Ecliptor ran towards Karone sword drawn, and she dodged him. "You have gotten slower Ecliptor," Karone taunted. Ecliptor turned back around. Ecliptor roared and tried to hit Karone with his sword. She grabbed his arm and twisted it tossing him back.
Andros was about to jump in and help his sister, but was restrained by Ashley and Zhane. "Let go of me," he seethed.
"Karone can handle herself," Ashley said, dragging him in the opposite direction. "Come on, we need to take this opportunity to look for Zordon,"
Andros gritted his teeth, not liking have to leave karone to fight alone. but the rest of the team wouldn't let him go as they snuck around the rock and headed in the dreiction that Karone's scanner had indicated.
"Come on, it's this way," Zhane said, motioning for the rest of the team to follow him. The scanner beeped louder as they moved until it was an onstant blare. They pressed themselves against some rocks, seeing a bunch of Quantrons guarding Zordon.
"Have I mentioned how much I hate them?" Zhane groaned.
"Yes you have," Andros snapped at his friend. He stormed over to the Quantrons throwing himself into the battle. The sooner they saved Zordon, the sooner he can get back to his sister. The rest of the team joined in on the fight, but didn't really have to do much, seeing as how Andros was taking most of them out.
Ashley was worried about Andros, seeing how pissed off he was, but didn't say anything.
Andros pulled out his blaster, shooting anything metallic that moved. He just wanted this to be over. He felt a hand grab his shoulder and he spun around, hand ready to pull the trigger when he saw it was Ashley.
"Chill out. They're just Quantrons," she said, trying to calm him down. Just then Zordon's voice boomed.
"Andros," he called out. Andros turned to look at the interdemnsional being.
"We're going to get you out of here, Zordon,"
"Andros…we are going to need the ship to get him out of here. TJ said after looking around the Andros cursed under his breath realizing that they did need certain tools that the Mega Ship has to get Zordon free.
"Fine, I'll go get the Mega Ship," Andros sighed angrily, heading for a place to teleport without getting caught.
Karone was starting to tire, Ecliptor may not be in there, but he knew her fighting style, and was effortless dodging every punch she threw. Ecliptor grabbed her arm while she had tried to punch him and twisted it. She let out a groan of pain, and Ecliptor hit her with the bottom of the sword.
Zhane suddenly felt Karone's pain, and instantly ran back towards her, ignoring the team's voices. He saw Ecliptor landing a kick on Karone's side, and she hit a wall behind her. Zhane instantly ran into the battle summoning his weapon and started to attack Ecliptor.
Ecliptor turned and began to fight Zhane, giving Karone time to catch her breath. She was holding her right arm, feeling pain shooting through it from where he'd twisted it. Meanwhile, Andros had managed to teleport back to the ship and started bringing it towards the planet's surface.
"Rangers, you must hurry before Dark Specter finds you here," Zordon warned the rest of the team.
"But we can't leave without, Zordon," Carlos retorted.
"Andros is almost here...we just have to wait a few more minutes," TJ added.
Zhane knocked Ecliptor into the wall, and looked back to check on Karone, who was slumped against the wall, gripping her arm in pain. That angered Zhane even more and he slashed Ecliptor with his sword again, but stopped to check on Karone. "Are you ok?" he asked, concern lacing his voice. Karone nodded and pulled out her Astro Blaster with her good arm shooting Ecliptor who was advancing on them again. She dropped the Astro Blaster…her arm shaking.
"I…can't believe I just did that," Karone whispered.
"It'll be ok," Zhane told her. "Come on…we need to get back to the others," he said putting his weapon away, and gently helping her up, putting her good arm around his shoulder, and they walked back to the others.
They reached the rest of the team to find them trying to harness large cables to the top of Zordon's chamber.
"Looks like you guys need some help," Zhane shouted. He began climbing up the one of the already attached cables to give Carlos a hand. Just as they got the last cable secured, a loud noise boomed overhead and laser beams landed all around them.
"Get back to the ship!" Andros called through his communicator. The team hurriedly complied. Once they were all back on the ship, Andros began lifting off, the cables pulling at the tube. Just as he started to lift off they started to shoot at the Mega Ship.
"No!" Andros shouted, trying to turn so he could fire on them. The Mega Ship started to pull away when all of the sudden the ship started to slow down. The Dark Fortress had managed to snag a cable onto Zordon.
"Andros…you need to let me go," Zordon said to him.
"No!" Andros shouted.
"Yes…there will be another time, but you need to go now!" Zordon commanded. Andros started to shake his head, not willing to let Zordon go when they just found him. "Now," Zordon commanded. Zhane pressed a couple buttons and the cables started to disconnect Zordon from the Mega Ship.
"What are you doing?" Andros shouted at Zhane.
"Doing what he said because you're being a complete pain in the ass," Zhane snapped, the last cable letting go of Zordon. They watched as the Dark Fortress reclaimed him.
"We were so close," Andros ground out.
"Just take a breath ok. He said there'd be another chance," Karone said, placing her hand on his arm. He pulled it swiftly from her grip, causing her to bump her injured arm, sending her cringing in pain.
"Nice going," Zhane spat, ushering Karone to the infirmary.
Andros followed them to the infirmary. "You ok?" Zhane asked her smoothing her hair from her face.
"Yeah, It's just sore," Karone whispered. Zhane looked a little relieved and then turned to Andros, angry glare set in. He walked away from Karone and dragged Andros from the infirmary.
"I get that you are mad for losing Zordon, but you didn't have to go and hurt your sister," he said tightly.
"I didn't know she was hurt," Andros shot back.
"Obviously not because I had to save her. You were too busy acting like a dumb ass," Zhane hissed.
"You know what? I'm sick you hanging around my sister, hitting on her every chance you get," Andros ground out.
"At least I'm there for her. You couldn't give a shit," Zhane accused. Without another word Andros swung, landing a punch to Zhane's jaw.
Zhane instantly retaliated with a punch of his own. "Bastard," he hissed.
"You're just jealous," Zhane taunted, punching his friend again. Andros took a step back, landing a roundhouse kick to Zhane's stomach.
"Why would I be jealous of you?" Andros spat. By now the rest of the team had started to gather.
"Oh...I don't know...the fact that I can have any girl I want," Zhane shot back.
"I'd rather be single than be dating four girls at once," Andros sneered, going to kick him again. Zhane grabbed Andros' ankle, flipping him around so he landed on the floor on his back.
Karone wandered out of the infirmary, hearing the scuff.
"See, jealousy. I told you," Zhane shot, attempting to land a kick to Andros' stomach. Andros managed to launch himself from the ground, avoiding Zhane's attempt. TJ was the first one to find them.
"What the heck is wrong with you guys?" he asked. He got no answer as Zhane went flying this time, crashing into the wall.
Karone ran towards Zhane and bent down to him. "Oh my god Zhane," she cried out seeing him hurt. "Are you ok?" she asked him. "Right stupid question," she said immediately.
"Karone, step away from him," Andros said darkly, seeing his sister trying to comfort Zhane.
Karone ignored her older brother, and started to help up Zhane. "Jesus, look what he did to you,"
"I said get away from him," Andros spat, his voice taking on a dangerous quality.
"Would you just grow up? God you're such an asshole," Karone shot at him heatedly.
"I'm fine. He's the one that's going to need a permanent bed in the infirmary," Zhane interjected. He took a step and landed a kick upside Andros' head. The Red Ranger slumped to the ground almost instantly.
"Zhane have you lost your mind!" Ashley shouted, rushing to Andros' side.
Karone glared at Zhane, smacking him on his shoulder, making him wince in pain.
"Ow that hurt," he whined.
"You deserved it," she spat, joining Ashley.
"He's still breathing," Ashley announced.
"Come on, Andros. Wake up," Karone whispered, shaking his arm gently.
"Uh guys...he's bleeding... a lot," Cassie voiced, just noticing the pool of blood spreading out.
"Come on, get him into the infirmary," Carlos instructed. He and TJ did their best to move their fallen friend without hurting him. Karone followed a long and Zhane instantly felt guilt started to wash over him.
"Karone…" he said guiltily, starting to follow them.
"No...just stay away from me," Karone ordered harshly as she shut the door behind her. Zhane stopped as the doors closed. What had he done? He hadn't meant to hurt Andros like that. He thought Andros would have moved. Slowly he made his way back to his room, slowly lowering himself down onto his bed.
Back in the Infirmary Cassie and Ashley were busy trying to stop the flow of blood. Ashley was trying to fight back tears
"It just won't stop," she sobbed.
Karone just stared as her older brother continued to bleed. "I should have just listened and moved out of the way…and not try to comfort Zhane," Karone said guiltily. Ashley turned to Karone.
"This is your not your fault Karone," Ashley said, but went back to trying to stop the blood. "Zhane did this, not you,"
"Is there anything I can do to help?" Karone asked, wanting to do something to save her brother.
Before either Ashley or Cassie could give an answer, Andros' eyes opened and he coughed, trying to sit up.
"Oh my God," Karone gasped, rushing to his side.
"No you need to lay down. You...you're hurt really bad," she breathed.
"What...what happened? I don't remember," Andros babbled.
"Shh...it's ok. You're going to be ok," Karone promised, holding his hand as tightly as she could.
"What happened?" he asked again, still refusing to lie down.
"I'll tell you if you lay back down…" Karone whispered, tears stinging at her eyes. "Please," Seeing Karone so upset, Andros laid back down.
He felt hands wrapping his head. It was then that he realized his head was killing him.
"Zhane sort of... well...kicked you in the head," Karone finally admitted.
"Why?" Andros questioned.
"Because...you were fighting...over me... again," she answered, resting her head on his chest. One of his arms reached up and he ran his fingers through her hair.
"I'm sorry…I don't even know why you guys fight over me, but I do. Its all my fault that you got hurt," she said burying her head into his chest.
"Shh...don't cry, Karone," he breathed. He caught Ashley's eye. She nodded that he could sit up and he did so slowly. He pulled Karone into his lap, just cradling his sister. TJ motioned for the rest of them to leave, giving the siblings some time alone. A little while later Zhane wandered out of his room and ran into Ashley.
"We think he's going to be ok," she said coldly.
"Can I see him?" Zhane asked weakly.
"No. He needs some time to heal. He doesn't remember what happened. You kicked him pretty hard," she answered sharply.
"I thought he would be smart enough to move," Zhane protested.
"Zhane, that is so immature! You stay away from him if you know what is good for you," Ashley snapped at Zhane.
"I really didn't mean to…" Zhane started again.
"Well you did, so just back off," she said walking back into the infirmary.
Zhane had to bite his lip to keep from following her in. Maybe he could try and apologize to Karone. He wandered the ship until he found her sitting in the mess hall by herself.
"Can I sit here?" he asked softly. She looked up at him.
"It's all yours," she answered, getting up.
"Karone wait...I want to apologize," Zhane called.
"I'm not interested Zhane. You could have killed Andros...you're best friend!" she spat.
"Please...I'm trying to apologize. I just...got angry. I shouldn't have done what I did," Zhane stated.
"I just don't think you get it. He could have died!" Karone shouted. Zhane stood, grabbing her by the wrists and pulling her to him.
"I understand that. Believe me, I do. I feel like a total piece of shit. I swear, we won't fight over you anymore," he breathed. Karone looked at him, really wanting to believe that he was truly sorry.
"I don't believe you," Karone whispered, starting to pull away.
"Karone…please, I don't know how to make this right…" Zhane said letting her go. "I feel terrible for what I did, and there is nothing I can say, but I am sorry," Zhane said, tears reaching into his eyes.
"I'm sorry, Zhane. I just can't do this right now," Karone murmured, pulling her hands from his grasp. He watched her walk away.
That night he waited until everyone else was sleep to sneak into the infirmary to see Andros. Andros laid there, his chest moving up and down but Zhane could tell he wasn't sleeping. He sat down on the side of the bed and Andros' head turned.
"Zhane," he said in a hushed voice.
I'm so sorry. I was...just being a complete asshole...as usual right," Zhane murmured.
"I don't even remember it happening," Andros sighed.
"Yeah well I do. I was jsut so mad that I wasn't thinking," Zhane breathed.
"I honestly thought you'd get out of the way. But you just stood there, didn't even try to defend yourself," Zhane sniffed. Andros reached a hand over and patted Zhane on the shoulder.
"Relax, ok. I don't need everybody looking like they're going to burst out crying. I'll be better in a few days and everything will be fine," Andros assured Zhane.
"No, dude. It won't be ok because I could have killed you," Zhane shot, his voice a little louder.
"Karone said we were fighting over her," Andros blurted.
"Yeah...we both said things we shouldn't have," Zhane told him.
"We do that alot don't we," Andros chuckled.
"Yeah...I guess we do," Zhane answered.
"Well whatever the fight was about... let's just forget it, ok. We're cool," Andros said.