Chapter 21

"I'm going after her." said Andros in a firm voice, he stood up thinking that no one would question him.

"Alpha cover me up with the cloaking device that you used on Karone and teleport me to the Dark Fortress." I grabbed his arm before he could make a move.

"Andros no! Who knows what you might met when you go there, for all we know Darkonda or Ecliptor could be there, waiting for one of us to get into the Fortress after her. It'll be a suicide mission." He glared at me angrily and wrenched his arm from my grasp.

"So we just stand here and do nothing, while they are doing who knows what to my sister?" He yelled. I shook my head.

"No, we make up a plan and while we are doing that we also figure out how we are going to divert the course of that asteroid." I said calmly. Andros looked at me angrily then he shook his head.

"You guys think of a plan, I'm going after my sister." he began to take off but I levitated him into the air. He let out a surprised yell.

"Hey! Amy put me down now! I'm going after Karone!" He was spun so that he was facing me.

"Andros listen to me, think about it, if you go off to rescue your sister from the Dark Fortress, you may not come back! Is that what you really want to do? To try and save your sister but end up unable to save yourself?"I snapped angrily.

"Put me down!"

"You won't help her that way. You have to think up of a plan in order to save your sister as well as survive. And we are going to help you. Whether you like it or not buster!" The others were staring at me astonished and surprised that I even do this and speak in such a fashion to our leader.

"Okay," I said briskly turning my head to the others.

"First things first, we have to re route that asteroid somehow, it's getting closer to Earth." The others snapped out of their stupor, at my mention of Earth and nodded their heads. I turned once agin to Andros.

"Andros I promise you that after we save Earth, we'll go after your sister, you have my word." He was silent for a moment, he finally submitted and nodded his head. He was lowered to the ground, immediately the others began to give out ideas. We finally settled on getting all three Mega Zords: the Astro Mega Zord, the Delta Mega Zord and the Mega Voyager to try to push the asteroid off course. We split up into three teams: Carlos and Cassie were going to pilot the Mega Voyager, TJ was going to pilot the Astro Mega Zord and Andros and I were going to be in the Delta Mega Zord. The Mega Vehicles and the Delta Mega Zord came at their fastest, while we were waiting, the Astro Mega Ship changed into the Astro Mega Zord.

"Come on! Hurry up!" shouted Andros, urging the Astro Mega Zord to form faster. The others had already climbed into their Mega Zords Suddenly they all let out gasps when they saw the asteroid stop dead.

"What the?"

"What's happening?" Shouted my team mates. It was me! I was concentrating my hardest to stop the asteroid although it was proving difficult, it was gigantic. I have never stopped anything this big before! My entire body was trembling.

"Guys get in the path of the asteroid and start pushing it away from the Earth, I don't know how long I can hold it!" I shouted, I had one hand up and pointed toward the screen. Carlos, Cassie, in the Mega Voyager shot forward and planted themselves in the asteroid's path followed by the Delta Mega Zord. They planted their hands on it and began to push it back; around that time the formation of the Astro Mega Zord was complete, steering it so that it was beside the others all of us began to push, but it was pretty much like trying to push a planet, it just wouldn't budge or change course no mater how much power we put into the back thrusters. Come on! Come on! I thought desperately struggling to give more power to all three Mega Zords, but I was using most of my power trying to push the asteroid back! Come on move please move! I pushed with all of my might, the only result was that it moved a little bit.

"I thought that everything became weightless once it was in space!" snapped Carlos angrily, I laughed despite myself but then sobered up as all of us continued to push. God! We could really use some help here. And as if in answer, another Mega Zord showed up, and began to push along with us!

"What?" cried Andros.

"Hey guys, miss me?" called a voice cheerfully over the intercom.

"Zhane?" We all in surprise.

"Yup, now come on all together now." We began to push, but even with all of us the stupid thing still wouldn't budge and we were nearly in Earth's stratosphere! I focused all of my power and thought of all the people on Earth that I knew and cared about. I thought of Dex and my friends. Of Kimberly, my sister. My resolve strengthened. I will protect the Earth, I won't let it be destroyed, not by Dark Specter, Astronema or by anybody. I won't let that happen! Wait, I sense something. Thinking that it was Goldar, coming to take advantage of our predicament and start attacking us, I opened my eyes a crack, my heart pounding, my eyes flew open and my mouth dropped open in surprise.

You rang? Said a voice in my head. A–aisha?

The one and only. Her voice rang with good natured laughter. I brought some help with me as well. It was each and every Mega Zord that the Power Rangers had ever piloted: There was the Mega Zord, that the first team of Power Rangers piloted, the Ninja Mega Zord, the Shogun Mega Zord, the Zeo Mega Zord, and the Turbo Mega Zord! All of them were here! They floated towards us and positioned themselves in front the Asteroid and began to push! I chanced a glance toward Andros, it had occurred to me that my team mates had not shouted out in surprise, had not asked where all of these Mega Zords came from, nor what they were doing here. Can they not see them? The Zeo Mega Zord was close enough to brush the Mega Voyager's shoulder. As if in answer to my question I heard Aisha's voice in my head. They can't see them, only you can. The asteroid, began to move to the left.

"That's it everyone!" shouted Andros, for a split second I thought that he was addressing the entire team of Rangers, both past and present. The asteroid was moving off course, slowly but surely it was moving. Finally we managed to push it entirely out of Earth's path, my team mates cheered I leaned back in my seat with a grateful sigh, glancing out to the side I saw the other Mega Zords. Thank you! I called out to them silently. They nodded back or raised their hands in farewell and vanished.

"What are you looking at Amy?" asked Andros, I jumped and turned toward him.

"Oh nothing." I said putting an innocent look on my face. He shrugged his shoulders.

Later we were all gathered on the bridge, the others were thanking Zhane for his help and he in turn was explaining about the Zord and where he had gotten it. I noticed that Andros talked and made the usual movement and facial expressions appropriate to having a friend and a close ally return, but I knew that his mind was already working on a plan to get his sister back from the Dark Fortress. He turned briskly toward the others.

"Okay everyone, I'm going after Karone." Zhane blinked.

"You found your sister? That's..." But before he could say anything more A-6 stepped in front of him and explained all that had happened. Immediately everyone began to talk at once wanting to go with him. Andros was trying to tell them all something but couldn't be heard over their voices. Putting two fingers in my mouth I let out an ear splitting whistle. All of them cried out and cringed but fell silent, turning to look at me.

"Listen up, all of you. The only person that's going with Andros to the Dark Fortress is me." There were protesting shouts from the others, I shouted for silence.

"I'm the only one that can get him past any guards that might be there and move around undetected due to my ability to morph into a liquid state."

"But any of us...." started Cassie.

"Will be easily spotted, captured and who knows what will be done to you." I said firmly. Cassie glared at me. I continued.

"It's best if only two people go, we will be lest detectable and if one of us gets captured the other can go, return here and start off on a rescue mission." I turned to Andros, who was half way to the door, I limped to catch up with him. But we both stopped when Zhane suddenly called out

"Hang on! I'm coming with you guys." I turned and looked angrily at him.

"Zhane you...." Finally Andros shouted angrily.

"Look we're just wasting time! Amy and Zhane, you're both coming with me, the rest of you stay here." He turned and took off. After glancing at each other, Zhane and I hurried after him.

The Dark Fortress had moved within the last hour, luckily the Astro Mega Ship managed to catch up with it without getting on its radar. After preforming a scan on the Fortress, we found out that shields and a force field had been placed around it, so it looked as if teleporting into the Fortress was out. We decided to sneak in. Morphing and taking the Galaxy Gliders we hitched a ride onto a Velocifighter, while the boys were ducking and hiding behind the back wings of the Velocifighter I had morphed and was hanging on for dear life so as not to go flying off into space. We could have flown the Galaxy Gliders underneath the stupid thing but no. I thought grumpily. We reached the Dark Fortress and passed into the main cockpit, I looked around, I had expected this, the entire place was crawling with Quantrons. I took a deep breath to steady myself, slid over to Andros and Zhane; both of them joined with me in liquified state and away we went. Ducking behind one of the structures that lend into the main hall, we materialized, I took out my computer and punched into Astronema's vital signs. Zhane and Andros kept peeking out from around the structure and ducking back, both of them were talking to each other in low voices, but I was too busy concentrating to really pay attention.

"You went on a date with my sister?"

"It was just one." On screen showed the inside of the Fortress and the various rooms, after searching in each and every room I was disappointed that dad wasn't here. Damn! They must have moved him! Despair began to flood through me and with difficultly I shoved it away.

"Andros, I found her!" I said in a low voice. Both boys turned .

"Where?" They both asked at the same time. I scanned the information.

"In her control room, it's a bit far, so we should be able to reach it with no trouble." Andros nodded while Zhane had an uneasy look on his face.

"Let's go!" Andros said. I resumed my morphed state, morphed the boys as well and we took off. Down several hallways we went going past Quantrons who were, no doubt, on patrol, we stopped and hid in an air vent when we saw Darkonda walking towards us, much to my surprise Elgar was with him.

"Keep an eye out and tighten security Elgar. Those Rangers are probably planning to board the ship and rescue her." Snapped Darkonda.

"Sure thing boss." said Elgar giving him a salute, then he spun and walked away muttering under his breath about locating a couple of Quantrons. Darkonda went on his way and we crept out of our hiding place. If Elgar is here then I guess Divatox is here as well, funny I'm not half as worried if I run into her as I should be. Slithering down a few more hallways and finally turning right we came upon the control room, I was a bit surprised and uneasy to find it empty.

"Okay Amy." murmured Andros.

"Just a few more seconds, just to make sure that the coast is clear." I whispered back. After seeing that the coast was in fact clear and nobody walked into the room, we materialized. Looking around we saw another door way ahead of us.

"That must be her quarters." I murmured pointing. Andros gave a slight nod and walked toward it, Zhane and I followed, I was suddenly reminded of the time when Kat and I managed to retrieve Kim's Power Coin, my Coin and Ninjor and how it ended up being a trap.

"Zhane, get ready for anything." I whispered to him. He nodded. The weight of my sword gave me reassurance as we stepped into the room, sitting in a chair on the far side of the room was....

"Karone!" called Andros happily. I glanced around half expecting Goldar to pop out and attack us, I glanced at Andros and saw him freeze, a look of horror on his face. He took a step back. Astronema turned to face us.

"Oh no." whispered Zhane. I let out a gasp horror going through me as well. Her face was once again cold and emotionless looking and to add to it, what looked like a head set, appeared to be attached to the right side of her face. Despite this new look of hers, Andros tried to reach her.

"Karone! Its me, Andros your brother." She stared back at him coldly then a smile curved her lips.

"Ecliptor get them!" I launched forward and grabbed Andros.

"Time to go!" I said as Zhane spun and began to fight off Ecliptor who had raced in the room, how'd he get here so fast?

"No!" Shouted Andros tearing himself away from me, he grabbed Astronema by the shoulders and began to shake her.

"Karone it's me" His voice was on the brink of breaking, I could see the shine of tears in his eyes. She pulled back one arm.

"Andros!" I shouted at the same time I levitated her and flung her toward Ecliptor and the stream of Quantrons that were coming in.

"Andros come on!" shouted Zhane. Grabbing his arm, Andros pulled away again.

"Not without my sister!" He shouted angrily.

"She's not Karone! They've brainwashed her!" Zhane shouted back.

"Uh guys.....could we maybe continue with conversation some other time?" I shouted, I was holding Astronema and her cronies at bay. All of them were using their weapons to try to blast a hole through my shield. Andros looked at Astronema for a long time, pain etched on his face, finally he turned toward me.

"Let's go Amy!" shouted Zhane. Both boys hurried forward and placed a hand on my shoulder.

"Don't need to tell me twice." We melded into one puddle, the shield went down, the baddies surged forward, but we had already taken off, shooting past all of them, dodging feet and legs as we tore down the hallways, finally emerging into the docking bay.

"Hang on tight!" I shouted as I shot forward toward the docking bay door, I concentrated and managed to open the door a crack big enough for all of us to squeeze through, then we were out. Calling on the Galaxy Gliders we clambered onto them and sped off toward the Mega Ship, unfortunately Velocifighters were right on our tail! I turned my Glider back and raced toward them. Let's see if these guys know how to play chicken. The Velocifighters and I were closing the distance: we were ten feet from each other, then eight, then five. I powered up when it became clear that this guys weren't budging.

"Power Blast!" I shouted. The Velocifighter in front of me swerved, I directed the Blast straight toward the other Fighters, they exploded. The first Velocifighter raced at me, it was nearly on top of me when I turned my Glider into a nose dive, I positioned myself underneath the Fighter, pulled out my sword and rammed it into the belly of the Fighter, cutting it all the way until I reached the tail, I went into another nose dive as the ship exploded. Then I turned my Glider around and headed toward the boys and we made our way back to the Astro MegaShip.

Andros was ahead of Zhane and I as we made our way to the bridge, the door slid open and the others turned to greet us, glad that we had made it back safely....without Andros's sister.

"Andros...what happened? Are you alright?" asked Cassie.

"I'm fine." He said in a tense voice as he walked past her refusing to met her gaze, she continued to follow him with her eyes as he sat in a chair and buried his face in his hands. His shoulders began to shake, after a moment of hesitation Cassie walked over to him, kneeled and put her arms around him. There was no need to re-count what had happened....the others knew that we had failed in our mission.

Later in my room, I was lying in my bed staring up at the ceiling, Andros had retreated to his room after Zhane had told the others what had been done to Astronema. I had gotten a scan of her and with DECA's help, we were able to identify what that thing was that was on her.

"It appears to be a microchip that is controlling Karone's brain waves so any and all memories that she had of ever being Karone is lost, also it seems to have wiped out all emotions." DECA said.

"But she's still in there....and I'm going to find a way to bring her back." Andros said determinedly. All of us agreed and promised to help him. But I had my doubts, Astronema rarely came down from the Fortress so ideas of grabbing her, bringing her to the MegaShip and removing that circuitry were out, so were any and all ideas of sneaking aboard the Dark Fortress again. Just as well, they must have tighten security tenfold, and even if we did manage to sneak on......we probably wouldn't make it out alive. I blinked and thought about it. Um...maybe we could...I mean Astronema and her crew are not really that strong...with the exception of Darkonda that is. A picture of all those Quantrons surrounding and overwhelming us popped into my mind. The numbers Karmer, the numbers! Plus the fact that Dark Specter himself might show up. Although, now that I think about it, for being "The All Mighty Evil and The Boss of Every Evil Villain" that the Power Rangers have faced....he, like Astronema, Zedd, Count Dregon and Divatox....doesn't like to get his hands dirty. Sitting up, I turned my body so that I had my back to the wall. Even though I didn't initially care about Astronema, and could care less about saving her, it was the fact that I had to save her that made it my duty to help Andros. I thought back to the time when Master Vile had reversed time. Mom , my family. I remembered my excitement and joy.....and the pain when I had to say good bye. When I went to the cemetery and saw her tombstone.....the reality of it slammed into me and made the pain more real. I blinked back tears. I thought of the look of pure shock on Andros's face when he saw his sister, sitting before him, brainwashed and turned evil once again. Seeing her like that, that was the reality for him. I have to help save her, even...even though I think it's impossible. We're dealing with a microchip, that's going to be even tougher to break than a spell.....but we have to try. For Andros's sake.

Not my best work, I know.