Chapter 8: Karone's Idea

Karone was walking towards her and Zhane's room when she saw her brother on the bridge. She peeked into the door and was watching him watch a clip of when Andros and Ashley announced their engagement. She smiled as she watched the part when Carlos wrapped his arms around Andros and Ashley's shoulders. "I taught this guy all he knows," he bragged. She laughed and Andros turned to see her standing there.

"Karone, you should be sleeping," he stated.

"You should be sleeping too," she agreed.

Andros shook his head with a sigh. "I can't sleep without her there," he stated. Karone placed a hand on her brother's shoulder.

"We'll get her back, Andros," she assured.

"I hope so, Karone. I've lost you twice, mom, dad, and now I've lost Ashley," he stated.

"And you'll have her back in your arms in no time."

He looked at his sister with a quizzical look. "What are you up to?" He asked.

"Whatever do you mean?" She asked.

Andros stood up from his chair and walked over to her. "Karone, what are you planning?" He asked.

"Andros, I have been thinking about what Zafina has said. She wants me back as Astronema," she reminded.

"Yes, we all know what she's after," he agreed.

"Well, how about I disguise myself and get Ashley back."

"Forget it."

Karone watched as he stood by the door while going past her. "Andros, this is our only chance," she insisted.

"Like it was our chance when that asteroid going to hit Earth. Forget it, Karone. I'm not willing to lose you to the Dark Side again," he objected.

"ANDROS!" Karone called.

Andros was already leaving towards his room. Zhane walked over to her. "Hey, what's going on?" He asked.

"We have this one chance of getting Ashley back and he won't let me do it," she replied.

"What's the plan?" He asked.

Karone sat her fiancé down and looked at him. "I had offered to disguise myself as Astronema again and get onto the ship," she replied. Zhane stared at her. "Please say something," she begged.

"Karone, I could see why Andros objected to it. The last time you disguised yourself as Astronema, you were taken again and you had been turned to into Astronema again," he stated.

"I disguised myself when I rescued Kendrix's Quasar Saber."

"That was different, you weren't up against Dark Specter, Darkonda, or Ecliptor."

"I was against Trakeena."

"And thankfully she didn't kill you when she pushed you off that cliff."

"But I'm here."

Zhane reached over and grabbed her hand. "You're here now, but there is that one chance that will have us lose you again for a third time. Maybe the third time will have you be Astronema forever," he murmured. Karone placed a hand over his and sighed. Zhane reached over and lifted her chin up. "I love you more than anything and you know that. Please, let's use that as a last resort," he insisted. Karone nodded and sighed.

(Three Days Later)

"Let me be Astronema one last time," she insisted. Andros and Zhane looked up at her.

"Karone, we've been through this," Andros started.

"We have tried everything to get her back. We have to get her back. Let me be Astronema and we'll get her back," she persisted.

Karone then stood in front of them. "I have another thing to add to my plan. I could use you two as my prisoners. Zafina wouldn't suspect a thing," she assured. She then looked at Andros. "Andros, you should know me by now that I will stop at nothing until we try this plan out," she stated. Andros smiled and touched his sister's cheek.

"All right, one try and that's it. Because that's all we're going to be able to get," he stated.

Karone nodded. "What do we have to do?" Zhane asked. Karone walked over and picked up some cuffs.

"Put these on and get ready to get captured on Onyx. I'll get my suit," she replied.

Zhane and Andros looked at each other before slipping the cuffs on.

A few minutes later, Karone came out looking like Astronema. She was wearing the uniform she wore when she almost fooled Trakeena. "Let's hope this works," Andros stated. Karone nodded before having the ship turn around to Onyx.

Zafina sat in her throne when Hendrix walked over to her. "My queen, we have received a message," he informed. Zafina had the main screen appear and Astronema stood there.

"Well, what happened to miss goody Karone?" She asked.

"I had been fooling them all along, my friend. I have with me the Red and Silver Rangers," Astronema replied.

Zafina stared at Astronema before a grin came upon her face. "Well, my friend, where are you heading?" she asked.

"We are on our way to Onyx. Meet us there, Zafina and your prize will be given," Astronema replied.

Andros winced when his sister pulled on the chains and he had to act like he was struggling. "You'll never get away with this, Astronema. After all this time, I thought I finally had my sister back," he snapped.

"QUIET! You shut your mouth, Red Ranger or I'll turn you evil myself," Astronema hissed.

She winked at her brother before turning back to the screen. "We'll be waiting for you," Astronema added.

"Very well, I'll have Hendrix and some machine monsters come down to greet you. We'll have the Red Ranger say goodbye to his precious Yellow Ranger before turning him to his rightful side. Your brother will be alive, Astronema," Zafina stated.

Astronema bowed and the screen went blank. They had to speak through their minds so Zafina would hear. "Whoa! You have had practice," Zhane commented. Karone looked over at Onyx.

"What do you expect, Zhane? I have been Astronema since I was a little girl," she reminded.

"Right, can we get out of these things now?" He asked.

"No, we have to make sure to keep the illusion real," Andros replied.

"Andros is right, Zhane, we have to keep in our disguises. Zafina has this magic crystal ball and she might have been watching us for days."

"Would she know that we were lying?"

"If I know Zafina, she only looks into that thing when she wants to see what I'm up to with you."

Then the ship landed on Onyx. "Okay you guys, it's show time," she informed. She then led them off the Megaship.