Weeks passed. Zhane didn't return, and they were no closer to having Karone back. To everyone's relief, they didn't have to fight Astronema directly. They doubted Andros could have stood it. They had lost the Delta Megazord, and were now standing beside the ruin of the Mega Voyager.
Ashley climbed to her feet and did her best to rub soot and smoke off her face. Tears started streaming down her face. Andros placed a hand on her shoulder, and she turned and hid her face in his shoulder.
"You were right," she said, her voice muffled. "We have no hope."
"Don't say that," Andros said, shocked that Ashley was giving up. "You can't give up."
"So you've already given up then?" Ashley pulled her head back to look him in the eye. "Is that it?"
"I'll never stop fighting," Andros said fiercely. "But I don't see how we can win this."
"Neither do I," Ashley whispered. "But we'll all die trying." Andros held her close, trying not to think about her last words.
"Let's go," Andros said. "I don't like being here."
Ashley nodded. They joined the others, who were still picking themselves up. They looked at each other, failure and hopelessness evident in all their faces.
"Let's go," Andros said again. "We can talk on the Megaship. Deca, teleport five."
They landed on the bridge, still in their torn and dirty clothes. "Everyone clean up first," Andros said. "It'll give you some time to think about what just happened before we all talk as a group."
Andros showered and dressed quickly, but when he returned to the bridge, Ashley was already there. Her damp hair was pulled back from her face, and her head was buried in her hands.
"Ash, don't cry," Andros said. "It's okay."
Ashley looked at him. "I was watching it on screen. It felt like it was happening all over again."
"It hurts, doesn't it?" Andros asked. She nodded. Andros sighed, and pulled Ashley into his lap. She was still crying.
"I know we still have the Megaship," she said. "But it feels like we've grown weaker and they've grown stronger."
"I know," Andros said. "But we are just as strong as they are."
"Stronger," said three more voices as the other rangers joined them. "Because we will never give up," T.J. added.
Ashley smiled weakly. "I thought I was supposed to say that."
"Looks like your optimism rubbed off on the rest of us," Cassie said.
"So what do we do now?" Andros asked seriously. "Dark Specter's been gearing up for an enormous battle."
"How can you tell?" Carlos asked. "Everything seems the same. Except for the part where we lost two zords."
"Every monster that we've fought has been stronger than the last," Andros said. "It's gotten to the point where we almost can't win. The next thing he'll do is send in everything and everyone that he's got. He did this when he attacked KO-35, and several other colonies."
"I see," T.J. said. "Were you planning on telling us this?"
"Would it have mattered?" Andros said. "KO-35 knew what would happen. It made no difference."
"Are there any signs?" Cassie asked. "Troops sent ahead? Anything?"
Andros shook his head. "There is just the invasion."
Ashley shuddered at the word 'invasion.' Andros wrapped his arms around her. "What do we do when that happens?" she asked.
"We fight," Andros said. "Until we have either won or are killed."
