By Angel Mouse
As I lay here in the darkness, staring out the window as the stars spun lazily past, my mind mulled over everything that had happened to me. Things had progressed so fast in the past few days this was the first time that I had stopped to think about my situation. Zordon once told me that I was meant to be an instrument of good, not evil. It was just after Dark Spectre had been killed, and my mind was in confusion. The implants that Darkonda had put in me were playing up and for a few moments I was free. Zordon told me I didn't have to continue being Astronema, that I had this one chance to be free, but I continued with my evil ways as the implants took over again. He told me that being Astronema wasn't my destiny. My destiny was to serve good in some way. I never knew what he meant by that, and I thought about that since I have been free of Astronema. The time I had spent on Earth with the other Astro Rangers, my brother and my love had been good, I had learned about some of the things I had missed growing up, but still, something tugged at my soul. I don't know what it was.
And then Kendrix sacrificed herself to save Cassie from the effects of the Savage Sword and Psycho Pink's madness.
When Andros returned to myself and Zhane and told us what had happened, I suddenly knew what had been tugging at my soul, and what Zordon's words meant. It felt right, deep down in my soul it felt right. I knew what I had to do. But getting Andros and Zhane to accept my decision though was the hard part. In the end though, Andros did and sent me with his blessings. But even now my heart still yearns for Zhane's presence. I can see it still, clear as day in my mind, when we said good bye to each other. We had taken a walk through the park where we had our first abortive date so long ago. We sat close together by the pond, not saying anything for the moment, just enjoying being with each other..
The breeze was warm and soft against my skin. The sun was shining down beautifully and all in all it was practically a perfect day. And that made it all the much harder for me to say goodbye. I turned to look at Zhane and studied his profile a moment. He was handsome, that much was a given, but it wasn't that which drew me to him. His soul was also beautiful and innocent in such a childlike way sometimes. His heart believed so much in the goodness of everyone, even after all he had been through in his life, and it was such a refreshing change to be with someone like him after everything that had happened to me. The sun was reflecting slightly off his white blonde hair and suddenly I realised he was looking back at me, his blue eyes full of concern for me.
"Karone, are you okay?" I managed a smile for him and wondered how I was going to mange being away from him for a while.
"Yes, I am. Just thinking is all." He put his arm around me and I leant against his strong chest, feeling how warm he was, his strength and goodness feeling so right, so natural to me that I didn't want it to end. But I knew it had to.
"About what?" I sighed, trying to put my feelings into words.
"Just about how difficult it's going to be out there, without you and Andros by my side for once. But you understand why I have to do this, don't you?" he nodded and gave me a tiny smile.
"Yes I do. I just wish you'd let me come with you, but I know why you have to do it by yourself. I just wish my heart could accept it." This was an old argument we had since I'd decided to leave, but now I noticed a resigned note in his soft voice.
"Zhane, what is it?" Zhane smiled at me and hugged me close.
"It's just that I've finally realised that I can't protect you for ever. You are your own person Karone. No matter what happens to you, to us, to the whole universe. Nothing will change that and I don't want to change that. I love everything about you Karone, no matter what. And because I love you, I know I have to let you go. I have faith in you Karone." The sheer power of his belief in what he was saying shone from his eyes and in just that moment, I loved him more than I have ever before.
"Oh Zhane. Thank you for understanding, and for everything." Zhane just smiled at me and hugged me tighter.
"Just promise me that you'll watch out for yourself out there. I'm so proud of you right now Karone I could burst." I returned his hug and we shared a gentle kiss. I left him there, sitting by the pond, as I left for my journey…
I turned around and looked out at the room that was now my room. Maya was asleep and yet I still couldn't settle down. I slipped quietly out of my bunk and made my way over to the room's computer terminal. Turning the volume down, I quickly began programming it to make a call using the galactic ranger network. There was someone I needed to speak to, to let them know what had happened and to also tell them I was okay. Moments later the screen came alive with his face. His eyes light up when he sees it me and if I had any doubts about his love for me, they were removed by just seeing him right now.
"Karone! Are you okay?"
"Yes, I'm fine. How are you Zhane?" Zhane grinned at me, putting his chin in his hand and smiling widely at me.
"I'm doing fine. I've moved back to KO35 while you're away. Andros and Ashley are still on Earth. There setting up things ready to become the first ambassadors from Earth for the Alliance. I'm getting things set up from this end." Zhane gave me that wicked grin that I loved so much. "Andros also said to make sure that I've gotten a couple of places done up for us all. A place for him and Ash and one for us. That is if you want to live with me?" I laughed softly at that, reaching out and placing my hand on the screen.
"Oh yes. That would be wonderful."
"Fantastic. I'll take care of everything. So, did everything work out the way you hoped it would?" I smiled widely and held up my wrist to let him see my newly acquired morpher.
"More than I could ever hope. Kendrix's spirit chooses me to be her successor. I'm the new Pink Galaxy Ranger." Zhane's smile could have lit up the entire room.
"Oh Karone, I'm so happy for you. You've gotten your dreams and become something only a select few can become. I'm very proud."
"Thank you Zhane. But that's not exactly what I was calling about." Zhane nodded a wry smile on his face and I wondered if he knew what I was going to say next.
"I figured as much. I knew that something had happened to you, something good. Let me guess, you're wondering if you're up to the task? If you're up to the task of being a Power Ranger; after everything that's happened to you." I nodded; Zhane had gotten to the core of my problem without even myself being aware that it was what I was worried about. He smiled gently at me and reached out, putting his hand against mine on the screen. "Karone, each of us, when we're chosen by the power, have the exact same thoughts. I know I had them when I accepted the silver powers. And I know Andros did when he accepted his powers as well. None of us feel worthy of holding the power, but you have to always remember one thing my love."
"And what's that?" I was curious now. This was something that I had never known about my brother, or Zhane. To me, they were both invincible, never having doubts about anything they did. To find out that they themselves even doubted that they were worthy of the power once made my feelings of self doubt begin to fade away. His smile melted my heart once more and made me feel special all over again.
"That you wouldn't have been chosen if you weren't worthy Karone. You said it yourself; Kendrix's spirit chose you to hold her powers. And personally, I can't think of anyone better to hold them. You wouldn't be able to hold them if you weren't worthy Karone. Always remember that. The power knows who is and who isn't worthy. It knows of the sacrifices you have made, we all make, in serving it. And in the end, it rewards our sacrifices. The power doesn't forget who has served it, or those who have suffered in service to it. Karone, you are deserving of this honour, never forget that. The power will not serve those who don't deserve it. And I personally can't think of anyone more deserving than you." I thought over his words a few moments, letting them bounce around my head for a few minutes and then I slowly nodded. His words made sense and soothed my spirit. I smiled at him, my fears abating finally. My hand rested against his on the screen.
"Thank you. You always seem to know the right words to say to soothe my soul. That's one of the things I love the most about you." Zhane smiled gently at me.
"I love you Karone, never ever forget that."
"I love you to Zhane. I'd best go. It's the middle of the night here and I don't want to wake Maya." Zhane nodded, smiling gently at me as his hand lowered from the screen.
"Okay. Call me anytime you want Karone. I'll always be here for you."
"Thank you Zhane, for everything." He nodded and I closed the connection. My heart and spirit felt a lot lighter than it had been for a long time. I still had a lot to atone for, for my past actions, but now, now I had a purpose and a way to atone for them. I could only hope that this would make up in a small way for some of those actions. As I crawled back into my bunk, my heart lighter and my soul feeling freer than it had for a long time, I smiled to myself as I realised my path to redemption had just started. But it was off to a good start.
The End.