Chapter Forty Three

"I suppose you want an apology," said Andros when he saw Tommy approach.

"That would be nice, but I'm more concerned about what you intend to do with the other version of me."

Andros had some sort of data pad in his hand. Tommy could see a list of names with various marks beside them. He was confirming those alive or injured, as well as dead. Andros continued to stare at the pad, not looking up as he gave his answer.

"He was sentenced to death for his crimes. If he survived Dark Specter, the execution will take place as planned."

"But he just saved you and everyone else here. Whatever evil he did, it was because of Dark Specter's power in him. You can't hold him responsible for that, not when, in control of himself, he would come here and give his life for others."

"Unless this was some trick to convince us he's changed so that we let him live."

Tommy couldn't believe how Andros was acting. The Andros of his world was sometimes stubborn, but he was a reasonable man. He would consider the possibilities and he would look for a way that didn't involve death. Apart from appearances, it was hard to believe the two were the same person.

"He could have stayed in my world," Tommy said. "He could have taken over me life and been safe and free and considered a hero. He didn't. He decided he couldn't let me die in his place. That's not the act of an evil man."

"You're just biased because he's in some way yourself."

"And you're not biased?" Tommy demanded. Andros hesitated for a moment.

"Look," Tommy went on, "good people can do terrible things when under the influence of evil. Karone nearly destroyed my world but that didn't stop her going on to be a great Pink Ranger. You would be willing to give her the benefit of the doubt, why not give it to the prince?"

Andros hesitated. He continued to hesitate. He stared at the ground, a strange sadness on his expression.

"Is it true then?" he asked at last.

"Is what true?"

"That my sister is Astronema."

"Yes. She was stolen as a child, lied to and convinced that the Power Rangers destroyed her family. In my world, you found this out years ago and saved her."

Andros thought again for a while before he spoke.

"Even if I let the prince live, other people won't be so willing to forgive. He's hurt so many people so badly. At least with me, his death will be quick and humane."

"You're forgetting; there's another option. He can come back to my world. If he's truly good again, he will have a chance for a new life where no one knows what he's done. If he's still evil, I'll finish him myself."

"And what will I tell people when they start demanding his blood?"

"Tell them he was completely destroyed by Dark Specter."

"This is a moot point anyway," said Andros. "We can't find him. The chances are that he really has been destroyed."

And there died Tommy's hopes that Andros had already recaptured the prince and been keeping it from the rest of them.

"Just think about it," Tommy said. "Now, I should get the rest of my people home."

Andros nodded. "Thank you for your help. I'm sorry I didn't listen."

"Apology accepted. I can sort of understand why you wouldn't."

They shook hands and then Tommy wandered back to the others. With the exception of Zack, they were all ready to go. A beeping came from his wrist.

"Go," he answered it.

"Tommy, you should get back here," said Hayley's voice.

"What's the hurry?"

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Jason sat on a boulder and worried. Around him, the other world's Rangers had finished discussing the battle and had moved on to talking about what they'd all been up to recently. Jason tried to follow the conversation just to distract himself, but his thoughts always returned to Tommy. Still, he was grateful no one was trying to cheer him up.

He was definitely not in a mood to be cheered.

More people came over to join their group. Jason saw Kira and Ethan, walking slowly between them was Zack, but at least he was able to walk. A gaping hole in his t-shirt showed a lot of white bandages.

"What were you thinking?" demanded Kim, hugging him somewhat tentatively.

"I was thinking I'd get a cool scar," Zack answered, taking a seat on the boulder next to Jason. "Chicks love scars." Trini hurried to him and squeezed his shoulder. Billy and the other Jason came with her. Billy gave a reassuring smile while their Jason grasped Zack's hand in a complicated hand-shake. Jason recognised all the things that weren't being said. This group of Rangers had been worried almost as much as Jason now worried about Tommy. They all knew it, but no words could really sum up all of what they felt.

"Yeah, but if you tell anyone how you got it, they'll think you're crazy," said Trini.

"Oh, I've worked it all out," said Zack. "I'll say I rescued someone's kitten from a burning house. That's bound to get me some action."

"Ahem. There are minors present." The Black Dino Ranger had returned.

"Oh please. They already know this stuff," said Zack. Connor smirked.

"We're leaving," said Tommy. "Hayley's going to teleport us back to the Command Centre, and then we'll head back through to our world." He looked at Jason, "You should come with us. You'll be safe there."

"No," Jason said. "I'm not going anywhere until I know what happened to my Tommy."

"Let me rephrase that. You want to come with us."

Jason frowned, puzzled. Tommy knew something. He knew something important that he didn't want to say out here where there was no way to be certain they wouldn't be overheard by all the rebels wandering around. That could only mean one thing.

"Aw," said Dustin. "Do we have to go now? I wanted to say goodbye to me."

"Yeah," agreed Kira. "I should say something to Maddy and Tori before we leave. I'm guessing we're not going to be coming back."

"Alright," said Tommy. "Those of you who have farewells to say can stay a little longer. Everyone else, prepare to teleport." He raised his wrist to his helmet. "Hayley, you got that?"

"Yeah, I got that. Stand by."

Jason felt the teleportation light come up around him.