Disclaimer: All the characters belong to Saban except for Sidra and Professor Barlow

Disclaimer: All the characters belong to Saban except for Sidra and Professor Barlow.

Part Two

"Your sister?" What is it, a crime on your planet to say you have one?" Ashley said.

"No, we just don't like to talk about them because it hurts to much." Andros replied. "I guess we'd better explain."

Zhane shook his head. "You explain. I don't want to have anything to do with her."

Andros sighed. "Fine, have it your way. Sit down, guys. This is going to take awhile." They hurried to find seats and leaned closer to hear his story.

"Okay, I'm sure you've always wondered why we were alone when Karone was kidnapped. You just didn't say anything about it, which I'm grateful for. But the truth is, we weren't alone. At least, we weren't supposed to be. Sidra, Zhane's sister, is about 6 years older than we are and used to be our baby-sitter. The day Karone was kidnapped, she was supposed to take the three of us to the park. But Zhane got sick, so we went with her alone. Sidra left us by ourselves for a minute to get something. I don't remember what. I guess you know what happened after that. When she came back later on, I wasn't the only one there. Her parents were steaming, as well as mine. So was Zhane. Sidra never felt that they forgave her. A few years later she ran away. We never heard from her, until now."

"Wow," Cassie breathed. "I wonder what made her decide to show up after all this time."

"That's easy," T.J. said. "For the same reason any Ranger would: Other Rangers are in trouble."

"He has a point." Ashley said. "What I want to know is, how did she get her powers?"

Andros shrugged. "Zordon or someone. But he never told us about it. I guess he figured she needed time before she was ready to face her family again." He glanced over at Zhane. "And before they were ready to forgive her."

Zhane scowled. "Okay, okay. I get it. Fine, she can come back. I give up."

"D.E.C.A. open..." Andros began.

"Already done. She's on hold." Sidra's face appeared on the screen.

"I must say, you didn't take as long as I expected."

Andros chuckled. "All it takes is a little guilt."

"Be right there." A few seconds later she teleported onto the bridge. She was now wearing a flight suit similar to theirs, but black like her brother's.

"Hi," she said shyly. "How are things? Are you still searching?" She asked Andros.

Andros shook his head. "No need."

"You found her?"

"Yes, well, Astronema..."

"What about her?"

"She is Karone. When I had found out, she came over to our side, but they brainwashed her."

"I'm sorry." She turned to Zhane. "So, don't you have a hug for your sister?" She teased.

"Um, not quite yet."

"Okay, whenever you're ready." She said sadly.

Zhane grinned. "I'm kidding. Come here." She wrapped her arms around him.

"I'm so proud of you." She said, sniffling. "You don't know how much I've missed you." She wiped her eyes with his sleeve.

"It's okay." Zhane said soothingly. "We're together now."

Sidra stopped crying. "Well, what are you waiting for? Introduce me to your friends."

"Oh, right. That's Cassie." He pointed to the pink ranger.

"Hi." She said warmly.

"They're Carlos and T.J."

"Hey," they said together.

"And that's Ashley, Andros' girlfriend."

"Andros has a girlfriend?" She raised her eyebrow.

"What? Why can't I?"

"I remember, the last time I saw you, you said girls were a waste of time. What about you, Zhane?"

"Me? I'm in love with Karone."

"Well, I know that. You have been since she was born."

"I'm serious." Zhane said.

"Did you guys switch personalities or something?"

"Why do you ask?" said Andros.

"Because you, I mean, he, I mean, well just because. It's just how things were supposed to be. Zhane would have like, fifty girlfriends or something, and Andros would be either in love or single."

"It's not like I haven't." Zhane pointed out.

"And I've been single for a long time. Whether I'm in love or not I'm not going to say. Not right now."

"Why can't you say it in front of me? Does it mean you don't and just want to spare my feelings?"

"I wouldn't have a problem saying it in front of you. It's everyone else."

"We don't mind." T.J. piped up. Andros gave him a Look.

"Anyway, things have changed, for the better."

"I'm not saying they haven't. I just wish I could go back in time so I could see what happened to you to."

"You wouldn't have to if you had just been there." Zhane said.

"I know. But you can't change the past."

"I think your second mistake was worse than the first."

"I'm only human. What's done is done. And anyway, I plan to fix my first one."

"And how are you going to do that?"

"When I was living on Eltar, a couple years ago, I met this scientist. He was, I suppose a bit mad, but what scientist isn't? Anyway, he studies mind-altering and stuff like that. He might be able to help Karone."

"It might be dangerous." Andros considered the idea. "Where is this guy?"

"He's been hiding. But I know where he is."

"And where would that be?" Zhane asked impatiently.

"Planet Scogliera in the Oblairion Galaxy."

"D.E.C.A., set a course." Andros instructed.

"Course set to Scogliera.' D.E.C.A. replied.

"Let's just hope he can help. It might be our only chance."

* * * * * *

The seven Rangers carefully climbed the outside wall of a cave. A mound of rocks and boulders sealed its entrance.

"The only way in is from up here." Sidra informed them once they had reached the top. She removed a long, flat stone to reveal a hole in the ceiling of the cave. "Professor Barlow isn't taking any chances." She carefully went down a ladder. The others followed.

The cave was pitch black. There was just a tiny glimmer of light coming from far away.

"This way." They followed her down a tunnel. With each step the light grew brighter, until finally they reached a small room. They saw test tubes with a bubbling liquid inside, what looked like a x-ray machine and some strange tools. Pouring something into a test tube was a thin man with thick gray hair going every which way and wearing a long white coat and goggles. He certainly looked mad.

Sidra slowly approached him. "Professor Barlow?"

The man gave a little jump and screamed. He turned around. When he saw them, he relaxed.

"Ah, Sidra. What brings you here?"

"My friends and I need your help. "

* * * * * *

"My, oh, my." Professor Barlow said. "That is quite a predicament you've gotten yourselves in, indeed."

"Can you fix it?" Ashley asked.

"Well, I just might be able to. I've developed a new process, I won't give you all the details, very hush-hush mind you... I can't imagine what would happen if it fell into the wrong hands, but I think it might work."

"Great. Let's go." Andros got up to leave.

"Now wait just a minute. There's absolutely no way I'm going there. I'll help you, but I won't go there. You must get her and bring her to your ship. That's as far as I'm going to go. No way am I going to let them catch me."

"You'll be just fine." Sidra reassured him. "Zhane and I will go get Karone. The rest of you go wait for us on the Megaship."

"I'll come with you."

"No, Andros. You'd better go straight home. Don't worry. We'll take care of everything."

"Right." Zhane added confidently. "We'll bring Karone home, once and for all."

* * * * * *

"Ouch!" Zhane exclaimed. He had stubbed his toe trying to sneak through a doorway.

"Shut up!" Sidra hissed. "You'll get us caught."

"Sorry." Zhane whispered back. But she wasn't listening. "What is it?"

"Quick, hide!" She pulled him behind some boxes, which could possibly have held spare Quantron parts. Elgar and two Quantrons passed by.

Zhane snorted. "You're afraid of them?"

"I didn't know who it was. Now be quiet."

"Okay, okay. I'll be quiet. But I won't like it."

"Well, if you don't be quiet, we'll never get this done or get out a live."

"Message received. Can I just say one, no, two more things?"

Sidra sighed. "What?"

"Karone should be done that hall, and you really need to loosen up."

"Well, that's not going to happen if we get caught. Our goal is to capture. Not to be captured."

Zhane was silent the rest of the way.

"Okay," she whispered. "You distract those Quantrons and Ill get Karone."

"Hardly a challenge. Be careful, she's a lot stronger than she looks."

"I think I can handle her. I used to be her baby-sitter remember? I've seen every tantrum, every move she has or would have. So unless she's learned a lot of new ones, no need to worry about me."

"Good luck. I'm glad it isn't me."

"Loosen up! I've got a few tricks up my sleeve."

Zhane chuckled as he knocked out a Quantron. She sounded just like him.

* * * * * *

A few moments later, Sidra dragged along an unconscious Astronema back to her brother.

"Nice job." Zhane complimented her. "Now let's get out of her before Ecliptor shows up."

"Lead the way." Sidra replied cheerfully. She followed him to the Dark Fortress' docking bay and they hitched a ride on a Volocifighter like he and Andros did the last time they went.

They came back to find the others close to panic, even though they had only been gone for a short time. Barlow looked panicky too; he had never done his procedure before, as it was still experimental. He was also frightened of his patient, despite the fact that she was unconscious and there would be no chance of her waking up during surgery.

"Well," he said nervously. They were taking her to the medical bay where it would be done. "I shall only need the robot, go on, out, all of you." He waved his hands at them to shoo them out. They didn't hesitate to leave. Naturally, none of them had any desire to see a person's brain, even though they weren't sure it would occur. As they left, they heard Barlow mutter: "I really need a lawyer, not to mention a body guard. They're good but if I screw up, who knows what they might do to me."

"Are you sure this is a good idea?" Carlos said once the door was closed.

Sidra tried to hide it, but they could tell she was doubtful.

"Barlow is brilliant. If any one can do it, he can."

Then the universe must be full of real idiots then. I'm not sure what your definition is, but in my dictionary, his picture would not be next to that word. Insane, maybe. Mad, I could see that. Doesn't know what he's doing, definitely."

"Shut up Zhane." Andros said giving him a Look. "Not everyone has a picture dictionary like you do. And you're not helping."

"That seems to be a popular phrase today." Zhane commented, glancing at his sister.

"With good reason. Let's just remain calm."

The others looked at her like she was crazy.

To be continued...