Date: Fri, 20 Aug 1999 20:48:38 -0500 From: marik_jol@hotmail.com Subject: mirror, mirror pt 3 "Mirror, Mirror: Day of Reckoning" is the another chapter in the life of Andros, Zane, and Carlos and the third chapter in the "Mirror, Mirror" series. This installment takes place approximately a year after "Not in Kansas Anymore Toto". Power Rangers, Power Rangers in Space, Power Rangers Turbo, AlienRangers, and all characters from the series are trademarks of and copyright by Saban Entertainment. Sorry it took longer for this installment. Just a note the fourth in this series is rather complex to write and I will be a little busy so the next installment will be late. Sorry about that.. Thanks everybody who gave me feedback on the stories. Y'all are great. Nibbles...this is for you sweetie, love ya. I welcome comments and suggestions. Send to marik_jol@yahoo.com or marik_jol@hotmail.com . ==== Day of Reckoning The evil entity sat back on his throne and surveyed the destruction he ordered. Almost all of Angel Grove was in ruins and he had set his sites on the rest of the world. It was just a matter of time. The only thing standing in his way was the Power Rangers. They had dropped out of site. Astronema had just returned and was reporting her failure. "Dark Spectre, forgive me. We were unable to destroy the rangers. However I think a death blow was delivered to one of them." Astronema said bowing to the evil master. "Hmm...Astronema. It was not an entire waste if you got at least one ranger." Spectre said. "Also one other disappeared through a vortex." She said. "A vortex!!!" The evil monarch rumbled. "They couldn't have. They are most certainly getting reinforcements. Astronema monitor the time continuum for any other disturbances. As soon as you see notice one, go there and destroy anything that comes through." He ordered. "Yes, master." She said bowing and leaving. The evil monarch knew that could spell disaster. He already had this dimensions rangers on the run. A new set will throw his control off balance. The more he thought about it the angrier he got. He called all his evil minions and ordered them to hunt down the rangers. _===_ "He's stabilized barely for now. But I don't know for how long." Cassie said. "From the wound, he was nearly run through. He has had massive blood loss and losing as we speak." Jason said. He was only one of their group with any real medical training. Andros listened to this trying to be stoic and calm about it. But couldn't stop himself from glancing over toward TJ and getting angry all over again. "Damn. Can he be moved?" "Technically no. I have the bleeding stopped for now. Any movement can cause it to start again? It's inadvisable." Jason paused as Andros started to say something. Jason silenced him. "And before you get started, I know what you are going to say. If I was in your position, I would do the same thing. We need to find a safer place and since we cannot get to the mega-ship." Jason frowned as he looked at TJ. "We have no choice but to move him. But where too." "I don't know. There is very little around here in this area. And it is a long way back to the city itself." Andros said. "Anybody have any ideas?" Jason called out. There was silence, blank stares and shakes of individual heads. Adam was sitting on one of the burned out consoles. "Hey I have an idea. Since we can't stay here. They will come back looking for us. They expect us to head back to the city. Why don't we stay in this area? There is a series of caves in the hills to the east. Maybe twenty minute walk. We can crash there for a while." "Best idea I have heard. How about it?" Andros said. "Let's go." Ashley said. "How are we gonna get TJ there?" "Well if we can find some materials, which I assume there is around here. We can make a make shift gurney." Jason said. "Okay, Aisha help Jason. Cassie, Aisha and Adam go ahead and head for the caves. Scout them out and wait for us. Ash, you and I are staying here to help with TJ." Andros said. "Be careful!" "Yes, Dad." Cassie said as she left. "Andros, I hope Carlos is okay. If he makes it back and TJ doesn't make it, it will kill him." Ash said checking on TJ. "I know, I know. It would kill me if something was to happen to you." He said grimly. Aisha and Jason returned with what used to be a hover bed. That would be perfect he thought. Just drag it behind them. Aisha and Jason were making some adjustments to the makeshift gurney. It will be slow going, but they will make it, he hoped and prayed. "Okay, Cassie get on his right side, Ash on his left. Andros grab his legs. When I count to three, we will lift as one keeping his body level the entire time. Get me?" Jason said. "Yes." Ash and Andros said. Cassie nodded. "One...two...three!!!" Jason said. The four friends lifted as one and carefully placed their fallen comrade on the bed. Jason immediately checked his patient. "Whew. No change. No bleeding. Now the trip needs to be as smooth as possible." Jason said grabbing the harness the made to drag the bed. "Okay, move out. Keep your eyes open." Andros said. The group left. The trip was going to be slow. The bed and passenger was heavy. They would have to switch off every so often. Cassie stopped to look back in the direction of the city. Black smoke emanated from every corner. It saddened her seeing the destruction. They would have to stop them or die trying. _===_ I had forgotten how queasy I got after the last visit I had hear. I felt like rubber being turned in on itself. Bending in places I shouldn't bend. I wondered how the others fared. Tommy and Zane should know what to expect, but the others didn't. Andros will probably be a bit green, I thought as the ground came to meet me. "Damn, that hurt." I yelled out. "Hey watch it where you put your knee." I heard Jason say. "Sorry." Zane muttered. I turned over to see the others heaped in a pile of arms and legs. They were trying to untangle themselves. But it was a sight to see. "Hey Tommy, quit messing with my man." I laughed out as Tommy came face to face with Andros' crotch. "Oh you are gonna get it." Tommy said getting up and heading toward me. "I wish I had a camera." I said. As a nasty little retort came flying at me from Andros. No one could hear it but Zane and I. I could hear Zane laughing and over to the side so was Tommy. We needed the laugh. It will probably be a long time before we could laugh again. "I don't think that is anatomically possible Andros." Tommy said to him. "We'll see." Andros said flashing me a smile. "What?" Jason said. Tommy leaned over to tell him in his ear. He started laughing and choking. "Okay guys. Time to get serious. Is this where we're supposed to be?" Carlos asked. Zane pulled out his scanner. "Yep. It also looks like Dark Spectre is blocking any communication." "Oh joy." I said. "What else is new?" "I guess we need to find the other rangers. Now here's the kicker. How? We don't have any communication with the others." Jason said. "Well...." Tommy said thinking. He was remembering how Zane could sense the other Andros. Zane looked wide eyed at Tommy. "My thoughts exactly." Tommy looked surprised. "Huh....oh!" Zane continued. "When I was here last, I could sense the other Andros. It was weak but I could feel it none the less." "Well do you feel anything right off." I asked. "No. Not yet." Zane said. "Does anybody know where we are? It does not look like caverns to me." Tommy said. "Good point." I said. "Well if I remember correctly we are at least an hours walk from the caves." Jason said. "Andros, looks like you miscalculated." Jason said with a grin. "Yeah...yeah." Andros said swatting at Jason. "We need to get a move on it." We picked our equipment up and headed toward the caves. It was dreadfully hot the sun was straight over head. Ever since moving here to Angel Grove, I still could not get used to the heat. I looked over at Zane and he seemed to be faring worse than I am. I guess we all were feeling the heat. I stopped a second to take in my surroundings. We were outside of the city now, another thirty or forty minutes till we reach the caves. "Hey you okay." Jason said stopping beside me. "Oh, yeah just resting a second." I said. "Good idea." He said. "The others need a rest too. The trip here must have weakened us more than we expected. The heat should not be getting to us this quickly." He turned his head quickly. "Hey guys....let's rest a second." "We're nearly there....." Andros started. He looked at Zane and then at me. "Okay...okay. Five minutes everybody." "What's the plan when we find the others?" Tommy asked. "Well...we'll see when we get there. We barely beat them the last time. So I haven't a clue." Andros said. "Yeah and there is no Dark Fortress for you to sneak off to either." Zane said to Andros. TJ had been real quiet since we got here. Too quiet if anything. He heard Zane's comment and twisted his face. "Zane...." He started. I put a hand on his shoulder and shook my head for him to not get involved. "But..." I whispered to him. "They need to get through this, themselves." Just Zane's tone told me he still hasn't forgotten Andros running off without telling anybody to confront Astronema. That event is the only sore point between Andros and Zane. I got over it quickly yet Zane didn't . Andros looked quickly and blankly at Zane. The others shifted nervously where they stood. "Let's head on. The sooner we get there the sooner we can get this taken care of." I said. "Yeah good idea." Carlos said taking the lead. TJ and I brought up the rear. Zane and Andros were walking side by side. I knew they were having a deep discussion and it wasn't there verbal conversation that clued me in. It was the tension in their shoulders. Tommy was just a hair behind them and Jason had fallen back with TJ and I. "Carlos, what was that all about?" He asked pointing at Zane and Andros. I sighed. "Back when we were in the last battle with Dark Spectre, Andros got the crazy idea to go to the Dark Fortress himself and try to convince his sister to stop the attack. Everybody tried to talk him out of it. I tried and Zane tried. Finally we thought that we had him talked out of it. I knew better. When we turned around to make plans he slipped away. I don't think Zane has forgiven him in a way, but he hasn't forgot about it either. In fact has been a while since anybody has mentioned it." "Andros is hard headed. It all turned out for the better in the long run. I can sympathize with Zane though." TJ said. I nodded in agreement. "How do you feel about it?" Jason asked me. "Well, I was not expressly happy about it. Deep down I knew he had to do this whether I liked it or not and Zane did too. But Zane could not handle losing Andros like he did...." I was never able to finish my sentence as thirty or so quantrons appeared out of no where. "Quantrons!!!" TJ yelled falling into a defensive stance. One came running at him holding his sword high. TJ blocked and dodged and planted a firm kick to the chest sending his attacker into the dirt. "Zane...Andros look out!" I yelled mentally. Zane struck out at two quantrons but they were just a tad bit quicker and landed a few good blows to Zane's ribs. He wasn't down for long. I had my own mess to clean up. Two quantrons were trying separate me from my head. Not something I would do willingly. I blocked and dodged. I would knock them down and they would get right back up. As I turned I could see Andros making short work of his attackers as was Carlos. Tommy looked like he was enjoying this. I shook my head at the sight of Tommy. For such a gentle person, he can be real ferocious at times. For my momentary lapse, I got a foot to the stomach. As my vision cleared from the kick, I thought to myself that we can not stand many battles like this one. I closed my eyes and sent a directive to Andros. "We need to morph." I could see Zane, Andros and Tommy look at me. Andros nodded. "Everybody....let's rocket!!!!!" There was flashes of light all over the battle ground. Andros and the other Carlos teamed up on a group of pirhanotrons that had just shown up. Zane and TJ were kicking tail a little ways off. Jason was taking care of his own for now, but you can tell it was weighing heavily on him. Jason was thrown against a boulder and the quantron was raising a short sword to run him through. I grabbed the arm. "Hey you know it isn't nice to play with sharp objects." I said disarming him literally. "You okay Jason." He was panting. "Yeah, that was close." "Let's see if we can help the others. Stay close." "Let's rocket." Tommy yelled out. Deep down he was eager to try the new powers out. Once the morphing was complete he looked down at himself and smiled wryly...green! He hadn't morphed in years now. He had forgotten the exhilaration you felt as the power ran through you. He got into the battle. He went head first into pack of quantrons. He threw enemies all over the place. And very few were actually getting any shots on him. Though his attackers were getting smarter or luckier. They were ganging up on him. He took a step back. He raised his hand up and called for his power weapon. "Sabre lance!!!" Tommy moved in and was wiping the floor with the quantrons. He looked behind himself and saw TJ getting his two cents worth in. Zane was getting in the groove knocking quantrons and the like around. He was musing that they were `out of practice'. He kept his attention on his surroundings and he spared a few seconds to keep track of his lovers and friends. He saw a quantron coming his way with its crescent sword held high. Zane swung his sword up to block and was surprised when it did not connect. He looked around and all of the enemies are gone. "What?!?!?" I heard TJ exclaim. "I guess we were too much for them." Jason said trying to smile. "Maybe." Andros said. "Are you all right Zane...Carlos?" "Yes." Carlos and I rhymed in unison. Everybody laughed at that. I looked at Tommy who was still morphed and realized he was a natural at this. I also mused how strange it was to see a green astro ranger. And that tight suit looks good on him, I thought to myself. I looked at Andros and he winked at me. Zane though just stared at Tommy. Jason walked up to the group, panting. His eyes followed moved to where I was staring. He stood up straight and looked at Tommy and got this curious little grin. He turned and looked at Zane. He knew what he was looking at. Jason popped Zane on the arm. "He's mine." Jason said as he turned to me. "Carlos looks like your husband here is gonna get himself in trouble." He said between laughs. "I don't know what I am going to do with him." I said laughing. Tommy walked up to us, he was still morphed. "What so funny?" Jason stuttered. "Nothing." "Nothing?" Tommy queried as he demorphed. "Nothing dear." Jason said giving him a kiss on the cheek. Jason also whispered to him. "Damn, I forgot how good you look in the uniform." Tommy changed a peculiar shade of red. TJ noticed that. "Tommy, you look a little red. Is the heat getting to you?" Tommy slapped him on the shoulder. "Come on guys. We need to get moving. We don't have much time." I said. _===_ Cassie, Aisha and Adam made their way to the caves. They were surprised that they did not meet any quantrons. Adam figured that them being alone would be too tempting for Dark Spectre. Cassie had been quiet the entire time the were walking. It was not surprising. Aisha wore a heavy mask. She seemed to still be in shock with what happened. Throughout his years as a ranger they never lost a ranger. Now rangers lost their powers but not their lives. No matter how positive, he tried to be the realization was that TJ would not make it. "Cassie, you okay." He asked. "Uh...what?" She asked and then paused. "Yeah I guess." "You sure?" Adam asked. "Well no. TJ is dying. He is my friend. And there is nothing I could do. And I fear if he doesn't make it, we will lose another one of us." She said. "Cassie it will be alright. And I know how silly that sounds." Aisha hugged Cassie. "If I didn't continue to tell myself that I would be real depressed right now." "I know. I know." Adam knew that his friend would not handle it well. They made it to the caves everything was quiet. It would be a good place to wait for the others. Cassie sat down against one wall of the cave. Adam walked around, pacing back and forth. Cassie closed her eyes. When she opened them, it felt like some time had passed. Yet she knew she didn't go to sleep. She stood up and stretched. "Hey sleepy head your finally awake." Aisha said. "What how...I fell asleep." Cassie said. "Yep...you were out cold when I came to check on you." Aisha explained. "Oh, my." She said looking at Aisha. "How's...?" Adam frowned. "They haven't got here yet." Suddenly they could hear something outside the cave. Adam motioned for the others to get out of site and take their positions. We waited to see if it was quantrons. We could hear foot steps and muffled voices. As they got closer, one of the voices sounded familiar. But we could not place it. They entered into the main room. You could hear the others stand up with blasters in hand. "Stop right there, and don't move." Adam said in a menacing voice. _===_ We could finally see the caves in the distance. I was in dire need of some rest. That little run in with the quantrons took a lot out of me. And Zane may be right we are out of practice. Everybody was showing signs of exhaustion. Andros had borrowed a rubber band from Tommy and pulled his hair back. He had long since taken his shirt off. I let my eyes gaze at his naked torso. He was gorgeous I thought to myself. My imagination started to run rampant. The picture I conjured up made me hornier than hell. I shook my head to rid myself of the image. Someone nudged me from the side. I looked over and it was Zane. He smiled at me. I could spend the rest of my life watching my lovers. "You're right." Zane said as he reached for my hand. "I'm right?" I asked. "He is gorgeous." Zane said. "Yep." I said. "Wanna have some fun?" Zane said. "What type of fun?" I asked skeptically. "Not that type." He said kissing me on the cheek. "Okay." I said. Zane turned and looked at Andros. He started sending Andros some very erotic suggestions telepathically. I had to keep from laughing. I threw in my thoughts. I could see from the muscles in his back and he was breathing harder. He stopped, turned around and just looked at us with this weird smile. He pointed at us. "Quit it you two." "Me? What was I doing?" I said innocently. "You know what I mean." Andros said grinning at us. "Okay." Zane said as we walked past Andros. I turned around and saw Andros still standing there and Jason was walking up to him. He paused by Andros. "Andros, I know what they did but they sure got your attention." He said looking down at a serious lump in Andros' pants. Andros looked down. He blushed bright red. "I am going to either kill them or make them pay for this." "I think they want you to make them pay." Jason said walking off. Andros came up behind us and put himself in the middle. He wrapped and arm around each of our shoulders. "You know guys. You are going to pay for that when we get back." I grinned at him. Zane just laughed then got deathly quiet. He looked at Andros and I felt what he did. "There near by." Zane said. "Where?" Jason asked. "When they do that it spooks me." TJ said. "Zane's right." Tommy added. "They are some where near by. Maybe that cave." He said pointing to the cave. As we got closer we could hear muffled voices. We moved carefully into the cave. A voice rang out ordering us to stop, which we did. I recognized one of the voices, just as my counterpart did. "Adam?" We said in unison. Adam stood up from his hiding place. "Carlos..." He started till he saw there was two of us head swung from him to me and back. "Oh my, I hit my head worse than I thought." "I am surprised by that. You seem to be very hard headed." TJ teased. The other Carlos swung down from his hiding place. He embraced Adam. I would have if I hadn't known he was not my Adam. Jason and Tommy looked at each other and then at their two visitors. "Aisha, Adam." Jason called out. "Jason? TJ? It's y'all. The calvary is here." Aisha said. "Adam its them." Adam turned at the sound of Jason's voice. "Hi, Jas....." He trailed off when he saw Tommy. "Tommy..." He squeaked. "Hey Adam." Tommy said quietly. I was worried that Tommy would have another flashback again. Last time when he realized his counterpart here didn't survive his ordeal with Nikkolo, he collapsed and his mind retreated. He seemed to be okay. Jason was watching him close. Before Adam could continue Carlos asked. "Where is the others? Are they alright?" "Uh...oh my. The others should be on their way shortly." Adam said turning green. "Uh...there is a problem...I don't know how to say this..." "Just say it." I said. I knew that Adam can get tongue tied when he is upset. He is really upset now. And before he could continue, Zane spoke up. "We are fixing to have visitors. I think it is Andros." Andros just grinned. "Finally I get to meet my counterpart." Jason kept looking at Adam. He turned to me. "I have a real bad feeling about this." TJ laid a hand on my shoulder. I looked at him and he looked sick. "I second that thought." I was wondering what was up. "Adam, Aisha." A voice called from the mouth of the cave. "In here. They're here." Aisha called back. Carlos yelled out. "TJ, hurry your ass up." He said running to meet the recent arrivals. Adam reached out and tried to grab him, but missed by a second. Adam ran after him. Tommy knew something was up. He reached over and grabbed Jason's hand. Something alarmed Jason when Tommy grabbed his hand. "What's wrong?" "Let's go and see what's up." Tommy said leading Jason out as he heard a cry and wail. He looked at Jason for a second and they both broke into a run. Zane and Andros were right behind them I started after them. Till I noticed TJ not following, I called back. "TJ, you okay." "Yeah, yeah. Go ahead, I am coming." TJ said. When I stepped outside, my heart stopped when I saw who was laying on the make shift gurney. Carlos was on his knees, his arms wrapped around the limp form. He was crying hard and muttering. No it couldn't be, I thought to myself. I looked over at Zane and Andros. Zane had wrapped his arms around Andros. Zane had no color. Andros was not better. Tommy and Jason were standing to the side. Jason had his head buried in Tommy's shoulder. The other Cassie was standing on one side of Carlos and the other Jason had an arm around Carlos' shoulder. He was talking quietly trying to calm Carlos. I shut my eyes wishing the scene away. I heard a gasp beside me. Out of the corner of my eye, I could see, TJ's eyes roll into the back of his head as he passed out. I was able to catch him on the way down. "Andros, Zane. I could use some help here." I said telepathically. They looked at me and Zane muttered a curse as he helped lift TJ and take him into the cave. _===_ Jason was still sitting by Carlos as he cried. He kept rubbing him on the back trying to soothe him. TJ hadn't woke up at all. Jason knew what it was like to lose someone you love. The feeling of helplessness was so strong it engulfed you. Then the guilt creeps in and never leaves. Cassie bent down to whisper to Jason. "We need to get them both inside. TJ shouldn't be in this heat and Carlos is going to get heat stroke." "Okay. I will try to get him to come inside." Jason sighed taking a deep breath. He turned to Carlos. "Carlos, Carlos this is Jason. We need to take TJ and yourself inside. It is not doing him any good to be in this heat." "Huh...oh I guess so." He said through sniffles. His eyes were puffy. "Cassie go ahead and take him in. I will help Carlos inside." Jason said. "Okay." She said dragging the bed on in the cave. Carlos watched the bed go in the cave. His attention did not falter a bit. Jason tried to get his attention but was having a difficult time. "Carlos..." Jason said shaking him. "Carlos snap out of it." "Oh, Jason. What am I going to do?" He asked falling into Jason's arms. Jason was able to walk him a little further into the cave. Everybody minus Cassie, Carlos and the other TJ, were huddled over in one corner discussing something. It looked like the other TJ didn't handle it too well either. Carlos was holding TJ's head in his lap. Jason could see and feel the pain he was going through. "I don't know Carlos. It's hard. I know you feel helpless but there was nothing you could have done. Or any of us could do." He sniffled. "How did it happen?" Jason thought about how to tell him or whether to tell him at all. "Shortly after you left, a quantron got a lucky shot." Carlos hung his head. Jason already knew what he was thinking. "Nope don't think that." He said putting a finger under Carlos' chin and lifting his eyes up to meet his own. "It is not your fault. Not at all. So don't think that." "But if I was here...." He started. "Then you might be dead as well...hmm." Jason said. "You may be right." He was quiet a second. "Will he make it?" Jason was bluntly honest and shook his head. "No, it is just a matter of time." Carlos nodded his head and took a deep breath and sat down by the bed where his lover lay dying. He couldn't help but think back to when TJ and himself got together for the first time. _===_ Carlos stood watching TJ move around the court dribbling and showing off his basketball skills. He couldn't believe his actual skill. Carlos enjoyed watching TJ move around the court. Little did TJ know there was more than one reason for Carlos to watch him, some rather personal reasons. For some time since they met Carlos had a crush on TJ. Carlos could not keep his eyes off TJ. He was just beautiful. His body was sculpted. When he was wearing the undershirt part of his uniform with out the half-jacket, Carlos could barely keep himself in check. Carlos tried to hide it. The others thought he had a thing for Ashley but that was a good cover for him. He never thought anything would become of his attraction to TJ. "Hey, Carlos check this out." He said, sweat was dripping down his brow. He ran at the hoop, jumped and spun around slamming the ball in the net. "Damn, you are a show-off." Carlos said in response. But in actuality wanted to tell TJ how much he cared for him. Carlos went and sat down on the side lines. TJ continued to make shots at the hoop. Carlos sat there allowing himself to memorize every movement TJ made. He marveled at how strong his shoulders were and how broad. Carlos would sit up at night wondering what they felt like. How it would feel to hold and kiss him. Carlos sat deep in his fantasy and imagination, oblivious to anything except his concentration on TJ. TJ noticed that Carlos was staring with an odd look on his face. TJ watched the look closely and thought he knew the reason for it. Or at least he hoped it was the reason. He wanted to tell Carlos how he felt for a long time. But never had the courage or the chance. Yes they were roommates but things would be bad if it went wrong. TJ came and squatted down in front of Carlos. He allowed himself a quick glance at Carlos' beautiful countenance. "Carlos...hey man snap out of it." TJ said shaking him. "Huh...oh. Sorry, I was just in outer space." Carlos said trying to recover quickly. "Oh." TJ said. He let his eyes linger on Carlos' lips. Both were quiet a second. Carlos got nervous and stood up. "TJ thanks for the game. I am going to grab a shower and catch a nap." Carlos grabbed his stuff and was moving quickly to the door when a hand grabbed his arm. He turned around and two hands caught the sides of his face and a pair of warm lips on his surprised lips. This couldn't be happening, Carlos thought to himself. After he got over the initial shock, he was returning the kiss in equal enthusiasm. He fell deep into the sensation. His body got warm and sensitive. He hesitantly broke the kiss. He stared at TJ's huge brown eyes. TJ gave him a shy, worried smile. "I...I am sorry. I shouldn't have." He said turning and heading for the door. Carlos snapped out of his emotional overload. "Tyler Jordan Carter, stop right there!" Carlos said. TJ came to a screeching halt and turned around with a silly grin on his face. He always had to grin when Carlos uses his full name. He knows Carlos is serious then. "Uh...Carlos...I." "TJ, I have wanted to do that for a long time now. I...uh...think I am in love with you." Carlos said walking over and grabbing his right hand and held tight to his chest. He watched TJ's face glow brightly. "I love you. I have felt this way since we met. I just didn't have the courage to say anything. I didn't want you to freak." TJ explained. "Oh no. I ...." Carlos stuttered and leaned into kiss him. "I love you." _===_ He turned and headed in to the cave when Cassie came running out. "He's awake and wants to see you." She said. Carlos hurried inside and kneeled beside TJ. "Hey dear." He said caressing his lovers cheek. "Carlos, you made it back." He stated in a weak voice. "Are the others here?" "Yeah we are all here." Carlos said trying to hold back the tears. "Love, its okay to cry. No matter what happens, remember I love you and nothing will ever change that." TJ paused to get a breath. "You made me happier than ever." "TJ..." Carlos started as the tears fell. "I love you more than you ever could imagine. You are my life." He kissed TJ. "I love you." "I love you." TJ said reaching for his hand. Carlos clasped his hand and held it tight. TJ smiled one last time, taking his last breath. He lay quietly. Carlos continued to hold his hand, stroking it and crying. He could not believe what happened. He sat there waiting for him to wake up. "Noooooo....." He screamed at the top of his lungs. "No....wake up!" He screamed shaking his shoulder. "Don't fuck with me!!!! TJ wake up. Tyler Jordan Carter....." He burst into vicious sobs. He grabbed hold of the still warm form and rocked him back and forth. Jason sat down quickly and wrapped Carlos in his arms and rocked him. Jason started to cry as he remembered when Tommy died. Jason thought to himself, "I promise you TJ, I will take care of him." _===_ I was huddled with the group going over what has happened. I was surprised with how fast Dark Spectre took over and coordinated his attacks. Andros related the events leading up to the invasion. He looked haggard and unfazed that his double sat across from him. "We went down to see what was going on and landed in the middle of a war zone. We were beaten back quickly. We got split up. That's when we ran into Jason, Aisha, and Adam. We were able to get back to the command center and created the warping device. We were ready to activate it, and Astronema attacked. We had to fight insurmountable odds. Everytime one quantron went down another two appeared in its place. I was sure that that was it." Andros explained. "The device was knocked from his hand and landed by Carlos. Carlos picked it up and just looked at it, we insisted he activate it and get help. He refused and TJ took it from him and activated it. Then he stuck it in Carlos' pants." Ashley said slightly chuckling. >From behind the others they heard my TJ say, "Well there is one constant in the universe. Your Carlos and mine are hardheaded and stubborn." "Oh...I am, am I? Finally decided to join us." I said happy that he was back to his own self. All of a sudden I got sick and dizzy. I could feel intense pain, loss and grief. It was filtering through the link I had with Zane. I know Andros felt it, because he lost all color and put his hand to his head. I swung my head around and looked in the direction where the wounded TJ was laying. I could see Carlos rocking back and forth racked with sobs. It was like my stomach was filled with rocks. Jason was crouching to the side, his eyes closed. TJ looked at me funny. "Carlos you okay?" "Zane..." I said as I choked down a sob looking at TJ then Zane. "I know." He got up and helped Andros and I up. We walked over where Carlos was sitting. We heard TJ' last words. No, this can't be happening, I thought to myself. I have never lost a friend at all, much less this way. The man lying there wasn't my TJ but I got close to him when I was last here. I leaned into Andros and he wrapped his arms around me. Zane moved in close and put a hand on Andros' shoulder. My heart hurt for Carlos. At the same time I am worried how Andros and Zane will react. I looked to our right and the other rangers from this dimension was holding each other and crying. Tommy had Jason wrapped up in his arms. Jason had tears running down his face, as I did and Tommy had his head buried in Jason's neck. I looked back at the other Carlos and noticed that their Jason was holding him. It was deathly quiet. No sounds except quiet sobs. Carlos slowly pulled away from Jason and touched TJ's cheek. He was still crying but he was trying to stand. Jason assisted him and finally he made it to his feet. He was wiping his eyes. He turned and looked at each of us. He lingered a bit on our TJ. "Are you okay?" I asked. He tried to speak but the words caught in his throat. Finally he was able to get out, "Maybe." He turned back an looked down at the lifeless body. He took a deep breath, reached down and removed TJ's morpher. He eased TJ's cold hand back down. I was wondering what he was doing but when he looked at me, there was fire in his eye. He was determined to see that Dark Spectre pay for this. I knew this even though he didn't say it, for the simple reason that it would be what I would do. He looked at the other Andros. Andros stood still holding Ashley. They locked eyes for a second and he nodded. He turned around and walked out of the cave. Jason started to go after him but the other Andros stopped him. "Let him go. He needs to be by himself." Jason looked uncertainly at Andros. "Are you sure?" "Yes, trust me. He needs to. I needed the time after Zane died." Andros said looking at Zane. I had overheard their conversation. When I saw him look at Zane, I watched my lover. His face lost color and he turned to me. "Carlos...if ...." I knew what he was going to say. "Shh...I know. I know." I felt Andros, that is my Andros come up to us. "The same goes for me too." He said grasping Zane's hand like a life-line. We turned our attention back to the lifeless body in front of us. Carlos walked out of the cave. He was numb and lost. His heart is torn in two. He did not know what to feel. Anger, hate, loss, regret.....they all warred within him. "Why?" He screamed at the wind. "Why TJ?" If he had something to throw, he would. He lifted the hand holding the morpher up. He stared at it. He felt his legs go weak and he collapsed to the ground. He held the morpher tight to his chest and started to rock back and forth. "Why, why TJ? Why would you leave me? I loved you more than anything in the world. I want you to come back to me. Come back to me!!!!" He screamed out again. Tears were streaming down his face. "You promised me!!!!!!" _===_ We walked back to our quarters. Carlos could feel TJ close to him. He was so happy. He finally got to tell TJ how he felt and TJ felt the same way. Carlos had a light hold on his upper arm. TJ felt the warmth from that hand. He had a tingling sensation. One that signified extreme joy. "If this is a dream, I don't want to wake up." TJ thought to himself. Carlos and TJ reached the quarters they shared. Carlos went in first. TJ followed sitting his bag down. He slowly looked up as he felt someone was watching him. Carlos was sitting on his bed, his eyes wide and slight smile graced his lips. "Carlos?" TJ asked. "I just can't believe this.... I am so happy. This can't be real." Carlos said. "Oh it is real. Trust me, it's so real... if it isn't let us not wake up." He said leaning down and kissing Carlos on the cheek. TJ kneeled beside Carlos. He pulled him into a deep soulful kiss. A kiss of longing and promise. TJ continued to kiss him as he stood and laid Carlos on the bed. TJ let his hands wander. Feeling every part of Carlos. His hands rubbed up and down his arms. His other hand, felt Carlos' firm stomach. A trail of hair lead to growing bulge. He slipped his hand it and squeezed the firm meat. Carlos moaned. A fire had built in him, one kindled from the heat of TJ's. He ran his hand over the firm ass. TJ started kissing on his neck. Carlos moved his hand around and felt the long hard member that was laying down one leg of TJ's shorts. Carlos was surprised at TJ's size. He had seen him naked before but never hard. He played with the head through the shorts. TJ shook as he moaned. Carlos smiled inside. He forced TJ on to his back allowing him to straddle him. Carlos kissed him as he removed his shirt. Carlos got an eyeful of the rigid, smooth ripple that made him hard every time he saw TJ shirtless. Carlos worked one nipple and the other. He moved his attention down his lean form to his area of interest. He grabbed the waist band of his shorts and started to pull them off. TJ lifted his hips to help out. As the shorts released his member, it shot up and big and proud. It was at least ten inches and huge. Carlos could barely take him into his mouth. As he did, TJ pushed into his mouth. He placed his hands on the back of Carlos' head. Carlos came back up for air and stared deep into TJ's eyes. Carlos had completely lost his shorts by now. He moved up TJ's form and straddled him once more. He positioned himself, so that TJ's dick had full access to his virgin hole. Carlos sat down on his dick. He felt a slight pressure and then a sharp pain as the head entered he stopped a second and grimaced. TJ noticed the look on Carlos' face. "You okay." He said with concern. Carlos placed a finger to his lips. And sat hard on his dick. The entire length entering him at once. The pain was intense but faded to one of pure ecstasy. He rotated on the dick, moving his hips and sliding up and down the long member. TJ had handfuls of the sheets on the bed. He was moaning in pleasure. TJ felt himself ready to cum and as he did he slammed one more time into Carlos as he came. Carlos threw his head back and screamed as he let loose his cream. Carlos slid off the softening dick and laid down on TJ's chest. Strong dark arms encircled him and held him close. He felt loved and safe in those arms. He kissed TJ lightly on chest. "Carlos, I love you." TJ said. Carlos raised his head and looked directly into TJ's eyes. "I love you more than can be said." Carlos said laying his head back down. "TJ, promise me one thing." "Anything." "Don't ever leave me." Carlos said. "Never. I promise you we will be together till the end of time. I promise." TJ said. _===_ Carlos stood up allowing the memory of their first time linger. He could still feel TJ close to him. His arms held tight around himself. "It was time for me to go back." He thought to himself. "Dark Spectre will pay." He said out loud. He entered the cave everybody was huddled to one side. He walked over to the huddled group. Where I was sitting with Tommy and his Jason. Carlos noticed the other Jason was sitting at the fringe of the group. "Are you alright?" Jason said standing and walking over to the grieving man.. Carlos reached up and wiped the tears from his own eyes and turned to Jason. "Maybe...no...yes...Hell I don't know." He looked down at the morpher in his hands. Then back at Jason. "Jason..." He paused handing the morpher to Jason. "I think TJ would have wanted you to take his morpher and become the Blue Astro Ranger. I want you to have it." Jason was stunned. He raised a hand to wipe the tears from his face. He looked at the hand in front of him with the morpher. He reached up to get it. I could see his hand shaking. He took it and just looked at it. He had not considered that he would be an active ranger ever again. And he wished that it wasn't these circumstances that caused it. Suddenly and without warning chaos broke out. Hordes of ground troops coalesced in front of them. The number was staggering it outnumbered the rangers three to one. Carlos looked out over the invaders, fire burned in his eyes. He was breathing heavy and fiercely. I noticed the change and I knew that it was not wise of him. The anger, hurt and hatred swelled in him. He was charging into the mess un-morphed and throwing quantrons left and right. "Guys its time...." I said fighting off one of my attackers. "Let's rocket." I had morphed and called on my lunar lance. I charged into the middle of the masses heading straight after Carlos. Tommy looked deeply into Jason's eyes. Fear that this was his last battle. He kissed him lightly. "Jason...get to safety. You can't morph and I do not want anything to happen to you." "No...!!" Jason argued. "No arguments." Tommy said finally morphing and joining in the battle. I was blocking swings of swords, blasts from blasters and physical blows. Andros was in a fierce sword battle with one ugly monster. Zane was peeling a pirhanatron off Aisha and Adam. Cassie and Ashley were back to back fending for themselves barely. The other Andros was wiping the floor with each attacker. My TJ was like a mad man. He was fighting as viciously and personally as Carlos was. No matter what we did. We were getting beat back. No matter how far we went and tried. It was a hopeless battle. I was on the ground more than on my feet as the battle progressed. I would catch a glimpse of Andros and Zane. I could tell that they were being worn down. Tommy could not even hold up to the battle. Tommy received a resounding kick to the midsection which had him doubled over. And I could see someone behind him raising a sword high, aimed right at him.... I tried to scream a warning but my momentary lapse got me beat down. I could feel blackness come over me. I tried to fight it but it was too late. I succumbed easily. I could hear the Jason's cry out. "Noooooo!!!!!!!!!!!" as I succumbed.