The Faith Not To Stop (Power Rangers in Space)

[estinose]

Summary: Andros doesn't get away quietly when he goes to save Karone. (Written November 24, 1998, Destruction and After storyline)


Disclaimer: None of the characters belong to me, but instead to Saban. This takes place during "Countdown to Destruction, part 2", part of a series detailing the events and aftermath of the two-parter. The dialogue is taken from the early portion of "Countdown to Destruction" part 2, and was presumably written by Judd Lynn.

This is the second of the "Destruction... and after" series of stories and was written November 24, 1998.

The Faith Not to Stop
by Estirose
copyright 1998

Andros sneaked away as the others turned their attention to the plans. Their probably worthless plans. How could they not see that the only way to save Earth and maybe the whole galaxy was to convince his sister to stop what she was doing?

Even Zhane and Ashley, who normally understood him, had spoken up against his plan. Now, Ashley, he could forgive - she hadn't known him for years. However, Zhane had, and he had no excuse for turning his back on his beloved Karone. But they were too blinded, both of them, by the crisis at hand. Only he had a chance of saving them now.

He slid open the battleizer on his left arm, mentally steeling himself for the painful transformation that was about to happen.

"Going somewhere?" Ashley asked from slightly behind him.

Andros turned in her direction, noting her crossed arms and concerned expression. Somehow, whatever he was going to say came out all stilted. "Uh, hey, I was going to-"

But words failed him there. They both knew what he was going to do, and there was no use lying about it. Her eyes pleaded with him to stay, but he couldn't.

"Andros," she said firmly, and then lost her composure. "You can't... leave...."

He didn't know what Ashley was going to say instead, but he had a fairly good guess. They'd had so short a time together, and he or she might die in any attempts to free the Earth and fulfil their duties as Rangers. His glance caught on the necklace he'd given her for her birthday, reminding him of how close they'd become, and how much they'd lose if they lost one another. But it would be worse if she wasn't free to own the necklace. "I have to try."

Ashley's eyes dropped, but she didn't lose her pleading look. However, she made no attempt to stop him, and he was glad of that. Glad that at least one of the others had faith in him and Karone. He hoped that he wouldn't die in the attempt, that he wouldn't fail. He walked away so that he could have some space to morph, but could still feel Ashley's eyes boring into him. He turned and walked back to her. "Look, if I don't see you again-"

But Ashley wouldn't let him finish the sentence, placing her hand lightly against his mouth. "Shh. I *will* see you again," she said, sounding sorrowful but determined.

"Right," he said, to deter any more arguments. They only had a limited amount of time left before Astronema required the citizens of Angel Grove to turn them in. He looked at her face one last time, fixing it in memory, before turning and walking a few steps for safety's sake. "Red Battleized Ranger!"

The armor formed painfully around him, but the pain was only there for a brief instant. Then he was transformed, and ready to go. He launched himself into the sky.

He had no doubt Ashley was watching him as he disappeared.