Disclaimer: As much as I would like for it to be, Power Rangers is not my creation.

Slytherin-Angel44: It gets a bit worse in this chapter.

sky's girl forever: Yeah, his life really sucks right now but it will get better in a few chapters.

SF: Glad you liked it.

Ch. 23 Bad Birthday

Weeks had passed since the rangers had found out the Zarkin and Bryce could no longer morph and the battles were beginning to take a toll on the three remaining rangers. Today was Andros' and Karone's sixteenth birthday and their siblings wanted to throw them a small party. They had sent them out with Kilee for the day, knowing the little girl would keep their secret and also keep her brother and sister from coming back to the ship too early. Once they had finished decorating for the party they brought in the two birthday cakes, one red and one purple.

It wasn't long before the return of their younger siblings was announced by DECA. They hurried to turn off the lights and find hiding places before they arrived in the Work Bay. Less than a minute later they heard the footsteps of their siblings approaching and prepared for the big surprise.

"Why is it so dark in here?" they heard Andros question and they could see the outline of his hand heading for the light switch.

"Surprise!" they all yelled, startling the twins.

"I told you no party," Andros ridiculed as he came forward to hug his brothers and then he turned to Kilee. "You had something to do with this, didn't you?" Kilee nodded and shrieked with surprise as he began tickling her. "Well, since this is a party, where are all the presents?" Andros' siblings couldn't help but laugh at his response and Zarkin quickly pulled out two wrapped boxes, one red and one purple.

"We couldn't get much," Zarkin explained and they both nodded, digging into the presents. At the bottom of the box there was a locket and in it were pictures of their parents. Tears formed in Karone's eyes as she slipped the necklace on and rushed to hug her brothers.

"Thank you," she whispered before turning back to her brother who was still staring at his necklace in disbelief. She saw the look in his eyes before anyone else and took him into his arms. "It wasn't your fault. It was their time to go." Andros only nodded weakly before DECA interrupted.

"Ecliptor is attacking the remaining evacuees!" She informed.

"Let's go!" Andros commanded, but not before pulling his new necklace over his head. Zhane and Karone followed him without question and their older brothers sent them a silent message of luck. It wasn't long before they were face to face with Ecliptor and Andros and Zhane were trying to force him away from the evacuees. Karone turned from where she was helping women and children onto the ship when she heard an all too familiar laugh. In the background she saw Darkonda holding a small child in his arms. She followed him, not bothering to tell Zhane and Andros because she didn't want to distract them from their fight, plus she could handle Darkonda by herself.

It wasn't long before Darkonda stopped and Karone saw that the child in his arms was a fake. She thought about going back to where her brothers were fighting but knew that Darkonda wouldn't allow her to.

"Ah, Astronama, I've been waiting to take you back to Dark Specter for a long time now," Darkonda stated, slowly advancing on Karone.

"I'm not Astronama anymore, Darkonda," she argued. "And I never will be again!"

"That's what you think," the monster laughed. "Quantrons!" Thee metal minions dropped from the sky and effectively cutting off her path back to her brothers.

"I'll never come with you!" Karone yelled and began trying to fighting her way through the Quantrons.

"Grab her!" Darkonda commanded and laughed loudly when Karone began fighting against their hold on her. "You're coming with me!"

"ANDROS!" she screamed out loud as well as silently.

"Karone's in trouble!" Andros yelled to Zhane and they took off in the direction of her voice. As they approached they saw Karone being held by a group of Quantrons and Darkonda was slowly advancing on her. "Leave my sister alone!"

"It's time for us to make our exit," Darkonda stated and they disappeared in a flash of light.

"Andros," Zhane began, placing a hand on Andros' shoulder, "she'll be okay. She can take care of herself. We have to go help them load the rest of the shuttles." Andros barely nodded but headed back to where the shuttles were.

Meanwhile, on the Dark Fortress Karone had managed to fight her way away from the Quantrons but now Ecliptor was holding her and he was much stronger. Darkonda came forward with some sort of circuitry in his hands.

"This will ensure that you are loyal to Dark Specter forever," he stated as he placed it on her head. Karone fought against them both but soon fell limp in Ecliptor's arms and they took her morpher from her arm. Darkonda pressed the return button, wanting the Red Ranger to know that Astronama was back.

It was several hours later before Andros and Zhane returned to the Megaship. Upon seeing the morpher lying on the control panel Zhane turned to face his brother. He started to speak when he saw all the color drain from Andros' face and he knew he had seen the morpher. Their brothers and sister entered the room to congratulate them but then saw that one of them was missing.

"Andros," Bryce began, approaching his little brother carefully, "we'll get her back." He laid his hand on Andros' shoulder but Andros turned on him.

"Get away from me!" he screamed. "You'll all die if you don't!" He ran from the room with Zhane close behind him.

"Andros!" he yelled after his friend. Andros didn't even pause and Zhane continued to follow him, knowing that there was a complete breakdown in the near future. He was proven right when Andros fell to the floor crying. Zhane carefully approached and sank down beside his friend. "It's going to be okay. We'll get her back, I promise." He pulled Andros into his lap and rocked him slowly as he cried. 'At least he's getting it all out,' Zhane thought silently but then the alarms went off.

"Astronama is attacking," DECA informed and Zhane would have sworn he heard sorrow in her voice.

"We have to go, Andros," Zhane stated and he felt Andros nod. "Are you sure you can do this?" Again Andros nodded and they headed for the Work Bay.

A/N: Please Review!