Missing Person
by Julia H.

He sat up, still half asleep. Reaching out for someone who wasn't there, he could still hear the boyish voice, calling out her name....

"Karone...." Andros groaned, cradling his head in his hands. He was covered in sweat. _Another nightmare._

Knowing it was useless to try to sleep, Andros swung his legs off the bunk. Almost of it's own volition, his hand reached to pull the locket from his shirt. He stared at it, a frown furrowing his brow.

How many years had passed?

_I swear I could calculate it to the second...._

Just as fresh as yesterday, he saw her face. Laughing. Tossing the toy back and forth. He ran after the construct, only turning his back for a moment.... A scream. "Andros!"

Then she was gone.

With her abduction, part of him had died. A new Andros had risen to take it's place. This one not so trusting, wary of any, and all.

Another question in me
One for the powers that be
It's got me thrown
And so I put on my poker face
And try to figure it out
This undeniable doubt
A common occurrence
Feeling so out of place

Then K0-35 had come under attack. Almost every colonist had died. The few who survived disappeared into hiding, seeking to escape Dark Specter.

_And I was recruited to be a Lightstar Ranger._

The chance to have revenge on those who had caused him so much pain. There was no way he would refuse it. He had grabbed it greedily, thirsty for retribution. Years of training had followed, hardening the already tempered boy into a warrior.

The child who had played with Karone had disappeared. Out of the ashes, the phoenix of the Red Lightstar Ranger had risen. This Andros was cynical, wary, and driven. He now had the means to match the will.

Guarded and cynical now
Can't help but wondering how
My heart evolved into
A rock beating inside of me
So I reel
Such a stoic ordeal
Where's that feeling that I don't feel

Dark Specter quickly learned not to underestimate him.

One Ranger against all.

It hadn't always been that way.

There was boy who had the faith to move a mountain
And like a child he would believe without a reason
Without a trace, he disappeared into the void and
I've been searchin' for that missing person

Andros sighed, and put the locket back inside his shirt. He had guests onboard now. _Not guests,_ he corrected himself. _Allies._ The word teammates was not one he readily accepted.

A momentary pain squeezed his heart as he thought of the first ones. Those who had first shared his crusade against Dark Specter. They had been so close. Growing up together, learning together...receiving their Ranger powers together.

It had all been so clear then. They would be unstoppable. There was no way the Evil Empire could ever stand against such a team.

No way.

Then Zhane had fallen. Wounded critically, beyond healing by any means known.

It had been one of the hardest decisions Andros had made.

Zhane had been dying. The onus of the decision fell on Andros, as second in command.

_Did I do the right thing?_ He thought of the stasis tube, picturing the cylinder that held the body of one of his best friends.

Only time would tell.

Under a lavender moon
So many thoughts consume me
Who dimmed the glowing light
That once burned so bright in me
Is this a radical phase
A problematical age
That keeps me running
From all that I used to be

The others were gone now. All but Zhane, and it was questionable whether there would ever be a chance to revive him.

He had hunted their killers as methodically as he hunted Dark Specter. Stalked them across the galaxy, with a cold, specific intent.

Is there a way to return
Is there a way to unlearn
That carnal knowledge
That's chipping away at my soul
Have I been gone too long

Andros closed his eyes as he heard Cassie and Ashley pass by his quarters, laughing.

_They're so idealistic still. So trusting._ The trust of the Earthers staggered him. _I'm a Ranger. They're Rangers. What's not to trust? It's all so simple to them._

So black and white. The ideals and rules Zordon had given to them were still fresh in their minds.

_I've come so far from that...._ Sometimes it scared him. He would lay awake, wondering if the power would desert him, leave him for missusing it.

_Please,_ he begged silently. _Not before I find Karone._ Andros sighed. _Not before we find Zordon._

Will I ever find my way home?

Standing, Andros stripped his sweaty uniform off and put on a fresh one. He narrowed his eyes as he looked in the mirror to comb his hair.

_When I find Karone...will she recognize me?_ He turned and pulled on his jacket. _Is there enough of that child left for her to see?_

There was boy who had the faith to move a mountain
And like a child he would believe without a reason
Without a trace he disappeared into the void and
I've been searching for that missing person

Andros walked silently to the bridge. He stared out at the view of space.

_Has it been too long? Have I come so far, only to find I'm the one changed beyond recognition?_

He used to want to try to walk the straight and narrow
He had a fire and he could feel it in the marrow
It's been a long time and I haven't seen him lately though

_What if Karone has been looking for me all this time?_ It was an unsettling thought.

I've been searching
For that missing person
Where are you?

"Hey!" Ashley walked up to him, squeezed his arm. Her smile faded slightly, replaced by concern. "Why so glum?"

"Yeah." Cassie grinned, walking up to join them. "We were just looking for you."

"Oh?" Wary, but curious at the same time, Andros smiled slightly.

"There you are!" TJ and Carlos walked in.

"We were just talking about making a trip to the Surf Spot." Carlos waggled his eyebrows. "You know, get some real food?"

Ashley laughed. "Yeah!" She nudged Andros. "Come on. Come with us."

"You'll have fun," TJ encouraged.

Andros shrugged, tempted to turn them down, and just stay to run more scans for Karone.

Where are you?
I've been searching
For that person

Seeing the hopeful expression on Ashley's face, and the coaxing one on Carlos', Andros shrugged. There was something of childhood still left in these four. Something he longed to rediscover. "Sure. Why not?" He smiled.

"Great!" Cassie and TJ turned, running for the jump tubes. Cassie yelled, "Last one down is a rotten egg!"

"Rotten egg?" Confused, Andros looked to Ashley and Carlos for explanation.

"We'll explain on the way!" They grabbed his arms, pulling him with them. "Come on!"

For that missing person
Where are you?

End