Disclaimer: I don't own any of the characters. Saban does.
Summery: Andros is reunited with someone he never thought he'd see again.
Family Reunion
Andros sat in his room looking at the pictures on his nightstand. One he couldn't stop looking at was the one of him and Karone when they were children only a few days before she was kidnapped. He couldn't stop thinking how if he hadn't gone off and left Karone alone she would still be with him today.
"Don't worry Karone I'll find you soon." He said as there was a knock at his door "Come in."
The door slid open and Zhane walked in "Hey buddy what's up?"
Andros stood up "Just thinking about Karone."
Zhane glanced at the picture then at Andros "I'm sure you'll find her soon."
Andros nodded "Yeah I know. So how do you like Earth?" he asked changing the subject.
"Oh man it's awesome!" Zhane said "Billy, TJ and Carlos brought me to the basketball court today and taught me to play. Me and Billy kicked their butts."
"That's great." Andros said "Ya know I met Kim while playing basketball."
Zhane smiled "Yeah I know. She's a really great girl."
Andros nodded "Before I met her I felt empty. The first time I saw her it felt like part of me was back then when her and Billy revived you it felt like another part of me was back but…"
"It still feels like a part of you is missing because you still haven't found your sister." Zhane said.
"Exactly." Andros said as TJ ran by the open door.
TJ walked back "Oh guys we're going down to the Surf Spot to get some lunch wanna come?"
"Sure." Zhane said, "I'm starved."
"Andros?" TJ asked.
The red ranger thought for a minute "Yeah sure." The three guys left the room and went to find the others.
***
On the Dark Fortress Astronema was watching the rangers "Astronema the rangers are all down on earth in the park." Elgar said, "Do you want me to send down some quantrons?"
Astronema thought for a minute "No. I think I'm gonna pay the rangers a little visit myself."
"Are you sure that's a good idea?" Ecliptor asked "I think you should take some quantrons with you."
"Ecliptor I don't need any quantron." Astronema said "Elgar teleport me down there now."
Elgar turned to the console pressed a few buttons and Astronema was gone.
***
"Hey Zhane wanna play football?" TJ asked tossing the football in the air.
"Sure why not." Zhane said. Just as the guys stood up to play Astronoma appeared in front of them.
Andros sighed "Astronema what are you doing here?"
"Come to ruin our game?" Carlos asked.
"I just thought I'd pay a little visit." She said.
"Well you visited now leave." Ashley said.
Astronema looked at her "Why would I wanna leave? It's so fun here." She raised her staff and pointed it at the rangers "And I'll have even more fun getting rid of you pests." She fired at the rangers.
Luckily they saw the blast coming and ducked.
"Come on guys." Andros said, "Let's Rocket!" The rangers started fighting Astronema as Kim and Billy moved out of the line of fire.
"Astronema why must you always cause trouble?" Andros asked grabbing onto her staff with both hands.
She smiled at him "Because trouble's my middle name." She tried pulling the staff out of his hands but he was too strong, he pulled the staff from her hands and pointed it at her.
"What are you gonna do now?" Cassie asked as the rangers gathered around Astronema.
"Yeah now you're unarmed." Andros said putting the tip of the staff against her neck.
"Don't underestimate me rangers." She said grabbing the staff and yanking it out of Andros's hands causing the tip to catch under the necklace around her neck. No one seemed to notice the necklace as it flew across the park.
Before Andros could find his footing Astronema planted her foot in his stomach causing him to double over.
"Well I think I've had enough fun for one day." She said placing the bottom of the staff on the ground "I'll be back."
"Is that a promise or a threat?" Carlos asked.
"Both." Astronema said, as she was teleported back to the Dark Fortress.
"Well that was fun." Ashley said as they demorphed and walked back to where Kim and Billy were gathering the stuff they'd brought to the park.
"Yeah a lot of fun." TJ said picking up the football "Anyone still wanna play?"
"Sure." Carlos said, "You guys wanna play?"
"Yeah I'll be there in a…" Andros let his sentence trail as something shiny by his feet caught his eye.
"You'll be there in a what?" Carlos asked as Andros bent down to pick something up.
They were all curious to what Andros had found.
"What is it?" Kim asked.
"It's Astronema's necklace." Andros said examining it. He turned it over in his hands then opened the locket. Inside were two pictures one of a young boy and a young girl.
Andros looked at the pictures for a long time before reaching under his shirt and pulling a necklace with a similar locket from around his neck. He opened the locket and placed them next to each other. Both contained identical pictures.
Billy put a hand on Andros's shoulder "Andros."
"It's me and Karone." Andros finally said.
"Are you saying Astronema is your sister?" Carlos asked.
Andros closed the lockets and replaced his around his neck "Let's talk about this on the Mega Ship." They collected their things then teleported back to the Mega Ship.
***
"Astronema can't be Karone." TJ said "That's impossible." They were all sitting around a table in the work bay on the Mega Ship.
"No it's not." Andros said "Darkonda kidnapped Karone when we were kids so we could have brainwashed her then taught her to be evil."
"Andros is right." Billy said.
"But how do I get her to remember she's Karone?" Andros asked.
"That I don't know." Billy said.
Andros dropped his head into his hands.
"Don't worry." Ashley said, "I'm sure Billy will think of something."
***
"That was fun." Astronema said, she was back at the Dark Fortress in her room.
"I don't think you should do that anymore." Ecliptor said as Astronema sat down and placed her hand at the base of her neck.
"Oh Ecliptor I was only…" She ended her sentence as she moved her hand around the base of her neck "Oh my god!" she stood up abruptly "My necklace! My necklace is gone! Ecliptor take Elgar and some quantrons down to the park where I was fighting the rangers and look for my necklace."
"Astronema…." Ecliptor started.
"NOW!" She screamed "I need that necklace. Go find it!"
"Yes my princess." Ecliptor said turning and exiting the room.
***
Andros entered the med lab where Billy was entering things into a computer.
"Have you found anything?" Andros asked looking over Billy's shoulder.
Billy shook his head "If only there were a way I could scan her brain and find out exactly how they turned her evil." Billy turned away from the computer "How old were the two of you when she was kidnapped?"
"About five." Andros informed him "Why?"
Billy shook his head again "Just wondering. Ya know if you or someone else could some how get onto the Dark Fortress then maybe we could teleport her here and then I could get a scan of her brain."
Andros's face lit up "Do you think you could figure out a way for me to get onto the Dark Fortress?"
Billy thought for a moment "I might be able to. After all I have figured out ways to get into and out of Rita and Zedd's palace and the Dark Dimension."
"Guys." Cassie said stopping in the doorway "Ecliptor, Elgar and a bunch of quantrons are in the park."
"Are they causing trouble?" Andros asked.
Cassie shook her head "No that's the weird part. It's as if they're looking for something."
"I know exactly what they're looking for." Andros said, "Let's go down there and give them what they want."
Billy grabbed Andros's shoulder "Wait!"
Andros turned and stared at Billy "What?"
"Did you hear what she said?" Billy asked.
"Yeah she said Ecliptor, Elgar and a buncha quantrons are in the park looking for Astronema's necklace." Andros said.
"Exactly!" Billy said, "In other words only Astronema and some quantrons are on the Dark Fortress."
"What are you getting at?" Cassie asked.
"I can teleport Andros into the Dark Fortress without him being detected since its defenses are probably down." Billy said.
"And then I can get Atronema and we can teleport her here." Andros said.
Billy nodded "Exactly."
"God Billy you're a genius." Cassie said.
Billy smiled "Cassie you and the other rangers go down to the park and keep Ecliptor and the others occupied while I teleport Andros to the Dark Fortress."
"Ok Billy." Cassie said turning to leave the room.
"Wait a minute." Andros said reaching into his pants pocket "Take Astronema's necklace just don't let Ecliptor or the others get it. I need that."
Cassie nodded "You got it Andros." She left and Andros turned back to Billy.
"So how are you gonna get onto the Dark Fortress?" He asked.
"Come with me." Billy said they left the room and headed to the work bay.
***
"I don't know what Astronema is talking about her necklace isn't here." Elgar said to Ecliptor.
"She insists it's here so keep looking!" Ecliptor exclaimed, "We can't go back to the ship without it."
"Hey ugly!" TJ yelled from behind Ecliptor and Elgar "Is this what you're looking for?" TJ held Astronema's necklace out in his left hand.
Ecliptor advanced towards the five rangers "Give me that necklace."
"I don't think so." Zhane said.
"Yeah do you think we're stupid?" Ashley asked.
"If you want it come and get it." Carlos said.
"Quantrons go get that necklace!" Ecliptor ordered.
As the quantrons rushed at the rangers TJ left the group and walked towards Ecliptor.
"So how much do you want this necklace?" He asked holding it up.
Ecliptor advanced on TJ "Give me that necklace."
"If you really, really want it then come and get it." TJ said dangling it in front of Ecliptor.
TJ didn't move as Ecliptor reached out to grab the necklace. When Ecliptor's fingers were inches from the oval object TJ lifted his leg and planted his foot in Ecliptor's stomach causing him to stumble back.
"Did you think I was gonna make it that easy for you?" TJ asked as Ecliptor regained his footing.
"Don't be so cocky ranger." Ecliptor said, "Unless you haven't noticed you're outnumbered."
TJ laughed "Oh really I only see me and you. Since my friends are taking care of your buddies."
"Apparently you've forgotten that Elgar is here." Ecliptor said sounding confidant.
TJ looked around "Really? I don't see him anywhere."
Ecliptor turned around to that Elgar was nowhere to be found.
"Looks like he bailed on you." TJ said, "So I guess it's just you and me. That is until my friends join me."
***
"Ok I've reconfigured this communicator to teleport you to the Dark Fortress then back here." Billy said.
"All I have to do is press this button." Andros said strapping the communicator onto his wrist.
Billy nodded "That's all you have to do. Once you have Astronema teleport back."
"Be careful not to be seen." Kim said, Kim had been sitting on a table in the work bay.
Andros turned to her "Don't worry I won't and even if I do I can take care of myself."
"Are you sure you don't want someone to come with you to watch your back?" Kim asked jumping off the table.
He smiled "I'm sure. I'll be fine." Andros placed his hands on Kim's cheeks and kissed her "I'll be in contact with you guys the whole time I'm on the ship."
Kim smiled "Ok. Just watch your back."
"I will." He kissed Kim ounce more then stood in between Kim and Billy "Soon I'll have my sister back." He pressed the button and was gone in a flash of red light.
When the red light disappeared Andros found himself on the bridge of the Dark Fortress. He looked around the bridge to his surprise no one was there. Andros walked slowly so not to make a sound on the metal floor of the bridge.
He suddenly remembered to tell Billy and Kim that he'd arrived safely. He raised his arm and pressed a button "Guys I'm here." He whispered.
"Alright." Came Billy's voice over the small device "I can keep tabs on you so if you get in any kinda trouble I can get you out of there."
"Ok." Andros said "I'd better be quiet so no one hears me. Although I don't know who would it's like there's no one here."
"Just be careful." Billy said. After he ended the short conversation he walked to the exit of the bridge.
"Now where is she?" Andros said quietly to himself. He walked through the corridors of the ship until he heard footsteps coming towards him.
"They'd better find my necklace." Andros looked around for someplace to hide as he heard Astronema's voice but there was nowhere to go.
Andros stood and waited for her to find him when he heard a door slide open then closed. He walked further up the corridor looking for the room Astronema had just gone into.
Andros raised his wrist and pressed the button on his communicator "Billy." He whispered "Can you tell me where Astronema's room his?"
"You're standing right in front of it." Billy said over the communicator.
"Thanks Billy." Andros said turning back to face the door. He pressed a few buttons on the console next to the door.
"Ecliptor is that you? Come in." Astronema said not knowing who was at the door.
"Gladly." Andros said entering the room.
Atronema looked up from where she was sitting "Did you find my……Andros!"
"Your necklace? Actually we have it." Andros said.
"Give it to me now!" She exclaimed standing up.
"Sorry I don't have it. If you'd been watching what's going on down in the park then you'd know I don't have it." Andros said as she approached him "Tell me what's so important about that necklace?"
"I don't have to tell you anything." She said, "You do know I could kill you right here."
Andros nodded "But you won't."
"How do you know?" She asked.
"Because you wouldn't kill your brother." He said.
"No. You're not my brother." Astronema said, "I don't have a brother. Atleast not anymore. You killed my family."
"Yes you do." Andros said "Why else would you need that necklace so badly? I know what's in that locket."
Astronema shook her head "How could you possibly know?"
Andros pulled his necklace out from under his shirt "Because I have one too."
Astronema's eyes widened "No. No you can't be." She turned away from Andros "Darkonda said I didn't have a family."
Andros took a step towards her "He lied. Darkonda kidnapped you when we were children. You're Karone my sister not Astronema. You have to believe me."
Tears slipped from Astronema's eyes "You're lying."
Andros placed a hand on Astronema's shoulder "No I'm not. You're my sister, Karone. Remember when we used to play together on KO-35?"
Astronema closed her eyes as memories flooded her mind.
"Do you remember?" Andros asked as tears filled his hazel eyes.
She turned to face him tears running down her cheeks "I remember."
"What do you remember?" Andros asked a few tears escaping down his smooth cheeks.
Astronema looked down at the floor then back at Andros "I remember playing in a field. You went off to get something and the next thing I knew I was being carried away by…by Darkonda." She looked into Andros's eyes "I am Karone. You are my brother."
Andros smiled as tears of happiness escaped his eyes "Karone."
Karone threw her arms around Andros in a tight embrace.
"Let's get you to the Mega ship." Andros said as they pulled apart.
Karone nodded "Good idea."
Andros took Karone's hand and was about to press the button on his communicator when Ecliptor showed up in the doorway.
"I'm sorry my princess but….What are you doing here?" Ecliptor asked
"Taking my sister back." Andros said pressing the button.
Karone raised her hand and waved to Ecliptor "Bye."
***
"What's talking him so long?" Ashley asked, the rangers were back on the mega ship and in the work bay with Billy and Kimberly.
"I don't know." Billy said as a flash of red and white light filled the room. When the light disappeared Andros was standing in front of his friend with Astronema.
"Andros step back." TJ said as Billy got ready to put up a force field.
Andros put his hands up to stop Billy "You don't have to do that. She remembers. She's Karone."
Karone nodded "It's true. Andros made me remember who I really am."
"Is it really you Karone?" Zhane asked walking towards her slowly.
"Yeah it's me." She said as a true smile crossed her face.
Zhane smiled and threw his arms around her "I'm so glad you're back."
"Me too." She said as Zhane let her go "There's so much I have to be filled in on."
Andros nodded "We'll do that later right now you should go change. Kim, Cassie and Ashley will show you to your room."
"Thanks Andros. I owe everything to you."
"You're welcome." Andros said as Billy showed up next to them.
"I hate to ruin a moment like this but I'd like to do some tests on Karone. If that's alright with her." Billy said.
Karone nodded "Sure no problem. Just let me change."
"Of course." Billy said smiling. The girls all left the work bay and started down the hall.
***
The girls showed Karone her room and she changed into one of the uniforms. After she changed she went to the infirmary and let Billy run some tests on her. According to Billy she was just fine but that he would be monitoring her behavior.
Now they were all in the work bay at a long table eating.
"So she's back to normal Billy?" Zhane asked.
Billy nodded "As far as I can tell it's as if she was never Astronema. I mean she remembers everything that happened while she was Astronema but now she also remembers everything before she became Astronema. Everything Darkonda made her forget."
Karone nodded "I wanna say that I'm so sorry for everything I did while I was Astronema."
Cassie shook her head "You don't have to apologize. There was no way for you to know you were really Karone."
"So what was it that made her remember?" Kim asked taking a sip of her drink.
"I guess whatever Andros said to her on the Dark Fortress just triggered something in her mind that made her remember." Billy said.
"Oh Karone we have something that belongs to you." TJ said going to his locker. He walked back to the table and handed Karone her necklace.
Karone took the necklace and clasped it around her neck "Thank you TJ. Thank you everyone."
***
"What are we going to do now?" Ecliptor asked, He was talking to Darkonda over the viewing screen "She knows she's Karone now."
"She was weak. One word about who she really is and she remembers everything we made her forget." Darkonda said.
"Should we kidnap her and brainwash her again?" Ecliptor asked.
Darkonda shook his head "No. We'd be wasting time if we did that. What we have to do now is destroy her and the rest of the rangers."
"So what are we going to do?" Ecliptor asked.
"Don't worry." Darkonda said, "I'll take care of everything. Soon Earth will be mine."
THE END