Chapter 11: The Rescue

A few days passed and it was next to impossible to get inside of Balavan's fortress. All of the secret passageways were destroyed. Andros was worried about Ashley and Karone and he could only think of only one way to get them back. He had to pretend to join Balavan's side. Andros looked over when Zhane came in. "I know what you're thinking," Zhane commented. Andros sighed as he stood up.

"It's the only way, Zhane. Ashley and Karone are both going to die if I don't do this," Andros insisted.

Zhane nodded and placed a hand on his shoulder. "I'm going with you," Zhane insisted.

"Where are you going?" T. J. asked.

Andros turned and looked at his friends. "I'm the only one that can get in there. At least he'll let me in without suspicion at first," Andros insisted.

"What makes you think he's going to let you in?" Carlos asked.

Andros lowered his head slightly. "I'll explain everything later. I promise," Andros told them. Zhane nodded as he handed Andros his cloak. Andros held the cloak in his hands and closed his eyes as a horrible memory came into mind when he first wore it.

(Flashback)

Andros looked under the hood of the cloak. "Andros, please remember who we are," a voice insisted.


"SPIRAL SABER!" Andros shouted.

"NO!"

(End Flashback)

Andros pulled the cloak over his shoulders and put the hood over his head. Andros nodded to Zhane and he put the cuffs on Zhane's wrists. He looked over at the others, who were really confused, but they also allowed Andros to put the cuffs on their wrists. "DECA, protect the ship," Andros instructed.

"Acknowledged," DECA asked.

Then they teleported to the planet.

Ashley could barely lifted her head up to look at Karone. Both girls were beaten, but it was Karone who had it worse. She fought back hard when Balavan came in to try and claim what he believed was his prize. Ashley was able to fight back just as hard against any of this thugs that came in. "Karone," Ashley whispered. Karone lifted her head and looked at Ashley. "Are you okay?" Ashley asked.

"I will be," Karone replied.

Ashley let out a small groan. "Why didn't he tell us?" Ashley asked.

"Maybe he was ashamed of all the things he did. I don't get all excited when I tell you guys all the things I've done when I was Astronema," Karone pointed out.

Ashley nodded and then she fell to the floor after her shackles were undone. Balavan laughed and then he watched as Karone was about to fall, but he easily caught her. "The pain would be less if you'd just agree to be my queen," he insisted. Karone glared at him.

"Never," she answered.

Balavan then dragged Karone out of the room. "KARONE!" Ashley shouted. Just then, darkness claimed Ashley again.

Andros slowly entered the castle and looked over at his friends who were pretending to be captured. He quickly hid behind a wall and stuck what looked like machine parts to his head. (Like the ones Karone had when she was Astronema again.) Then he put his hood back over his head.

Balavan was sitting in his throne when Andros came in. "So, are you General Andros of KO-35 or Lord Hadrian of Rytari?" He asked. Andros bowed down on one knee before Balavan.

"It is I, my lord," Andros answered.

"Remove your hood," He snapped.

Andros removed his hood and stood up. Balavan walked over and nodded. "Yes, Lord Hadrian has returned," he laughed.

"I have brought you something," Andros informed.

He nodded as Zhane came in along with the others. "YOU LIED TO US!" Zhane shouted. T. J. and the others looked at Zhane very confused, but then Zhane gestured for them to follow along.

"You captured the Power Rangers. Like what you did with your friends," Balavan laughed.

Cassie looked at Zhane. "What is he talking about?" Carlos asked quietly.

"We'll explain everything later," Zhane answered just as quietly.

Andros took a deep breath as he felt the pain hit his heart as he thought about what he did to his friends. The screams echoing in his head. "I would suggest to have one prize," he insisted. Balavan nodded.

"Of course, of course, you want the Yellow Ranger. First, I want you to do something. Destroy them," Balavan ordered.

Andros took a deep breath and took out his sword. "Andros, what are you doing?" T. J. asked. Andros took a deep breath. However, instead of hitting Zhane, he broke the chains. "WHAT!" Balavan shouted.

"GO!" Andros shouted.

He broke the rest of their chains and ripped the fake machine parts off his face. "ZHANE GO FIND KARONE!" Andros shouted. He then looked at his friends. "I'll explained everything later, I promise," Andros assured them. They nodded before fighting off the henchmen that came in.

"AFTER THEM!" Balavan shouted.

Andros ran towards the cell and felt Ashley's aura. He took out his blaster and blasted the door open. "Ashley!" He gasped. He ran over to her and held her in his arms. Ashley opened her eyes to find Andros staring at her.

"Andros?" She asked.

"I'm here, Ashley, I'm here," Andros assured her.

Ashley fell unconscious and Andros picked her up. "Andros, the others are back at the ship and I have Karone," Zhane informed.

"I have Ashley, I'll meet you back at the ship," he answered.

Andros then jumped up on his galaxy glider and went back to the ship.

Andros placed Ashley on the infirmary bed and she opened her eyes with a small groan. "Andros?" She asked. Andros sat beside her on the bed and held her hand.

"I'm here, Ashley," he answered.

She looked at him with tear-filled eyes. "Is Karone okay?" She asked. Andros looked over at the other infirmary bed and nodded.

"She's fine. She's asleep," he replied.

Ashley let tears fall down her face. "Why didn't you tell me?" She asked. Andros stroked her hair feeling his heart break.

"Tell you what? That I was once a horrible person?" He asked.

Ashley held onto his hand. "You're keeping secrets again," she whispered. Then she either fell asleep or fell unconscious. Andros kissed the cut on her forehead and stroked her hair.

"She's right, you are keeping secrets from us again," T. J. agreed.

Andros stood up with a sigh. "I think I should start from the beginning," Andros stated.

"You've got that right," Carlos agreed.

Andros sat down and nodded. It was time for his friends to know his deepest, darkest secret.