Disclaimer: As much as I would like for it to be, Power Rangers is not my creation.

Slytherin-Angel44: You kinda have to feel sorry for them but it's going to get a little worse for Andros in the coming chapters.

Star Fata: Yeah, Tommy sees what a good leader he is but will he be able to convince his friends of it?

Piper xox Leo: Yes, things should go back to normal, but in this story the won't at least not for the next five or six chapters.

Jessica01: Luckily both Andros and Tommy see it that way.

DizneeDol: Here's more.

Ch. 13 Coming Home

The Golden Wave vanished slowly and both rangers could feel the piece settling around them. As they went to set a course to Earth they both missed the human hand that shot out from under the sand and metal. Meanwhile, on Earth, the other rangers looked around in confusion as everything evil around them turned to sand. As they looked up in the sky they saw a line of gold and felt a large weight lifted off their shoulders. They joined in the celebration with the citizens of Angel Groove after a moment but one of them really didn't feel like celebrating.

"Have you heard anything?" Cassie questioned, as she pulled her best friend aside.

"No," Ashley answered, but she knew there was more. "I don't think he's coming back." As if on cue the Dark Fortress appeared in the sky coming towards the ground. Everyone stopped celebrating and looked on as the rangers slowly approached the ship, expecting the absolute worst. When they saw a pair of black boots descending from the ramp they knew they had really won. "Andros!" Ashley yelled as she ran forward. She saw the sad look in his eyes but he quickly forced a smile and told her he would explain everything later. With all the excitement going on, no one noticed the bleeding human that crawled out the back of the Dark Fortress.

It wasn't long before the rangers found themselves back on the Megaship surrounded by their children and the rangers that had not been in the fight. After a short celebration Andros asked that everyone report to the Bridge so he and Tommy could make an announcement. After they were all seated Andros took his place beside Tommy. They were silent for several minutes, neither man wanting to break this news to the rest of the rangers. Andros was thankful now that he hadn't gone alone, having to explain this on his own would have led to a definite rift between the teams.

"We have some bad news," Andros finally began, being the only one that was used to breaking bad news. "We found Zordon on the Dark Fortress but we couldn't rescue him." He stopped looking at Tommy helplessly.

"Zordon told Andros to break his energy tube," the older man explained, hoping to curb some of his teammates' anger. "He said it was the only way to save the universe."

"You killed him!" Jason exploded, not caring that his best friend had just stood up for Andros' actions. "You should have come up with another plan!"

"We didn't have time!" Andros argued. "Darkonda would have killed us by then!" At that Andros turned and left the Bridge his teammates not far behind him. They knew only Tommy could get through to his friends. "Are you made at me too?" He thought he knew his friends and his wife but still he had to ask. Zordon was their mentor too but he had always been more of a trusted friend, one that it seemed would always be there and now he had taken that away.

"We're not mad, Andros," Ashley whispered as she wrapped her arms around him. "We're sad but we're definitely not mad. Zordon told you to do it and you did what you thought was best." Andros allowed a smile to form on his face and hoped that the other rangers would change their minds.

Meanwhile, on the Bridge Tommy was trying desperately to control his friends.

"There must have been another way," Jason argued. "There's no way they would have been able to beat us."

"Jason," Tommy interrupted, "think about it. They had already beaten us, they were just playing with us. You know Zordon just as well as I do and he would've wanted to help in any way he could even if it meant dying. I was there I know what was said and Andros did what was asked of him. None of us would've been able to do that and that's why he's such a good leader." Jason opened his mouth to argue but saw that his friend was right. He sighed quietly as he thought of any possible way to make this up to the Astro Rangers, but most of all Andros.

"I'm going to apologize," he stated as he headed off the Bridge. While several of the other veteran rangers disagreed with Andros' choice they waited to hear all the facts before drawing any conclusions. Jason found the other rangers on the Observation Deck playing with Andros and Ashley's children. "Andros, can I talk to you for a second, alone."

"Sure," Andros agreed but secretly his stomach was turning. What if Tommy hadn't gotten through to him? What would he do now?

"I wanted to apologize," Jason stated quietly as soon as they had exited the room. "You made the right choice, if it wasn't for you we'd all be dead. Thank you."

"No problem," Andros replied sighing with relief. "Now, if you'll excuse me I have nine kids in there I haven't gotten to spend much time with lately." Jason only nodded, watching as the Red Astro Ranger went back to enjoy a well deserved break.

A/N: Please Review!