Power Rangers In Space - Heather Ray (crime books to read .txt) 📗

How can I say this enough? Thank you to everyone that has kept up with all my books! You all are awesome! When I started adapting my fanfiction to these books, I was just doing it in order to introduce the Power Rangers to a new generation and to also help reluctant young readers to find a new love for reading. But I have found out that with each new book there is resounding success! Thank you all so much!

The Power Rangers and all related characters are currently owned by whoever bought them from Saban Brands. The featured song is "I'll Be"

by Edwin McCain. I haven't used all the lyrics, but a good portion of them. This story is set about a month before the Lost Galaxy episode "Rangers to the Tenth Power,"

so I'll estimate about a year has passed since the Countdown to Destruction.

A young man climbed off the custom motorcycle, and pulled off his unique silver helmet. His face was lined with tension as he set the helmet in the crook of his arm, just like a different helmet worn long ago.

I can't believe it's already been a year…

One year since all his most daring hopes had come true. One year since the galaxy was purged of evil, finally freeing all just civilizations from the tyranny and fear that darkened their history for over ten thousand years. One year since the legendary figures of evil had all been laid to waste by Zordon's pure power, obliterating the Machine Empire, and freeing Divatox, Rita Repulsa, and Lord Zedd from the black corruption that had lured them into its clutches centuries ago. One year since his home planet was inhabited again, finally granting the survivors a place to call home after two years of nomadic hardship.

One year since he shared his first kiss with the only woman who ever made his heartbeat quicken, just by the glow of her smile, or the warmth of her laughter.

One year since he came to Earth with Karone in his arms and heart, with every intention of living out his life in peace.

It's never that easy. I should've known it couldn't be that easy…

To be fair, 'easy'

was hardly the proper term to describe his struggle against evil. In fact, it was very difficult, and very costly. He'd lost so much to the war against Dark Specter, including family, friends, and even two years of his life, forever lost within a frozen coffin of ice…

He shook himself from the chill of memory, and sat down on the park bench beside a pensive young man.

"I got your message."

Andros turned, his face neutral as he sat up straighter. "Good. Did you think about it?"

Zhane exhaled slowly, staring at his distorted reflection in his helmet's shiny surface. "Are you sure you trust your sources?"

The former Red Ranger nodded. "Without a doubt. Exploratory crews from Aquitar and Triforia have both confirmed activity in the outer edges of the galaxy. There's an evil stirring there… an evil that Zordon's energy couldn't reach."

Zhane accepted this confirmation. "And this isn't something Trey or the Aquitians could take care of?"

"Trey is now King of Triforia; he has daily responsibilities that tie him to his home system. And the Aquitians can't venture to the Outskirts safely… there's hardly any life out there, and barely any water."

Zhane couldn't refute the simple logic in his best friend's reasoning. He also couldn't ignore the conclusion his mind drifted toward. "Little life," he murmured, "Almost sounds like a Machine base."

"That's what I suspect." The Kerovan pinched the bridge of his nose. "I should never have retired so quickly. I should've explored the galaxy immediately, and driven out whatever evil hordes were still hiding in the outer pockets. By now, I'm sure the surviving monsters have had more than enough time to reconstruct deadly armies. I've let them become a threat."

Zhane grasped his friend's shoulder. "Andros, you are not

responsible for the entire galaxy. You saved KO 35 and Earth directly, and helped free Aquitar, Eltar, and Triforia as well. That's more than anyone could ever ask of one man."

The tension in Andros' face revealed his plan even before he uttered it. "Somebody's got to do something before

we have another interplanetary war on our hands. I'm going to the Outskirts, and I'm going to dig up whatever schemes are being hatched there."

"Andros, you already retired your morpher. And the Megaship."

"I know... and the Megaship has been stolen. I've kept tabs on it, though, and I also have my Kerovan flyer. If I hurry, I can catch up with the Megaship in a few weeks, and retrieve my morpher."

He then turned, looking at his friend for the first time. "Where's your

morpher?"

"I left it on KO 35," he admitted, "It's in the new museum… an artifact of the war."

Andros understood the unspoken meaning in Zhane's words. "This will be a long mission, and it'll be several years before I set foot on Earth again." He hesitated. "There's no one I trust more than you…"

Zhane felt a flash of anger at Andros' words; the Red Ranger knew

how grateful he was to finally retire the silver armor. How could he pressure Zhane to join him on another long, arduous mission?

There was so much he was looking forward to. So much he'd been anticipating, as he waited for her

to come to terms with her past, and finally accept all he offered her.

"Andros, I can't go with you." Troubled green eyes fell to his clenched fists. "I… I can't live like that anymore. Fighting for my life, wondering if each day might be my last. I died once to protect KO 35, and spent two years in a tomb… I'd like to spend the rest of my time just living

."

Andros winced visibly at Zhane's words. "I'm not asking you to join me," he said quietly, "I'm asking you to stay, and take care of Karone while I'm gone."

Zhane turned to his best friend in startled surprise. He clearly remembered Andros' discomfort with his first "date" with Astronema. Andros' fraternal instinct proved to be far keener than Zhane's own perceptions: at the time, Karone was simply not ready for a relationship.

One year had passed since that first butterfly kiss; one year of discovery for Karone, one year of caution for him. He had tread so carefully with Karone, fearing the consequences if he were too forthright with his hopes and desires. The risk was too great that he would intimidate her, doing irreparable damage to their budding relationship. What they had… those fleeting moments of true connection… was too fragile, and too precious, to risk.

A child's soul in a woman's body. He needed to let her grow accustomed to her new existence, and fully embrace her humanity. Such emotional development needed time and patience. As a result, their relationship had been tentative, casual enough to spare Karone the anxiety of deep romance, while solid enough to shine as an example of what loving someone really meant.

Their friendship had been nearly platonic, only peppered with fleeting glances or chaste kisses. When would she be ready for more? Was she truly interested in something different?

The silence seemed to stretch on for hours, before Zhane finally spoke. "I love her, you know."

A hesitation before answering. "I know."

"At first, I was just attracted to her. There was just this… this light inside her that made her beautiful. But now, I know her. And I really love her."

Andros grinned faintly. "I know… and that's why I can trust you. I know you'll give her what she needs; whether it's a relationship, or space."

Zhane stared, thunderstruck, as Andros rose to his feet. "I have to prepare for the mission. I'll really miss you, Zhane."

The former Silver Ranger stood, and the best friends exchanged their lifelong handshake.

"Did you already tell Karone?" Zhane wondered.

Andros' lips tightened. "She didn't take the news well."

Zhane nodded his understanding. "She's got a temper," he admitted. "I'll go see her. I think I need to talk to her."

And with those parting words, Zhane bid his farewell… his mind fertile with possibilities as he rode into Angel Grove.

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