Wow, can't believe we are already on chapter 3 (4 if you count the prologue). I am eternally grateful that so many are impressed by this story. I will give just a tiny bit of background on my writing experiences so far and it will tell you how amazing it is for me to write a MMPR fic that has seen such a positive reception. I have been writing since I was 13 (I am in my mid-20's now). I got my start writing Alternate Universe Star Wars stories. I literally cringe when I try to open the word files to look at them again, but everyone has to start somewhere. Over the years I have written stories in several genres including MMPR (false starts that didn't really get anywhere), Digimon (have a couple published on FF if you want to look them up, Vampire Diaries (not published on here), Soul Eater, Assassin's Creed, Naruto...the list goes on.

Anyway as I said in the prologue, this story has been locked in my head for years and I have been playing with it...playing scenes out in my mind. I finally stumbled across the Tommy/Kim vid on youtube with the song I'd Come For You by Nickelback and that got me really fired up about writing it. I also will draw a slight bit of inspiration from other videos that will be detailed later.

I am really excited for pieces to start coming together and I hope that you as my readers will enjoy how the story unfolds. I will make a quick plea for R&R...PLEASE Read and Review! This story gets tons of traffic and views so it'd be cool to hear from more of you! Let me know any ideas you might like to see in the story and who knows...I might incorporate them. Now...time for the Assault on Goodness!

Chapter 3-Assault on Goodness

Billy and Tommy's hearts sank when they looked at the computer screen in front of them. Billy gulped.

"Tommy...this is bad..."

"I'd say...how could they do this so quickly?" Tommy's eyebrow rose, "It was like they were working around the clock to take these teams down."

Billy pulled up another screen, "Yes...the timestamps of the attacks show that they were done right after we left the meeting and haven't stopped since. Each team resisted, put up a fight, but it's like these people are on steroids, especially that Spirit Warrior. She took out the entire Wild Force team all by herself."

Tommy looked down sadly, "Billy...we can't do this ourselves. We need more power teams. We have to contact the others ASAP."

Billy tapped a few keys, "Already done. All the teams have been alerted. But...there's a problem with the In Space team."

"What's that?"

"Andros is out of commission. He has been for a while."

Tommy swallowed. He had met Andros on a few occasions and saw a lot of himself in that young Ranger from KO-35. He had done whatever it took to get his sister Karone back. Looking back, Tommy knew he had done that on several occasions for people he cared about and he'd do it again in a heartbeat.

"What happened to him and why didn't we know about this before now?"

Looking up, Billy began to explain, "His sister told me that all they know is that somehow Andros was attacked. When they found him, he was unconscious. After some analysis, they found that his powers were keeping him alive somehow. He's been a coma ever since the attack. The reason we weren't informed was because KO-35 has been having communication problems on and off for years. It took many, many man hours to figure out all the bugs. We have been invited to go to KO-35 if we want to and visit Andros."

Tommy folded his arms over his chest, "I wish we knew what had attacked him. How long has it been since he been this way?"

Billy didn't reply for several minutes, "Two years."

Tommy's fist came down and made a dent on the metal table, "Dammit Billy! We should have known much sooner. Poor Karone...and the In Space team...without their leader for that long."

"Zhane has taken over until they can figure out a way to help Andros."

Neither man spoke for a long time. But then Billy's face brightened and he ran over to some cabinets nearby. He came back with a laptop and some sensor pads, "What's to say we can't find out? If I can tap into Andros' memories, which his power should be protecting, then we can find out who...or what...attacked him."

Tommy's stomach twisted uneasily. He already had suspicions of who, but he didn't want to imagine that this assault had been going on far longer than they had anticipated. He prayed that he was wrong, but his gut was hardly ever wrong. 'Please don't let it be the Spirit Warrior. I don't want to think that she started attacking Power Rangers a long time ago and there might be more that are hurt and we don't even know yet. I mean...Power Rangers are supposed to look out for each other right?'

"I guess the only way to find out is to go to KO-35."

"Let's try teleporting there. I have been testing the device for short trips, but this will be the first long one." Billy stated.

Tommy shrugged, "That would be the fastest way to get there...if we make it."

Billy and Tommy used their new communicators, which were eerily similar to the old ones they once had and teleported. When they landed, they were standing in an alleyway. Tommy looked around and Billy seemed quite pleased with himself.

"Yes, this is it. Right on target. The hospital is this way."

Tommy followed Billy to a building that looked like a hospital on Earth. They were escorted to a room nearby. Billy walked over and shook the tall blonde woman's hand.

"Karone, it's so good to see you. This is Tommy Oliver."

The woman turned to greet him and Tommy looked her over. She had some traits that were somewhat similar to those of his ex-wife. She was tall, blonde, slender and definitely built to be a warrior, but not in an obvious way. She wasn't bulky, but definitely toned and ready for battle.

"Good to meet you Karone. I've heard your story from Andros."

Karone's face fell, "Yes...I assume you're here to see Andros."

"If that's okay." Tommy said quietly, "We want to find out what happened to him."

"We'd like to try and unlock his memories. Also...we'd like to talk to the rest of the In Space team if possible."

Karone shook her head, "The rest of the team is away. They are working to protect the galaxy as best they can, especially after they received your message about someone hunting down Power Rangers." she eyed a sword nearby, "My own Lost Galaxy team went back to get the Quasar Sabers. I was given one to protect KO-35 and Andros until he wakes up."

Billy's eyes softened, "I see. We'll do what we can to help your brother."

Karone slowly picked up her Quasar Saber and then walked to the nearby door. Pushing it open, she escorted Tommy and Billy into the room. Andros was in a hospital bed, eyes closed like he was sleeping. Monitors were hooked to his body to make sure he was still alive.

Suddenly there was a dull glow of red that surrounded Andros' body. It glowed for a few seconds and then it was gone. Karone seemed not at all surprised by this, "It's his power. That's how we know his power is protecting him. I just wish I...had been here to protect him."

Billy began to hook his own monitoring devices to Andros and get his laptop set up. Tommy put his hand on Karone's shoulder, "It wasn't your fault. You know that...whomever attacked Andros...they were evil and senseless. He was trying to do good in this world."

Karone looked up at Tommy sadly, "He wasn't the only one attacked that day. He was responding to an attack on some people in a settlement. Andros wasn't even supposed to be here...he was supposed to be back on Earth with his team, but he and I had planned to spend time together. I offered to go with Andros to back him up, but he said it was too dangerous since I didn't have my Quasar Saber and therefore had no powers."

Tommy nodded solemnly, "So...someone must have known Andros was here..."

"Maybe, but other people were killed by the time Andros got there. We confirmed time of death so...it could be that Andros was in the wrong place at the wrong time."

"We're ready to go. Someone needs to sync up with Andros to help unlock the memories." Billy said from the hospital bed.

"I'll do it." Karone stepped forward.

Billy nodded and put some sensors on her body and head, "You will need to unlock Andros' memories. There might be resistance...it's natural. Just convince Andros to let us see these memories that will help us know who attacked him. If things get too hairy...I'll pull you out. We wouldn't want to lose you."

Sitting in a chair nearby, Billy typed a few words on the laptop as Karone pulled up two more chairs and prepared herself to be inside Andros' head. With a few necessary adjustments, Billy started to slowly induce a coma for Karone. She was soon slumped in the chair and her brainwaves were stable. Tommy and Billy watched from a monitor as events unfolded.

Karone wandered in a cold darkness. She rubbed her arms for warmth.

"Andros! Where are you?!" she yelled, not sure what else to do.

Suddenly there was a large stone door in front of her. There was no knob or handle to open the door. She remembered what Billy had said about resistance.

"Andros! It's me, Karone! I'm here to help you!"

"Karone?" there was a muffled voice on the other side, "Karone, you shouldn't be here. This is my mind."

"Andros...thank God." she breathed a sigh of relief to hear her brother's voice again, "Please, let me in. I can help."

"No...no you can't. My heart...my essence is gone. There's no way for me to awaken without it."

Karone's hand slid over the smooth stone and she pounded on it in frustration, "Don't be stubborn. This is no time to be a martyr. I need to know who hurt my big brother."

"You could die in here Karone. If you fuse with me too much...you'll be lost in here with me."

"Andros...that's a risk I'm willing to take. You don't know this, but...other Rangers are being hurt. Other teams are being taken down just like you were. We have no idea how to stop it. We need to know what happened to you. Please..." Karone slid down to kneel in front of the stone door, "please Andros. We have to work together to stop this. And I swear...I will find a way to bring you back. I will..."

The door swung open and hands covered Karone's. Looking up, she saw the warm eyes that were her brother's. She hugged him fiercely and he returned her embrace.

"I'm so sorry I left you alone Karone. I know how much you hate that." he whispered in her ear as tears ran down her face and onto his clothes.

"I'll get you back. I promised Ashley that I would protect you."

Andros smiled, "I miss all of you. I hope to be back soon."

Karone studied his face and then wiped her tears, "Can you show me what happened that day?"

Nodding slowly, Andros helped Karone stand up and they stood together as memories began to play in front of them.

Andros was running, running towards the carnage of an attack. People were running, screaming, crying as he went by. He was surprised to see a group of people, two men and three women gathered together. They weren't dressed as normal people from KO-35. He noticed the symbols on their chest. This symbol was one he had read about in a book when he was a child. It was the symbol of a group of ancient people's called the Nathandians. They had brought a Great Power to the plant Phaedos that was supposed to bring much good to the galaxy.

'What would the planet Phaedos have to do with this? The Nathadians died out millenia ago...or so the stories went.'

To his horror, these warriors were kneeling beside people and after a moment, the victim would scream in pain. The warrior's hand was buried in their chests and would emerge a moment later with a glowing white ball of energy.

'5 against one...not good odds. I need to call for help.'

He hid himself behind a piece of rubble and called for the other rangers on his team. They said that they would hurry, but it would take some time to travel from Earth to KO-35. They advised him to back off and wait for backup, but when Andros heard another scream, he swallowed, having made his decision.

He stepped out from behind the rubble and transformed. Fighting as the Red Ranger gave him a bit of an edge, but it was still quite a fight against 5 warriors, trained well in the arts of fighting. Just when he was getting the upper hand, he was blasted in the back, causing him to fly forward into a piece of rubble. He felt the crunch of his body against the concrete and before he could take a breath, he is body was hurled back like a rag doll. He smashed into another piece of concrete, his body now embedded in it.

Andros gasped for air, coughing desperately. His suit faded and he felt blood trickling down his forehead. His vision swam, but he saw the 5 warriors, looking like 5 blobs on their knees. Another blob was dressed in white and then with a flash, turned wine red.

In an instant, he felt fingers close around his throat and he began to choke. There was a small, quiet laugh and then a melodic voice spoke, "1 Power Ranger against 5 of my warriors. You have guts, I'll give you that."

Andros coughed and managed to get a strangled question out, "Who...are you?"

"Doesn't matter who I am Ranger. Where is Zordon? Surely you've heard of him."

Andros' eyes widened. That name brought the strong loss back to his mind. Because he had failed...Zordon, a great mentor and friend of goodness had sacrificed his life.

The fingers loosened slightly on his throat, "Speak! Where is Zordon?!"

Andros coughed, his eyes trying to adjust. He could barely make out brown hair and the fact that this woman was shorter than he was. "Zordon...he's dead."

A sharp gasp followed and her fingers tightened on his throat, nails digging into his skin. "You are a liar! There is no way Zordon is dead! It hasn't...it hasn't been that long..."

Wheezing, he got out a few words, "Yes...Zordon...dead. I...I...was...there."

Eyes flashed at him and he was thrown to the ground. The woman sat on top of him, both hands now around his throat, "You...I don't know why...Zordon...if you were there..." silence followed for a few minutes, "Then you must have killed him somehow! Rangers have done bad things before!"

Before Andros could explain, he felt the life being squeezed out of him. He could see blackness creeping in around his vision. The woman's eyes were brown...he could see that now. And those eyes...were cruel and lifeless. She was obviously in a rage.

"Zordon...died...for...good." Andros gasped.

"You have no idea! Zordon was a good person! He never thought of himself...only of others! He made me...and my warriors into who we are today! You killed him! Now I'll kill you, son of a bitch!" she yelled his face.

Andros screamed in pain as he felt her hand inside him. She...she was taking his essence. He screamed again when he felt it starting to leave him and once more when it left his body. Instantly he felt coldness and his body was numb, but his eyes were still open and he took a breath in.

The white essence shone brightly like a beacon and all 6 warriors had to cover their eyes. One of the men spoke up, "Wow...this one is the purest yet. Take it Milady."

A few seconds later, the light was gone and the woman stood over him. She was surprised and she put her hand on her chin.

"He's still alive. Is that even possible?"

"It shouldn't be. When your essence is gone...you die." one of the female warriors spoke up.

"But...he is a Power Ranger. That might have something to do with it." The woman who was standing over him spoke up, "We aren't easy to get rid of. That's the truth."

"You...you're...Nathadians." Andros gasped out.

The woman above him laughed and tossed brown hair over her shoulder, "So...you've heard of us. You know your ancient history."

"You're supposed...to...be gone." Andros was laboring for every breath and his vision was starting to turn into tunnel vision.

"Supposed to be yes...but...the Master Warrior restored her people to their former glory." leaning down close to him, Andros had a chance to study the brown eyes of the woman who had attacked him. He could see the anger, grief, and sorrow. 'Zordon...she must have been close to him. Maybe...maybe she was in the original Order of the Meridian that Zordon was a part of in ancient times.'

"You are fading fast now Power Ranger. Say hello to Zordon when you see him. Tell him..." she paused for a long time, "tell him that he was right. This power is the best thing that ever happened to me. I won't let anyone stand in the way."

Andros somehow didn't believe that Zordon would say something like that. Power was something that could be twisted and evil...definitely in this case. He wouldn't lead someone towards evil.

Blackness embraced Andros and the woman's face faded from his vision.

Karone covered her mouth with her hand, tears spilling anew. 'That woman...she was so cruel! She didn't even let Andros explain that he didn't kill Zordon! Zordon sacrificed himself! I will find that bitch and make her pay for hurting my brother.'

Andros put his arm around his sister, "Karone...what you didn't see there was...I felt that woman's essence when she was taking mine. She truly loved Zordon and was acting out of anger. She is a good person...twisted by evil just like you were once...when you were Astronema."

Karone sighed, remembering herself that way. She had done horrible things and yet had somehow become a Power Ranger anyway. Perhaps, there is forgiveness for good people twisted by evil in the cosmos.

"I'll help the others find who did this then. Maybe we can help this woman and her warriors back, just like you did for me."

Andros smiled, "Hey, tell that Tommy Oliver hello for me. He's a great man and a legend."

Karone laughed, feeling herself being drawn away, "You're so silly Andros. I promise...I will get you back."

Andros waved with a huge smile on his face and then Karone opened her eyes and was back in the hospital again. Andros was still in a coma and the other two men were pale, sitting in front of a computer monitor. Karone rubbed her eyes, "Did that help at all?"

Billy shook his head, "Narthandians...I've never heard of them. This just leaves us with more questions than answers."

Tommy shook his head, "Billy...Karone...I know who did this. It had to be the Spirit Warrior. I wish we could have gotten a better look at her face, but it was so hard when Andros was in distress. She and her warriors are responsible for putting Andros into a coma. Obviously Andros was the first Power Ranger they ever attacked, because they didn't know he wouldn't die."

Karone's eyebrows furrowed, "Where is this Spirit Warrior now? She needs to be stopped."

"If we knew that," Tommy said quietly, "I'd be there already. My gut tells me who this warrior might be...and I want to clean up the mess here."

Billy looked at Tommy in confusion, "Who do you think it is?"

"It's just a far fetched hunch. I'll tell you when I know more."

Wanting to press more, Billy thought about calling Tommy out, but he decided that for now, it was best to keep the suspicions to themselves. He nodded, "I'll take the footage we got and go back the the lab. Maybe I can clean up the image and run it through facial recognition software."

Standing up, Tommy and Billy walked into the hall of the hospital. Karone followed them and they stopped in front of the entrance, "You should check out Phaedos too. Maybe you can track down the Nathadians...if they really exist."

Tommy nodded, "We'll have to go to Phaedos as soon as we can. Take care of things and be careful. The Spirit Warrior might attack again."

Karone smiled, "I will. I'll watch over the people of KO-35. Let me know if there any way I can help. I want to get my brother back."

"We'll work together to get him back. That's a promise." Tommy said before he and Billy returned to Earth, armed with more questions than answers.