Disclaimer: see chapter one. Here's the first chapter in the corrected order. Sorry about that folks, Mouse got ahead of herself. Please, enjoy. Mouse and Daylight March 2003.

Forever Friends: Chapter One

By Daylight and Mouse

Andros' POV

Zhane and I met long before we even knew we were going to become rangers though I was already dreaming of becoming one. At the time, I thought it was a child's dream, little did we know how true it was going to be. Anyway, I'm getting ahead of myself.

Our parents had been friends long ago and had promised to take care of each other's children should anything happen, though I doubt they thought the promise would be needed. Ko-35 was still peaceful back then. Zhane's family passed away in a tragic accident that almost killed him as well. At the time, we were barely young enough to remember let alone understand what was going. All I knew was I suddenly had a new brother as he came to live with my parents, my sister, Karone, and I. We became a family.

Together Zhane, Karone and I were an unbreakable trio. Then Karone…

(Zhane gave Andros a comforting hand on his shoulder as he trailed off. Andros gave him a grateful smile.)

I'm sure you've already heard some of what happened to my sister from Karone herself, but I'll tell you what I remember. Not that it's something I could ever forget. We were playing with a telekinesis ball in a quiet park near our home. Just Karone and I. It's something we often did, usually with Zhane too, but he wasn't there that day. We had been doing some fighter training and he'd gotten hurt the day before, so he was in the hospital. We were having fun, teasing each other. Karone showed off by pushing the ball right over my head. I chased after it, just turned my back a few seconds. I heard her scream and call for me. I ran back, but all I saw was disappearing shadows and I heard an evil laugh. It was a long time before I ever saw her again.

I blamed myself. Older brothers are supposed to look after their little sisters and I failed. Zhane and I became much closer after that. We both understood loss, but while Zhane gained strength and life, I withdrew from the world holding the pain inside. I didn't want to be a part of this new harsh world I'd been shown where the things I loved were taken away. And maybe due to the guilt, I felt I didn't deserve to be a part of it. Zhane was the only thing that kept me from disappearing completely. He managed to keep the light in my world.

(Andros looked at Zhane and thought quietly. *Bet you didn't know how much I appreciated you being their back then. But I did* Zhane grinned slightly. *Hey, we were there for each other.* Andros just nodded and continued.)

It was around then that things here started going downhill. Dark Specter had taken an interest in Ko-35. We were never quite sure why. Ko-35 has always had plenty of resources, but was of little strategic value. Maybe he just didn't like how peaceful we were. It was small at first: A few minor monster attacks, some threats, and raids on transports coming to and leaving the planet. They were all taken care of by the military. Then he became serious. Attacks were more frequent, supplies were cut off from reaching the planet and our own crop fields were destroyed. Through all of this, Zhane and I stuck together gaining strength from each other. We grew up, went through training together, but we never expected what was going to happen next.

Then we got the call from Zordon himself. We were only twelve, but we had been chosen to be Power Rangers for Ko-35. My parents were so proud of both of us. The joining to our powers was done by Zordon via video screen as at the time, he was on another planet, one we would later know very well, having just selected its own team of Rangers. We were both nervous, but I just knew that it was our destiny. This was our chance to help Ko-35. Maybe even a chance for me to find my sister.

I was given the red morpher and became leader of the team though I never understood why Zordon chose that for me. Don't give me that look, Zhane. My first experience with the power was a flash of red and an unbelievable rush. It was a warmth that's hard to describe.

Zordon chose one of the most powerful morphers for Zhane because of Zhane's great strength. Don't even try to deny it, Zhane. The Silver powers are one of the most powerful in the universe.

We weren't allowed to morph until a year later, but we were already Power Rangers and we had always been a team.

Tbc from Zhane's POV.