellasers to make monsters grow. The Dark Fortress was last seen on Earth, after being commandeered by Red Space Ranger Andros.

Astronema

Among the new faces at the summit is Astronema, a stylish vixen who commands an army of robots called Quantrons, and pilots the Dark Fortress. Astronema was revealed to be Andros' long lost sister Karone. When she discovered this, she joined her brother on the side of good.

Dark Specter

The mastermind behind it all- Dark Specter has managed to attack Eltare and successfully abduct the wizard Zordon, who's powers he plans to drain and use for his own evil agenda. Before completing his agenda, he was destroyed by the treacherous Darkonda, who used a missile meant for Earth.

Ecliptor

Ecliptor is Astronema's ruthless and powerful warrior. His expert swordfighting skill and tremendous firepower make him one of the Rangers most dangerous villains. He helped the Rangers when Astronema joined their side, but was turned evil again by Dark Specter, only to be destroyed by Zordon's energy.

Darkonda

This treacherous bounty hunter assisted Astronema in battling the Rangers, but only to serve his own agenda. Andros discovered that it was Darkonda who kidnapped his sister from KO-35 years ago. Darkonda died after attacking Dark Specter, who killed him just before going down himself.

Elgar

This obnoxious and dim witted goon was transferred by Dark Specter from Divatox's command to work with Astronema, much to her chagrin. He was destroyed by Zordon's wave.

Psycho Rangers

Astronema created the Psycho Rangers, insane machines with insatiable lusts to destroy their heroic counterparts. The Psycho Rangers each read their respective Ranger's mind to be able to read their moves, making them nearly impossible to defeat. Using a special machine, the Psychos were digitzed and stored on data cards, which would later be recovered in Power Rangers Lost Galaxy

.

Quantrons

The Quantrons are Astronema's robotic soldiers who attack with enormous bladed weapons.

Velocifighters

The Quantrons pilot Velocifighters, which can fly through space and shoot energy blasts.

About the Author

Heather Ray lives in Logansport, Indiana where she enjoys spending time with family and friends. In her spare time when she isn't reading, writing, going to school at the local college of Ivy Tech Community College or working on various art projects, she enjoys swimming and playing basketball with the Special Olympics, watching movies with her god daughter, Lucy, (who happens to be the reason why Heather decided to transfer the fanfiction that she originally wrote this and other book series' into books!)

, acting with the local theater troupe in her hometown, singing, and working on her voice over work.

Her favorite book series includes The House of Night, Peter and the Starcatchers, Daughters of the Moon, The Nick Chronicles

(among other Dark Hunters books!)

, the Chronicles of Narnia, The Lord of the Rings Book Series, the Harry Potter series, the Sookie Stackhouse series

, and she is also a bit of a comics 'nerd'

with her love for X-Men, Batman, Avengers,

just to name a few of her favorite comics. She also enjoys reading several mangas which include Chobits, Ceres Celestial Legend, Vampire Knight,

and Sailor Moon

!

Not only does she enjoy reading, as is stated above, she also loves watching movies and various TV Shows. Her favorite TV Shows include True Blood, Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Angel

, all the seasons of Power Rangers, Star Wars: The Clone Wars, Doctor Who

and Once Upon a Time

. Her favorite movies include all the Star Wars

movies, all the Star Trek

movies, the Lord of the Rings

trilogy (she is really looking forward to see The Hobbit

soon!)

, all the Marvel Comics

movies, the Chronicles of Narnia

movies and all the Harry Potter

movies! She also enjoys several animes including Chobits, Ceres Celestial Legend, Rosario Vampire, Vampire Knight,

and her favorite: Sailor Moon

(she is a bit obsessed with Sailor Moon what with not only enjoying the anime but also the live action series from Japan, and the musical series: Sera Myu

! She also cannot wait for the new anime series of Sailor Moon that is due out in a year!)

When she isn't at home writing or spending time with her friends and family, Heather can be found going around her home town (where she picked up a lot of her ideas for these books)

or at her local library, picking up new ideas for her next book!

Impressum

Tag der Veröffentlichung: 21.09.2012

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