AN: I just started re-watching all the episodes of Power Rangers on Netflix recently. I really forgot how much I liked it, and started getting the itch to write a fic. So I had a bunch of plot bunnies in my mind, but this one won out in the end to be written first. Please bear with me, I am still getting used to the fic writing. Also, please leave a comment. I would greatly appreciate it!
DISCLAIMER: I do not own Power Rangers. This is purely for fun, not money. Enjoy.
Chaos; there was no other word to describe the atmosphere at the Shiba family home. The other rangers were already gathered near the gate, ready for another battle with Master Xandred and his army.
James Shiba could not have asked for a better team of rangers to lead. Never had they ever let him down in battle, and always had his back. Despite knowing the blunt and bitter truth of the danger they were in daily trying to defeat their harsh foe, James never truly worried about what would happen to him. His trust in his teammates, and theirs in him, made their mission to get rid of Master Xandred more bearable. He never worried over whether he would make it back home in one piece or not.
However, for the first time, James felt really worried and more anxious than he ever had before a battle. The anxiety and fear had seemed to have crawled up in his stomach about a week ago during the last nighlok attack, and had only grown and stayed there since. James knew better than anyone to trust in his instincts. He knew something bad was going to happen to him, and soon. That was why he came up with a backup plan.
"Daddy?" A little girl's voice called out, giving the head of the Shiba family a brief reprieve from his haunting thoughts. 'Speaking of plans,' he thought to himself.
The red ranger turned towards the voice, and despite the fear and the anxiety churning in his stomach, broke into a smile.
"Lauren, Jayden," he said, as he walked toward the front door of his home. His two children were there waiting side by side. "It's really late. You guys should be asleep."
"That is what I was trying to tell them," Ji, his oldest friend and mentor, replied as he walked up behind the two of them. He placed a comforting hand on both Lauren and Jayden's shoulders.
It was moments like this that James was glad he had Ji around. Ever since Ana's death a year ago, Ji had done a lot more than train with him and his teammates. He helped take care of Lauren and Jayden during nighlok attacks. He even kept them occupied when Lauren's face and Jayden's eyes reminded him too much of his late wife and James's sorrow wouldn't allow him to be around them. The children considered him as a surrogate uncle, someone they could go to if they ever needed anything. James was very grateful for that, especially now more than ever.
James bent down to his knee so he could look at his son and daughter better. 'So young,' he thought to himself. 'Lauren is only seven, and Jayden is turning five soon. How can I leave them with such a heavy burden? What kind of father would I be to do such a thing?'
"Daddy, you're leaving?" Lauren asked, placing her small hand on her father's cheek.
"Yes, Sweetheart, I am," James replied back, leaning into the hand and placing a kiss on the palm. "Do you know what that means?"
He looked at both his children as he asked this, needing them to understand the seriousness of the situation. Lauren turned to her little brother, and then back to her father. "Yes, Daddy, we do." Jayden, looking more solemn than any four year old ever should, nodded his head to give reinforce his older sister's statement.
James heaved a sigh. He was not disappointed. His children always seemed to be very perceptive of the world around them. A trait that they more than likely got from their mother. No seven and five year old should ever be forced to carry such a burden at such a young age. He knew it has long been a Shiba family duty to serve and protect, and he usually had no qualms about it. But doing this to his children- Lauren with her sweet, gentle, caring ways, and quiet, determined Jayden- was worse than any damage a nighlok could ever afflict on him.
He reached into his pocket, pulled out his folding zord, and held it out for Lauren to take. "Someday, the responsibility to be a red ranger will fall to you. Hopefully, if the plan we went over together goes right, you both will be able to share that responsibility. Being a red ranger means making the tough decisions and leading your team. Your teammates will depend on you and your guidance, and you will depend on them to be there for you. Remember, protect the world from evil," James gave a slight nod towards Ji. "Stand by your allies, and never run from a battle."
With shaking hands, Lauren look the device from her father's hand. She looked like she wanted to say something but she couldn't find the words.
'Don't I know the feeling, baby girl, don't I know the feeling," James thought.
"Master Xandred is on the move," the blue Samurai ranger stated abruptly, interrupting the conversation between the three Shiba family members. "We have to go!"
"Daddy," Jayden finally said. It appeared that while words were failing his daughter, his usually silent son was able to say something. "Be safe," he said as he wrapped his small arms around James's torso. Lauren followed her younger brother's actions, and soon the three of them were hugging each other.
'One more second, just one more," James thought. 'This may be my last chance to ever hold them again.' James couldn't put it off any longer, he needed to leave before he couldn't. Building up his resolve, he let go of his children, and placed his helmet on his head.
"Go back to sleep, kiddos. Ji will be here with you if you need anything." James said as he got up off his knees and went to leave with the rest of his team.
As he was going towards the gate, he turned back to see his two babies. 'I hope that the sealing symbol will work, and our plan will not be needed. But there is a very high possibility that it won't. I am so sorry, Lauren, Jayden for failing. Please know that I will always love you.'
And with that last parting glance and the thought of his love for his children, James left through the gates of the Shiba house for the last time.