Another week had slowly passed for the team and Andros was mostly back to normal. He'd finally remembered most of the fight between he and Zhane but he still forgave his friend. The Robot Rangers were currently down on Earth, helping civilians, Karone once more glued to the computer screen watching as the meter slowly inched towards 100.
"Karone," Andros called, making her jump about six inches off her chair.
"Don't do that!" she squealed.
"Sorry. I was just wondering how it was going?" he said, sitting down next to her.
"Well everything they do gets us one step closer to defeating Dark Specter," she sighed.
"Yeah…" Seeing her tired face, he sighed, "Karone, please don't tell me you pulled another all nighter..." Karone stifled a yawn, and just rolled her eyes at her older brother's protective attitude.
"Of course not…" she lied through slightly clenched teeth, her face focused on the screen still. Andros saw through the obvious lie, and put a hand on her shoulder. "I did get some sleep…"
"Really?" Andros asked raising an eyebrow.
"I am not getting off…" she said in a stubborn voice, knowing her lie wasn't plausible enough.
I promise I'll tell you when they've drained all of his power," he whispered, tugging on her arm.
"It's kind of like New Years," she stated. He looked at her in confusion. What was New Years?
"What is…" he started to ask.
"It's like a holiday they celebrate on Earth. It signifies a new year. They have big parties," his sister explained.
"Oh," he murmured.
"It's just so close that I don't want to miss it," she sighed. Andros nodded, understanding why his sister would want to stay.
"Ok…but you need to get some rest soon ok?" Andros told her, patting her shoulder.
"So do you…" Karone reminded him, "You should be on bed rest still," Karone sighed.
"I'm fine Karone," Andros said as she snickered.
"Are you two bickering who needs to go to bed more?" Zhane asked a smirk on his face, as he walked in overhearing the conversation.
"Sort of," Andros answered, motioning for him to join them.
"Whoa, looks like they're almost done. So what happens when he's gone?" Zhane questioned.
"I mean we still have to deal with Darconda and..." he started to add.
"You can say it. We have to deal with Ecliptor," Karone stated and Zhane nodded.
"Well I think Darconda only has a few lives left," Karone murmured.
"How many more?" Andros interjected.
"I'm pretty sure it's only like two. We should be able to handle him," she answered.
"Do you think once Dark Specter is gone, Ecliptor will be back to normal?" Zhane asked.
"I hope so," she muttered. Zhane put a comforting hand on her shoulder, and gave it a squeeze. "I don't want really want to face him again…" she sighed to herself.
"I know you don't. Maybe we won't have to," he offered. He shot Andros a worried look. They both knew how hard this was for Karone. Suddenly there was a very loud beeping, causing all three of them to jump. Their eyes flew to the monitor where the meter was now blinking 'complete'.
"We did it!" she screamed, the rest of the team running in at the sudden noise.
"What happened?" Cassie asked.
"We did it. We destroyed Dark Specter," she exclaimed. Ashley pulled Karone in a hug, glad to see her plan worked.
"This is great," Ashley squealed. She gave Andros a big smile also pulling him in for a hug.
"So…what is going to happen to the robots we created?" TJ asked curious now that they really have no use for them.
"Uh...well I guess we could keep them around. I mean we never know when we'll need them again," Karone mumbled. She hadn't really thought about what they'd do with them.
"That works. We can keep them in the engine room," Andros suggested. Suddenly DECA piped up.
"Rangers, incoming transmission," she alerted.
"On screen," Andros called and Darconda's ugly features appeared on the screen.
"Thank you for destroying Dark Specter," he sneered.
"We weren't doing it for you. You slimy little pile of..." Karone started but felt two firm hands on her shoulders.
"You're next, Darconda," Andros promised and cut the transmission short.
"Andros…let go of my arms please?" Karone asked. Andros gently let go of his sister, and she looked a little afraid. "Karone…"
"I'm fine…" Karone whispered. "I think I am going to go lay down…"
They all watched her go. Andros knew she wasn't going to lay down but he was trying to give her space and not step on her toes so much.
"She's not going to lay down," Zhane sighed.
"Well probably not. She's probably going after Darconda. But we have to trust her," Andros replied.
"Whoa, this coming from the guy who used to flip out about everything," Zhane teased.
"Well maybe kicking me in the head was a good thing," he said with a smirk.
Karone slipped down to the engine room, activating the Robot Rangers.
"I want you to go and find Darconda. Destroy him and when he comes back let us know and we'll make sure he's gone for good," she told them in a whisper.
"As you wish," the pink robot answered. They disappeared and Karone couldn't help but smile to herself. She suddenly had a thought and raced back to the bridge.
"I thought you were laying down," Andros remarked.
"I was...well I had an idea. We can try scanning for Zordon again. Dark Specter shouldn't be able to cloak him anymore. And we can probably get him to safety," she explained in one large breath. Andros immediately began to have DECA start scanning for Zordan again, determined not to lose Zordon this time.
DECA ccontinued to scan while Karone paced back and forth nervously. She was hoping that the Robot Rangers would be ok against Darconda. After what felt like hours there was a blip sound.
"Incoming transmission from the Robot Rangers," DECA announced. Both Andros and Zhane shot Karone a look but she just shrugged with a small smile.
"We have defeated Darconda," the red Robot Ranger informed them.
"That's great. Return to the ship," Karone answered.
"I knew there was a reason to keep them around," Cassie interjected.
"Andros, I am picking up signs of Zordon on... Earth," the computer also announced.
"Ecliptor is probably going to be down there…" Andros gently reminded Karone. "We understand if you want to stay behind…" Karone stayed silent for a moment, and was glad that he wasn't trying to force her to stay behind like he normally would.
"No, that's ok. Its better to face him now than wait until later. I'd rather just get it over with now. So we can move on with our lives," she answered. Andros smiled as they all headed for the teleportation room.
"You ready to end this?" he asked the team and they all nodded. They teleported down to Earth already morphed and saw Ecliptor guarding Zordon. Ecliptor eyed the Power Rangers warily.
"About time you got here…" he sighed.
"Ecliptor…" Karone started, but felt Zhane's hand on her shoulder as she walked towards him. Ecliptor didn't say anything in response to Karone and she knew that Ecliptor was not himself still.
"So nice of you to show up, Rangers," Darconda's voice rang out and he apepared from behind a clump of trees.
"Didn't bring your little robotic friends?" he asked.
"This ends right here and now, Darconda. Dark Specter is gone and so are you," Andros spat.
"I'm touched, Red Ranger," Darconda hissed, drawing his sword. Andros called for his weapon and the two went at it. The rest of the team turned to Ecliptor.
"Five against one. Not very good odds," Zhane called out.
"You are no match for me, Silver Ranger," Ecliptor's hollow voice rang out. With that the Rangers charged him. Ecliptor knocked Zhane out of the way, and started for Karone. Ashley and Cassie blocked Ecliptor's way and pushed him back.
Karone helped Zhane up, "You ok?" she asked him.
"Yeah…" Zhane nodded. He hoped Karone was doing ok, considering they were fighting Ecliptor still.
"Ecliptor, you don't want them. You know this between you and me," she called out. Zhane looked at her like she was crazy. He blinked a few times and looked at her again.
"You must leave. You are in danger here, Princess," he said, his voice back to normal.
"I'm not leaving, Ecliptor. Not without Zordon," she said firmly. He nodded and motioned for him to join her.
"Where do you think you're going with her?" Zhane shouted.
"This does not concern you," he answered and he, Karone and Zordon disappeared. They reappeared on the Mega Ship in the engine room.
"Thank you," Karone breathed, hugging him tightly.
"We must hurry if you want to save your brother and your friends," he told her.
"We can save you too," she whispered.
"I am evil, Karone. You are not. I do not deserve to be saved," he told her.
"Yes, you do. Without you I wouldn't be alive today. Please...let us help you," she begged. He sighed and just shook his head, sending them down to Earth. Upon arrival he drew his sword and attacked Darconda visciously. Darconda turned to look at his enemy.
"What are you doing?" he rasped.
"What I should have done long ago," Ecliptor roared and continued hacking until Darconda finally exploded for the final time.
"I'd say thanks but I don't want to lose any body parts," Zhane muttered. That didn't stop Andros from slowly walking towards Ecliptor.
"Thank you," he said, extending his hand. Ecliptor stared at him.
"For keeping my sister alive for all those years," he said. Ecliptor seemed shocked by how Andros was reacting, but numbly took his extended hand, shaking it.
"Well Zordon is on the ship so he iss safe. We defeated Dark Specter and Darconda. Now what?" Karone asked.
"You need to disband all of Dark Specter's alliances," Ecliptor said.
"Can't you do that...I mean I really don't want to be Astronema anymore," Karone pleaded.
"For you, I will do anything, Princess," he said and disappeared. Karone felt arms encircling her and looked up to see her brother.
"I'm glad things worked out," he breathed.
"Me too," Karone agreed.
"I have a feeling he'll be there for us if we ever need him," she added.
"How do you figure that?" Zhane asked as they teleported back to the ship.
"Because somewhere deep down in him he cares about me and knows I'd do the same for him," she explained.
"So Zordon. Can we take you any place in particular?" Ashley asked. Zordon gave them all a smile.
"Home," he answered. She happily set the coordinates and they headed off, the Earth growing smaller almost instantly.