Ashley Hammond AGE: 24 SHORT BIO: At seventeen, Ashley Hammond was chosen by Tanya Sloan to take over as the yellow turbo ranger – an adjustment that would change her life forever. Fighting against Divatox, saving the world everyday from her devious plots to destroy the world, gave her life a feeling of completeness. Before this fateful day, she was just your average teenager. She was head cheerleader, though not snobby as some would expect. Quite the contrary. She was sweet, and helpful; she never turned down an opportunity to help out the community or others. In fact, it was she (among others) who would help direct people to safety when the city was under a monster attack. Most people would panic and run for their lives in this type of situation, but not Ashley. Perhaps it was this quality that set her apart from all the others, and caused Tanya to select her to be her successor.
She defended the world as the newest yellow ranger, learning many lessons along the way. She was tested and challenged in ways that were unimaginable to the average person; this changed her. She wasn't so sweet and sheltered anymore, but more independent...stronger somehow. She'd never felt so hopeless as the day the command center was destroyed. However, her hope was restored shortly after upon meeting a Karovian Red Ranger, Andros. Her attraction to the boy had been almost instantaneous, though she can't deny to being surprised about his human nature. Now the Yellow Astro Ranger, Ashley fought against a new, more powerful, nemesis called Astronoma, who turned out to be Andros's sister. As the days went by, Andros and Ashley grew closer – their feelings and mutual attraction for one another growing more intense for each other every single day.
As shameless as it was, Ashley must admit that, upon his arrival, she heavily flirting with Andros' best friend Zhane in a desperate attempt to get a rise out of the red ranger. Zhane had played along nicely – that certain attraction was obviously there but it didn't run any deeper than just that. Ashley had her heart set on Andros. She felt like flying the night he had asked her to go comet watching with him. He had always been so reserved and quiet, but that night she practically saw the walls around him disappear. There relationship had officially began that night, and is still running strong today.
After the revelation of their identities in a last attempt to save the world from Astronoma, fame had overtaken the Astro rangers. Despite their pleas to keep their lives private, the press got the better of them. Everyone seemed to want to know their story – no details spared (with the exception of their predecessors). Television appearances, conventions, book deals and later signings... the madness seamed never ending. At first, they tried to decline any offer of money or payment for their 'services', but the notion wouldn't be heard of. They had to accept that they were celebrities now, and money was going to be a part of that. As much as Ashley and the others hated to admit it, they were grateful for the capitalization. However, it still didn't feel completely right taking money for something that they had volunteered to do. Especially not as much as they had made. Each individual had made enough money to never have to work again.
Soon after their return to Earth, and after their short visit to Terra-Venture to help the Galaxy rangers defeat the newly constructed Psycho Rangers, Andros had proposed to Ashley and the two were married in the fall with Cassie as the Maid of Honor and Zhane as Best man, sealing their bond forever. Zhane and Karone were making strides with their relationship as well, which Ashley was happy to see. She wasn't at all surprised to see TJ and Cassie start dating as Carlos found love elsewhere. She wished them all the best of luck, hoping for them to share the kind of bond that she and Andros had.
However, marriage nor the media, did not interrupt their missions. Andros and Ashley (as well as the other former Astro Rangers) continued to help rebuild what KO-35 had lost so long ago, and they both continued to patrol the galaxies for signs of evil doings. They just couldn't escape it, and truth to be told, they wouldn't have it any other way. They felt that it was their duty to try and repair the damage that Astronoma had done on not only Earth, but other planets as well (Karone felt particularly bad and worked her hardest to set things right, particularly on Earth). With the death of Zordon, Earth was more vulnerable now than ever, and it was their responsibility to keep the Earth safe. They couldn't, and wouldn't, forget that.
After what seemed like an entire lifetime (but was actually only about three and a half years – ending with the arrival of the Light Speed Rangers), Ashley and Andros were finally able to settle down and hang up their morphers. Ashley cringed when looking at their bank accounts, and just when the old juice bar was about to be put out of business, it was Ashley's idea to put some of that money to use by buying out the Juice Bar. Adelle had agreed to help run the place until Ashley and Andros completed school (which they insisted on paying for despite the numerous offers of a full scholarship due to name recognition and free promotion of the chosen schools) with their degrees in business. They both put their all into their schooling, pushing themselves year long, completing college after only two years. Ashley was twenty-one when she finished, though she had been learning the ropes through Adelle ever since she and Andros bought the place. It was then, at nineteen, when Ashley met eleven-year-old Casey Daniels, her younger, ten-year-old sister, Hannah, and their friends Jake (12), Eric (13), and Nate (9) Thomas. However, she grew closest to Casey over the years seeing as it was her who she spent the most time with, especially after the departure of the Thomas boys.
Even today, six years after Astronoma reverted back to Karone – nearly seven years after Ashley and Andros helped to rid the world of evil, they continue to protect KO-35 on an on-call basis. Little did they know, it wouldn't stop there. Both Andros and Ashley have proved to be valuable allies to the Fusion rangers, helping out anyway they can, whenever they can. They first met the rangers when Alpha and Zelta called upon them to teach both Casey and Conner telekinesis, and they've been helping out ever since. Mostly, they help out by giving the rangers knowledge of the people and planets of the universe – things that they have learned on their missions as rangers. Ashley likes to help them out. It sort of fills the void that has been in her life since they gave up their powers. Even so, she has to be careful with her involvement for fear that Devone may decide to make her a target at any given time. Stripped of all powers, it makes her vulnerable, and she doesn't have just herself to think about. She's got Andros... and a little boy on the way to protect as well.
ASHLEY HAMMOND – FORMER YELLOW RANGER
Portrayed By Tracy Lynn Cruz
FORMER RANGER FORMS: Yellow Turbo Ranger, Yellow Astro Ranger
RELATIONSHIP TO RANGERS: Occasionally Aids the Rangers With Andros By Offering Their Assistance In the Command Center