Can't Let Go
Disclaimer: I do not own the Power Rangers.
Pinkrangerfan: I'm glad they are together too. And Andros and Ashley will stay together as long as Andros keeps his stuff together.
JasonLeeScottFan: Thanks! Yeah I feel bad for them too, but obviously not enough to spare them the pain. Lol! Everyone seems to like Carlos and Cassie. Who'd have thought?
sunflowerlily: I hope you get your internet back soon, I don't like posting without reviews from one of my favorite reviewers.
Chapter 12: Goodbye for Now
Centaur B – The underground colony
"Darkonda!" Zhane yelled once he had the monster backed into a corner. "I'll destroy you for taking Karone away."
Darkonda laughed. "You'll try."
"Super Silverizer!" Zhane charged Darkonda once his weapon appeared and slashed Darkonda across his chest.
Darkonda drew his sword and the two fought for dominance. Zhane blocked an attack, but Darkonda was quick to strike again. Zhane held his silverizer in place as Darkonda tried force his sword down onto Zhane.
"You will not win this fight." Darkonda hissed and leaned in closer. "And you will never have Karone back."
Anger surged through Zhane at Darkonda's words. He kicked Darkonda in his stomach causing the creature to back away. Before Darkonda could regain his composure, Zhane swung his silverizer up and slashed across Darkonda's face, sending the monster down and rendering it immobile. Darkonda's still form disappeared before Zhane's eyes.
"I will get her back." Zhane said before running to find the other rangers.
A little later…
The other rangers demorphed and joined Zhane with the other Karovans.
"So he just vanished?" Carlos asked.
"Yeah." Zhane responded. "I slashed Darkonda, and then he just vanished. Maybe he's really gone this time."
"Two lives left." Ashley whispered remembering.
"What did you say?" Andros asked her.
"It's something Karone said when we were being held on the dark fortress. I was barely conscious when she said it, but I remember her saying something about Darkonda having two lives left." She looked at her teammates. "And if that's the case and if Zhane really killed him…"
"Then Darkonda only has one life left." Cassie finished.
"Exactly." Ashley nodded. "And that is a big advantage to us."
"I just wish we had gotten here sooner." Andros commented. Even though everyone turning into coral returned to normal once Coralizer was defeated, he couldn't help but feel like he should have done more for his people.
"Sir we're ready to evacuate." One of the soldiers informed Kin Won.
"Thank you." Kin Won turned to the rangers. "And thank you for saving us."
"Anytime." TJ responded. "Is there anything else you need help with?"
"Yes." Kin Won gestured to the crates around them. "We could use help carrying these things to our vessel."
"Where will you go?" Zhane asked.
"We don't know yet. But we can't stay here with Dark Specter knowing where we are."
"We'll help anyway we can." Ashley smiled.
"Thank you so much." Kin Won smiled back.
With a little effort the rangers helped get everything on the ship and get all the people settled and ready to leave.
"I think that's everything." Carlos said happily as he and the other rangers walked off of the ship with Kin Won and Tykwa seeing them to the exit.
"I guess we'll be going then." Cassie stated.
"Good bye rangers." Tykwa waved. "And thank you again." Tykwa and Kin Won walked back into the ship.
The ranger began to walk away when Ashley and Andros suddenly stopped and looked back towards the vessel. They both knew what they would see, but that didn't mean that they had to like it. Zhane stood at the threshold of the ship. The other rangers turned when they saw Ashley and Andros staring at the ship.
"Zhane?" Ashley asked warily.
"They need me here." Zhane stated. "They're going to make weapons so they can defend themselves. Who better to help than a power ranger?"
Cassie stepped forward and hugged Zhane. "You're really staying?"
"Yeah. Try not to miss me too much." Zhane's smile didn't quite meet his eyes, but it was only noticeable to Ashley and Andros. Cassie smiled and backed away. TJ and Carlos said their good byes as well.
"You guys go ahead and teleport back to the ship. Ashley and I will meet you guys there." Andros stated.
Cassie, TJ and Carlos looked at each other before they nodded and went to get their cloaks and masks before teleporting back to the Megaship.
Zhane dropped the façade he put on for the other rangers; there was no point in it now. "I'm sorry guys, but being on that ship, it reminds me too much…"
"You don't have to explain." Ashley stopped him. "We understand." She stepped forward and kissed him on the cheek, wrapping her arms around him. "Take care of yourself."
"I will." He let her go and Andros took her place.
Andros hugged him. "You're my best friend." He released him. "Please be careful."
"I will mom and dad." They all laughed a little. "And if you guys get into too much trouble, DECA knows how to reach me."
Ashley and Andros stepped away from the ship and watched as the doors closed, separating them from their friend.
Goodbye...for now. Zhane's voice resounded in their minds.
Megaship
Ashley and Andros appeared on the bridge and took their places next to each other at the front console.
"All systems are online and ready." TJ stated. "Waiting for your command Andros."
Andros stared at the viewing screen in front of them. He couldn't help but feel like he had lost his sister and his best friend all over again. He felt Ashley squeeze his hand reassuringly and he smiled a little. "Set a course for Earth."
Dark Fortress
"What do we do now princess?" Ecliptor asked.
Astronema smiled grimly and turned to look at the being inside the energy tube, but addressed Ecliptor. "I have something in store that will rid me of the power rangers…as well as Dark Specter."
"You don't have to do this Karone." The being in the tube spoke. "You are good."
"My name is Astronema." She snapped. "I am the princess of evil and I will destroy the power rangers."
(A/N: I know this is kinda short, but it didn't feel right to bring this chapter beyond this point. Don't be mad at me. But look on the bright side, I may update sooner than normal. Please read and review.)
(A/N 2: My new story 'No Man's Land' is up now. Please read it and tell me what you think about it so far.)