Andros looked miserable, sitting there staring out at the passing stars. Ashley silently sat next to him. She wasn't sure what to do. She knew there was a possibility that he would refuse to talk to her, to retract into himself. But then again she really cared about him.

"Andros, what's bothering you?" she asked, getting his attention by placing her hand atop his.

Andros started as Ashley's hand went over his own. Ever since he found out about Karone being Astrenoma, he had been avoiding Ashley lately, and he had hated himself for it. Besides even avoiding her, he had almost been mean, when only weeks before he had been more than friendly…and almost seemed like he had wanted to be more than friends with Ashley. Despite all of this, she was there trying to see what was wrong with him. Despite the fact of wanting to tell her what was on his mind, he didn't want to bother her with his problems. He tried to smile, "Nothing's wrong Ashley.."

I think after all this time I can tell when something is bothering you," she retorted. She couldn't help but laugh a little.

"You get this little dimple when you pout," she teased.

"So come on...tell me," she begged. Ashley didn't like not knowing when something was irking him.

He looked at with a raised eyebrow at the dimple comment. Was she trying to flirt with him or cheer him up? He couldn't quite tell.

"It's nothing reallly...just..." he trailed off. Oh here it comes. Might as well spill it. She's not going to drop it until he told her.

"Well...it's just that…Karone has been in front of us this whole time. I thought my sister was dead…" Andros sighed sadly.

Ashley," She heard her name being called. Then she felt her arm being shaken and suddenly Ashley was brought back into reality. "Ashley, did you hear a word I said?" Cassie asked her general concern on her face.

"Sorry Cassie," Ashley said, rubbing her eyes, "What were you saying?"

I was asking if you think we can really trust Astronema. I mean sure she saved us but...how do we really know she's on our side," Cassie repeated herself. Ashley looked at her friend and ran a hand through her hair.

"Well...Andros believes she's on our side," Ashley muttered.

"Yeah but...he's been searching for her all this time. He'd believe her even if she was lying," Cassie hissed.

"Do you think Andros is that dense Cassie?" Ashley snapped.

"I didn't imply that Andros was being dense. I am just saying that him finally finding his sister is going to really impair his judgment," Cassie said, backing off from Ashley's sudden change in behavior.

Just outside of the mega ship bridge doors, Karone stopped as she heard Cassie ask if they should trust her. Karone knew it was going to take awhile to earn their the other rangers trust. She didn't blame them for not trusting her, Karone hardly even trusted herself. She was surprised to hear Ashley jump to her brother's defense.

"His judgment is fine Cassie, and I do not know why you are acting this way. Astrenoma…no not Astronema, Karone was tricked by Dark Spector. I think she was honestly trying to show Andros where Zordan was," Ashley said defending Karone.

"I guess you're right," Cassie conceded. "I just...need some time to get used to it," she added and stood up. Just then Karone took a deep breath and hit the button to open the bridge doors. Cassie jumped slightly as she noticed Karone standing there.

"Hi Karone," Cassie greeted with a smile.

"You don't have to pretend, Cassie. I know you don't trust me. I completely understand," Karone said, walking past her. Cassie looked a little taken aback. With that she made a quick exit.

"Thanks for sticking up for me," Karone addressed Ashley.

Ashley gave Karone a smile, "Anytime. How are you doing?" Ashley asked, hoping her new friend was adjusting well to the new surroundings.

"I'm ok…still getting used to not being around monsters. I keep looking over my shoulder, thinking that Dark Spector is coming to get me," she said sighing.

"Aww…I'm sorry. Well you are safe here, besides Andros is never letting you out of his sight willingly again. So be prepared for big brother protecting little sister."

Karone laughed a little. She wasn't sure how she felt about Andros looking over her shoulder every five seconds. But she supposed she had to be grateful. She had her family back.

"It's strange," she murmured.

"What's strange?" Ashley asked.

"I just remembered something Ecliptor kept saying lately. He kept telling me that he cared about me like a daughter. It feels kind of weird thinking that I have real parents out there somewhere," she rambled. "I mean can something built to be evil really actually care about someone?" she asked, not really expecting an answer.

Ashley stayed silent for a moment, not sure what to say. She remembered that how Ecliptor did seem to care for Karone, despite being evil. He let her go, and left himself to hold off Dark Spector from getting a hold of Karone. "Karone…I think he did care for you as a father. He sacrificed himself to let you live, and escape the hell you were living in," Ashley said hoping her words left Karone feeling ok, since she did truly believe what she was telling her.

"I'm worried abot him. I should have insisted he come with us. At least then we could have protected him," Karone said, fighting off tears.

"He was doing what was best for you," Ashley whispered, pulling the other girl her in a hug. Just then Andros wandered in. He took in the sniffling form of his baby sister and concern flooded him.

"Is she ok?" he asked Ashley.

"Yeah...she just misses..." Ashley began but stopped. She wasn't sure how Andros would take Karone missing Ecliptor.

"I'm sorry. I'm alright. I just am worried about Ecliptor. I just know that Dark Specter has done something to him," Karone explained. Andros wasn't sure what to say to his younger sister. He and Ecliptor had fought hand to hand many times. Ashley could see that Andros was about to say something stupid and possibly get his sister mad at him and she was going to try and stop him from saying anything, but wasn't in time, "I'm sorry Karone..." thank God, Ashley thought, glad he didn't say anything, like calling Ecliptor evil, or heartles.

Karone dried her eyes and looked at her brother and her new friend.

"I need to go save him," she announced, determination in her eyes.

"What? No you can't. It could be a trap. I just got you back. I'm not letting you go anywhere," Andros replied.

"I'll be ok. I'm not evil anymore," she promised, giving his hand a squeeze and headed out of the room.

"Karone! Wait!" he yelled after her, trying to catch up with her.

"Ashley what did you say to her?" Andros asked glaring at Ashley.

"You are blaming me for her running off?" Ashley asked Andros, hands on her hips. "Don't you get all mad at me about this Andros!"

"You put my little sister in danger!" Andros sighed angrily. "How could you plant the idea that she could trust Ecliptor?" Andros ran a hand through his streaked hair.

"Well I can see why Karone doesn't want to talk to you there Andros! She can't trust you not to explode and go all crazy on her!" Ashley shouted back.

"What's that supposed to mean?" Andros shot.

"And for your information, she was the one who brought Ecliptor up. He's all she knew growing up," Ashley spat back.

"Can you blame her for wanting to protect him?" she asked. Andros looked at her. She had a point. Still, he didn't like to admit it. He had to go find Karone and stop her.

"I have to stop her," he muttered and started to walk away.

"You need to trust her. If you really love her, you'll let her do this," Ashley whispered gently.

Andros knew she was right, but he couldn't help but worry, "I know, but I can't help but worry about her," Andros sighed.

"I know…she will be fine, and besides look who is her brother," she said smiling at Andros.

As Karone was focused on saving Ecliptor, she didn't notice Zhane walking down the hall and bumped his shoulder. "Sorry Zhane," she knew should have stayed and saw if he was alright, but she needed to save the only father figure she ever had growing up.

Zhane looked at the girl walking away from him. She seemed in a hurry and that intrigued him.

"Hey, where are you going?" he called after her but she didn't answer.

"Better check this out," he muttered to himself, following her at a distance. He watched as she disappeared from the teleportation room.

"D.E.C.A. where did Karone go?" he asked quietly.

"She has gone to the Dark Fortess," the computer replied.

"What the..." he trailed off, following her. This couldn't be good.

Zhane knew he couldn't just let Karone go off by herself like that, whatever she was doing. He instantly headed for the transportation chamber, morpher in hand already. He instantly teleported to the Dark Fortress, and found Karone dressed up like Astronema, and being pestered by some quantrons.

"How dare you question my identity, you cretin! Now move before I blast you into oblivion!" Astronema growled. Instantly quantrons started to run away, but she managed to grab one, "You, tell me where Ecliptor is," venom seeping into her voice. The quantron started to lead her towards where Ecliptor was being held..

Karone was glad that it didn't take too much to scare the quantrons, hopefully Ecliptor was ok. If anything happened to him…she didn't know what she would do. "Can you walk any slower?! Hurry up you mindless bigot!" she seethed.

Zhane followed in the shadows, and he was curious to find out why Karone wanted to see Ecliptor.

The quantron finally stopped moving, pointing to a closed door. Astronema smiled and pushed him aside, opening the door and walking in. Ecliptor stood facing the window. Zhane managed to slip by the quantron.

"Ecliptor," Karone called softly. He slowly turned around, revealing the new parts Darconda had installed, turning his alligence back to Dark Specter.

"What did they do to you?" she asked.

"I am Ecliptor, servant of Dark Specter," he said, his voice hollow.

"Ecliptor, what have they done to you?" Karone gasped as he fully came into her view. This was not the same person that she had been raised by. Ecliptor took a threatening step towards Karone, instantly grabbing her wrist, causing pain to shoot up her arm. "Ecliptor stop!" Karone yelled as the pain intensified. Zhane couldn't handle it anymore, he busted the quantron and the door.

Zhane instantly shot his fist out punching Ecliptor in the gut, and wringing his iron grip on Karone. "Zhane?!" Karone asked in disbelief.

"Get your hands off her, Ecliptor," Zhane shouted, sending a round house right into the creature's chest. Ecliptor stumbled backwards, tripping over himself.

"Come on we need to get out of here," Zhane said, grabbing Karone by the elbow.

"No...we can't leave him like this," she begged.

"He's no the same Ecliptor you knew. And if we stick around here I'm pretty sure their plan was for you to not be Karone anymore," Zhane shot, teleporting off the ship.

Karone struggled in his grip, and finally stop fighting it. "Zhane, why did you do that? He needed to be saved.." she cried, starting to punch at his chest. Zhane held Karone until she finally just broke down in his arms. "He was the only father figure I had…and he is now under Dark Spector's control," Zhane wrapped his arms around her, trying to offer any comfort he could give her.

Zhane started to make shushing noises, and rubbing her back slowly. "I'm so sorry," Zhane whispered into her hair, and he felt her tighten her grip on him.

"I can't believe this is happening, Zhane…just when everything starting to get better," Karone whispered into his shoulder.

Just as Zhane was about to comfort her some more a blue of red ran by, stopping in his tracks. Andros turned around to see his sister wrapped up in his best friend's arms.

"What's going on?" he demanded.

"They altered Ecliptor. He attacked her...I had to get her out before something happened to her," Zhane explained. He gave his friend a "don't go all jealous on me" look.

"Karone...I'm sorry," Andros murmured, taking her hand. She looked at him.

"It's all so overwhelming," she breathed.

"I am just glad that you are safe," Andros said to her. Karone sniffled, trying to calm down, but found that she couldn't.