Legal: I do not own Power Rangers or the associated names, places, characters, events etc. Anything not covered by these rights should be considered purely the creation of the author.
Rating: T – There will be some adult themes, including violence, language and adult themes.
A/N: Follows on directly from "Royal War".
The coronation in the Lion Galaxy was always a huge affair. With so many warring factions, with so many noble families, warlords, ambitious generals and upstart malcontents all vying for a larger piece of the Galaxy, any period of time where the Lion Galaxy did not have a sitting monarch was always a particularly fraught time.
The title of Monarch in and of itself was also somewhat subjective. The people of the Lion Galaxy didn't follow or worship a monarch out of some reverence of bloodline, and in truth the main duty of a monarch was not to rule per se, but to exert enough power and dread over the countless warring factions to prevent the Lion Galaxy completely collapsing in on itself and descending into complete chaos.
Due to the warlike nature and emphasis on the only rights being those that someone had the strength to fight for and maintain, the title of Ruler of the Lion Galaxy had rarely sat with any family for more than a couple of decades. Reigns that were measured in days were not unknown, and on more than one occasion a monarch had even been assassinated at their own coronation. That Viera's father had ruled the Galaxy for over forty years was itself a testament to his intellect, cunning, aggression, strength, and complete lack of pity or compassion. Many rejoiced when he met a messy end on intergalactic television at Galvanax's hands. Those that had suffered rejoiced to see an end to his rule, while many others saw an opportunity to wrest the throne for themselves.
Princess Viera stood in her chambers, observing herself in the mirror as she prepared for her ascension ceremony. She had delayed it many times, mainly because she had heard so many whispers that there were many that saw her as a pale imitation and a poor replacement for her father. Not only was she young, but she had little in the way of proven military success. She had never lead a great army, she had never crushed a rebellion, she had barely been in battle much at all. As such, many believed she had been coddled and sheltered and would never be able to lead, much less fend off a coup.
She stared at herself in the mirror, wearing armour that was not designed for her, and was much too large, and could see where they might get that idea. She had spent the time since she had returned to the Lion Galaxy in meetings with advisors and military leaders, which wasn't to be unexpected from someone about to ascend, but in that time, she had already started to discuss some of the new ideas she was bringing with her from Earth. She had long suspected there was something very wrong with the way her father ruled. While she enjoyed the privileges and luxuries that came with her station as the ruling elite, she started to notice not everyone else was treated the same way. While she had all the opportunities to do whatever she wanted, she would see some families dressed in rags, or barely able to feed themselves. She would see some being excluded from jobs or thrown from their homes because they didn't come from the right place or they worshipped the wrong gods. The longer she lived, the more she saw people who needed help being seen as nothing more than something to be stepped over and ignored.
On her short time on Earth she had seen acts of charity that were alien to her and her people. She had seen the true power of compassion when she had witnessed a young boy steal from the Pink Ranger. Instead of punishing the young man, Sarah had instead found out that he did so not out of malice, but out of desperation because he didn't have the means to feed himself and his family. Instead of punishing him, Sarah had helped him when she owed him nothing.
She had taught her advisors of her time on Earth, of seeing for herself the value on helping those less fortunate instead of seeing them as weak victims. She Some of them had reacted with curiosity, raising questions about what value helping the weak had for them. Others stormed out of meetings in disgust, some listened with genuine curiosity, while some…some were willing to listen.
"Your Highness." She heard a voice behind her say. She turned to the door and smiled as she saw a man enter. "You wanted to speak with me?"
"Reynold, you don't ever have to ask permission to speak with me." She said warmly to the older man. Reynold was an old man by the Lion Galaxy's standards. He had served Viera's family since long before she was born. He had served faithfully in her father's armies for as long as he was physically able, before being transferred to the household when he became too old for a front-line position. He had served as a bodyguard and palace aide for as long as Viera could remember, and many years before. He still wore the armour of his regiment and had a long black cloak. He didn't wear a helmet since protocol insisted everyone within the palace had to reveal their face. He had short, white hair and a neatly trimmed beard and moustache. He looked on her with the same fondness that he held for his own children.
"I'm sorry Your Highness, but old habits die hard." He told her. "With Lord Drillion gone, I presume you will be needing a new bodyguard. I presume you wished to ask me for recommendations."
"Well, that is a concern, but it is not what I summoned you for." She told him. "I wished to hear your thoughts on the new policies that I have proposed within my Council Chambers."
"Your Highness, it is not my place." Reynold told her. "I am but a soldier. A somewhat old and broken down one, but a humble…"
"Reynold, I wish to hear your thoughts. You may speak freely." Viera told him. "I insist upon it."
Reynold sighed and leant against the wall.
"Truthfully Your Highness?" He asked. "I…I believe that you have grown to be the greatest hope I have ever had."
"Reynold?" She asked him.
"If I live to my next birthday I will be 84 years old Your Highness." He began. "I have never known a time within my life when we were not at war. It was always my fondest wish that my children and my grandchildren would not live to be able to say the same. After 84 years, I'd have liked to think that someone could have come up with a better idea than trying the same ways that have tried and failed all that time."
"You support me?" She asked him. He just smiled and nodded.
"Always, Your Highness." He told her. "Now, on the matter of your new bodyguard, if I may be so bold, any of my sons would be a fine candidate, but I believe that…"
"Reynold, the appointment of my new bodyguard can wait." She told him. "The matter of the positions on my Council of Advisors is a far more pressing matter. I wish to ask you to sit on my right hand."
"Your Highness, I am honoured, but I am a soldier." He stated. "I would not know…"
"You are one of my oldest and most trusted friends." She interrupted him. "I can think of no one I would trust more."
"Then if you demand it of me…"
"I would never demand anything of you." She responded. "But I would ask you."
"Then I would be honoured Your Highness." He replied, bowing to her. "Are you ready for your coronation?"
"I am now." She answered, standing up straight. "How do I look?"
"Like a Queen I would follow until the end of my days." Reynold answered.
That was a couple of weeks previously. Right now, while Viera was in safe surroundings, they were far less luxurious. The Ranger Base, while a place where she knew she had friends, was nothing like her palace. Right now, she was lying on a bench, while Redbot worked slowly and carefully with his laser to cut the shackles off her wrists and her ankles.
"I don't get it. Viera can shape-shift like you, right Mick?" Levi asked. "So why doesn't she just change form and let the shackles fall off?"
"That collar around her neck is made from a metal called Leonus." Mick explained. "They weld them around the necks of political prisoners in my Galaxy. It prevents my kind from changing form."
"Weld them?" Hayley asked, looking at Viera. She noticed a nasty looking burn mark on the back of her neck. "Can we get it off?"
"Leonus is an exceptionally tough metal. Cutting it really isn't easy." Mick told them. "And with it being on Viera's neck, I'm not sure we can risk it, even with Redbot's steady hands."
"Hey guys, how are things?" Brody asked as he arrived in the Command Centre.
"Well, she's definitely been put through the wringer, but nothing some rest and careful care shouldn't be able to cure." Mick told him. "Did you get the Lion Ship to the Zord Base?"
"Yeah, and not a moment too soon." Brody answered. "I saw a Police Cruiser coming as I got it out of the mountain. They had to see me leave, but I know I lost them before I hid it."
"Have we found out more about what happened?" Brody asked.
"She hasn't said anything." Levi responded. "We've given her a full medical and Redbot's been getting those shackles off her.
"That's the last one." Redbot said as he removed the last shackle. "Unfortunately, I can't remove the collar."
"You can't?" Sarah asked him.
"With it being around her neck, it's too risky." Redbot told them. "The metal's so dense I'd have to use too much power to cut it. One wrong move and I could cause irreparable damage or…worse."
"Viera, what happened?" Brody asked her. They didn't get an answer. Given the state she was in, it wasn't too hard to believe that she was traumatised by whatever had happened on her world. She had only told them that she had been deposed. The nature of her injuries indicated she had been tortured, and since she had been imprisoned it wasn't hard to believe that whoever had ousted her from the throne had imprisoned her. She had only been gone a couple of weeks, but it seemed like her captor had managed to do a lot of harm in that short time. "Alright, let's start off a little easier. Who's that guy?"
He pointed over to a corner, where a corpse lay under a sheet on another work bench. When they had found the Lion Ship after it crashed, another person had come out of it, but he had quickly succumbed to his injuries. Whether it was injuries suffered in the attempt to escape the Lion Galaxy or in the crash wasn't clear, but what was clear was that it was a miracle he had lived as long as he had. It seemed his dedication to Viera had been all that was driving him to hold on until she was safe. Only then did he allow himself the luxury of succumbing to his injuries and dying.
Viera didn't say anything, instead heading over to the body. She laid her hands on it. They could see her just looking down, quietly sobbing.
"Viera, what happened?" Brody asked her again. Sarah put her hand on his shoulder.
"Maybe…maybe for now we just need to back off." Sarah told him.
"There's not much we can do to help her if she won't tell us what happened." Preston told her.
"And there's not exactly much we can do to MAKE her tell us what happened." Sarah reminded them. "By the looks of her, I'd say the last thing she needs is someone trying to pressure her into doing anything she doesn't want to do."
"Viera, you can stay here for as long as you need." Mick assured her. "I'll go talk to Jennifer, let her know she has another guest at her school."
"I'll get some clothes for her." Sarah added. "Viera, take all the time you need. We'll be here whenever you feel ready to talk."
Viera didn't answer though, instead she just continued to stare at her fallen comrade.
In the Lion Galaxy, back on her coronation day, Viera was quietly preparing herself to face the crowds. The ascension of a new ruler in the Lion Galaxy was always a well-attended affair. Everyone came to see who now had such prominent sway over their lives. Whether it was the peasants who wanted to see if they were facing another ruler that would trample them all underfoot, or one that would at very least treat them with passing disinterest, while others with more ambition came to see if the new ruler was one they had to fear or if a new and inexperienced ruler would provide them the opportunity to claim power for themselves.
Princess Viera knew she was going to be facing a divided crowd before she even went out. She felt a hand on her shoulder and looked up, seeing Reynold standing next to her. He was wearing far more ornate armour now, serving as her Right Hand on her Council.
"Are you nervous?" He asked her.
"I don't think I've been this nervous about anything in my life." She told him. "Some ruler I'm likely to be."
"Personally, I think it makes you the best kind of ruler." He told her. "When one is going to be making decisions that affect so many people, frankly I would be afraid if they didn't have second thoughts."
"They seem restless, I promised them I would destroy the Power Rangers." She reminded him. "Instead, not only do I leave without a fight, I actively helped destroy Lord Drillion."
"No one said this was meant to be easy." He replied sagely.
"There are a lot of people out there that want to see me fall." She answered.
"That's what my sons and I are for." He assured her. "You are the best hope for our Galaxy. Of that I am certain."
"Well, here goes nothing." She said, taking a deep breath, before heading out into the palace's main throne room. She strode along the aisle, with citizens from all around the galaxy filling the entire room. The most powerful and prominent, a polite way of saying those who could likely force their way in if they weren't invited, were in the main throne room, with others forced into the palace grounds. Heading for the throne Viera could feel all the eyes on her, along with every emotion, ranging from hope and admiration, through to murderous contempt.
As she got to the throne, she picked up the crown, which had been left on the throne. Unlike many other coronations, in the Lion Galaxy, no one handed the monarch the crown or placed the crown upon their head. The only people fit to wear the crown were those with the strength to take it themselves. Picking up the crown, which had been worn by some of the most bloodthirsty and ruthless despots in existence, she placed it upon her head, feeling the weight of the gold and jewels. She strained her neck to keep her head upright and straight despite the weight, which felt like it was crushing her. She turned to face her new subjects, taking on a strong stance to keep herself from showing the pain she felt just wearing the crown. *
"I stand before you today, seizing my destiny, and claiming the power of the throne!" She began. "I stand before you, Queen Viera, Fifth of my name, ruler of the Lion Galaxy! Let all within my domain know that I now stand for you all against any foe, foreign or internal!"
There were murmurs from the crowd as she stood before them. So far, so good. It was usually considered a good sign if someone didn't try to assassinate the new monarch within moments of them taking their vows. It would not be the first time a new King or Queen had literally snatched the crown from the head of their predecessor, still slick with their blood.
"As new ruler, I wish to institute some changes to the Lion Galaxy. For far too long we have lost our fathers and mothers, our brothers and sisters, our loved ones and friends to pointless bloodshed." She continued on. "We have all been brought up on a mantra that might makes right! For far too long we have lost those we love to petty squabbles that could be resolved with a little patience and compassion."
She definitely heard a rumbling when she said that. To some, the word compassion was tantamount to an unacceptable curse word. She could see more than a few people unsettled in their seats. Others were already beginning to openly jeer. She swallowed hard.
"We believe that aggression and violence are the things that bring us respect, but they only bring us shame!" She declared. "I have been outside our galaxy, and far from strong, they see us as unenlightened thugs! They see us as backwards and brutish! I say no more! I say it is time we tried something new!"
She looked across to Reynold.
"I have been alive but 17 short years, and in all that time there has not been one day of my life where we were not at war." She told them, paraphrasing her old friend. "Perhaps it is time to try something new. I have learned of the strength and power of compassion and reason. Let us go forth from this place at this time and…"
"She speaks of weakness! She wants to turn us into a galaxy of weaklings!" Someone screamed.
"I wish only to…"
"She means to see us weaken ourselves to secure her own throne!" Another yelled.
"DEATH TO THE QUEEN!" Another roared as he drew a weapon. Reynold was quicker off the mark, firing his rifle and taking down the would-be assassin before he could get off a single shot. Reynold gestured forward the Royal Guard and stood before Viera.
"My Queen, you should leave this place!" Reynold beckoned her, backing away from the crowd as the guards rushed to confront those rushing the throne. "We must go, NOW!"
Princess Viera was escorted out of the rear of the Throne Room as her guards worked to keep her attackers from her. She had always known that asking a civilisation to fundamentally change a way of life they had lived for millennia was going to be met with fear, anger and even violence. She was only just beginning to understand just how much.
A/N: The passage marked with a * is based on a comment made by Queen Elizabeth II of England, the current sitting monarch. The crown is apparently so heavy it actually causes severe pain when its worn, which is why she pretty much never wears it. Considering the fact, the whole thing is solid gold it's not really such a surprise, but I thought it was a great comment to add, and a perfect metaphor for the weight of responsibility the crown represents.