Author's Note: I've finally realized how to make the chapters longer! I can divide the chapter into different parts – one part for Tommy and Kim, one part for the main ranger team, one part for Ashley and Andros, one part for people like Kat, and one part for Karone and Zhane or whoever needs one! Go me. Problem is, this means it'll take longer to type...darn it.

Again, I apologize for taking so long. I do plan to continue this story, along with Darkness Rising and Shadow of the Dragon. I'm not so sure about Past, Present and Future (Tamora Pierce) and Pink Roses (Justice League/Teen Titans). The latter two have just gotten so hard to write.

…..I'M STARTING COLLEGE! :D

Chapter 13;

Thursday, Nov. 28 2001
2.03 p.m
Angel Grove
Command Center – Medbay

"Good to see you're awake, oh fearsome leader," Zach teased, staring down at his leader from the foot of the medical bed. "We were beginning to wonder if you were injured worse, you were asleep for so long."

"I was only out for a few minutes, Zach." Jason grumbled and sat up, give a half-hearted glare to his friend. "And I was right in the middle of a very informative dream. Now help me up."

Zach grabbed his leader's hand and forearm gently pulling him up and into a sitting position."You know, you're going to have to explain that statement, because I'm not understanding."

Jason sighed and swung himself over the edge of the bed, standing without a problem. "I'm not injured, anymore, Zach – there's no need to treat me like I'm glass." He walked over, sliding the sweaty t-shirt over his head and unsnapping his jeans as he walked. "I was dreaming about Tommy, as odd as that sound. Usually, I only dream of Kim."

"You know, since both of those oh so lovely people are trying to rip our hearts out , it's odd that you'd be dreaming about them at all. But, hey, that's just me." Zach commented, eyes flickering over the monitor. "The thingamabob says you've got a few bruised ribs, a twisted wrist, but other than that, you're fine."

"I coulda told you that much, Zach." Jason groaned as he tossed his dirty clothes in the stainless steel basket and grabbed a pair of sweatpants that were thrown over an equally metallic chair. "God knows I can feel those bruised ribs. Is everyone okay? No one else was injured?"

"Actually, everyone was injured somehow. I have a concussion; Trini and Billy both have torn ligaments and bruises, but the Power is healing them pretty fast. Karone has is the worst off – broken ribs on both sides, bruised internals, and several electric burns; if she didn't have the Power and magic, she'd be dead. Zhane, like you, has bruised ribs, but a concussion and a dislocated knee, too. Andros...not exactly sure what's wrong with him. He's not letting anyone near him."

"Andros is here?" Jason swung his head to look at Zach. "Why? Isn't he the enemy?"

Zach shook his head. "'pparently, he claimed Ashely as his, yada yada yada – the point is, while he isn't a good guy, he's pledged his sword to our friend and she's good. He won't hurt us and Zordon trusts him that much." Zach motioned towards the end of the bay, which, now that Jason looked around, was full of drawn curtains. "He's back there, if you want to talk to him."

Jason nodded, "Thanks, man. Go get some sleep – you look like you need it." Zach nodded and threw himself on Jason's former bed as Jason made his way towards where Andros was.

The man was leaning back against the wall, sheets drawn to his hips. His torso was pretty much covered by a white bandage; it started on his left shoulder, crossed over to his abs and then around that area until no skin was visible. His right arm was completely white with clothe, and his right wrist was bandaged as well. He was almost as bad as Karone, who was in the bed beside him and covered completely from the neck down.

However, unlike Karone, Andros was neither alone nor asleep. His eyes stuck fast to Jason, and Ashley was curled up on his right side, nearest to the wall and away from the door. A sword lay near his left hand, and Jason had no doubt that their former enemy was capable of great things even when wounded.

"What happened to you?" Jason demanded, frowning. "I don't remember that much damage being done to you by him." 'Him' being Tommy Oliver, the Emperor of Evil.

Andros tilted his head to the side, hair swinging free from behind his ears. "While escaping, the Emperor decided that my left arm should cease its attachment to my shoulder. Without Karone's magic, I would have lost the arm." He motioned towards his abs, "And a multitude of lacerations cover my abdomen, along with puncture wounds; he wished me to die painfully."

"Well." Jason frowned, "Shit. Guess Tommy grew up into a better fighter than I wanted to realize."

Andros inclined his head, then paused. "That is somewhat true. Your Tommy, however, did not grow old. He is of younger age than Ashley, or appears so. That is not to say that is not the most accomplished swordsman and fighter that I have ever seen, thanks to practice and Saba, his sword."

"His sword has a name?" Jason inquired, sitting on the edge of the bed. "Sorry for asking all these questions, but you know more about him than I do at the moment."

"It is a wise move, Red Ranger, inquiring about your enemy. You should know as much as possible before the fight." Andros's praise, freakishly enough, actually made Jason want to smile. Weird. "And his sword does not merely talk; it has a soul, much like you and I. Many millennium ago, the greatest and most evil swordsman that ever existed did something that - what is it you earthlings call it - oh, yes - 'pissed off' his wife...who happened to be the most powerful sorceress in the universe. She cursed him into the form of a dagger. After, she felt so guilty that she gave him the ability to talk, to think, so that he would not be forced into silence."

Jason shook his head, "That's just...yeah." Maybe being forced to sleep on the couch wasn't so bad, after all. "So his sword is a cursed human? Huh."

"Yes." Andros nodded, looking a looking as if he agreed that becoming a long, sharp object would suck. "But Tommy is not the one you should be worrying over. I will take care of him, along with Zhane. You should focus on the Empress – kill her and the Emperor will lose much of spirit that fuels him, if not take his own life."

Jason scowled at Andros, "Hey, look, Kimberly is our friend. We aren't aiming to kill her, just...turn her back to good."

Andros stared at him like he was speaking Italian nonsense. "Are you insane, Earthling? You cannot 'turn her back to good' with a snap of your fingers. It takes time and that is what you do not have. They are better fighters than you; they will kill you. You cannot hesitate to do the same!"

Jason narrowed his eyes and leaned forward, holding back a wince as his ribs screamed in pain. "Look, Andros of where-the-fuck-ever, we're the Power Rangers. We stand be each other, we protect each other, and we never give up." He leaned back and stood slowly. "It doesn't matter who the better fighter is, or how much time we have or don't - we will help Kim and even Tommy. Either you are with us, or get out now."

Andros was quiet for a minute, his eyes clashing with Jason's. They stared at each other, and Jason had no idea what Andros saw in him. As for what Jason saw in the (former) Prince of Evil's amber eyes...well, basically, nothing. Andros had hard eyes, eyes that speared straight into you but blocked your own searching gaze.

Then something softened in those eyes, though neither man would ever admit it. A flash of understanding entered Andros' gaze, as if something vital had finally clicked. "I understand." A hand was reached out, the right hand (predictably, the left lay still and menacing near the sword), which had been holding onto Ashley. "And I will help you for as long as I possibly can."

Which meant until Ash started to be dragged into the danger, of course, Jason surmised. He hadn't expected otherwise. "Glad to hear it." Jason's left reached out, grasping the alien's.

Then the touching moment (yeah, there was some sarcasm in that statement) was over and Jason stood. "I gotta go see Zordon. Guess I'll be seein' ya."

Andros' lips curled into a slight smirk, his head dipping into a surprisingly formal nod. "We shall forever orbit each other's lives, Red Ranger of Earth. I do not believe there is any escaping that fact."

Jason was left blinking, wondering about what the hell that meant, as Andros closed his eyes and leaned back. "Weird, dude." He muttered before turning around and heading toward the Command Center. He had some new info, and some new questions, for his mentor.