Disclaimer: Power Rangers belongs to someone else, not me. Anything that sounds vaguely original may be mine, however. Please don't sue me, I'm but a poor college student.
A/N: This would be my first post ever, so I apologize for any formatting oddities. As for the story itself, for what it's worth, enjoy it or hate it as you will. My only request is that should you choose to review, please no flames, if you have anything to say, please do so constructively. Thank you.
--Random Reader
sigh Here goes nothin'...
Chapter 1: The Assignment
Andros, red ranger and leader of the Astro Team, was on his way to the bridge of the Mega Ship. After the Countdown to Destruction and the return of his beloved sister Karone, he and his teammates were finally catching a break. Zhane and Karone returned to KO-35 for a visit and the Earth rangers were in their respective homes for the day.
"Hello, Andros," Alpha greeted when the Kerovian ranger reached the bridge.
"Hello, Alpha," Andros replied.
"Why aren't you on Earth with the other rangers?" the android queried. "I thought for sure you would be spending the day with Ashley."
The remark had the red ranger blushing. He looked down, "I thought perhaps they needed to spend time with their families and away from ranger duties." He tactfully changed the subject, "Besides, there were a few things around here that I wanted to check. DECA, bring up the statistics on the Mega Ship."
"As you wish, Andros," the ship replied.
Andros was still working on the figures when his teammates returned. The first one on the bridge was TJ, followed closely by Carlos, Cassie and Ashley. The red ranger hid a smile when the yellow clad girl stepped onto the bridge. She looks beautiful, he thought inwardly.
"Hey, Andros!" Ashley greeted brightly. "Have you been working all afternoon?"
"For the most part," he answered. He pretended to be absorbed in his work, but in all truth, his thoughts were on the girl next to him.
"Well it's high time you took a break then," Ashley observed. "And I won't take 'no' for an answer."
The red ranger let out an exaggerated sigh. "If you insist..."
Cassie laughed. "Aw, come off if, Andros," she said. "You're just going stir crazy because there's nothing left for you to do."
Andros smiled. "It is an odd feeling knowing that things are right in the world," he admitted. "I guess it's just that I'm not used to having a peaceful life for once. There was always something that needed to be done."
"There always is," TJ agreed. "But for now, I think we really should enjoy the break."
"Agreed," Andros intoned.
Then, "Incoming message," DECA informed.
The rangers all exchanged curious glances and were at the viewing screen at once. "Where is it coming from?" Carlos wondered aloud.
"Play the message, DECA," TJ ordered.
A middle-aged human male appeared on the screen. He sported a short brown beard and was dressed in regal looking robes.
Andros smothered a gasp. He recognized the Eltarian representative immediately. Guilt rose up in his heart. Did Master Xanthos contact him to blame him for Zordon's demise?
"Greetings Rangers," the man said. "It is good to see you again, Andros of KO-35."
"We are honored, Master Xanthos," Andros replied respectfully.
Carlos looked at Ashley, who stood beside the red ranger, "Who?" he mouthed.
The yellow ranger shrugged, "Beats me."
The Eltarian representative smiled. "Forgive me, Rangers of Earth, for not introducing myself. I am Xanthos of Eltar, I believe Zordon had be mentor to you?"
"That is correct, sir," TJ answered. A partial truth, but the former Turbo leader hardly found it necessary to correct such a slight misconception.
Xanthos nodded. "I am a member of the High Council of the Power. May I extend my condolences to learn about Zordon. He was a true Master."
The Earth rangers nodded mutely.
"Master Xanthos, to what do we owe the honor?" Andros inquired.
"The Council has just learned of a celebration on the planet Soloria in the Norvolan System. The Crown Prince will come of age in two Earth weeks and the King has requested the presence of the Power. The Council has decreed that you and your team shall serve as representatives on the Power's behalf." Xanthos paused. "Of course, if you should choose to decline, another team will be sent. I realize that you have had your hands full recently."
Andros was silent for a moment. Then, "May we have time to consider this option, Master?"
The Eltarian smiled warmly. "Of course, Andros. However, I will need an answer by one Earth hour."
"Thank you, sir."
"May the Power protect you. Xanthos out." And the screen went blank.
"Why the time, Andros?" TJ inquired. "It sounds like a job we can handle."
"I don't want you guys involved in something you don't have to be," Andros replied. There was a wistful expression on his face, the same kind that had once been his mask whenever he thought of his missing sister. It was a mask that the team had not seen in a several months and had hoped to not see again.
"Andros, what is it?" Ashley asked softly.
The red ranger pursed his lips. With a heavy sigh, he explained: "This won't be the first time Soloria has requested the presence of the Power. The Norvolan system is known for being hostile, but that's not what concerns me the most. Matters of state and politics have a tendency to be more than meets the eye and can get us wrapped up in something we didn't ask for."
"It's simple envoy from one ally to another, right?" Cassie pointed out. "I think we can handle it."
Andros forced a smile. "Yes, I suppose you're right, Cassie." He paused for a moment and considered his options. He himself didn't feel that he had a choice, but his teammates were a different story. "I am going," he declared. "I won't force any of you to, though, since you haven't spent all that much time with your families."
Ashley placed her hand over his. "If you're going, so am I," she said.
"And don't you even think of leaving us behind," Carlos chimed in.
"We're a team," TJ observed. "This is supposed to be a team effort."
"Besides, it will give us something to do," Cassie added. "And weren't we just saying that things were too quiet around here?"
The red ranger's smile broadened into a genuine one. He met each of his teammates' gazes evenly. He was proud to have the Earth rangers beside him. "Well, then," he said decidedly. "I will inform Master Xanthos and the council. I suggest you pack your most extravagant and beautiful outfits."
"'Cuz we all know that that's going to be a hard for these two," Carlos remarked, gesturing to the girls.
Ashley and Cassie exchanged beaming looks while the boys burst out into laughter.
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Three hours later, the ranger team was seated in the common room for a briefing.
"The planet of Soloria pretty much consists of one primary kingdom," Andros explained, "which is under King Aileron's rule and gives the planet its namesake. There is the High Kingdom and Out-Kingdom. Civilization revolves around the High Kingdom, the capital city of Dahnmara is well equipped with technological wonders and magical properties. Out-Kingdom is a little more rough, rugged and without the luxury of the capital, farms mostly."
"What of the other countries?"
"Allies to Aileron. There was war long ago, but it has been at least one hundred years since there was trouble. Mostly, Soloria's problems are with other planets."
"How can one man manage an entire planet?" Cassie inquired.
"Sometimes he can't," the red ranger admitted. "Any ruler is questioned. It's just a matter of how he or she handles it. This year will mark the thirtieth year with Aileron on the throne; he is a good man and works hard to maintain peace. The House of Caldon has ruled for over a century now."
Carlos whistled lowly. "So they must be doing something right," he noted.
"What of the prince?" asked TJ. "How old will he be?"
"Twenty five," Ashley provided. She had been with Andros when Master Xanthos was giving information on their mission. "His name is Alandor, and he has a younger brother Tiernan who is nineteen."
"We are to give this," Andros presented an orb. "It is a token on behalf of the Power." It pulsated different colors. "Whenever there is trouble, the Solorians will be able to use this to teleport Rangers to them immediately."
"Why is it that this system doesn't have Rangers of their own?" Cassie inquired.
The red ranger sighed, something he had been doing a lot of since the mission had been announced. "Well, that is a delicate matter," he explained. "Several years ago, even before my father was on the Kerovian team, the Council came to the Norvolan system in search of those worthy to wield the Power. As I mentioned, the system is very hostile and although the Council found members they deemed worthy, there was political intrigue and a scandal that surrounded the selection. Those who would have been Rangers were corrupted by their own lust for the Power and thus, the Council withdrew. The Norvolan system was left under the protection of Rangers from other systems, Kerova has been known to help with matters. Of course, once Dark Specter waged his war, everyone had their own part to play."
"Is there something more that you're not telling us?" TJ asked.
"Well..." the red ranger started.
Ashley cleared her throat. "We are to not only represent the Council, but also to monitor the Solorians. They are eligible to wield the Power once again, but Master Xanthos and other members of the Council fear that what happened fifty years ago will happen again."
"That makes their present kind of obsolete then, doesn't it," Carlos said dryly.
"In some ways, yes," Andros confessed. "But we are not certain what will transpire. It was for this reason that I cautioned you on this mission, my friends. I didn't want any of you getting involved in something like this," he said dolefully.
"Andros, please," said Cassie, "we've had our share of troubles. We're Rangers, same as you, we can handle whatever it is they throw at us."
"Cass, I didn't mean anything by that..."
"We know you didn't, Andros," TJ replied. "But all the same, that's kind of how we feel. Your reaction to this incident is making us feel like we're not fit to be Rangers or something. I would think that we've proven ourselves by now for you to trust us," he added.
Andros sat quietly for a moment. They're right. I should trust them. I do trust them. But why do I feel like I'm endangering them? "I don't doubt your abilities," the red ranger said at length, "any of yours. I'm just unsettled by politics."
"Don't worry about it, Andros," Carlos said brightly. "We won't shame you or anything." He frowned, "Unless of course, we're asked to dance. Then we could have some issues."
"Carlos!" Ashley hit him playfully upside the head. "Don't add to his worries. Next thing you know, you're going to be spilling about how none of us can use utensils when eating!"
"All right, all right," Andros said, laughing. "I get the point."
"But they are on to something," Cassie observed. "We'll probably have to be schooled on proper etiquette and the like."
The others groaned. "This is going to be a trip," Carlos grumbled. "Is there still time to back out?"
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Thank you for reading my first chapter. Happy reading and writing to all! --Random Reader