Short Author's Note: Thanks for reviewing, JasonLeeScottFan and sweetangel4.
Disclaimer: I do not own anything.
I'm sorry for any mistakes.
CHAPTER 9: Leap Of Faith
MEGASHIP
The door to the bridge opened and Andros stepped in. Everyone sighed in relief. They had been worried Astronema had killed him. Ashley was the most relieved. She and Andros had started to date, and she had been in love with him far longer than that.
"So," Tj said, sounding excited. "What happened?!"
Andros smiled broadly and replied, "See for yourself." When Astronema walked into view, everyone gasped. They were not exactly happy.
Cassie shook her head in disbelief. "You brought her onto the ship," she said, stunned.
Not noticing everyones' mood, Andros continued, "There's more. I got a surprise for you, Ashley." She frowned. When Demion walked up next to Astronema, Andros thought Ashley was going to faint.
Andros now saw this was going badly. Tj, Carlos, and Cassie stared at Astronema and Demion coldly. Demion got a colder reception though, probably because he had already shown that he had no interest in being good. Ashley came forward hesitantly and stood next to Andros.
Astronema and Demion themselves didn't look happy either, but at least they weren't trying to destroy everyone. At the moment. Astronema looked angry that her brother's friends didn't trust her, while Demion ignored all the Rangers except for Ashley. Demion looked at her warily, while Ashley looked at him sadly.
Tj gave his friend an angry look. "What's going on, Andros?"
Andros motioned to Astronema. "She is my sister." Ashley turned to the others and added, "And Demion is my brother."
Astronema and Demion stepped onto the bridge, as Andros tried to reason with his friends by adding, "And they know where Zordan is."
The last comment didn't have the desired effect. It just made the others angrier, and accusatory.
"Of course they do," Tj said. "They helped kidnap him."
"No I didn't," Astronema spoke up.
"I did," Demion admitted stoically. Tj, Carlos, and Cassie glared at him. Demion glanced at Astronema, who looked worried about his confession.
Demion walked distanced himself from the others as he said, "But I'll help you rescue him." He turned and looked at Astronema. "Since that is what Karone wishes."
Cassie shook her head. "Just... give us the coordinates. We don't need any help from the two of you."
"Actually..." Astronema put in as she went to stand by Demion. "... you do." She turned to the Rangers. "There's a force field around the planet. I can get Dark Specter to lower it, and we can get in."
"We?!" Carlos snapped. He went over to Andros and pointed at Astronema and Demion. "Yesterday they tried to destroy us."
Cassie came forward. "Listen, you two," she said to Andros and Ashley. "If this is a trap, we're walking right into it."
"If we take them," Tj cut in, "it's under one condition." Demion sighed in aggravation. "We restrain 'em."
"No!" Ashley rejected automatically, standing in front of Demion protectively. Demion looked at her in shock.
Andros stood in front of Astronema. He and Ashley exchanged glances. Then they looked back at the others. "We can't do that," Andros insisted.
"It's too risky!" Tj snapped.
"It's okay with me, Andros," Astronema suddenly informed.
Demion reluctantly reached out and touched Ashley's shoulder. She turned to him and he gave her a nod.
Once all that was settled, Tj glared at Demion. "Where's Zordan?"
"Kiran Galaxy," Astronema answered.
Demion glared back at Tj. "On the jungle planet of Utoba."
"DECA," Tj called out, not taking his eyes off Demion, "set the course. Maximum hyper-rush velocity."
"Course plotted," DECA informed. "Engines set to maximum."
"I really hope you two are telling the truth," Tj told Demion and Astronema.
They just looked back at him stoically.
* * * *
LATER ON
Demion and Astronema were kept separated, for added safety. Demion was held in the supply room, while Astronema was held in the engine room.
Demion had been lying down, but now he sat up. Being restrained was extremely uncomfortable. He looked at the chains and thought, They really need stronger chains.
A knock sounded on the wall and he looked up to see his sister standing in the open doorway. She was carrying a tray of food. Again.
"Are you hungry?" she asked him as she knelt beside him.
He looked down at the food. He hesitantly picked up a slice of... some kind of meat. He looked at it curiously. "What is this?"
Ashley chuckled. "It's bacon. You never had any?" He shook his head. "Try it. It's good."
Demion took a bite. It actually was good. He looked at Ashley. "Thanks," he said to her, feeling awkward. "For refusing to restrain me before."
"Anytime," she said sincerely.
He continued to eat.
* * * *
Karone was sitting up when Andros came in with food. She glanced at him, then turned away. He knelt beside her and placed the tray down.
"I... wasn't sure what you'd like, so I... got a little of everything," he told her.
She shrugged, a little distant. "I'm not hungry."
"Are you sure?" Andros said. "It's a long trip."
"How is Demion doing?" she needed to know.
Andros smiled. "His sister is with him." She looked at him, concerned about that. "They're fine."
Karone nodded and tried to get comfortable. Andros stood up and watched her. "I'm sorry you're tied up, but..."
She shook her head, cutting him off. "I understand," she said honestly. "Your friends don't trust me." She looked up at him. "And you, Andros? Do you... trust me?"
"Yeah, I do," he said without hesitation. "I even trust Demion. At least when it comes to you." She looked away from him and he asked, "Do you trust me?"
Karone glanced at him, then looked away again. She scoffed. "Trust. That's a tough one." She looked back at him. "But I'm working on it."
Andros nodded, then turned to leave. Before he left though, Karone called out his name.
He turned back to her. She hesitated. "Our parents. Are they....?" She couldn't bring herself to finish the question.
"I don't know," Andros answered softly. "I hope that they escaped KO-35 before the battle. I wish I could tell them I finally found you." He smiled. "They'd be so glad."
He sat down against the wall across from her and commented, "You know, I can see a little of Mom in you."
"I wish I could see her now," Karone replied truthfully. She looked at Andros curiously. "What were they like? Were they good parents?"
"They were the best any kid could hope for...."
* * * *
NEARING THE PLANET UTOBA
When the door to the bridge opened, Cassie looked back to see Andros and Ashley enter, followed by Astronema and Demion..
"Hey guys?" Cassie said, alerting the others to be on guard. Tj and Carlos stood up and faced the others immediately.
Tj saw Andros and Ashley carrying shackles, and asked, "What's goin' on?"
Andros sighed and answered, "It has to look like they captured us."
When Tj, Carlos, and Cassie got an angry look, Ashley quickly added, "It'll only be for a minute."
Tj sighed and came over to them. He glanced at Astronema and Demion. "I just don't think it's a good idea." He hesitated. "We'll make it look real."
After all five Rangers looked as if they'd been captured, Demion and Astronema stood in front of them facing the viewing screen. Demion summoned his sword, while Astronema summoned her staff. They had their game faces on.
Demion looked over at Alpha. "Robot," he said coldly.
Alpha came over to them and said with an attitude, "Please call me Alpha."
"Open a communication channel," Astronema ordered with the same cold tone as Demion.
Alpha turned away, complaining, "It wouldn't hurt them to say 'please', you know." Demion and Astronema turned slightly to Alpha and the Rangers tensed. "A little courtesy goes a long way in this galaxy."
Demion and Astronema glanced at each other, then Astronema said, "Please, Alpha." Andros looked up at her.
Alpha paused in surprise, then hit a few keys. "Channel open," he told them.
"Thank you," Demion said. Ashley smiled proudly.
Dark Specter appeared on screen. When he saw the Prince and Princess of Darkness, he immediately said, "Demion! Astronema! Where have you two been?!"
"We've been busy, Dark Specter," Demion replied.
"We have captured the Megaship," Astronema told Dark Specter, "And are bringing you all five Rangers."
"Excellent!" Dark Specter exclaimed. "Bring them to me immediately. I am lowering the force field."
Dark Specter disappeared and Demion and Astronema smirked. The Rangers' took off the shackles immediately. Tj, Carlos, and Cassie moved to their stations.
Demion and Astronema turned to their siblings and began to follow them to where they'd be restrained again.
An alarm suddenly sounded. DECA informed them, "Velocifighters approaching." DECA showed them on the viewing screen. Everyone turned to Demion and Astronema.
The two of them frowned as they watched the viewing screen.
"They're escorts," Astronema said.
Demion nodded. "You have to follow them."
Obviously not liking the idea, Tj eventually gave in. "Alright. We'll follow them."
* * * *
Andros and Ashley were escorting Demion and Karone when the Megaship suddenly went dark. Alarms started to sound.
Demion looked around. What happened? The ship started to rock.
Karone looked at her brother. "Something's gone wrong."
Andros and Ashley immediately ran off, leaving them behind.
Demion looked at Karone. "We need to leave the Astro Megaship. The Rangers' don't trust us. They'll ruin the plan."
"But--" Karone started.
"Don't worry," Demion told her. He held out his hand to her. "Trust me."
Karone nodded and took his hand. They left the Megaship.
* * * *
UTOBA
Demion and Karone ran to where they heard the sounds of battle. What they found were all Rangers morphed. The Black Ranger was already captured by Piranhatrons, and the Blue and Pink Rangers struggling to hold Darkonda.
The Red and Yellow Rangers were on the ground. They were injured. Demion ran to his sister, while Karone ran to her brother.
"Demion!" Ashley exclaimed.
"Are you alright, Andros?!" Karone asked her brother. He nodded.
Demion picked Ashley up in his arms. "We need to go," he said quickly. Karone helped her brother and they all ran.
They ran faster when Darkonda sent people after them.
They eventually ran into Ecliptor. Ecliptor raised his sword and yelled, "You're finished!"
Andros and Ashley were too injured to fight. Demion and Karone couldn't fight because they were helping their siblings.
Karone gave Ecliptor a pleading look. "Don't!"
Ecliptor paused, then said, "I can't." He lowered his sword.
"Ecliptor," Karone said softly.
"I don't know what to say," Demion said at the same time.
Ecliptor didn't look at them. "Just go."
They quickly left before Darkonda caught up to them. Ecliptor watched the two he had always thought of as his son and daughter leave.
"Be careful, my Princess and Prince," he whispered.
* * * *
LATER ON
Demion placed Ashley down on her feet and Astronema released Andros. They were still a little shaky, but could now stand and move on their own.
Ashley and Andros looked up and exclaimed, "Zordan!" in unison. Zordan was in front of them.
"Andros. Ashley," Zordan said weakly.
They turned to Demion and Astronema. "Thanks, Karone," Andros said to Astronema, who smiled. "Yeah, thanks," Ashley said to Demion. He gave her a nod.
They went over to Zordan. "Zordan," Ashley said, relieved. "We thought we'd never see you again."
"Andros," Zordan said weakly again. "Ashley."
"What is it, Zordan?" Andros asked him. "What are you trying to tell us?" Something's wrong.
Zordan said weakly, "It's just that... I can't believe... that after all this time..." His tone became cruel. "... you are still such fools."
They froze. "What are you talking about, Zordan?" Andros asked.
"This," Zordan answered coldly. With that, he changed into Dark Specter.
Andros and Ashley backed up. "I can't believe this," Ashley commented. Demion and Astronema glanced at each other.
"You won't get away with this, Dark Specter," Andros threatened angrily.
"Wrong," Darkonda said as he appeared. "You are all fools."
The Blue, Black, and Pink Rangers were being held captive. Hundreds of Piranhatrons surrounded them.
"Seize them!" Darkonda ordered, pointing at the Red and Yellow Rangers. The Piranhatrons obeyed immediately.
Andros looked at his sister. "Karone, how could you?!"
"Yes!" Dark Specter said. "Tell us, Astronema! Demion. How could you?"
Demion and Astronema smiled evilly. "It was our pleasure," Demion said as he and Astronema summoned their weapons.
"No," Andros whispered.
"You're evil liars!" Cassie snapped.
"I knew we shouldn't have trusted you two!" Tj put in.
Carlos just shruggled against the Piranhatrons.
"Demion, please!" Ashley begged. He looked over at her. "I'm your sister. Help me!"
Darkonda went up to Astronema and Demion. "You two may think you're clever, but I know that you're actually trying to help the Rangers to save Zordan."
Astronema hit him in the chest with the blunt side of her staff hard. Darkonda fell to the ground and Demion put his sword to his throat.
"Apparently we fooled you as easily as we fooled them," Demion said coldly.
"Perhaps I misjudged," Darkonda said. Demion removed his sword from Darkonda's throat and allowed him to get back up.
Astronema turned to Dark Specter. "My plan worked perfectly."
"Perhaps," Dark Specter said. "But you are not done yet. Destroy the Rangers once and for all!" He disappeared.
Demion and Astronema walked over to their siblings menacingly.
"Demion," Ashley said to him. "You're my own flesh and blood."
"I trusted you," Andros said to Astronema.
Demion and Astronema smiled slyly. "Darkonda," Demion said. Darkonda looked over at him. "Destroy them."
."Please!" Andros and Ashley said in unison.
Laughing, Darkonda turned to the Blue, Black, and Pink Rangers. "Which one of you shall I destroy first?" He moved to destroy the Pink Ranger.
Demion quickly raised his sword and blasted Darkonda, saving Cassie.
Darkonda screamed and turned around to see Demion. Then he fell to the ground.
"Demion?" Ashley said.
Astronema took out a large boomerang and threw toward the Rangers, knowing they would duck. They did and the Piranhatrons were struck. The boomerang came back to her and she caught it.
As Karone went to go help the others, Demion easily freed Ashley and Andros. They regrouped.
Tj looked at Karone and Demion. "So you were on our side!"
Karone winked at him and Demion shrugged innocently.
"Traitors!" Darkonda suddenly yelled out. Everyone turned in time to see Darkonda get blasted by green energy and explode.
Ecliptor stumbled into view. He was badly wounded.
"Ecliptor!" Karone and Demion yelled out in unison.
They all ran over to him. As Karone and Demion knelt down beside Ecliptor, the Rangers surrounded them protectively.
"You saved me again," Demion said softly.
"Come with us!" Karone told Ecliptor.
"No," he refused. "Get going!"
* * * *
MEGASHIP
The elevator opened onto the bridge. Andros, Ashley, Karone and Demion stepped out. "Hey guys!" Andros called out.
Tj, Carlos, and Cassie exchanged glances. Then they came forward.
"I owe you two an apology," Tj said to Karone and Demion. "Weall do," Cassie added. Carlos nodded.
"Listen," Demion said. "I don't expect any of you to like me."
Karone nodded. "Yeah. Neither of us have ever.... We've never had friends."
"We didn't deserve any," Demion put in.
"I just hope that... one day... you'll believe... that we don't wanna hurt you," Karone finished, looking down at the ground.
Carlos slowly smiled. "I believe you." Karone looked up, shocked.
"So do I," Cassie said. She smiled. "Not maybe one day. Right now."
"If you ask me," Tj said, "you've both got five friends."
"And, hey," Cassie said. "You two deserve every one."
Karone smiled and looked at her brother. Andros smiled too. Ashley looked at Demion and frowned. He wasn't smiling. He was watching Karone with a sad expression.
As Demion watched how happy Karone was now, all he could think was, Please forgive me.
* * * *
DARK FORTRESS
Darkonda was in a meeting with Dark Specter and someone else who kept to the shadows.
"He is in position, Dark Specter," Darkonda informed.
"Excellent," Dark Specter responded, pleased.
"So what do we do?" the one in the shadows said.
"We wait... Ecliptor," Darkonda said.
Ecliptor stepped out of the shadows, looking differently. "My Princess and Prince must return."
"They will," Dark Specter said. "Whether they want to, or not."
A/N: I'll Update As Soon As Possible. Please review!
