Never Let Go
Disclaimer: I don't own the Power Rangers.
Summary: Sequel to "Can't Let Go." Read that first. After tragedy strikes, can Ashley and Andros find their way back to each other.
Pinkrangerfan: Yeah his memory is back. Zhane still loves Karone. They're meant to be.
Vampire's Heartache: Yeah it's sad and this chapter really isn't too much better.
JasonLeeScottFan: Thanks! I thought you would be mad at the way I ended the last chapter. This chapter should explain some of your curiosity.
Emily bradit: Thanks!
LunarFairyPrincess1989: Thanks! Lots of things happen in this chapter…sort of. But everything is beginning to come to the surface. Here's the next chapter.
Chapter 8: Fighting Time – Part 2
Megaship - Observatory
"I can't believe you're really back." Karone embraced him again.
Andros hugged her back. "I know. It's like I knew who I was but I wasn't actually aware of it." He frowned. "If that makes any sense."
"It doesn't but I don't care, you're back." She smiled and looked at him. "And that means everything's gonna be okay."
"We've entered KO-35's atmosphere." DECA announced.
"You have to go." Andros stated.
"I have someone on standby to prepare the antivirus for transfer. It has to be kept secured first, then once we get it into storage on the ship, it should be fine until we get to Earth."
"Go, I'll be here when you get back." He assured.
"Ready, DECA." Karone called and disappeared before Andros's eyes.
Andros stood and walked to the bridge of the ship. There was something he needed to do and it was best to do it while Karone wasn't on the ship. He put in the communication to Taurus.
Zavier's eyes widened at the site of his son. "Rikai."
"Hey." Andros didn't know where to start.
"Sondria." He called to his wife. "It's Rikai."
"Rikai." Her blue eyes filled with tears. "Are you okay?"
"I'm so sorry Rikai. I love you son. Just please come home." Zavier frowned when he registered his son's surroundings. "Where are you?"
"That's the thing dad." He took a deep breath. "I'm with my sister, Karone. We stopped at KO-35, and we'll be on our way to Earth shortly."
Sondria's jaw dropped. "But… how?"
"It's a long story. I got my memory back. I remember everything before the crash. And now Karone and I have to get to Earth in time to save my daughter. She's very sick."
Silence filled the air.
"Please say something." Andros begged.
"Is this the last time we'll be seeing you?" Zavier's voice creaked with pain and anguish.
"No. Dad, no." Andros assured. "I love you, mom, and Trenton. I can't just forget about you guys like that. I told you that before."
"What about your life now? What about your parents?" Sondria asked not wanting to get her hopes up.
"My parents died, when KO-35 was at war." He explained. "I can arrange transport for you guys, or Karone can, to bring you to Earth, if you want."
"Yes, we want to come." Zavier answered. "You're still our child."
Andros gave a teary eyed smile. "Good."
"Let us know what happens with your daughter." Sondria added.
"I will. I'll contact you once we get to Earth." He promised. "Bye."
"Bye." The transmission ended.
Andros sighed in relief. He'd needed to see them and to hear their voices.
"Andros," Karone entered the bridge. "The anti virus is in storage we're ready to go."
"Okay. DECA," He addressed the AI. "Take us home."
"Right away Andros. Welcome back."
"Thanks DECA." He turned to his sister. "Do you think you can set up transport for Trenton and my parents?"
Karone hesitated, but she didn't bother to correct him. "Yeah I can. You spoke to them while I was gone?"
He could sense the change in her. "I still remember them Karone. I still remember our parents, but you have to remember for over a year I've been Zavier and Sondria's son and Trenton's brother. I can't shut that off."
You've been with them longer than me. "I'll arrange it."
"No one could replace you Karone." Her eyes finally met his. "I know we didn't have much time to really reunite, but you have to know that you're my sister, and I love you. Part of me remembered you even though my mind didn't." He moved to her and hugged her. "Sondria reminded me of someone, I never could figure out who at the time, but it was you."
"You think they'll like me?"
He smiled. "They'd be crazy not to."
"DECA, how long until we reach Earth?" Karone inquired.
"Four hours."
"What happened to DECA?" Andros asked amazed at the time she gave.
"She had a few upgrades. How do you think I got to Taurus so fast?" She smiled.
Andros sighed and sat at the console. "Four hours until I see Ashley and my daughter. I felt her, Ava," He explained. "Before today. I didn't know who it was, but I felt that connection. I have to see her Karone. I have to-" Andros was cut off by searing pain.
"What is it?" Karone asked near panic. "Andros."
"Ava." He strained. "Answer your link."
"But it's not," Her phone link signaled. "Ringing." She frowned and answered. "Ash?"
"It's me Karone."
"Zhane?" It had been so long since she'd heard his voice, and that's all it took for everything she'd felt before to come rushing back, but she couldn't think about that now. "What's happened?"
"It's progressing faster than normal." His voice was unsteady. "The doctors think it's because she's here on Earth and not K0-35."
"What are you saying, Zhane?"
"Ava's entered phase three."
She felt the tears sting her eyes. "No Zhane. Not this soon. We're on our way to Earth now. There has to be something they can do to slow it down."
"They don't have all the technology of KO-35 here yet."
"Where's Ashley?"
"They had to sedate her. She couldn't… she couldn't bear it."
"We can't give up on her, Zhane."
"There's nothing more we can do. We can't make more time." Zhane's voice was barely a whisper. "You did everything you could Karone. Ava, she's in a coma…"
Karone put her hand to her mouth and let the tears fall. "No, there has to be-"
"The cryogenic chamber."
Karone looked at her brother. "What do you mean?"
"Put Ava in a cryogenic sleep, it's not meant for someone so young, but the alternative…"
"You're right." Karone shook her head. "But they don't have that on Earth."
"Don't have what?" Zhane asked impatiently. "Who are you talking to, Karone?"
Andros continued. "The president of NASADA asked me for an analysis of the cryogenic equipment we had on the Megaship. He was building a prototype on Earth. Zhane should know about it."
Karone addressed Zhane. "You can put Ava in a cryogenic sleep until we get there. President Riley was building one wasn't he?"
"On god how could I forget that?" Zhane mentally kicked himself. It would be riskier for someone Ava's age, but it was the other option they had. "I'll get in contact with Riley right away." A thought occurred to him. "How did you know about that? The only other people who know about that were me and some officials at NASADA."
"And Andros." She stated.
Zhane felt his heartbeat quicken. "You said 'we' before." It couldn't be. He'd know it, wouldn't he? If anything Ashley would have felt it. But with everything going on it was possible neither of them paid attention to anything else. "Who's with you, Karone?"
"Why don't you ask him?" Karone handed the link to her brother.
Andros took the link in his hand and took a deep breath. "Hey, Zhane."
Zhane felt himself getting lightheaded even as he spoke. "Andros?" He couldn't stop himself from hitting the floor.
(A/N: What do you think? I'd love to know. Please review! I'm hoping this story won't be more than twelve chapters. I don't think I'll go over that.)
