Chapter 25: Heart Full of Pain

Ashley smiled as she brushed out Selena's hair. "Mama, I want the yellow bow," Selena informed. Ashley smiled as she took out the yellow bow from the dresser and tied it into her daughter's hair.

"There we go," She announced.

Ashley smiled as she watched Selena grab her doll and ran off to play.

Andros was on the bridge when Ashley walked in to check a few things. She let out a sigh as she walked over to Andros and wrapped her arms around his torso. "How about we take Selena out for some fun?" She suggested.

"Last time we did that we didn't see her for a week," he answered.

"We can have fun without having to leave the ship," she pointed out.

Andros pulled out of her arms. "I need to be alone right now," he answered. She watched as he left and let out a sigh.

(KO-35)

Andros walked around his home planet, heading towards the park where he last saw Karone. He stopped when he saw Astronema there. "Karone," he called. Astronema looked up at him. "You remember don't you?" He asked. She quickly held her staff up.

"I don't know what you're talking about," she hissed.

Andros stood there for a second before walking closer. "Of course you do, you remember your last day here, as Karone, before Darkonda kidnapped you," Andros answered. He saw her freeze and close her eyes. She quickly opened her eyes again and threw blasts at him.

(Megaship)

Ashley was walking down the hall when she heard giggling coming from Zhane's room. She walked over and opened the door to see Selena sitting on Zhane's bed with the telekinesis ball floating in front of her. "Very good," Zhane commented.

"Zhane," Ashley called.

Zhane got up from the bed and walked over to his sister. "Have you seen Andros? I can't find him anywhere," she murmured. Zhane stood there.

"I haven't seen him since this morning," he answered.

Ashley played with her necklace, biting her lower lip. "Do you think something's happened?" He asked.

"Something doesn't sit right," she replied.

Ashley rubbed the back of her neck. "I just hope he hasn't done something stupid," she murmured. Zhane kissed her cheek.

"I'm sure he's fine," he assured her.

She walked away with a sigh. "I hope so," she answered.

Ashley was sitting on the bridge when the doors opened and Andros walked in. "Where have you been?!" She exclaimed, standing up. She saw the look on his face and she knew. "Andros, you didn't…" she started.

"Yeah, I did," he answered.

"Andros, she's not the Karone we used to know! They brainwashed her into thinking that we're evil. She took Selena and tried to kill us!" Ashley exclaimed.

"She's my sister!" Andros answered.

"She was my best friend!" Ashley told him.

Andros sat down and Ashley placed her hands on his shoulders. "Andros, listen to me, she doesn't remember who we are. She thinks that we were killed," she answered.

"She's still my sister, Ashley, I promised mom and dad that I'd find her," he muttered.

"But Andros she doesn't even remember who she is. She believes she's Astronema," she answered.

Andros stood up again. "Andros, I love you and I promised years ago that I would stay with you until the universe ends which could happen if your personal feelings…" she started.

"Zhane didn't stop until he found you," Andros answered.

"Zhane was in a coma because his sole mission was to find me!" She reminded.

Andros leaned against the wall and Ashley placed her hands on his face. "Andros…she can't be trusted," she insisted.

"I have to trust her, because I know she's starting to remember who she is," he answered.

He walked away and Ashley stood there with a sigh.

(Megaship: After the Battle)

Ashley looked at the main viewing screen after Alpha told them that Astronema was sending a transmission. "Andros, meet me on KO-35, I have to speak with you alone," she informed, before cutting the transmission.

"Karone! Wait!" Andros called.

He went to leave the ship when Ashley grabbed his arm. "Andros, you can't go down there alone," she insisted.

"I'm going, Ashley, and I'm going alone," he answered.

He jerked his arm out of her grasp before leaving the bridge.

Later on, Ashley was on the bridge floor playing with Selena to keep her mind off what was going on. Selena let out a yawn and Ashley smiled slightly. "Almost time for your nap isn't it?" She asked.

"No nap," Selena answered.

Ashley picked her up and went to take her to her and Andros's quarters when the door opened and Andros walked in. "Andros!" She gasped.

"Daddy," Selena giggled.

"How did it go?" TJ asked.

"Well…" Andros started.

Ashley felt her heart stop and she held Selena closer when she saw Astronema walk on the bridge. "You brought her on the ship…" TJ said in disbelief. Andros gave him a "duh" look before walking over to Astronema.

"I can't believe you did this," Ashley muttered.

"She's my sister, and she knows where Zordon is," Andros answered.

"Of course she does, she helped kidnap him," TJ accused.

"Actually…I didn't…" Astronema answered.

She walked a little closer to Ashley, who backed up still holding Selena close to her. "But I can help you find him," she informed.

"Just give us the coordinates, we don't need your help," Cassie answered.

"As a matter of fact you do, there's a force field around the planet and I can get Dark Specter to lower the shields," she informed.

Selena just stared at Astronema. "Your hair's blue," she commented. Ashley stood against the wall when Astronema looked at Selena.

"Your hair is striped like your dad's," she answered.

Selena started to play with Ashley's necklace. "You stay away from us," Ashley instructed Astronema.

"That's fine, Ashley, because until we're there she's going to be restrained," TJ informed.

"No!" Andros exclaimed.

"She is not to be trusted," Carlos insisted.

"It's okay," Astronema assured Andros.

"And if you won't agree about it for the guys, do it for Selena at least," Ashley put in.

Astronema sighed before TJ stood in front of her. "Where's Zordon?" He asked.

"Kirak galaxy, jungle planet of Yutoba," she informed.

Ashley watched as Andros led Astronema out of the room.

Later on, Ashley was getting Selena down for her nap when Andros came in. "Ashley, I know you're angry…" he started. She covered Selena up and left the room.

"Does our daughter's safety not matter to you?" She asked.

"What does that mean?" He asked.

"YOU BROUGHT HER ON THIS SHIP! YOU PUT OUR DAUGHTER'S LIFE IN DANGER!" She shouted.

Andros stood there and Ashley shook her head at him. "She kidnapped our daughter and you still brought her here," she muttered before walking away.