Out of this World

Disclaimer: I don't own the Power Rangers.

Summary: The Astro Rangers of KO-35 know that Dark Specter is growing stronger everyday, but without a yellow ranger, they don't think they stand a chance. On Earth, Ashley has decided to leave her friends and teammates to find where her destiny awaits.

PrincessH: Thanks! I hope you like the next one!

xSapphirexRosesxFanx: I love missing things up and making things complicated. Just wait until you see how complicated this chapter and the next are going to be. You may not like me for a while. Here's the next chapter!

Sexymama25: Sorry it took me so long . Here you go!

Lawsy89: It is a guilty pleasure on mine too. The new ones just don't beat the Zordon chronicles. Thanks for reading!

Naudancer: Thanks for reading and reviewing! I'm getting back into my writing do hopefully it won't be months before I update again. Here's the next chapter!

Chapter 25: Mortality

Darian couldn't move, let alone speak. It was Teryn. It was his wife…his dead wife. But how?

"What do we need to do?" Rocky asked the four adults in the room.

Kin Won looked at the others who were still in shock then addressed the rangers. "Someone needs to stay and help me get everything else online."

"We'll stay." Cassie and Carlos volunteered.

"I need to be with Karone. I'm going to get them." Zhane stated.

Kin Won nodded and turned to his son. "You need to go to Andros and Karone, if their mother is really dead, they're going to need you."

Armon looked at Tykwa who nodded with tears in her eyes. He reluctantly let her go and gestured to Darian. "You should probably talk to him." Tykwa nodded. Armon turned to Zhane. "Let's go."

"Wait." Darian finally spoke. "Leda," He spoke into his communicator. "Take control of the Compound."

"Affirmative." Leda responded through the intercom system.

"She'll take DECA's place until we can get her system back up." Darian explained. "You'll be able to use your communicators."

Zhane and Armon teleported from the compound.

Tykwa moved towards Darian.

"Don't." Darian turned away from her. "Just don't." He walked towards the doorway.

"Where are you going?"

"I'll be back." He called.

Tykwa went after him. "Ashley needs you."

"Not like this she doesn't."

"Darian please."

He stopped but he didn't turn around. "What do you want me to say?"

She couldn't think of anything. The man in front of her sounded broken. "You don't have to say anything. Just stay."

"I can't." He teleported from the ship.

Tykwa sighed as silent tears fell. She could only imagine what Ashley must be feeling.

Kendra's House

"Mom!" Karone called as she and Zhane ran to the living room looking for Kendra. Andros ran upstairs. Ashley watched them leave then slowly headed towards the back of the house.

Armon watched and followed Ashley. She put her hand on the sliding glass door and stopped. Armon put his hand on her shoulder. "She's out there isn't she?"

Ashley nodded and opened the door and walked into the back yard.

They saw the letters first; the crimson writing a stark contrast to the pure white siding. The letters spelt TRAITOR. Below the word was Kendra's body laying in a pool of blood next to the trash can.

"Oh my god." Armon looked at his ex wife's mangled body. Lifeless eyes stared back. It was obvious that she didn't go quickly or easily.

Ashley took one step forward and fell to her knees screaming.

Armon was quickly at her side. He held her for what felt like an eternity as her body convulsed and she cried out in pain. As quickly as the episode hit, it was gone and Ashley clung to him crying.

"They tortured her." She finally whispered, still clinging to Armon. She needed something to hold on to; something to ground her. Andros centered her a lot faster, but Armon was a good substitute. She wouldn't want Andros here to see his mother like this. No sooner than the thought entered her mind, she felt Andros rushing to the backyard with Karone and Zhane. "No!" She yelled and reached out towards the door.

The glass door closed in front of them before they could reach it. Andros knew. "I know you can hear me Ashley." He took a deep breath. "She's out there isn't she?"

"Yes." Ashley whispered.

Armon looked down at her. "You're talking to Andros?"

Ashley nodded.

Andros heard Karone sob behind him and looked to see Zhane embrace her. "We need to see her."

"Not like this." Ashley cried. "I'm sorry."

He closed his eyes. "Ashley don't." But he knew when he opened his eyes he wouldn't be in his mother's house.

"You sent them away?" Armon asked her.

She nodded. "I locked the compound down. No one else can see this." She slowly sat up and turned around.

Armon stood and helped her to her feet. "How do we get her out of here?"

"I can send her to the Med Bay. Leda can probably fix some of the wounds." She closed her eyes and rubbed the back of her neck.

"How did no one hear her?" Armon asked.

"The same reason we couldn't get a read on Tykwa when she was in her house." Ashley responded. "They used Zordon's energy to make sure no one saw or heard anything. My guess is if anyone got too close, they suddenly got the urge to go another way." She sighed. "It was another form of torture."

"She could see and hear people, but they couldn't help her." Armon concluded and rubbed his eyes. When he opened them again, Kendra's body and the mess it made were gone.

"I know you're hurting." She whispered.

"My children just lost their mother. They're all I can focus on right now."

"That's not what I meant." She looked at him.

He looked away. "I can't go there."

"Who else are you going to go there with?" She touched his arm and felt his mental resolve begin to brake. "It's okay."

"It's not okay!" He snapped as angry tears ran down his face. "The mother of my children is dead, my children are grieving, and everything is in chaos and all I can think about is Teryn and I how I knew-"

"Say it."

"It won't change anything."

"But you need to say it."

He knew she was right and that the only person he could ever say this to was standing in front of him. "I knew she was alive. I felt it. I couldn't believe she was dead, because I would have known."

"That's why you were so taken aback when I told you we thought she was dead."

"I can't feel this way. I'm with Tykwa. And I do love her."

"Trust me. You don't have to explain." Ashley hugged him.

She was right again. If anyone knew how it felt to be in love with someone and know that those feelings could devastate others you love, it was her.

Compound - Andros

Andros laid on his bed staring up at the ceiling. He had managed to talk Leda into sending him to his room and keeping him there. Karone was bawling and he just couldn't comfort her right now, so he left her to Zhane.

He guessed he should have felt bad about leaving her, but didn't. He didn't feel anything at all. He figured this is what people meant when they said they felt numb. That wasn't how he should feel when thinking about the death of his mother, but he couldn't feel anything else…except tired.

The only other thing he really felt was the need to see Ashley. There was so much he wanted to say to her.

He turned on his side and flinched at the sudden pain there. He looked at his side and saw he was bleeding. He'd nearly forgotten that Tommy had managed to cut him in their fight.

He got up and looked at it in the mirror. How long ago had that been since this happened?

The knock on his door caught his attention. "Am I allowed out now?"

"If you want to see her, she's in the Med Bay." Ashley responded and walked into the room, closing the door behind her. "Your father is there with Karone now."

"I've seen all I need to see." Andros stated.

Ashley closed her eyes and sighed. "Brena. She projected the image in your head."

"Traitor." He finally turned to face Ashley. "And she was. She was working for them."

"In her way, she thought she was protecting you."

"From what?" He asked calmly. "From you? She was desperate to keep you from me that she sold all of us out to Dark Specter. And nearly got me and the rest of us killed in the process. Please explain how that is protecting me."

"I don't know what to say to you." Ashley stared at her boyfriend. He didn't feel right. She wanted to hold him, but she wasn't sure that's what he wanted or needed.

"Don't look at me like that." He looked away from her and laid back down on his bed.

"Like what."

"Like you don't know me."

"I'm not feeling anything from you other than mild annoyance."

"And you think I should be feeling more?"

"Kendra is dead."

"She was the enemy."

Ashley couldn't hide her shock. "She was your mother."

"No." He snapped. "She stopped being my mother the moment she joined Ecliptor and Dark Specter. Same with Brena. Any tie we had was severed when they betrayed me."

"They were people you loved." Ashley argued.

"They dug their own graves when they sided with evil." Andros countered.

She could no longer hold back her tears. "My mother killed yours."

Andros could have punched himself. "It wasn't the same thing Ashley. My mother chose to side with them. Your mother didn't have a choice."

"I can't do this. I can't handle this." She finally broke. "Everyone keeps telling me I'm one of the most powerful things in the universe, but it's not helping anyone." She paced back and forth. "I couldn't save Tommy or Katherine, or your mother or mine. I don't know what to do anymore."

"Come here baby." He grabbed her and pulled her close to him. How could he be so stupid? She didn't come to him just because he may need her. She could since that he was fine for now. He figured he had a while before he actually the full impact of what happened. But Ashley needed him now. He felt her calm as he held her. She wrapped her arms around him and he flinched when she hit his side.

"What is it?" She asked.

"My side. Tommy nicked me during the fight."

"Let me see." She lifted his shirt and frowned. "Andros this looked infected. It's not healing right." She looked at him.

"It feels fine now." Andros frowned at the sudden lack of pain.

She looked back at the wound, except it was gone. "I think I healed you."

Andros looked at his side again and saw that she was right. There wasn't even a scar. "Thanks." He kissed her forehead.

"If only everything could be fixed that easily." She closed her eyes and held on to him.

Cafeteria

Rocky sat watching Aisha eat. It was the only thing right now that made him smile.

She looked up at him and stopped before she put another French fry in her mouth. "Sorry."

He frowned. "For what?"

"I'm in here stuffing my face while everyone else is working and Tommy and Kat are gone and Ashley's mom..." She put the fry down. "I feel kind of insensitive, but I'm so hungry."

"Everyone understands." He put a hand over hers. "You have been through hell. No one is judging you."

She smiled at him. "You always did know the right thing to say."

He smiled back and let go of her hand. "Now finish eating. We need you at 100 %."

"Where are all the others?" Aisha asked before she ate another bite. She'd made brief introductions with the other rangers.

Rocky sighed. "Adam is in his room talking to Tonya and filling her in. TJ and Carlos are working with Leda to get DECA back online. Cassie is trying to locate Darian. Tykwa and Kin Won are taking Brena's body to the hospital and meeting her family there. Armon, Karone, and Zhane are putting Kendra's body in a cryo chamber until Andros sees her. And Andros is with Ashley." He ran a hand through his hair. "The only real somewhat positive is that Brena was wearing the yellow morpher when…"

"Tommy killed her." Aisha finished for him and put her food back down. "I think I lost my appetite."

Karone's Room

"Where is Andros?" Karone asked. "Why hasn't he come to see mom?"

Armon wrapped his arms a little tighter around his daughter. "I don't know sweet heart. Maybe he's just not ready."

"You know how he is." Zhane stated. "He's not good when bombarded by his own emotions."

Karone smiled a little. "Yeah I know." She pulled back from her father a little and looked at him. "He'll come won't he? He has to say goodbye."

"I'm sure he will." Armon kissed her cheek and held her again.

"You want me to go check on him?" Zhane asked.

"Would you?" Karone looked at him hopefully.

"Of course." He moved to the door. "I'll be right back." Zhane didn't want to say anything to Karone, but he had a feeling Andros wasn't handling this situation very well.

He stopped at Andros's door and knocked.

Andros stepped outside and closed the door behind him. "Sorry, Ashley finally fell asleep. She's been freaked out about her mother."

Zhane eyed him warily. "Speaking of mothers, Karone wants to know when you're coming to see yours."

Andros frowned. "Why would I?"

"Because she's your mother." Zhane was now definitely sure Andros wasn't handling this well.

"And she was working for evil when she died."

Zhane shook his head. Andros really didn't seem to care. "She made a mistake. Even Brena said that your mom changed her mind."

"Yeah, because she realized she couldn't get what she wanted." Andros ran a hand through his hair. "Look I'm tired and I really don't want to talk about this."

"Andros we're putting her in the mausoleum tomorrow. Don't you-"

"No." Andros cut off Zhane. "She is not going to be put there with other rangers."

"But she was a ranger Andros."

"Zhane there are decorated rangers there that gave their lives to fight against evil. To bury her there would desecrate what is means to be a ranger."

"Andros, you can't be serious. Her parents are buried there."

"And my grandparents didn't make a deal with the devil. It's not happening, Zhane. End of discussion." Andros stared at Zhane until Zhane averted his eyes. "Now if you don't mind, I need to get back to Ashley." He went to open the door when a wave of exhaustion hit him hard and the world went black around him.

"Andros!" Zhane grabbed him and eased him to the ground. An ear shattering wail and blast of energy came from inside Andros's room. Zhane had to cover his ears and brace himself against the wall.

A moment later, Ashley rushed from the room and cradled Andros in her arms. "Oh god no." She cried.

"Ashley, are you okay?" Zhane asked.

"It's not me." Tears rolled down her face. "It's Andros."

He looked at his unconscious friend. "What's wrong with him?" He would never forget the words Ashley whispered but rang incredibly loud. He felt himself slump against the wall. This couldn't be happening.

Ashley closed her eyes and held on to Andros. She'd seen the vision and knew. It all made since now. Why the vision on that mystery ship hit her so hard. She couldn't get the images out.

"It has to be me."Andros stated adamantly. "The navigation is shot and someone has to stay here with you and guide the ship."

"I can do this alone. You have to get off the ship." She pleaded with him.

"You can't hold onto something that massive and guide the ship at the same time and you know it. Darian and Dulcea are getting Zordon off the ship." He cupped her face in his hands. "It has to be me."

"You can't!" She pushed his hands away. "With the heat and the pressure, you'll suffocate before we get close enough."

"I can hold on until then."

"Andros-"

"I'm gone either way." He touched her face again. "You know how this ends. I'd rather it be like this."

The roar from outside caught their attention for a second. "We have to do it now while he's still weak from Zordon's beam." Andros stated. "We can do this."

She placed her hand over his where it lay on her face. "I love you."

"And I love you." He kissed her forehead. "I need you to be strong for both of us… One last time."

With his hand in hers, she teleported them to the front deck.

It was too much. She couldn't save him. The man she loved more than anything…was dying.

(A/N: I made you wait this long for a chapter only to end it like this. I know you hate me, but to make you a little happier, I finished "Not As It Seems" and will be posting it this weekend. I have also been working on the sequel which is titled "Retribution." I'll begin posting "Retribution" by February. Till then, here is a sneak peak at the upcoming "Not As It Seems" chapter. Let me know what you guys think!)

Not As It Seems

Chapter 29

"Solaris is dead." Ashley could feel the eyes on her when she spoke those three words, but her stare never left Capitan Reinhard.

"You're sure of this?" Reinhard frowned. "How did it happen? Why weren't we notified?"

"The battle with Dark Specter." Ashley answered.

"He was destroyed in the vessel that took out Dark Specter. He couldn't get out in time." Karone picked up.

"Once Darkliptor realized that both of his threats to Dark Specter's empire were destroyed, he attacked us and sent the velocifighters to Earth. We didn't have much time to relay what had happened." Zhane finished.

"Do you have any proof?" Reinhard asked.

I can't let you guys do this. Andros mentally spoke to Ashley. He was about to come out of the shadows when he realized he couldn't move.

"We saw it." Cassie spoke this time.

"We all did." Carlos agreed.

"Well then." Reinhard began. "I guess confirmation from the power rangers that Solaris is dead, will be enough to give everyone hope. I'll be in touch about your positions with the IGA."

"Positions? What positions?" TJ asked.

"There was a vote, and we all agree that you are the best defense of the universe that we have." Reinhard answered. "The positions are yours if you want them. Though there are seven positions." He looked at them. "Where is the red ranger?"

"He was hurt during the last battle with Darkonda. He's in the medical bay." Ashley answered.

"I see." Reinhard responded. "We'll be awaiting your answers." The transmission ended.

"Did anyone else get the feeling that he wasn't buying all of that?" Derek asked.

"It doesn't matter." Ashley spoke. "He can't prove that Solaris is alive and he can't go to the other heads with a hunch."