Disclaimer: Not mine

Ashley Hammond/Astro Yellow: I think you've read the first four or five chapters. Actually, four, because I put the fourth and fifth chapters together, so after tomorrow, you can read new stuff. :P

Jenny: Yeah, I guess I did. It probably could have used a little more explanation. It was supposed to go at the end of Part 1, but then my mind decided to be all twisted and gave me an idea for Part 2. :P

the-power-of-love: Thanks, here's more.

DizneeDol: Thanks, and I can actually update soon for the next few days. I already wrote it. :P

Arwennicole: Don't worry, he doesn't die, but what does happen isn't all that much better.

Princess Emmie: Thanks, here's some more.

Chapter 3

"Kill him."

"No!" Ashley shrieked, wrenching herself free, and trying to get to Andros. Arrow caught her in one swift movement before she was halfway there. "Andros!"

Ashley went limp as the guards started to drag Andros away and Arrow dropped her in heap on the ground. Ashley was on her feet in an instant, trying to get to Andros, but Arrow caught her again and held her arms firmly from behind. Andros was still struggling, but there were too many of them, and they both knew it. He was only determined to fight to the death.

"Wait," Arrow said, holding up a hand. "This could be interesting."

He pushed Ashley forward, forcing her to walk. He stopped when Ashley was only inches away from Andros. He let them stare into each other's eyes for several long minutes before pulling Ashley a safe distance away.

"What will you do to save him, Yellow Ranger?"

"Anything," Ashley said instantly.

"Anything?" Arrow repeated. Andros could see the triumphant look in his eyes.

"Anything," Ashley said again. Andros saw her eyes cloud with fear for an instant before they hardened. Her face was deathly pale, as if she already knew what was going to happen.

"I will let him live," Arrow said. "If you agree to one simple request."

"What do you want?" Ashley managed to keep the fear out of her voice.

"If you stay here, I will let him go free."

"NO!" Andros shouted. "Ashley, NO!"

"I will kill him if you refuse, Yellow Ranger."

"NO!" Andros screamed. "Ash, listen to me! Don't do this!"

Arrow laughed, and let his hands trail slowly down her arms, his breath almost in her ear. Ashley slowly turned to face Arrow. From the way he looked at her, she knew without a doubt what would happen to her if she said yes. She swallowed hard, and nodded.

"Can I say goodbye to him?" she asked in a whisper. "Please?"

Arrow considered it for a long moment. "Yes," he consented. "But you will never see him again."

"Don't do this," Andros begged, tearing himself free, and seizing Ashley in his arms. "Ashley, please don't do this. I'd rather die than have someone hurt you."

Ashley said nothing, hiding her face against his neck, and Andros buried his face in her hair, holding her as tightly as he could. If he never let go of her, no one could hurt her.

"I love you," Ashley whispered, her voice muffled.

"Ash, I love you," Andros whispered into her ear. "You don't have to do this."

"Yes, I do."

Ashley was shaking, but there was no fear in her voice. Andros felt hot tears sting his eyes, and he sobbed bitterly into her hair, hating himself for being unable to protect her.

"Enough," Arrow ordered.

He tried to pull Ashley away from Andros, but Andros refused to let her go. He was not about to hand her over to this monster. Arrow shrugged his shoulders and nodded to Killian.

Andros inhaled sharply as he felt something strike him hard across the back, but other than that, he did nothing to indicate that he had felt it at all. Several blows later, however, it was all he could do not to cry out in pain. Still, he held onto Ashley, who had wrapped her arms around his head in an effort to protect him.

"Andros, let me go," Ashley said finally.

"I can't," Andros whispered. "Don't make me."

"Andros, let me go," Ashley said firmly. Looking up sadly into his eyes, she whispered, "I love you."

Gently, Ashley wriggled out of his arms, and turned bravely to face Arrow. Andros tried to catch her and pull her back into his arms, but he found himself firmly in the grasp of the guards.

"Where do we take him?" the captain asked Arrow.

"Keep him here for now," Arrow said. In his hand he was holding a thin bronze ring. "Watch carefully, Red Ranger."

Arrow slipped the ring over Ashley's head, and Andros cried out as he felt Ashley's presence in his mind ripped away. If she hadn't been standing there in front of him, Andros would have thought that she was dead. Ashley was staring at him, tears streaming down her face, true terror in her eyes for the first time.

"Get him out of here," Arrow ordered.

Ashley could hear Andros shouting furiously, and she heard Arrow responding in jeering tones. Ashley closed her eyes, and waited for the nightmare to be over.

Her mind accepted what was happening, but the rest of her shut down in a last effort to protect herself.

Mercifully, the world went blank.