"How dare he?!" the nymph growled in a voice of pure malice. Her entire body tense with fury, she hastily pulled her gem-studded brush through the gold tendrils of her latest hair style. Her ice blue eyes were narrow and grim as she studied her reflection in the mirror of her vanity.

She was stunning. As usual.

In fact, her beauty was known throughout the galaxy. Many suitors had expressed interest in her. She was powerful, gorgeous, and feared... and she had a permanent position of authority as Dark Specter's appointed Princess of Evil. Who wouldn't want to ally themselves with such a venomous denizen of destruction?

Yet oddly, contrary to the blatant sensuousness of her gait and demeanor, she had absolutely no interest in attracting men. That is to say, romance had no place in Astronema's heart. She wouldn't stoop to pursuing a relationship, either for love or for power. She instead opted to earn her own position within the tapestry of evil that plagued the four corners of existence.

She frankly had nothing to gain from marriage.

All she had to do was look to the other members of Dark Specter's United Alliance of Evil to see that. Ever since Rita Repulsa and Lord Zedd were united, they became bickering infidels, rather than the powerful sorcerers they were once upon a time. And the Pirate Queen Divatox was constantly tormented by lovers leaving her at the altar. Her obsessive desire for a bridegroom became a priority, costing her dearly. The Machine monarchs faired no better. True, Machina and Mondo were happy as a couple, but their progeny was rebellious. The royal pair had certainly burned many a circuit over the elopement of their heir Gaskett and Lady Archerina, the daughter of their political rival.

Love and marriage simply weren't worth the cost.

She still believed that, with all her cold heart and empty soul.

But... why couldn't her emotions remain in agreement with her rationale?

"Filthy, lying, sneaky..." she continued to mutter, the pace of her brushing quickening, "...Power Ranger!"

With a cry of unadulterated rage, Astronema rose from her seat, and tossed her onyx beauty tool into the mirror, shattering the reflective glass. She breathed heavily, leaning her gloved hands along the edge of her vanity, and gazing at her fractured image.

Her fractured reflection mirrored her fractured mind.

Thoughts and emotions were in conflict.

"With all the fine, wicked warlords with whom I could unite in this galaxy... I fall for that pretty-boy Silver Ranger!" she ruminated, her grimace deepening.

There was no point in denying it.

All it took was his gentleman-like behavior, innocent wit, and warm smile to melt her guarded heart of ice.

It didn't make sense... not in the least. Why would gentle charm attract her? Why would kindness and affection appeal to her? She was the Princess of Evil! Therefore, she should fall in love with the qualities of evil. She should love hatred, power, cruelty, and other such traits.

And it wasn't just that her love wasn't evil. He was a POWER RANGER! The ENEMY!!

She should hate him with a vengeance. She should curse him with every breath that she took. Her every waking thought should be geared to his destruction... not to winning his affections.

If only she could rule her heart with the same authority that she ruled over her subjects.

If only life were that simple.

It was out of her control. She loved the Silver Astro Ranger.

No matter how much she despised the Power Rangers in general, she couldn't bring herself to hate Zhane. His clear, laughing cerulean eyes, roguish smile, and untamed frosty blonde hair dominated the images within her mind.

She despised herself... and her own weakness.

Weariness forcing the tirade of anger to ebb, Astronema reached for the small color photograph lying beside her shattered mirror. She brushed the glass dust from the glossy surface delicately, and gazed at the image.

"You may have won my heart, Zhane of KO 35," she muttered, her fingers beginning to glow with radiant energy, "but I won't let you win the war!"

The energy focused on the corner of the photograph, catching fire to the picture. Her scowl curved into a devilish grin when she saw Zhane's radiant face melting into the orange flames.

Her decision was made.

She loved him, and she knew she couldn't change that.

But, she was still in control of her actions, if not her feelings.

She would show no mercy... to the Silver Ranger nor to his allies.

No more flirting. No bumping into him in disguise. No more silly dates in the park. No more blushes, shy smiles, stumbling over words, marshmallows, love notes, photographs, or roses.

No more childish games and useless indulgences.

Just because she didn't want to kill him, didn't mean she couldn't.

The mark of a true Princess of Evil is the separation of the longings of her heart from her duty to the cause of Villainy.

"He will die," she said, enclosing the cinders of the lost photograph in her leather-gloved fist, "just like all the other Power Rangers. I'll miss him... and I'll regret his loss. But... I will be victorious! Over Truth, over Justice... over Love."

She strode confidently from her chambers, tossing the ashes into the air behind her.

"May Chaos reign supreme."

To Be Continued in "Vain Fantasy"

The End