Return of an Old Evil
Disclaimer: Same as always.
A/N: I should have said this a bunch of chapters ago, but along with Andros/Ashley, Zhane/Astronema are another main pairing!
A/N 2: I an beginning to wonder if the majority of you even like this story! The feedback has greatly diminished over that last few chapters:(
Chapter 18
The first thing the rangers and Astronema saw when they arrived on the Megaship was Zhane, fully dressed and up and about.
"Zhane!" Andros exclaimed in surprise. "You're not supposed to be out of bed yet. What are you doing up?"
"I feel better and I wanted to make sure you guys were okay and get something to eat," he exclaimed. He then walked straight to Astronema and embraced her tightly. She returned the embrace and they just held each other for several long moments.
Finally Astronema pulled back some. "How are you feeling?" She asked him softly.
"Better," he responded. "My head no longer hurts and the dizziness is gone." He looked better too. He wasn't as pale and his blue eyes were shining brightly and he looked stronger than before.
Astronema smiled at him. "I'm glad to hear that. I've been so worried about you," she said tenderly.
"I've been worried about me too," Zhane replied. "But you know me, I always bounce back."
"Yeah, I do know you, Zhane," Andros spoke up. "You're a fool!
Zhane whirled around. "Excuse me?" he asked, glaring at Andros.
Andros met his glare with his own. "You heard me, Zhane, you're a fool. You have no business being out of bed yet," he stated.
Zhane gave him an incredulous look. "I think I'm the one that decides that, not you!" Zhane retorted.
"Not when you're making stupid decisions!" Andros shot back. "You've had a pretty serious brain injury, Zhane. You'll hurt yourself worse if you try to do too much too soon."
"It's not a stupid decision, Andros! Alpha said I could. I know I have a brain injury; I'm not stupid, you know. You act like I'm training in the Simudeck or something instead of just walking around!" he shouted.
"I never said you were stupid, Zhane," Andros told him.
"Well you implied it!" Zhane shot back.
Andros gave an exasperated sigh. "No I didn't. I said you being up and walking was stupid," he pointed out.
"It's not stupid, Andros. Would you quit worrying about me like you're my dad or something?"
"Well someone has too, since you obviously don't!" Andros retorted.
"And just what the hell is that supposed to mean?" Zhane demanded.
"It means you're careless!" Andros shot back.
Now Zhane was pissed. "I am not careless. I can't help it if I like to have fun and you don't!" He yelled angrily.
"Don't you dare turn this on me!" Andros snapped. Ashley stepped up and put her hand on his shoulder then.
"What the hell am I supposed to do?" Zhane asked incredulously. "You're treating me like a brainless idiot!"
"Enough!" TJ broke in before Andros could reply. "We don't have time for this. The minute his machines are repaired, Ivan will send them to attack again. We need to analyze the information that DECA got on them immediately."
"TJ's right," Tommy said. "And the last thing we need is to be fighting amongst ourselves, Ivan or no Ivan."
Andros knew they were right. He took a couple of deep breaths, calming himself. Then he nodded. You're right, guys," he said.
Zhane nodded as well. "Yeah, we should get to the bridge." His voice was now calm as well.
"All right then, let's go," Jason said authoritatively and strode away, heading for the bridge. The others followed him.
As soon as they reached the bridge and took seats Andros got down to business. "DECA, play back the recording of our battle with Ivan's machines," he commanded.
"Playing now," The AI responded.
They all watched the recording in silence. When it was finished Andros spoke again. "DECA, have you been able to determine any weaknesses?" he asked.
"None that would prove useful in future battles as of yet," she replied. "Their titanium armor makes it hard to even get through their defenses."
"But we damaged three of them," Rocky pointed out.
"Yes, but they were only minor damages; not enough to incapacitate them in the least. In fact, if Ivan hadn't teleported them away, they could easily have continued fighting at about ninety-eight percent of their maximum capacity.
"Damn," Andros swore.
"So what are we going to do now?" Kat asked.
"I'm not sure," Andros answered truthfully.
"Well, we need to figure something out now, before it's too late!" Jason stated.
"Jason's right," Billy said.
"I've got it!" Trini shout suddenly. "The machines are metal, right?" Everyone nodded and she continued. "Then all we need is acid!" This caused murmurs to go around the room.
"Hey, yeah! Acid eats metal!" Zack exclaimed.
"That might work, assuming we can get enough acid for all of them," Jason said thoughtfully.
"Even if we do, it'll take too long," Andros pointed out. "It's a good plan, but we need something quicker."
"Wait a minute," Astronema broke in. "When we fight them again, I'll have Ecliptor fire the Satto-lasers on Jason, Trini, Billy, Kim, and Zack. That will take them by surprise and give us a huge advantage!" The five of them began murmuring to each other.
"What makes you think Ecliptor would do that? I mean, you did betray him," Tommy pointed out.
"Ecliptor is loyal to me. I'm the one he follows," Astronema stated firmly.
"Huh? I thought you all followed Dark Specter," Zack said, confused.
"We do, but Ecliptor is my subordinate. His orders come from me," she explained.
"But what if Dark Specter has taken command of the Dark Fortress. He could have killed all aboard. And even if he hasn't, will Ecliptor defy him in his presence?" Andros wanted to know.
"He's not going to kill all aboard. He'll use them to find me first."
"He'll definitely find you the instant you contact Ecliptor," TJ pointed out.
She nodded. "I know. But it can't be helped," she replied.
"He could very well fry you where you stand and you're willing to risk that?" Carlos said, shocked.
She gazed at Zhane. "I am," she said with complete conviction.
"Wow!" Carlos exclaimed. "Love sure is a powerful thing."
"You're just now figuring that out?" Rocky asked him.
"Hey, I don't see you with anybody," he countered.
"That's where you're wrong. I've been dating a young woman named Penny for over a year now," Rocky informed him.
"Oh," Carlos said, subdued.
"Okay guys, we're off the subject," Jason spoke up. "We're not here to discuss Rocky's love life. Astronema's plan is a good one. We can discuss 'what ifs' about it forever, but the fact is, it's our best shot. And I don't know about the rest of you, but the fact that she's willing to risk everything, including her life to do it, makes my respect for her skyrocket."
"Jason's right," Tommy agreed. We need to stop these machines ASAP, and Astronema's plan is the best one I've heard so far."
Hey, I just thought of something," Zhane broke in. "After the five of you grow, I wait for the perfect time, and then come in blasting in the Mega Winger! It'll be awesome!"
Andros shook his head. "It would be, if you were healthy enough," he said.
"I am," Zhane insisted. "And when I morph, I'll have extra protection."
"It's too risky, Zhane. You could hurt yourself worse than you are," Andros told him.
"But I want to help!" He cried. "I feel so useless just sitting on my ass while you all are out fighting Ivan and his machines."
'I know you do, Zhane. And we will welcome your help as soon as your healthy again," Andros said.
"This sucks," he said dejectedly. "I need to be fighting with you guys, not staying behind like some kind of invalid."
"You're not an invalid, Zhane. You're injured. There's a big difference," Andros told him.
"It doesn't feel like it at the moment."
"What about the regenerator?" TJ asked suddenly.
"Hey yeah!" Zhane exclaimed. "You can hook me up to it."
"That's a good idea," Andros said. "I'll go back and get it ready right now." He turned and left the bridge.
Astronema came over to Zhane and hugged him tightly. "Now you'll be back in action before you know it," she told him softly.
"I can't wait. I feel so bad; I mean, here you are, risking everything for me and the rest of us, and I can't even help out," he replied, his voice choking up.
"You shouldn't feel bad. You didn't get hurt on purpose and you'll be back and better than ever before real soon now," she murmured, stroking his cheek.
Zhane threw his arms around her. "Oh, Astronema, I love you so much!" He told her softly, burying his face in her shoulder.
"I love you too, Zhane, with all my heart," she replied tenderly, while lovingly stroking his hair.
After a few seconds Zhane lifted his face and kissed her deeply. She responded in kind and soon everything else was completely forgotten. That is, until Andros came back and spoke to them.
"Uh, guys," he said loudly, trying to get the couple's attention. I didn't work so he touched Zhane on the shoulder. "Hey Zhane?"
Zhane jumped, startled, and turned to glare at Andros. "Do you mind?" He asked impatiently. "This is a private moment."
"I sorry, Zhane, but the regenerator is ready.
"You should go, Zhane," Astronema told him.
"I guess you're right," he said reluctantly. "But I just want to stay here and hold you."
Astronema was deeply touched at his words. "I know. I feel the same way, but you need to heal," she replied, looking deep into his eyes. "It won't be long, my Silver Knight, and we will be able to hold each other for as long as we want."
Zhane's heart was so full of love he thought it might burst. "I eagerly await that, my Princess." He kissed her one more time and followed Andros back to the Med Bay to get hooked up to the regenerator.
"That was beautiful," Jason said softly after they were gone.
Tommy nodded. "I know. It's just like Kim and me."
"And me and Trini," Jason said.
"And me and Tanya," Adam added.
"You can tell they're really in love," Tanya put in, slipping her arms around Adam.
Kim slipped her arm through Tommy's. "I just wish everyone could be that happy and in love," she said wistfully.
"I know what you mean, Kim, but right now we have more important things to worry about," Trini spoke up.
Jason started to speak but noticed that Rocky looked incredibly sad. "Hey, bro, what's wrong?" he asked him.
Rocky shook his head. "Nothing, I just miss Penny, that's all," he replied.
Kat put a comforting hand on his shoulder. "Don't worry, you'll see her soon," she told him.
Rocky nodded. "Thanks, Kat."
Just then Andros came back. "All right guys, we need to get down to business," he said firmly as he sat down.
"Wait," Astronema spoke up. "How long will Zhane need to be hooked up to the regenerator?"
"Probably around ten hours," Andros replied. "Now, about Ivan's machines…"
Ecliptor was hurrying down a corridor on the Dark Fortress, heading for his quarters. To say he had been shocked at Dark Specter's revelation that Astronema had betrayed them, would be a great understatement. He knew something hadn't been right when she'd walked out and left in the middle of that battle and hadn't came back, but he never dreamed it was because she'd turned traitor!
He reached his quarters and entered, and headed straight to his desk and sat down in the chair and began to contemplate all his options. He still felt that his loyalty was to Astronema, but if she asked for his help and he gave it to her, Dark Specter would kill him. And if he refused, Astronema could very well kill him. He could try to flee, but Dark Specter would only see that as betrayal as well and kill him. He had a strong feeling that whatever he did would result in his demise.
What he really needed was someone to talk to, but there was no one. Elgar was a brainless fool that would tell Dark Specter everything he said because he simply didn't know any better, and that left only the quantrons, which was not an option at all, as they were just robots who did what they were programmed to do and nothing more or nothing less. There was nobody else on the Dark Fortress and he didn't dare contact someone not on it because Dark Specter was no doubt monitoring all communications to and from the Dark Fortress, and he didn't know who he could contact that would understand anyway.
So he was all alone with no idea whatsoever of what to do.
A/N: Please read and review! I haven't been getting much feedback lately so I don't know what is good and what I need to improve!