Confrontation

            By: Jeanka 

            "You know, when anyone sits in front of sensor readings for seven hours on end, the rest of his team begins to worry," Zhane said walking into the bridge.

            Andros didn't respond. The Silver Ranger walked to the viewing screen and became a 'door. "What do you want?" Andros asked still looking at the keypad.

            Vito is planning a surprise of some kind. The weird part is that Paxon had no idea what it is," said Zhane.

            The Red Ranger frowned. "Where would she hide it?" he muttered. Zhane knew Andros had heard him and choose to ignore him. He didn't like this one bit.

            "What are you looking for?" Zhane asked.

            "The gold morpher," replied Andros finally looking up. "I was thinking that f I found that, it could find Karone for me."

            "Karone had to find the morpher. It doesn't work the other way. You could ask Titian."

            "Why would I do that?" snapped Andros.

            "He was forced to find his grandfather's morpher. The gold powers work the same way," said Zhane. "I know you two had your differences, but he might be able to offer some advice."

            "I need something to eat," Andros said suddenly, dismissing whatever Zhane had said.

            "I agree," Zhane said before Andros could turn. "We had to find the gold morpher."

            "I agree," Zhane said before Andros could turn. "We had to find the gold morpher."

            Andros led Zhane out of the room and down the corridor toward the glider bay. "My mom hid it for a reason. It's not going to be easy to find."

            "Find what?" Karone asked from behind them.

            The boys stopped walking and turned to face her. "Why are you following us?" asked Zhane.

            "I wasn't. I was on my way to the glider bay to eat something," said Karone. "You just happen to be on my path."

            "I'll tell you over breakfast," Andros said and kept walking. The three entered the glider bay only to find it deserted for the moment. Andros went straight for the Synthetron and sat down. Zhane and Karone joined him a minute later.

            "My dad gave me the red morpher," Andros told Karone. "Because it was his before it was mine. My mother was the Gold Ranger and she planned to pass it down to my older sister, Luana, but she didn't want it. You were next in line until you were kidnapped. After that, she hid the morpher somewhere that only you could get it."

            "And you don't have any idea where it is," Karone concluded.

            "And you don't have any idea where it is," Titian concluded.

            "No, I don't," confirmed Andros with a grim face.

            "You can't use a morpher to find the Ranger it goes with," Titian said. "That's impossible."

            "Really?" Andros said very solemnly. "And how would you know that?"

            "My father could not have the Green Ranger powers because he chose not to look for them. He fully expected them to find him. That was disproved when I found them and became the Green Ranger," Titian told him.

            Andros said nothing. He had never like Titian, ever. Even from the beginning days of Ranger training, they had been rivals. Sometimes it was friendly competition while others were not so nice. The Pink Ranger became the object of many of their arguments until she choose to have destiny with Andros.

            "Andros," Jessie said interrupting the silence. She came off the wall and took human form. "We just got a report from KO-35. They're under attack."

            "Andros," Jessie said interrupting the silence. "We just got a report from KO-35. They're under attack." Her message was delivered over the comm. system.

            "We're on our way," he said standing. Karone and Zhane followed him to the bridge where everyone else had gathered. "What's going on?" Andros asked.

            "KO-35 is being overrun by something Kinwon calls Minions," Ashley said.

            Andros looked at Allyssa for confirmation. She nodded and was already sitting the course before he had given the command. "Hyper rush 4," he said.

            "What are Minions?" asked Carlos.

            "Titian's army," was all Andros said before DECA cut in.

            "ETA to KO-35, 6 minutes. Please be prepared to teleport to the surface."

            "Where are they attacking?" asked Zhane.

            "The main corner," Allyssa said and added, for the other Rangers, "Like the main square."

            They nodded. "The Kerovan Main Chambers building seems to be the main target. Titian is probably in there," Jessie told Andros.

            Zhane watched his friend clench his teeth and eyes burn at that name. "ETA," the Red Ranger called.

            "4 minutes and 15 seconds," responded DECA.

            Andros took his seat and entered several commands. "KO-35 in within transmission range," Cassie said.

            "Tell them we're on our way," Andros said.

            Cassie went at it while Carlos just frowned as an image of a humanoid creature appeared on the screen. "That's a minion?" he asked.

            "Yes," Jessie said coming from behind. "They're mean and they're only life goal is to destroy Power Rangers."

            Carlos looked at her as Allyssa came to stand beside him. "They carry side arms," she warned as Jessie nodded.

            "Why are you telling me all this?" Carlos asked.

            "You looked scared," Allyssa said.

            "And we wanted to reassure you that you aren't afraid for no reason," said Jessie with a smile. "I can't wait to kick some butt!"

            Carlos turned back to his console. Allyssa frowned at Jessie. The D'hona smiled, very pleased with herself. "Now entering teleportation range," DECA said.

            Andros rose from his seat and walked to the back of the room. On his command, everyone shouted, "Let's rocket." Flashes of light took them to the surface where about fifty minions were reeking havoc.

            The first thing Zhane noticed as the light dissipated was that Andros was not there.

            The sounds of battle could be clearly heard from the main chamber of the massive building. The Red Ranger had appeared in the middle of the Great Room facing another very mean looking ranger. The other wore the same Astro Ranger uniform, but the color across his crest was white.

            "It has been a long time," the green ranger said.

            "Not long enough," Andros returned.

            "Are you ready to parish like your team before you?" he sneered. "They were weak."

            "They were your friends," replied Andros trying not to raise his voice, but the rage could still be heard.

            "Friends? No, pawns are a better term. You were their leader and you pushed too far and they died."

            "You sent them to a trap and their doom," Andros said, his control slipping.

            Titian chuckled. "If you kill me, and I know you will, you will give up your powers. Can you handle not being the Red Ranger anymore, Andros?"

            "If it means getting rid of you, I'll do anything," replied Andros.

            "Rumors say that they aren't dead, but healing on Eltare. It's said, really. She means so much to you. Yet for me, you leave her side to try to destroy me." He paused. "If I can't have her, then neither will you," Titian said bitterly.

            Andros's eyes went wide as he realized exactly what the green ranger was saying. "How did you find out?" he demanded.

            "You should better tabs on Allyssa. She lets her guard down too much around the Phantom Ranger." Andros could almost hear Titian smile behind his helmet. "She gave me a very good idea. And the reason to kill them once and for all."

            The last straw broke and Andros charged. The Green Ranger only waved and vanished. "A hologram," Andros replied. "What?" he shouted. "You could face me in person?"

            His thoughts went almost immediately back to the four rangers that where resting in burial shine. The information Phantom gave him said they were almost healed. He could get his old team back. Titian had once again fooled his plans, but now he had no way to stop him.

TBC.