I haven't slept much these past few days. Whenever I close my eyes, my memories with Kendrix flash into mind. When I try to drown out the thoughts with music, all I can hear is her voice. No more moments together. No more of her rants about work. No more of our gossiping sessions.

Nothing, at least not anymore.

So when Maya awakens with a gasp, I'm already conscious, staring up at the ceiling. "You okay?" I think we both know the answer to my question, but it's one I ask nonetheless.

"Kendrix spoke to me." One of her prophetic dreams? It's got to be. I let my hand fall, brushing against the strip of film I'd gotten developed: a candid picture of me, Maya, and Kendrix that Damon had taken to test out his new camera.

"Come on. The others need to hear about this."

"What's the emergency?" Kai asks, somehow bright-eyed and bushy-tailed despite the ungodly hour. Who knows? He might have been up late as well, contemplating everything that had happened.

"Kendrix's Quasar Saber has fallen into the wrong hands," Maya begins, walking over to them. My eyes stay fixed on the window, watching as each individual star blinks in the dark expanse of space. Wondering if 'Drix is one of them now, "We need to find it."

"How do you know all that?" Leo asks.

"Kendrix came to me."

"Kendrix?" Damon echoes, incredulous, and I steady myself. I won't be any good in this state.

"She told me." Nobody speaks. Nobody even moves. The importance of this next mission weighs too heavily on our shoulders. But somebody needs to break the silence. I turn, fixing my gaze on each of my teammates.

"We need to get to that Quasar Saber. That sword is her legacy, and it's our duty to protect it," I urge, slipping into my second-in-command position, "I'll see if I can get a trace on its energy signature. Damon, get the Jammers ready," the mechanic nods, throwing aside the pillow he'd been holding and rushing to the docking bay, "Maya, stay focused. 'Drix might send you more messages. Kai, get the shields up and running." Leo clears his throat, and I glance up at my first-in-command, gesturing towards Andros' spot at the controls. "And I believe this spot is yours, love."

My brother makes a gagging sound, and I make a face at him. A small semblance of normalcy, even if it's at my own expense.

Damon gets the Jammers up and running in no time flat, and Leo and I devise a plan once we get ahold of the Saber's coordinates. There are three other energy signatures surrounding it, so Kai and Damon will get rid of the first two who seem to be guarding it, while Leo, Maya, and I go in to face the third. At Kai's bird signal- which honestly sounds dumb as hell- Leo counts down from five and we go in.

A dwarf sits at a desk, and as Leo kicks the door down, he reaches for his weapon. "Touch it, and it'll be the last thing you ever do." My first-in-command is angry, but it's a scary type of anger: a quiet one, matching my own. After everything we've been through, I've realized that his stronger emotions have faded, becoming more mature. I'm proud of him, but in moments like these, he's downright terrifying. The dwarf laughs, obviously uncomfortable, and Leo takes his hand away from his own weapon. "Good choice. Now where's the pink Quasar Saber?"

"I don't have it." I scoff.

"But you do know where it is," Maya interjects, stepping forward.

"Information like this," the dwarf says with a chuckle, and I desperately wish to chop its head right off its shoulders, "will cost you dearly." Looks like I'll get my wish, because Leo and Maya both go for their Sabers, and I do the same.

"Not as much as it'll cost you for not telling us," the former spits. Leo plants his blade right onto the surface of the dwarf's worktable, "Do you understand me?" Strangely enough, his only response is a laugh.

"No need to get upset." With that, we go flying backwards, out the door of the cabin. I throw up a telekinetic shield, protecting our backs as we hit the ground, and before the dwarf can make his escape, Kai and Damon block his path with their Sabers. A damn good team, even if… the shield fades out from underneath us, and we fall the extra foot to the ground.

Thanks for the warning, Leo complains via our telepathic link, and I shoot him a glare.

You're very welcome, L, I reply as we get to our feet.

"I'll give you one last chance. Where is the pink Quasar Saber?" Like I said: terrifying.

"I-I sold it to two scoundrels. They're on the planet Kirassa!"

"It better fucking be. Let's go."

When we land on Kirassa, forming up behind a rock outcropping at the top of a hill, I notice that something's off. Well, off might not be the right word. More like there's something in the air. I think Maya's mentioned that this is what it feels like to have her prophetic moments sometimes, that it's near unexplainable. But she can tell something's about to happen regardless.

"Doesn't look like anyone's been here in a while," Leo's remark snaps me out of my musings.

"There it is!" Kai murmurs, and I squint closer to the small camp. There, the blade protected by a covering, is Kendrix's Quasar Saber.

"Let's go."

"Right."

"Damon, watch to the east. You guys take north and west." The others fan out, keeping a watchful eye in their directions, while Leo and I rush over to the Saber.

"Here goes." Leo takes hold of the Quasar Saber, but when he pulls it towards him, the bag it was in topples over. The bag that'd held a bomb.

"It's a trap!" I throw a telekinetic shield up, but in my shock, I'm not sure if it will hold. "Everybody down!" The explosion rockets off behind us, and even with the extra protection, we're still thrown to the ground. And while we're down, a familiar face steps up to us. Not to mention, using a familiar voice.

"Please, don't tell them I said anything!" Deviot uses the voice of the dwarf we cornered, and I grit my teeth. A trick, and we'd fallen for it way too easily. "You fools." The bionic warrior launches a kick into Leo's midsection, and I flinch. "Today, you will meet your end!"

Remember when I said that something was off? Even when the explosion knocked us down, the feeling still hadn't gone away, and I think now I know why. Because before Deviot can do much of anything besides threaten us, Kendrix's real Quasar Saber flies through the air. For a moment, I wish with all my heart that it's her. That she somehow survived, that everything we went through was a test of some sort. I'd prefer anything over her being permanently gone.

But this alternative is unexpected, to say the least. Because the woman who catches the Quasar Saber as it returns is none other than-

"Karone!" All of my exhaustion and pain from this past week is forgotten as Andros' sister rushes up to me, wrapping me in a hug. "'Dros told me you were busy kicking ass, I guess this is what he meant."

"And it looks like you've never stopped being blue, huh?" I'm honestly grinning so wide that it's almost hard for me to answer.

"You bet." Karone nods, helps me up.

"Come on, we need to get out of here." We come to a stop on a path hidden by some boulders, and she turns to us.

"Guys, I'm sure you already know, but this is Karone. Karone, this is my new team." She nods, smiles at us, and tears spring to my eyes. Once Andros and the others had left, the next time I'd been expecting to see Karone was over a video call. But this? This is infinitely better.

"It's an honor to meet you. I wanted to return this to you," she explains, holding out the Quasar Saber to Leo.

"Kendrix's Saber," Damon murmurs.

"How did you get it?" Kai asks the question that was on all of our minds.

"It was on Onyx. I kind of had to pretend I was still Astronoma." My heart lurches at her explanation, and I rest a hand on her shoulder.

"You took a real risk," Maya replies.

"I did a lot of evil things while I was Astronoma. I just wanted to do something good for a change. I thought this would be the right way to start." It's not a surprise that her past still haunts her, but that doesn't change the fact that it still hurts. In our frequent girl talks (and sometimes even team talks) back on Earth, she'd lamented the fact that she'd put each of us through so much pain.

But honestly? It's water under the bridge.

"I know this is probably the billionth time I've said this," I start, "but you may not be able to change the past, but you can still forge a better future. I'm proud of you." Karone nods, an unexplainable emotion passing over her face.

"I… I don't even know we can begin to thank you," Leo murmurs.

"You don't have to," my old friend assures with a shake of her head.

"Well then, we better get out of here." We follow Leo's lead, rushing back towards where we'd left our Jet Jammers. But before we can make it there, Trakeena appears in a bolt of green lightning. Once, I'd said that I'd absolutely love to see Karone and Trakeena in the same room, to see who'd come out unscathed. Now, I wish I hadn't thought that at all. Villamax and a monster I've never seen before form up next to her.

"So. We meet again." Yikes. They must've seen each other on Onyx.

"Unlucky for you," Leo retorts.

"No, unlucky for you!" Deviot shoots back as he emerges on the opposite side of us, trapping us in.

"Four Rangers, the Pink Quasar Saber, and a washed up Astronoma?" I know that I may not be the most outwardly affectionate person in the galaxy, but if you talk that level of shit about one of my friends…

"Her name is Karone."

"Whatever."

"Don't worry," Leo reassures, taking Kendrix's Quasar Saber into his free hand. "We can handle this."

"This is turning out to be a great day."

"'Fraid we're gonna have to spoil it for you."

"Oh, but you won't," Trakeena promises, and as she lifts up her staff, I can't help but scoff. Her lack of subtlety works well for me, since it gives me enough time to throw up a shield- A shield that her lightning blast works its way around. Dust flies into my mouth, and I grimace when I notice the Quasar Saber on the ground.

"You okay, 'Rone?" I ask, helping her up, and she nods.

"Since when could you..?"

"I'll tell you later." With that, we rush into battle.

I'm pretty sure I've said this before, but if karma exists, I hate its guts. Trakeena emerges from a path in the mountains, Kendrix's Quasar Saber in her dirty grasp.

And without Karone, who'd led her away from the battle.

"What did you do to Karone?" I snarl, but my voice is much stronger than the rest of me. We'd been sorely outgunned, especially following the toll that losing Kendrix had had on us, and now we're here. Trakeena holds one of our own weapons up to my face, and I keep tight to the self control that's keeping me from freaking the fuck out. My limbs are weak, tired, mind foggy from the amount of telekinesis I'd used in the fight.

"The same thing I'm about to do to you." There's really, really no getting out of this one. I don't like to admit when I'm defeated, but now? Now this might really be it. For a second, I have a flash of clarity: we've been the only ones who can deal this sort of damage to Trakeena and her army. So now that she holds our Saber? Well, it's like I said. Karma.

I squeeze my eyes tight, preparing for the final blow, but that's when Karone latches on to Trakeena's wrist, lowering her arm.

And on her own wrist…

No fucking way.

Combined with the power of the Pink Quasar Saber, Kendrix's morpher surrounds Karone with a pink glow. Then, before all of our eyes, she morphs into the Pink Galaxy Ranger.

Yeah, karma doesn't exist. And if it does, it isn't shit.

"Karone?" My voice, strong just moments ago, can only emerge as a whisper, and the new Pink Ranger glances at me as I scramble to help Maya.

"Yours truly."

The fight doesn't go on for much longer, though, since Villamax, Deviot, and Trakeena all disappear to who knows where. Retreating? Hopefully. I've had about enough of them for an entire lifetime.

"I've been given the honor of finishing you off," the monster who'd been left explains.

"Alright guys, there's six of us now. Let's do it!"

"You got it," Karone replies, and I can't help but smile like an absolute fool. She fits right in. "Lights of Orion, activate! Power-Up Mode!"

The monster falls, and as soon as we power down, I rush up to Karone. In our usual "holy shit, did that just happen" reaction, I grab her hands and we start jumping up and down.

"Dude, you're like… you're so badass. I can't believe you're a part of the team, I can't wait to show you Terra Venture, and-"

"I've literally never seen her like this," Kai jokes, joining us when we stop freaking out, "and I'm her brother."

Karone glances between us, and much to my surprise, all she does is shrug. "Wouldn't be the first time one of us had a long lost sibling." A laugh escapes me, and I give her a quick hug.

"Welcome to the team," Damon adds.

"You were incredible," Maya gushes.

"Yeah, I can't believe it. Me, a Power Ranger?"

"You were fantastic," Kai assures. Our morphers beep, then, and I sigh. What now?

"Go ahead, Alpha."

"Rangers! Trakeena sent her monsters to Terra Venture, get back here quickly!"

"We're on our way."

We get back home just as the other unfamiliar monster grows to its giant size. I sigh. We're really throwing Karone right into the fire, huh?

"You're really getting a crash course on being a Ranger," Maya confirms my thoughts.

"No shit," Damon mutters, "Here Karone, call the Galactabeasts!"

"Alright!" Despite the terrible context, I can't help but feel a rush of adrenaline flood my veins. I've never had the opportunity to fight alongside Karone, mostly because the situation had never called for it. And also because most of the time was spent fighting against her, but like I said: Water. Bridge. "Galactabeasts, over here!" Uh, yeah. Astronoma is most definitely a part of her past. Sometimes, I can't even believe she was ever her evil counterpart.

"Um, it's more like this," Damon offers, correcting her posture.

"Okay, thanks. Galactabeasts, arise! Zords transform, now! Galaxy Megazord, online!"

"I've waited a long time to get the chance to destroy the Rangers!" Our opponent growls, and I almost laugh in its face. "And now this is finally it!" It lowers its head, crashing into us again and again, and I grip onto my console to keep from stumbling. We hit the ground, but Kai doesn't waste a second.

"Centaurus Megazord!" The red Zord appears, first hurling the monster to the side, then firing off its lasers.

"Galaxy Megazord, full power!" Karone commands, and with a final slash, our foe is defeated.

"And this is our quarters." The door slides open, and Maya, Karone, and I step inside.

"This is great," the Pink Ranger (THE PINK RANGER!) breathes, "talk about a deluxe spaceship. Terra Venture's incredible!"

"You'll have the bunk under mine," I explain, taking her stuff and placing it down. "And there's food in the kitchen. Fair warning, I'm not able to say the same about the guys' quarters most of the time." We laugh together, and for a moment, everything feels like it's meant to be. Then, Karone's gaze wanders away from me, and her face drops.

She's spotted the framed photo of me, Maya, and Kendrix, and my stomach lurches.

"Listen, guys. I don't know if I can be as good as Kendrix." Not 'as good of a Ranger', but 'as good' period. Her words pierce right through my chest as effectively as if she'd used a knife. "But I want you to know that I'm gonna do the best I can."

"You're gonna do great," Maya assures.

"Kendrix would be honored to have you take her place," I add, and we pull each other in for a hug.

"Now, it'd be great if you'd tell me what you've got going on with Leo." Karone's arbitrary statement catches me off guard, and Maya snorts out a laugh at my shocked expression. Damn the Pink Ranger and her sibling, always freakishly observant.

"We're together, and don't freak out-" Thankfully, the door slides open before she can even react, and my brother waltzes in, the guys following behind.

"Ladies! Time for a welcome feast," Kai explains, "Chicken a la Kai."

"Oh. And if you didn't know, my brother's an idiot," I whisper, leaning closer to her.

"Takes having one to know one, I guess," Karone murmurs back, and I can't help the giggle that escapes me. She and Andros got along well enough back on Earth, but they'd have their occasional sibling fight. "But is all this for me?" She asks, raising her voice to the rest of the group, and I nod, nudging her gently. "This is great."

"From all of us, welcome to Terra Venture."