The End
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Destiny of KO-35 looked up from her paper work. Her six-year-old, Andros and five-year-old Karone were looking on, rather anxiously.
She smiled and took her glasses off. "Might I ask what you two want?"
"Canwegodowntothepark? We'llbecarefulIpromise!" Andros blurted out.
Destiny glanced through the window to see the sun standing brightly in the middle of the sky. Lunch wasn't for an hour, and KO-35 had hardly any crime. But...she'd never let them go to the park without herself or her husband Fuller.
She looked back to the 2 pleading faces and sighed. "All right, you may go to the park. But don't talk to any one you don't know, and be home in an hour for lunch."
"YES!" They cried, slapping each other's hands and running toward the door. Destiny doubt they'd even heard her past the "You may go."
The door slammed with a great force and she watched worriedly from the front room as they scurried down the sidewalk toward the large park.
"Mama?"
Destiny turned around to find little Madison at the hem of her skirt. Destiny leaned down and swooped the baby up into the air, laughing along with shrieks of excitement she got from her daughter.
When the twirling had stopped, Madison looked questioningly into her mother's eyes. "Dros? Rone?"
"They went to the park to play. They'll be home soon." Destiny answered, pointing out the window in direction of the park.
Satisfied with the answer Madison squirmed and demanded to be let down, "Down." She droned, leaning out of her mother's arm and waving her feet.
Destiny set a kiss on the blonde and brown hair and put the toddler on the floor. She immediately waddled over to her chest of toys and plopped down, ready to amuse herself while she waited for her siblings got home.
"Race ya!" Andros challenged, once they had reached the park.
"You're on!" Karone accepted.
The two sped off toward their favorite area to play. It was in the midst of a circle of trees and brush, and was untouched by people besides the two.
Andros barreled into the small meadow and collapsed into the thick grass.
"Beat you, beat you!" He teased.
"Only cause you have longer legs then me! You just wait 'til I'm older!" Karone huffed.
Andros grinned and stuck his tongue out at Karone. She responded the same way and jumped onto her brother.
The two tickled and tortured one another until they both cried, "Uncle!"
After a few minutes of rest, Andros pulled a ball out of his pocket. He tossed into the sky and levitated it with his hands. He stretched the ball out to its biggest sphere and fought for control of it with Karone.
Andros' telekinesis was stronger and he won control. Karone stuck the tip of her tongue just out of her mouth and concentrated hard on getting the ball back.
With a burst of energy she sent it flying into the brush.
"Oops, Sorry," she apologized.
Andros shrugged, remembering when he and his dad used to fight for control of the very same ball. He wasn't very strong then. He'd gotten better, but wondered if he'd ever be as good as his dad.
He jumped up and went tearing after the ball. His long blond highlighted brown hair flew around him.
Karone hadn't moved from her cross-legged position. She watched with envy as her brother brought the ball back under his own mind control and grabbed it with his small hands.
Someday I'll be just as good as Andros! Even better...Karone promised herself.
Karone's dreamy thoughts were cut off as some one grabbed her from behind and held her tightly in the crook of his arm.
She screamed. "Andros! Help!"
Andros dropped the ball and turned around to see a hideous monster coming toward him at a fast stride. His first reaction was to run. This guy was definitely not looking for directions. But then...he had his sister in his arms! He had to save her!
Before he had a chance to react the beast had reached him and his arm was outstretched. Three years of Martial Arts training from his dad kicked in. He kicked the hand away.
The monster shouted, in the process dropping the young girl.
Karone dropped to the ground in a heap, not moving.
Nothing in the world matter at that instant then helping sister. Andros dropped down next to Karone, but before he could check her out, the monster picked them both up with a chuckle and disappeared.
Madison dropped the squeaky doll and burst into tears. "Dros! Rone!" She cried, picking herself up from the carpet and climbing up onto the couch. She peeked out the window in search of her brother and sister. The images filled the toddler's head again. A Dark beast, picking them both up, carrying them away! Karone was hurt.
Madison screamed and dropped face first into the couch. The thoughts ran through her head again and again, and it caused her to cry even harder. She choked on her tears. She heard her mom coming. It was too late though...they were gone.
"Lemme go!" Andros tried break away from the strong beast but was unsuccessful.
Andros continued to struggle all the way down the long dark corridor.
"You're a real pain, kid, you know that?" the monster growled.
Andros responded with a glare of his eyes.
They entered a large stone room and the beast set Andros on the floor, taking his small hand firmly inside his own. "Stay still, or I will hit you, I promise," the monster hissed into Andros' ear.
Andros stopped wiggling. The tall creature was certainly strong enough to inflict pain and Andros decided to take his advice. Karone remain unconscious, hung over the beast's shoulder.
Andros glanced up at her face to find the source of her deep sleep. On one temple, a thin deep cut snaked it's way down to the bottom of her nose. It slowly oozed blood.
"My sister's hurt! Please let me help her!" Andros pleaded, looking up at the monster.
He looked down at the kid impatiently. He was waiting for Dark Specter so he could hand the little brats over, and then he wanted to get out of here. But...what harm could the little guy do if he was trying to help his sister?
"Ok, but don't try anything," he ordered, letting go of the boy's hand. He slowly lay his sister on the stone floor and watched as Andros kneel down next to her and put his hands together over top of his party.
A glow formed around the 2 bodies and the beast gasped as the cut on the girl's head closed. Instantly, Karone opened her eyes and grabbed hold of Andros.
Andros wrapped his own arms around her and whispered some encouraging words into her ear. Karone nodded and they both stood up.
They stood a few feet from the monster and clasped their hands tightly together. They tried to be brave, but the expressions on their faces told differently.
It was only a few minutes, but seemed like hours to the young children, before the room darkened and an even more sinister being then who had kidnapped them appeared. He was huge and intimidating, and Andros heard Karone gasp and grip his hand painfully.
"Two, Darkonda? I only wanted a girl," the lava monster scolded.
"But Dark Specter, I didn't have a choice. The boy tried to save her, he would have been able to identify me easily," Darkonda defended himself.
Dark Specter sighed. "Do you know how hard it is to raise humans?"
"No Sir..."
"You certainly couldn't do it. I'll have to find someone else to raise them for now. Get them out of my sight now, so I can think."
Andros let go of his sister's hand and stepped up bravely. "In all due respect lava dude, there's no way me and my sister are staying here. Is was nice meeting you, though." With that he grabbed Karone's hand and stalked off in the direction they came.
Darkonda chuckled. "I'm sorry, but that won't be happening. Now, if you cooperate, I'll think about feeding you lunch."
He took the youngster's hands and almost dragged them from the room, as they kicked and squealed.
Dark Specter rolled his eyes upward. "What have I gotten myself into?"
Destiny blew her nose for the 100th time and looked at the law enforcer through teary eyes. It had been 16 hours since she had last seen her daughter or son.
"Destiny, we're doing everything we can to find your children. It's likely that they just wandered off and got lost in the woods. We'll find them. I promise," the Chief comforted the distraught women.
Destiny didn't answer, and the enforcer let himself out of the house. Madison watched on, and then turned to her mom.
"Mama? Dros? Rone?" the toddler asked. As toddlers do, she had already forgotten the images that plagued the back of her memory. They were still there though, hidden for later use.
Destiny picked her youngest offspring up and held her tightly. "They're just away for a little while, Madi, they'll be back soon."
Madison looked as though she didn't believe her mother, but with a scowl the toddler pulled her mom's hands apart and slipped off her lap. She walked down the hallway into her brother's room. She looked curiously around it before venturing to the bed and pulling herself up onto it. She sat in the center of the bed before flopping down onto her tummy and sticking her thumb in her mouth. Sucking contentedly on it, she dozed off.
"I have to go potty! Real bad!" Karone shrieked jumping up and down. The guard outside their door let out a loud sigh but opened the door and grabbed the girl by the hand. He led her down the corridor and shoved her into the small lavatory. She landed on her knees and felt tears come to her eyes. She sat up and examined the damage. It had torn a small hole in her dirty yellow jump suit and there was dark blood seeping through the scrape. Her lip quivered before letting out a loud cry. She continued to until someone walked by and opened the door. It was a young slave. She had a blue tint to her skin, but she was probably part human. She leaned down next to the girl and wiped her tears away.
"What's the matter?"
"I skinned my knee when that mean man pushed me," Karone whimpered.
"Well, let me see it," the girl requested prying the girl's hand off the small knee.
Karone moaned as the girl touched it gingerly. "No, don't touch."
"It looks very minor, but I can find a bandage, if that will help."
Karone's eyes lit up at the mention, and she nodded shyly.
The girl grinned and reached for Karone's hand. "So, what's your name?"
"Karone," the timid five-year-old said shyly.
"Well, you can call me Zoie," the teen answered.
Karone nodded and let Zoie lead her down the hall into a small infirmary. Karone waited patiently in the center of the room as Zoie fished through some cupboards. The infirmary wasn't very well stocked since it was only for certain rare beings. Monsters healed instantly and had little or no use for it.
Finally she found one and bent down to put it on Karone's knee. Karone smiled proudly at the bandage and thanked Zoie.
"No prob-" She started to reply, but was interrupted by a large monster barreling into the room.
"There you are! Zoie what do you think you're doing?" the monster growled.
"I was only patching up the girl's knee, Sir," Zoie answered respectively.
"Did you have permission?"
"No Sir."
"That's what I thought." he unhooked a whip from his belt and cracked it over the small back.
Zoie twitched, but didn't say anything. Karone watched with horror as he hit her again and again, until the back of her shirt was in tatters.
When Zoie looked up, tears in her eyes, she waited for the monster to say something.
"Go to your room, and don't expect dinner."
Zoie nodded and limped from the room.
By now, Karone was shaking with fear, and had great respect toward Zoie. She had taken the beating without a word.
"Now, young Karone, I shall escort you to your room, and no more wandering off with people you don't know, or you will find the same punishment as Zoie."
Karone didn't dare open her mouth to answer, and allowed the monster to lead her back down the corridor to their room. He deposited her inside and locked the door from the outside.
Andros sat up on his bed and looked at her. "What's the matter? You look like you saw a ghost. Did they hurt you?"
"No, they didn't hurt me...but they hurt some one else."
Andros raised an eyebrow. "What do you mean?"
"Well...I hurt me knee when our guard threw me into the bathroom, and this girl came in and found me. She put a bandage on me and then this guy came in and hit her with a rope!"
Andros closed his eyes. "We better be careful, Karone."
Karone nodded, agreeing and they both sat down at their small table to eat the strange food they had left them for dinner.
6 weeks later...
"Karone and Andros, come with me," Darkonda ordered, opening the door to their room.
They both stood up and took one another's hands and followed Darkonda down to the same room they were brought to 2 months ago.
Dark Specter was already there, waiting for them. So was an odd looking being, black with green edging. He glanced at them, and his face held no emotion.
Andros swallowed hard.
"Andros, Karone. From this day on you will be known as Sethos and Astronema. You will rule the universe on the side of evil, and conquer all good," Dark Specter rumbled.
Andros couldn't help but giggle. "Wow, that's a good one. Sethos? Yeah right."
Darkonda gripped the boy's shoulder, urging him to shut up. Andros got the message and clamped his mouth shut.
"Ecliptor here, will raise you. You are to obey him fully. He will teach you what you need to know, and when we think you're ready, you will take my place."
Andros and Karone were speechless. They were never going to see KO-35 again? The thought was too much to comprehend.
Ecliptor walked over to them and looked them straight in the eyes. "You give me no trouble, and everything will work out just fine. Is that understood?"
Andros and Karone both nodded vigorously.
"Good, now if you'll excuse us Dark Specter, I'd like to take them home. I will return with them in 2 months for the tests to begin."
Ecliptor directed the children out of the room and out of the huge building. They walked for hours toward a small town where Ecliptor lived. By the time they reached the small stone living quarters, Karone was asleep in Ecliptor's arms and Andros was leaning heavily on Ecliptor's arm as he struggled to keep up.
"We're here," he informed. Karone woke up and looked around sleepily. Ecliptor set her on her feet and led them up a small walk to the wooden door. He pushed it open and closed it again after all 3 were inside. He brought them to the back of the stone dwelling to their small room and deposited them both on the large bed. They curled up together and were asleep in minutes.
Ecliptor watched them for a minute.
"Why am I doing this? I don't know the slightest thing about humans..."
He shut their door and went into the front room where he slumped into a wooden chair positioned in front of the window. The two were in his care until Karone was thirteen and Andros was fourteen. Then after that they would go to live on the Dark Fortress and continue to prepare for battle.
He rubbed his forehead and tried to block the two angelic sleeping faces out of his head.
"It's going to be a long 8 years..." Ecliptor mumbled, just before dozing off.
2 months later...
Andros kicked Ecliptor in the shin and bolted for the door. Ecliptor grabbed him by the collar and positioned him in the crook of his arm. Andros screamed to be put down.
"I want to go home! I don't like living here anymore!" he whined.
Karone watched worriedly by the door to the bedroom.
"Come, Karone. We're going to see Dark Specter," Ecliptor explained, holding out his hand for the little girl.
Karone's lower lip quivered. "I don't like Dark Specter..."
"Neither do I, now come on, we're going to be late, and Dark Specter hates to wait..." Ecliptor took the step toward her and took the small hand inside his.
Karone reluctantly followed Ecliptor out of the small house.
By now, Andros was insisting that he'd be good if Ecliptor would just put him down.
Ecliptor sighed and put the boy on his feet. After a quick swat on the backside, Andros looked ready to obey. He took Ecliptor's hand and hurried to keep in pace with the tall monster.
"Now remember, you need to answer to Dark Specter by your new names, and be respectful," glancing at Andros he added, "about the opposite of what you do with me."
Andros bent his head. Sure, he had been a pain in the butt the past two months, but he just wanted to go home! What was wrong with that?
A while later, Karone looked up at Ecliptor through her messy blonde curls. "Piggyback ride?"
Ecliptor couldn't help but smile to himself. He'd rather taken a liking to small girl the past few weeks. He picked her up and positioned her on his shoulders. She giggled happily and the 3 set off again.
Andros looked left out, but didn't say anything. Ecliptor felt a twinge of guilt. He'd never known such emotion since he'd begun to take care of the two siblings. He swooped Andros up into one arm so that he was sitting as if in a chair. He looked surprised for a moment, but soon smiled.
"Thanks," he offered quietly.
With a nod of the head, the trek continued.
Ecliptor put the children on the stone floor in the large room. "Remember," he reminded in a soft tone, "you're not Karone and Andros anymore. You will answer to Astronema and Sethos."
They nodded.
Darkonda strolled onto the scene and smirked at Ecliptor. He took a step toward the kids, and they responded by shrieking and ducking behind by Ecliptor.
Darkonda chuckled. "So they do remember me."
"Stop it, Darkonda," Ecliptor insisted.
Darkonda didn't, "So, Sethos, Astronema, I hear you have a younger sibling. Madison, is it? Should I fetch her too?"
With that Andros stepped out from his hiding place. "You leave her alone!"
Darkonda took the boy by the forearm and squeezed. "Just what are you going to do about it?"
Fear shone in the boy's eyes as he whimpered from the tight grip.
"Let go of him, Darkonda," Dark Specter's voice boomed from above.
Darkonda let go of the boy and he immediately ran to Ecliptor. Ecliptor put a hand on his shoulder, and looked up to Dark Specter.
"So, Ecliptor, how is it going?" Dark Specter asked.
"Fine, your highness."
"Good. Sethos, Astronema, would you please follow Darkonda?" Dark Specter requested.
Ecliptor put an arm in front of the children. "Where?"
"To begin the process, Ecliptor. Are you going to argue?" Dark Specter sighed.
"No..." Ecliptor replied reluctantly. He didn't mind about the process, only who was taking them.
"Well then, you make take them, Darkonda."
Darkonda took the two small hands and led them out of the room. Karone looked back at Ecliptor, with a scared expression. Ecliptor nodded to reassure here, and they were gone.
"I don't trust Darkonda, my lord," Ecliptor admitted.
"I do, and that's all that matters," Dark Specter declared and disappeared.
Ecliptor walked outside to wait.
It was nightfall by the time Darkonda brought Karone and Andros to him. They looked tired and dazed.
Ecliptor glared at Darkonda and picked the siblings up. Positioned in his arms, he left without saying anything to Darkonda.
They walked most of the night. The sun was just coming up as they reached the dwelling. He immediately tucked them in the bed, and closed the door. He didn't know what happened to them, and he didn't think he wanted to.
The two slept on and off for the next few days, refusing to eat, and only answering to Sethos and Astronema. They didn't even seem to know the names Andros and Karone. It pained Ecliptor to see them so quiet and lifeless. Andros never fought with him, and it shocked him a great deal.
One afternoon, the two stumbled out of the bedroom and sat down at the table with Ecliptor. Ecliptor looked up from his work.
"Ecliptor...who is this?" Andros asked, opening his locket. The two had the exact same one with a small picture of Andros, Karone and their younger sister Madison.
"Andr...I mean, Sethos, that's your little sister. She was killed by...the Power Rangers a long time ago..." he explained gently, expecting an explosion of emotions.
"Oh," they both answered without any emotion.
"Shall we practice our forms?" Ecliptor asked, surprised, but didn't dwell on it.
"Sure..."
Ecliptor sent them to change into their warrior garb and then the 3 walked outside to go over the things Ecliptor had taught them about fighting.
4 years later...
"Madison, come here sweetie!" Destiny called.
The petite six-year-old came running. "Yes, mommy?" she asked.
"Hold Vance for me, for a second, ok?"
Madison sat down on the couch, and Destiny placed the 4-month-old baby in her arms.
"I'll be right back. I'm going to get the mail," Destiny explained.
Madison nodded and smiled down at her baby brother.
"I'm gonna be your only sister now, Vance. Andros and Karone are gone. They went away a long time ago and haven't come back. I wish you had met them."
Vance looked up at Madison and gurgled.
Outside, Madison heard brakes squeal, and then someone screamed.
Madison turned around to look out the window. Lying on the road was her mother. Blood pooled around her. Madison turned white and almost dropped Vance. She remember to put him in the playpen and went tearing out into the yard, leaving the front door open.
"Mommy!" she hollered.
Destiny didn't move. People were starting to come out of their house to see what the commotion was about.
Just as Madison reached the road, some one stepped in front of her and lifted her up into their arms.
It was their neighbor, Aden. He walked back toward the house. Madison leaned over his shoulder and squirmed.
"Down! Put me down! My mommy needs help!" she demanded.
Aden reached up with one hand to lay the youngster's head against his shoulder. "Not now sweetie", he whispered.
Once inside, Aden put Madison down and she scurried over to the window. She watched as an ambulance arrived, and put her gently on a gurney. They looked over her, but soon hung their heads and covered her form with a white sheet. They lifted the gurney up on into the ambulance and drove away.
Madison's lip quivered dangerously. "Where are they taking her?"
Aden pulled her into his lap. "Madison...your mommy was hit by a hovercar. It was an accident, and the driver who hit her is very sorry. But...she wasn't strong enough. She's dead..."
That did it. Madison burst into tears and jumped off Aden's lap. She bolted out the front door and into the road. She could hear the ambulance far away. Standing in the puddle of her own mother's blood, Madison was suddenly in Destiny's place. Seeing the car coming at her, being hit, falling to the pavement and hitting her head.
Madison dropped to her knees in the thick red blood and screamed. She screamed, feeling her world fall apart. The tears flowed heavily, and Madison made no attempt to wipe them away.
"Mom?...Mommy??....Mom!!"
"Madison, it's daddy, sweetheart. Come here."
Madison opened her eyes and looked to the side of the road. Her dad stood there, still in his business suit. Tears stained his face.
Madison stood up and jumped into her dad's arms.
"Why Daddy? Why did mommy go away? Is she with Andros and Karone now?" Madison whimpered.
Fuller of KO-35 stiffened at the mention of his oldest children's names.
"I don't know Madi. I just don't know..."
Madi didn't like the answer and buried her face into his shoulder, crying harder.
4 1/2 years later...
"Sethos, Astronema. C'mon." Ecliptor called.
The two came out of their separate bedroom, which had been built 2 years ago when Astronema had insisted she couldn't sleep with her brother any longer. It was too "gross".
Sethos was still small. Only 5'2" at the most. He had yet to get a growth spurt. Astronema was right under him, by maybe an inch.
Sethos wore his loose, but fitting leather pants, and a open leather vest which showed his growing muscles. His hair had been cut short and was now pure black.
Astronema also wore leather. A one piece body suit, with metal the covered her chest and stomach. Around one thin thigh was a metal band that bore her Frisbee like weapon. Her own hair was shoulder length and still springy with curls but she'd dyed it bluish-purple a few months ago.
"This is it you two. I won't be around as much as I used to. You answer to Dark Specter now. You will live on the Dark Fortress and begin the quest to defeat good."
"We know, we know. We've heard this twenty-million times this week alone!" Sethos scowled.
"We're going to miss you, Ecliptor," Astronema murmured.
Sethos nodded.
"Well, I'll still be there, most of the time, I just won't be in charge. Now let's get going. Dark Specter hates to wait..."
They each picked up their one bag that hold their few belongings and followed Ecliptor. They knew the way to Dark Specter's palace by heart. It would take 6 hours my foot, but they were used to it.
The trio didn't talk much on the journey. They all had their own faults to sort out. They'd been brought up by Ecliptor for the past 8 years and taught to hate good and love evil. They were told that the Power Rangers killed their parents and sibling. The Rangers were now their enemies, and they were going to kill each and every one of them.
Before they knew it, the huge dark palace loomed up in front of them.
Ecliptor didn't know what to do. He patted each one on the shoulder and sent them off.
"You're not coming with us the rest of the way?" Sethos questioned.
"I need to take care of a few things. I'll see you in a week or so," he responded.
For the first time in 2 or 3 years, the young teens took one another's hand and walked into the palace. They reported to the throne room where Dark Specter greeted them.
"Welcome children. Jasper will show you your new fortress. I must go now, but I'll check on you from time to time."
With that, Dark Specter disappeared into his own dimension.
The monster, Jasper, led them outside and a over a hill. There in the valley stood their massive ship.
"Whoa..." Sethos uttered.
Jasper chuckled. He led them down the hill and aboard the ship.
After showing them their living quarters, he left.
A while later another monster came around to tell them they'd be up in space within the next couple of hours.
Sethos and Astronema met up somewhere between their rooms.
"This is it. Can you believe it?" Sethos asked his little sister.
"Not really," she answered truthfully.
"Well, at least we're together. Some day, we're gonna rule the universe together..." Sethos put his arm around Astronema's shoulders and she grinned up at him.
Roughly 2 years later...
"Hi mom. It's been a while since I've visited you. A few months at least..." Madison lay the roses down by the headstone and kneeled on the ground.
"I was chosen to be the Gold Astro Ranger. Can you believe it? I'm not even 13 yet! Every one is so much older then me on the team. The only person I know is Zhane. He's 16. He always talks about Andros. You know mom...I don't even remember them anymore. All I have left is the horrible day they were kidnapped on a small video disc in my locket." She opened her locket and the disc fell out. It had been recording the youngster's day and dropped during the struggle. Madison had found it buried underneath the roots of a tree a couple of years ago. It was still able to be watched. Madison had never given it to any one, and no one knew about it. Madison stared at the picture for a while before turning back to the gave.
"Vance is so big. He's way bigger then I was at 6. I'm afraid he'll be taller then me within a few years!"
"How sweet. This is just touching..."
Madison knew the voice...all too well.
She jumped up and turned slowly to the voice. Her blue eyes narrowed at him. "Sethos...what do you want?" She'd only seen him once, when they'd fought against his army on another planet a few months ago. They'd won, and now she remembered Sethos threatening to come to KO-35 next.
"I'm here to conquer your planet, what else?" he sneered.
Madison didn't hesitate. "Let's Rocket!" she shouted.
"Ooo, now I'm scared," Sethos chuckled.
"You better be," Zhane replied, coming up next to Madison. He put a hand on his young compadre's shoulder.
Sethos rolled his eyes. "Whoo-pee, two of you." he snapped his fingers and an army of Quantrons appeared.
"Let's kick some butt, shall we?" Zhane asked.
"Of course," Madison answered throwing herself into the fight.
Their 5 other teammates appeared on the scene and began fighting along with them.
Astronema had shown up a while ago, and they now stood aside watching the battle with delight.
An hour later, the Rangers were forced to retreat.
Aboard their ship, the Astro MegaShip, they stood around the bridge, looking awfully discouraged.
Madison stood off to one side, delicately rubbing a bruised arm. It had been a tough fight, and the opposing team and won.
Winfield, the red leader of the Astro Rangers, spoke finally, "They have really prepared for this one, guys. It's going to be a long battle. But we can't give up. We'll beat them..."
Kiora, the Pink Astro nodded. "Sure, they were strong today. But now we're ready for them. We'll get them the next time around."
The Blue Astro, Dimitrius, also Kiora's twin sister, spoke for the first time since the fight. "I hate to be the pessimistic one in the group...but...did you see those Quantrons?! They were twice our size! They didn't even send down a monster!"
Kiora slapped her brother upside the head. "Thanks for the encouragement, bro."
Amity, Yellow Astro chuckled at her two friends. Brother and sister but completely different. Kiora was always happy and optimistic, while Patrick was usually worried and pessimistic. He knew it, too.
"Guys, guys. We must look at the bright side of this! With the attack, they'll close school tomorrow!" Caleb, Black Astro, pointed out. Caleb was a weird name for a Kerovian, but that was because he was an Earthling.
"That only means we'll have to stay later into the summer," Zhane mumbled.
"I'm just trying to lighten the mood!" Caleb protested.
Madison smiled. "We understand, buddy."
Caleb wrapped her jokingly into his arms and lifted her off the ground. Madison squealed to be let down, and all the while Caleb asks, "Do you guys hear that? Is Madison trapped somewhere? Madi? Madi where are you?"
Even Dimitrius couldn't help but laugh. Leave to Caleb to make them feel better!
He finally set Madi down. She glared up at him and smoothed her long hair. Caleb shrugged and gave her a noogie. "At least the little people appreciate me." He whimpered.
"Huh," Madison voiced, setting a round of giggles through the room.
Hours later, when all were back at their homes, Zhane stayed aboard the ship, continuing his daily search to find his best friend. They may have only been six, but Zhane remembered everything about him. The way he laughed, and ran, and was always so serious when Zhane was teasing him. How Andros hated to be teased. He would rather sit under a tree and read. Of course, Zhane was the one _in_ the tree, dropping balloons filled with water on passing girls.
Zhane chuckled at the memories and looked back at the computer before him. It was hours before his head began to droop and he found himself asleep on the console.
"Madi? Can I sleep with you?"
Madison glanced sleepily at her younger brother and yawned. Without a word, she pulled the blankets up and moved over so he could crawl in.
"I'm scared Madi," Vance whispered, "What if those bad people come back, and the Power Rangers can't get them to leave?"
"Don't worry Vance. The Power Rangers will make sure their ugly faces never show again on KO-35," Madison murmured.
Vance giggled. "You're so silly, Madi." he paused. "Will you tell me about mama?"
Madison groaned. "Vance, it's in the middle of the night. Can't you wait a few more hours?"
"No," he answered stubbornly.
Madison sighed, but just the same, rolled over to face him. She went through the same details of their mom as she did every time. Vance's eyes sparked with happiness and he listened intently to the memories.
Madison was highly grateful when the little booger finally dozed off. She tucked the blankets under his shin, and wrapped her arms around him lovingly. She had no idea that it would be the last time she would see her little brother alive...
Zhane woke up to the sound of the siren. He bolted upward and wiped the sleep out of his eyes. He blinked, wondering why he was still on the MegaShip.
D.E.C.A. spoke from above. "Sethos and Astronema are on KO-35 with an army of Quantrons. You need to gather the team and get down there immediately."
"Oh crap..." Zhane muttered. Pushing a familiar button on his communicator, he brought his wrist to his mouth. "Guys, Zhane here. Freak One and Freak Two are at it again. We need to teleport to the park."
He morphed and teleported to the scene of the attack. Most civilians had already ran, but there were still a few brave souls who stayed to watch the action.
A white streak landed next to Zhane. "Too early...WAY too early for this..." Madison grumbled.
"Snap out it, Madi. We need to get rid of these guys..."
"Got it, oh great one." Madison spoke under her breath. She wondered if Zhane's spandex was giving him a killer wedgy, cause he was never like this.
"They're back again?" Caleb complained, stretching slightly.
"Shall we?" Kiora asked Amity.
Amity nodded, and the two girls went tearing into the group of Quantrons, throwing kicks and punches left and right.
Winfield found himself up against Sethos himself. "You'll never to see the light of another day, Red Ranger," Sethos growled.
Winfield blocked Sethos' sword with his Spiral Saber and counter attacked, sending Sethos sprawling to the ground.
Winfield was over top of him in a second, his Saber at the throat of his worst enemy. For a fleeting moment, fear shone in the eyes of the evil lord. It was quickly replaced with a smirk. "Go ahead...I DARE you," Sethos goated him on.
"I wouldn't mind doing just that..." Winfield shot back, not missing a beat. He tightened his hands around the weapon, preparing to end a life.
Before he could, he was struck with great force by a deadly sharp sword. Winfield stumbled backwards, his breath becoming shallower by the instant, to see the culprit. Ecliptor...
Winfield breathed his last and collapsed in heap, unmorphing.
Sethos stood up and dusted off his black leather vest. "One down, six to go." he seethed.
Dimitrius was the first to turn and see his fallen friend. "Oh no...oh please no...", he pleaded. His Astro Axe dropped to the ground and he stumbled toward his unmoving teammate.
"Winfield? C'mon Windshield, can you hear me?" he interjected, kneeling down. He rolled Winfield over onto his back and gasped at the site of blood.
His hand darted to Winfield's neck next, and found no pulse. "Winfield! Don't you do this! I swear I'll never forgive you!" He demorphed and brought his own mouth to Windfield's trying to breath life into him.
He pumped his hands rhythmically on his friend's chest, and leaned down again, connecting the two mouths.
Tears ran down his cheeks as he did CPR over and over again. Suddenly, he stopped. "Winfield, I'm sorry. I tried...I really tried..."
"Dear Blue Ranger, would you like to join your friend?"
Dimitrius turned around. "You! You killed him! How could you?!" he jumped up, still unmorphed and shoved the prince backwards.
Sethos was startled for a second but regained his composure. He held up his sword from the oncoming fists.
Dimitrius' arm connected with the blade and he howled in pain. He grasped the injured arm tightly, trying to will it to stop bleeding. The last thing he saw as he looked back at his enemy was the large sword coming at him and connecting with his chest.
Sethos watched without expression as the Blue Ranger fell, his eyes rolling back into his head.
"Come Astronema, I think we've done enough damage for the hour. We'll come back later. Did that monster set fire to the Ranger's neighborhood like I ordered him to?"
"Yes brother. The neighborhood is in flames. Not many survivors, I might add." Astronema purred.
The siblings smiled at one another, and disappeared with a crackle of light.
The remaining Rangers stopped fighting as the Quantrons vanished.
"Wow. that was one heck-" Kiora stopped abruptly, and screamed. The five Rangers were so intent of battling, they had never even seen the Rangers fall.
"Dimitrius!" She shouted, running to her brother, demorphing on the way.
Caleb, Zhane, Amity, and Madison soon found the commotion. Dimitrius and Winfield lay a few feet from one another, their dark red blood staining the pavement.
"Dimitrius! Answer me!" Kiora demanded, pounding weak fists against her brother's broad chest.
Caleb stepped up behind her and forcefully pulled her off their fallen teammate.
"Lemme go! I need to help him! He's going to die! You don't understand!" Kiora weeped. She collapsed into Caleb's arms, sobbing uncontrollably.
Madison stood a few feet away from the bloody scene. "This can't be happening. Please tell me this isn't happening. Not again..." She whispered.
Zhane kneeled down next to Winfield and checked for a pulse. His hand quivered when he found nothing. He quickly wiped away the tears that rolled down his cheeks and stood up.
"There's nothing we can do. For either of them..." he told them, his voice monotone.
Hearing this, Kiora cried harder. Caleb ran his hand up and down her back, whispering things into her ear. She shook her head, and Caleb nodded. He held her tighter, comfortingly.
Amity, always the quiet one, stood stiffly, her arms crossed, her small frame shaking slightly. Zhane saw this and went to her side. She looked up at the blond-haired, handsome sixteen-year-old through her clouded eyes and immediately began to cry. Zhane took her into his arms and let her tears flow freely onto his shoulder. 'It's gonna be OK. I promise....", he whispered into her ear.
Madison, like so many other times, suddenly felt alone. She wiped a clammy hand across her face and came back with soot.
She did an about-face and found fire and smoke rising in the distance. Shock filled the twelve- year-old's face as realization kicked in. It was her neighborhood...
Not saying anything to the others, she ran faster then she ever had. Nearing the smoke, she had to lift her shirt color over her mouth and nose. Her eyes stung from the smoke, and her chest ached.
Fireman ran all over the place: comforting people, helping people from burning houses, spraying water on the flames...
She ignored their protests as she stumbled through the debris toward her house. The one story house was engulfed in flames. She dropped her collar and screamed. "Vance! Dad! Are you guys still here?!"
Firefighters were in the backyard trying to get the worst of the fire.
Madison bolted through the front door. Heat. The heat was the first thing that registered to her.
Everything was on fire. Instinct kicked on and she dropped to her knees, crawling beneath the smoke.
"Vance! Are you here buddy? Answer me if you are!" Madison choked out.
She crept down the hall toward his room. The door was open, and she entered.
There, lying on the floor was her younger brother. His eyes were closed, and his clothes singed from the fire.
She grabbed him, and held him in her arms. "Vance, c'mon buddy...please..."
Nothing.
Flashes from her mother's death and the death she had seen minutes earlier entered her head. She whimpered and closed her eyes.
She heard a creak from above. Her eyes opened and darted upward to where the ceiling was burning. Before she could react, a chunk of it dropped, leaving her unconscious.
"Right there! The little girl ran into that house!" The man reported to the firefighter. The fireman looked at the house and cringed. There wasn't much hope of bringing out any live bodies. The fire in the house had been controlled for the most part, but the frame of the house had collapsed.
"Thank you sir," he told the man, and walked up to the house.
It was very dangerous to walk into the house but he did it anyway. "Hello? Honey, are you in here? Can you hear me? I want to help you, can you tell me if you can hear me?"
He heard a soft groan from down the hall. He walked toward the sound and entered a small bedroom. He saw a small foot sticking out from under a pile of charred wood.
He began to take the boards off the body and within a couple minutes he discovered a girl of 11 or 12 laying on the floor, a young boy in her arms. He carefully lifted the boy out of her arms and screamed for backup. He handed the boy off to another fireman and knelt down to retrieve the girl.
He exited the house in a hurry. Just as he reached the street, the rest of the house completely fell to the ground, settling in a cloud of ash. He had gotten out with no time to spare.
He saw that the girl was put into a ambulance and turned to see who else needed his help.
"Madi. Hey Madi..."
Madison slowly opened her eyes. "Zhane." she croaked out.
"Shh, don't talk. You're lungs took quite a beating."
They were both silent for a moment, and then Zhane went on. "Madi, what the heck were you thinking? Going into a burning house, man..."
"Vance..." She replied, tears springing into place.
Zhane lowered his head. "Madi, Vance...he didn't make it. Too much smoke inhalation."
Madison closed her eyes and the tears ran down her cheeks. Zhane took her pale hand inside his and squeezed. "Kiora isn't doing very well. She won't even talk..."
"Even Caleb! He can barely crack a joke."
"Why?" Madison rasped.
Zhane looked down at her. "I...I don't know why..."
"Life...life sucks..." Madison responded tearfully.
"Yeah, yeah it does suck," Zhane agreed. He pushed the stray blond hair out of her face, and held her hand tighter.
"KO-35 lays in ruin after 5 consecutive days of attacks. Death toll rises to 50,000. The Power Rangers seem to be disappearing daily. I received word that two of them are dead, and one is injured. What will come of our home? Will we live to see tomorrow?"
The newscaster stopped and sighed. The paper in front of him told him to say all this. But why would these people want to hear all this depressing news? They needed to be edified! He looked back at the camera and smiled. "But let's not give up faith. It isn't over until it's over!"
With that, the segment ended.
"That was really, really lame." he chuckled. He stood up and walked away from the desk.
The 4 uninjured Rangers sat quietly around the table in the jump bay, picking at their food.
"We don't have a chance, do we?" asked Amity.
Zhane slammed his fork down. "That's all I ever hear! We don't have a chance, we don't have a chance! We'll, I say we do! There's still 5 of us! We can't give up now!"
He silenced the 3 other Rangers with his words. Deep inside they knew the fight was over. They knew that Zhane knew it too. They didn't want to accept it...
Madison stumbled into the bay.
"Madi what are you doing up?" Caleb asked, standing up to help her to the table.
"I can't lie in that bed all day!" She insisted, gingerly sitting on the stool. Bruises still covered her face and arms, and her left arm was secured tightly to her chest so she couldn't move it. Her long brown and blond highlighted hair had been cut to her ears. It didn't suit her short frame.
"What do you want to eat?" Amity asked her.
"Uhm, just a bowl of chicken soup, please," Madison responded.
One week. One week since Madison had been attacked in the park. Five days since Winfield, Dimitrius, Vance, and Fuller had been declared dead. They weren't the only ones, of course. The death toll had risen from 50,000 to 70,000 in the time slot of two days. KO-35 was disintegrating before their very eyes.
Three of the Rangers drifted off, leaving Madison, still slurping at her soup, and Caleb.
"Caleb?"
Caleb looked up from his papers. His body cried for sleep, and his eyes drooped involuntarily.
"Hmm?"
"What's our next move?"
"Well, the way I see it, we need to get rid of Astronema and Sethos. After they're done away with, the lackeys won't know what to do."
"Oh."
Caleb studied the young girl. "Madison...do you want to talk about it?"
Madison looked at him questioningly. "About what?"
"About...your brother's and dad's death..."
Madison gulped. "Oh...that..."
"You don't have to. I just thought it might help ease the pain if you can talk about it..."
"Uhm...I..." and then she exploded, "I hate this! Why did this have to happen to me? To us? What did we do to deserve this?"
Caleb got off his stool and placed a comforting hand on her vibrating shoulder. "We didn't do anything, Madi. Obviously, this is fate."
"Jeez, then I hate fate! Curses!"
Caleb chuckled. "Did you just say...'curses'?"
Madison looked up at him through her tears. "It's better then swearing. That's what my dad told me..."
Caleb nodded. "I guess you're right. Never looked at it quite like that."
"Caleb...is everything going to be ok now? Is it over?"
Caleb hesitated. The poor girl was only 12 1/2. She shouldn't be defending the planet. "Madi. Honestly, I don't know. They're not getting any weaker and we're not getting any stronger."
Madison closed her eyes. "I guess I know. I just don't want to think about it. Please don't die Caleb, promise me you won't die..."
Madison's eyes pleaded with him. Did he tell her what she wanted to hear, or what he thought? What did he think? Was he going to die? Were they all going to die?
"Madi, I'll promise you this. I'll do everything in my power not to leave, ok?"
"That's better then nothing," Madison snorted.
Caleb grinned and gave her a hug.
Just as he was letting go, they heard Amity scream.
Madison and Caleb's eyes met for a second and they both ran toward the noise.
Caleb reached the girls quarter's first. Amity was sitting on the floor, Kiora's bluish head lying in her lap. Fat tears ran down Paige's cheeks as she stroked Kiora's whiteblond hair.
Madison stood at the doorframe, her color taken from her face. "Is she...is she dead?"
She heard Caleb gulp as he kneeled down on the floor, and as his hand reached for her neck. His hand shook as he took it away. "Yeah...she's gone."
Amity began hyperventilating, and Caleb grabbed a paperbag from the corner of the room. She had a tendency to hyperventilate once in a while when she was stressed out...or when she found her best friend dead on the floor in their bathroom.
Goosebumps rose on Madison's arms and she rubbed it away. Movement of her left arm sent a surge through her body and she gritted her teeth.
After Amity's breathing was back under control, Caleb led her away from the room, and down to the medical bay.
Madison walked past the corpse of her teammate, demanding herself not to look at her. She reached the small bathroom, and found what she was dreading. There on the counter was an open bottle of Lomo, a common pain reliever on KO-35, empty. By the empty bottle she found a quickly sprawled note.
Guys-
I'm sorry to do this to you, but I can't take it any longer. I don't know how to live with out my brother. This way, I won't hinder the team, and I'll be able to see my bro again. All I ask is for you not to blame yourselves. This was my decision, not yours.
~Kiora
Madison felt like throwing something. Hurting some one...
She fulfilled her anger by screaming out every cuss word she could think of. Any one on the same level of the ship would twitch from such harsh words. She picked up the empty Lomo bottle and threw as hard as she could manage. It hit the mirror and broke sending glass everywhere.
One piece of glass lodged it's self in her cheek, but she didn't seem to notice. She dropped to the floor and drew her knees to her chest. She buried her face into her knees and shook as anger seethed through her body. No tears could come. She cried them all.
Her brother and sister were kidnapped years ago, leaving her mom mentally and physically sick. Then Vance showed up and her mom was killed. Slowly after that, her life started to look upward. They moved from the old house "too many bad memories" their dad said. She was chosen to be the Gold Astro Ranger, and they defeated Sethos and Astronema on a distant planet. But then in the matter of one week, Sethos and Astronema returned, killing two of her friends, burning her house down...
Then this! How could Kiora commit suicide?
Questions left unanswered for years to come...
She didn't know when, or how, but when she woke up, she was in her own bed, tucked under a mountain of blankets...
Madison called out her weapon's name and it appeared in her hand. The Gold Astro daggers. She threw one at a Quantron and it pierced his side and shot back into her hand. The Quantron exploded and was gone.
She turned around and sighed. A whole army of them. It had been 2 weeks since Kiora had committed suicide. Three weeks since this all started.
"Madi! Look out!"
Madison felt herself being shoved out of the way, and moments later, Caleb landed on top of her, unmorphed.
"Caleb, get off of me you big lug," she groaned, from underneath him.
He didn't move.
Madison's throat threatened to close. "No..."
With all her Astro strength, she shoved the body off her and sat up.
"Caleb. You promised. Please..." she mumbled.
Caleb responded by coughing up a stream of blood. He slowly opened his eyes. "Hey girl. I saved your lousy butt again."
"I wish you hadn't! Then I could be with Vance, and mom, and dad..." she rambled.
"Knock it off. You can't die. You're twelve for cryin' out loud!" Caleb rasped.
"But you promised, Caleb. You promised you wouldn't die!"
Caleb took one of her hands. "I told you I'd do everything in my power, to not die. But let's not dwell on that, ok? I'm going to die with honor. Defending my team and my planet. It's just the way I'd want to go."
"Oh Caleb..."
"You're gonna kill these ugly guys, though, aren't ya?"
She nodded, not really hearing.
"And you're gonna take care of yourself, right?"
"Yeah..."
"Good. I love you cutie."
With those words, his eyes drooped forward and his body went limp.
She took in a shaky breath, and slipped her hand out of his. She unfastened his morpher off along with his communicator, and his body disappeared, to where ever Power Rangers went when they died...
When Madison stood up, she found the Quantrons gone. Zhane and Amity a few yards away, watching.
"Let's go back to the ship..." Zhane whispered.
One month later...
"That's it. It's only us, Madi."
Madison closed her eyes at the words. Amity had died 3 days ago, after taking a blow to the head 2 1/2 weeks ago. She had held on in her coma for that length of time, before finally giving up.
KO-35 lay in complete ruins. Madison didn't know the last time she'd seen another human beside her teammates. And yet, Sethos and Astronema kept coming back. Zhane had told her they wouldn't stop until they were gone, both of them.
"Thanks for the positivity, Zhane!" Madison snapped.
"Look around you Madison! It's over, all over!"
"I'm not listening to you!" she stood up and jumped through her gold tube.
She cruised to a stop on her Galaxy Glider in the park. She morphed down to her flight suit and began to walk. No where in particular, just walking.
She finally sat down on a fallen apart bench. It was dark before she heard Zhane's voice.
"Madi! Where are you? Listen, I'm sorry. I shouldn't say stuff like that. C'mon, let's go back to the ship. It's not safe down here."
Madison grinned slightly and stood up. She saw Zhane's dark form standing a bit ways off, glancing around.
She started toward him, ready to scare him, when she saw another dark form advancing on her only compadre. She couldn't make out who it was, but it was big, and definitely not friendly.
"Zhane!" she shouted a warning.
Zhane whirled around to her direction. "There you are!"
"Zhane get out of the way!" she yelled.
Zhane turned, and found who it was. Madison watched as he ducked, but not quickly enough. The sword skimmed his side as he dove to the ground...
The dark being turned toward Madison and Madison got ready to morph. Their eyes met and she realized who it was. Ecliptor...
Then he disappeared, and Madison ran to Zhane.
He was conscious, but his pulse was weak. Madison put her arm around him and teleported them both to the Medical bay.
He was becoming weaker by the second.
"Zhane!" she screamed, looking around frantically around the large room. She had no medical training whatsoever...
"D.E.C.A! What do I do?" she yelped.
"The only thing that can contain his life force is a chrono tube."
"Do we have one of those??"
"Yes, on deck AA."
"Well, get us there, now!"
She found herself in small cold room. Zhane appeared before her on a table.
"Now what?"
"The panel to the left of you."
"I see it!"
"Simply push enter."
Madison pushed it with great force. A loud "whoosh" filled the room, and then Zhane was covered in what looked like ice.
"How long will it take for him to get better?"
"If he does get better, the earliest he will be able to come out is 585 days."
Madison didn't speak. "But...that's almost 2 years...and he might not get better?"
"Affirmative."
Her bottom lip quivered. She was alone...
She placed hand on the cold block of ice. "Get better Zhane. Please get better..."
Author's notes: In the next story, the Turbo Rangers will show up, just as usual. Thanks for reading! :)
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