Can't Let Go
Disclaimer: I do not own the Power Rangers.
CraneAndFalconForeven: Well yeah, but you have to read to find out the rest. So here's the next chapter.
JasonLeeScottFan: Lol I so agree with you there! And don't worry, he does.
CJS: Wow! I'm happy you feel so passionately about my story; it makes me happy to write it.
sunflowerlily: I don't think anyone should have to make a decision like that, which is why I didn't let Andros do it. I'm not quite sure who he would have picked.
Chapter 10: She's gone
Megaship
The rangers ran into the bridge of the ship as DECA's voice filled the room. "The Dark Fortress is leaving Earth's orbit."
"Follow them." Andros ordered as he took his place at the console. "Keep a safe distance but follow them." How could I lose them both? He turned when he felt a hand on his shoulder.
Zhane looked at him with determination on his face. "We will get them back."
Andros nodded. "DECA, alert us when the dark fortress has stopped." He turned to Zhane again. "You think you can get through to Ashley?"
Zhane hesitated for a moment. He'd forgotten that Andros didn't know that he and Ashley weren't together anymore. "I can try."
"Come on." Andros walked towards the exit, followed by Zhane.
"Wait." TJ called. "What are you guys gonna do?"
Andros turned. "When the dark fortress stops, we're going to get Ashley and Karone."
Carlos stood. "We should all go."
"Yeah." Cassie agreed. "They're our friends too."
"Look, it'll be hard enough getting me and Zhane in undetected let alone the five of us, but when we get there Zhane and I can find them a lot quicker than any of you could and you know that." Andros stated.
"Besides," Zhane added. "We'll need you guys to keep an eye on things from here."
TJ sighed. "Fine."
"Okay." Carlos resigned
Cassie nodded
Zhane and Andros left the bridge.
Zhane's room
Zhane turned to Andros when his door slid closed. "We need to talk. There's something you need to know."
"Can't it wait?" Andros asked impatiently
"No." Zhane said simply. "Ashley and I aren't together anymore."
Andros tried to hide the relief that went through him but knew he failed. "What happened?"
"We're better off as friends." He smiled a little. "Besides, she still loves you, and I kind of have feelings for Karone."
Though he was relieved about Ashley he didn't miss the part about his sister. "What about Karone?"
Zhane took a step back. "Nothing really happened. We just like each other, a lot."
"And Ashley knows about this?"
"Yeah, she kind of pushed us together."
Andros shook his head. "We'll talk about this once we get them back."
"Okay, but just to let you know, I'm gonna try to get through to Karone, our connection is stronger."
Andros rolled his eyes. "Fine."
Zhane sat on his bed with his eyes closed. He lowered his head and focused on Karone.
Dark Fortress
Karone gasped, drawing Ashley's attention. "Karone what is it?"
"It's Zhane. I think he's trying to reach me. Hold on." She closed her eyes and focused on Zhane. Zhane can you hear me?
Yes. Are you and Ashley alright?
For now. I don't know what they're going to do to us. Please hurry.
We will. Andros and I are coming for you guys.
Hold on. Karone opened her eyes and looked at Ashley. She had been on the ship long enough to sense what happened to it. "We've stopped."
"What does that mean?" Ashley inquired.
"That we don't have much time." She closed her eyes again. Zhane you have to hurry. Something's happening. Karone opened her eyes when the cell door opened. She could still feel Zhane in her mind so that made her feel steadier.
Ecliptor and Darkonda stood in the doorway. "Take Astronema." Darkonda commanded Ecliptor.
Ashley grabbed Karone's hand as Ecliptor grabbed Karone. "Let her go!" Ashley demanded and caught Ecliptor in the side with a kick. His grip loosened but Darkonda grabbed Ashley, pulling her away from her friend. "No!"
"Ashley!" Karone yelled as Ecliptor dragged her out of the cell.
Darkonda laughed and threw Ashley against the wall. "We'll be back for you yellow ranger." He taunted then left the cell.
Ashley put a hand to the back of her head and felt the blood trickle down her scalp and down the back of her neck. She slid down the wall until she sat on the floor and closed her eyes. "Karone." She called out with her mind as best as she could. Please help us.
Zhane's room
Zhane's eyes flashed open. He looked at Andros and knew that his friend sensed that time was running out for the women they cared about.
"The dark fortress has reached its destination." DECA told them.
"Alert the others and tell them we're going now." Andros ordered. "DECA, cloak Zhane's and my teleportation beams. And try to teleport us as far away for anyone as possible."
"Affirmative." DECA teleported them in a flash of red and silver light.
Dark Fortress
DECA managed to teleport them behind a console in the bridge. Luckily no one was around to see them. They quickly ducked when they heard footsteps approaching, but the footsteps passed without hesitation.
"You go after Karone." Andros said to Zhane. "I'll go after Ashley." He moved to get up but Zhane stopped him. "What?"
"How is that supposed to work?" Zhane asked. "You shut Ashley out. You can't feel her."
Andros closed his eyes and took a deep breath. He hoped this worked. It had been so long since he felt Ashley in his mind. Slowly, he felt her presence begin to appear in his head. "She not far, but she's hurt." He opened his eyes and looked at Zhane. "Go get my sister. I will find Ashley."
"Okay." Zhane agreed. He and Andros carefully exited the bridge and went in opposite directions.
Not too far away
Karone lay strapped to a cold slab with a device attached to the side of her head. She hadn't felt any pain when it was being put on her, but she had a feeling things were going to get worse. She looked towards the door when she heard it open. Darkonda walked in.
"It's time to bring Astronema back." He laughed.
Holding Cell
This was it. It had to be. He could feel Ashley in there. Andros looked at the door trying to find away to get it unlocked. He moved away just in time to avoid being hit by a quantron's axe, sparks flew as the axe hit the metal on the door. He ducked as it swung at him again then caught the quantron in the head with a spinning kick, taking it down.
Andros looked back at the cell door and breathed a sigh of relief when he saw that the axe had cut through the lock on the door. He groaned as he slid the heavy metal bar out of the way and opened the door.
Ashley cringed when she heard the door being opened and tried not to move. The room was dimly lit and her head was throbbing. She didn't bother trying to see who it was.
"Ash?" Andros called softly when he saw her huddled in a corner.
She turned at the sound of her name and sighed softly as a feeling of relief washed over her. It only took her a second to realize that the relief she felt wasn't her own, but the emotion of the person in front of her. "Andros?" She said weakly.
He kneeled in front of her and pulled her into his arms. "Are you okay?" He pulled back to look at her.
It had been so long since she had felt anything from him and it felt amazing to have that connection back. "I am now." She whispered and hugged him again.
"Come on; let's get you out of here." He helped her to her feet and draped her arm around his shoulder, wrapping his arm around her waist.
"Wait. Where's Karone?" Ashley asked
"Zhane's gone to get her." They moved cautiously through the cell door.
"We have to hurry. Ecliptor and Darkonda took her." She felt Andros stop and tense beside her. She knew why because she felt it too. She slowly met Andros's gaze. "No." She choked out.
Andros shook his head. "She can't be."
She and Andros moved as fast as they could towards Zhane.
Dark Fortress Lab
Zhane looked at the person sitting at the desk and didn't feel anything from her. He barely heard Ashley and Andros come into the room.
"Zhane what…" Ashley trailed off when she saw what had Zhane and Andros's attention. "Karone?"
The red haired girl stood from her seat. There was a device attached to the right side of her face. Her eyes were cold and dead. "I am Astronema."
Ashley stared at what used to be her friend. "We have to get out of here." When neither boy responded she lifted Andros's communicator to her lips. "DECA, teleport three."
Megaship
Carlos, Cassie and TJ hurried towards their friends when they appeared in the room and bombarded them with questions.
"Are you guys alright?" Carlos asked.
"Ashley, are you okay?" Cassie asked warily.
TJ looked around. "Where's Karone?"
"I'm taking Ashley to the medical bay." Andros stated somberly and began to walk past his friends with Ashley in tow.
Cassie looked at Carlos who shrugged in response. She turned to Zhane who was slumped in his seat at the console. "Zhane, where's Karone?"
Zhane lifted tear filled eyes to look at Cassie. "She's gone."
(A/N: How will they deal with the loss of Karone? Hope you enjoyed it. Please read and review.)