Disclaimer: Oi! PWRIS is not mine to own nor is B&B.
Read on! Thank you to all who have read. I looked at my story stats today and saw that I had hit the 1000 mark. So thank you to all who have read to make that possible. Also this is the third to last chapter in this story. There will be two more chapters after this and then…well…its…done…for now…sob
Chapter 15
By: BeautyandYue
"Ecliptor! Get in here!" Astronema shrieked.
Ecliptor came at a dead run. "What's wrong?"
"That beast is getting sentimental and is going to show that girl where Andros is! And do you know where he is Ecliptor? He's in the castle right under his and her noses changed into a candelabrum!" Astronema stormed "quick! Change into Andros and go out into those woods and pretend to be him while I'll make the mirror see you not the red ranger!"
"How shall I act?" Ecliptor asked.
"I don't know!" she yelled purple fire gathering at her fingertips. "Act like you're dying or something."
Ecliptor nodded and disappeared in a flash, his features already taking on the familiar form of the red Astro ranger.
"Now, to get rid of that annoying girl! She's getting to close for my taste." Astronema snarled raising her purple covered hands.
Zhane-Beast lifted a silver mirror from the table that the enchanted rose was housed. "This mirror will show you anything. Anything you wish to see." He told her handing Karone the mirror.
Karone looked into the mirror "I'd like to see my brother please." The glassy surface turned a bright amethyst color. Karone squinted against the glare. There in the mirror Ecliptor disguised as Andros coughed and fell on the ground where he lay still in the still blustery winds of a winter that wouldn't let go its cold grip. "Andros! Oh no." Karone said in a anguished voice. Zhane-Beast looked at her in concern. "He's sick maybe dying and he's all alone." Karone told him her voice nearly breaking.
Zhane-Beast turned from her to the wilting rose. Placing his paw on the glass cover he fought with his own demons; to be human again or let the woman he loved go. As he watched a petal fall he looked up finally with pain and determination in his eyes. "Then-then, yo-you must go to him." Zhane-Beast said sadness filling his voice.
"What did you say?" Karone asked not sure she had heard correctly.
"I release you. You are no longer my prisoner," Zhane-Beast said not looking at her.
"Yo-you mean, I'm free?" Karone asked incredulous.
"Yes." Zhane-Beast answered, heart breaking.
"Oh thank you." Karone said with gratitude, placing her hand on his arm. She pulled away talking to the mirror. "Hold on Andros. I'm on my way." Karone turned back almost forgetting to give back the mirror.
Zhane-Beast pushed it back gently as Karone held it out to him. "Take it. So you'll always have a way to look back and…remember me." He said gently running his fingers through Karone's blonde hair letting it fall back onto her shoulders, sadly looking at her.
Karone smiled sadly back "Thank you for understanding how much he needs me." She said placing her hand on Zhane-Beast's face as he glanced at her again she dropped her hand and walked quickly out of the West Wing.
TJ walked in just as Karone rushed out golden skirts ruffling. "Well your highness, everything is going swimmingly, just swimmingly. Haha." TJ said teasingly waggling his finger at the broken hearted Zhane-Beast.
"I let her go." Came the pain filled reply.
"Uhaha. Splen-you what? How could you do that?" TJ asked in disbelief.
"I had too."
"Yes, but, but…why?" TJ asked pleadingly.
"Because, came the soft whisper, I love her."
"He loves her does he! Well I'll change his tune!" Astronema cried turning around from the viewing screen. "Quantrons! Assemble!" the stupid henchmen of Astronema gathered quickly when they heard the fury in their mistress's voice. "Wait here while I go greet our guest." She instructed them. Astronema walked off 'she will not get the best of me. She won't!' she thought to herself, black, high heeled boots striding purposefully to greet her "guest".
"He did what!" came the shout of disbelief.
"Yes I'm afraid its true." TJ replied looking tremendously sad at everyone.
"She's going away?" Carlos despairingly said.
"But we were so close." Andros said miserably.
"After all this time, he's finally learned to love." Cassie replied.
Andros brightened "That's it! That should break the spell!"
"But it's not enough, she has to love him in return." Cassie countered. Carlos listened with a sad expression on his little teacup face. He suddenly got an idea and slipped away from the others without notice.
Zhane-Beast watched Karone walk down the avenue towards the forest. He howled painfully into the darkening sky jolting Karone into a run. Karone walked and walked calling "Andros! Andros!" she gasped suddenly for laying on the ground not far from her was Ecliptor/Andros. "Andros!" Karone cried dropping to her knees beside him.
Ecliptor's disguise melted away as he grabbed Karone's outstretched arm. Karone screamed and struggled in vain as Ecliptor teleported to Astronema's ship. Ecliptor threw Karone at Astronema's feet. "Why must you make things difficult for me Karone?" Astronema asked Karone as she pulled herself to her feet. "How did you like my Beast? Dangerous is he not?" Astronema sneered pacing in front of Karone.
"Oh no, he'd never hurt anyone. He's really kind and gentle. He's my friend." Karone defended Zhane-Beast, her voice and face softening into a smile.
Astronema was furious! "If I didn't know any better, I'd say you have feelings for this monster." She growled at Karone.
"He's no monster Astronema, you are!" Karone shot back.
Astronema stiffened and yelled harshly at the waiting Quantrons "I'll not rest until his head is mounted on my wall. Kill the Beast Good and Dead! Kill the Beast!" she raised her clenched fist. The Quantrons' cheered.
Karone ran to Astronema but was caught by Ecliptor before she could get to the evil woman. "I can't let you do this!"
Astronema looked disdainful at the struggling woman before her. "Throw her into the cell!" Karone was roughly shoved into a holding cell. "Well lay siege to the castle and bring back his head!" Astronema barked. Karone watched in horror as the villains' teleported to the forest.
Carlos peeked out from where he had hidden on Karone after he'd slipped away from the others'. He spotted a big laser gun. 'Ah!' he thought.
To Be Continued…
