A/N: I am so sorry about the wait; my account didn't want to let me update any of my stories, this one foremost. Hopefully, the problem is over… *knock on wood*. Anyway, this is my take on Xander's call to duty for "Once a Ranger", and of course, some nice Xander/Vida interaction. Enjoy!

"…": characters talking to each other

'…': characters talking to themselves

"words": phone calls

(…): extra facts about something in the story

(Takes place just before "Once a Ranger")

Theme 39: The Call

Apartment #303, March 10, 2008, 5:30 pm – Turtle Cove, CA, USA

"Come on, V. I'm fine." Xander had his cell phone tucked between his head and shoulder as he drew a new picture for his Studio Arts class.

"Xan, I've heard the news reports. The Overdrive Rangers are rumored to have lost their powers," Vida chided. While Xander had decided to attend Turtle Cove University to major in Studio Arts, Vida had headed to Reefside College in order to investigate the musical program more closely... plus, it didn't hurt that her idol, Kira Ford, went there as well.

"Vida, I know that, but I seriously don't think it affects any of us." Xander's tongue protruded slightly as he tried to get his fighter positioned at the exact angle, sighing in irritation when it didn't come out right... again.

"You don't know that! Kat, your cousin, told me that once a Ranger, always a Ranger." Vida was concerned at the chance of any of her teammates getting called back to duty… not that many knew it. She was honestly enjoying some peace and quiet, a nice change from having to constantly battle the hordes of Hidiacs and Underworld monsters for over a year. It felt nice to be, well, normal.

"Yeah, she told me that too but, V, seriously. What are the chances that any of us are going to be called upon to do something?" Xander, after failing for the umpteenth time decided to take a break. The drawing wasn't due until next week anyway. "How about we get together for something to eat?"

Vida didn't respond for a moment but Xander knew that she was consulting her schedule. "Sure. How about in an hour? Hayley's Cyberspace?"

"Sounds good." Xander moved around his small apartment, grabbing his keys, a small sketchbook (you never knew when inspiration would strike), a pencil, his wallet and his Mystic Morpher. Granted, he and the others were no longer Rangers, but they still had their magical powers. Udonna, when questioned had responded that magic was an inherent gift; it never faded from its chosen wielders. Xander and his teammates had been overjoyed to hear that.

"Cool. See you then." Vida hung up, followed shortly by Xander. He tucked his green cell phone into a jean pocket and, leaving the apartment locked the door behind him, sprinting down the stairs to where his motorcycle was parked in the apartment complex's adjacent parking lot.

Hayley's Cyberspace, March 10, 2008, 6:25 pm – Reefside, CA, USA

"Hey there," Vida said as Xander walked into the café, the bell jingling merrily. Hayley Ziktor nodded at the former Green Mystic Ranger, having been introduced to the newest team at the most recent Ranger Reunion at Christmas. She and Udonna had been in contact since, comparing notes on how to deal with moody teenagers; the two women had become good friends in the process.

"Hey yourself, gorgeous," Xander returned, winking. Vida smirked, not saying anything to her boyfriend as he placed an order and sat down across from her. "How's life here?"

Vida shrugged. "It's not bad, but it's not great. Know what I mean?"

"Haven't a clue, love." Vida smacked him.

"You are an annoyance." Vida sighed twirling the straw in her cherry milkshake absently. "Why am I dating you again?"

"I'm handsome as hell?" Xander offered taking the kiwi-mango milkshake from Hayley with a smile.

Vida gave Xander a Look, to which he held up his hands in self-defense. Before she could say anything else though, an all too-familiar chime sounded in the café. The two former Mystic Rangers both went deathly pale and Hayley, recognizing the look subtly motioned with her head for the two to follow her. Both quickly obliged.

As the three entered a back room, Hayley spoke up. "Can I assume that those are your Morphers?" At the nods, she tilted her head. "I thought that your Ranger powers were gone."

"They are," Xander responded drawing out his Mystic Morpher. Vida did the same but when she glanced at it noticed that even though it still held her symbol, it wasn't glowing. Xander's, on the other hand, was.

"What does it mean?" Hayley asked curiosity getting the best of her.

"Haven't a clue, Hayley," Xander responded, pressing a set of numbers that were glowing, despite hissed protests from a worried Vida. All three stepped back in shock as a figure in gold appeared before them, plumes of green smoke surrounding him.

"Xander Bly? Green Mystic Ranger?" a deep voice asked, the echo bouncing off the walls in the room.

"Uh, yeah. That's me," Xander replied slowly looking around for an enemy. Vida was doing the same thing, the two still quite paranoid from their year of fighting to do anything else. Hayley was observing the scene, setting it all to memory so she could tell Tommy Oliver about it, as she well knew that Tommy was always on the hunt for any new information concerning new Ranger teams... unless he forgot, in which case his fiancée, Kimberly Hart, did the intel-gathering. She was also sure that the other veteran Rangers would be interested in hearing all about this incident.

"You are needed, Green Ranger." A golden-tinted being, cloaked in mist appeared before the two former Rangers and one mentor. The being seemed to think that this statement would make perfect sense, but upon sensing confusion it gave the equivalent of a sigh. "I am the Sentinel Knight, Guardian of the Corona Aurora. The Overdrive Rangers have lost their powers and can no longer be relied upon to protect the Jewels and the Corona Aurora."

Xander and Vida looked at each other before Vida asked, "You do know that we don't have our powers anymore, correct?"

The Sentinel Knight nodded. "I am aware of that fact. I am able to grant you your powers once more." Once again, he expected excitement, but a shocked silence met his statement.

Xander swallowed heavily, clearly shocked. Vida had the same look on her face, but soon enough it morphed. "Are you saying that you can restore our Ranger powers for good?"

"Not yours, Vida Rocca; just Xander's," the Sentinel Knight replied, shaking his head. He didn't expect Vida's anger.

"Why not all of us? Aren't more Rangers better than one?" Vida was upset. She didn't want to risk her life; no, Xander's life for something as ridiculous as some crown and jewels!

"There will be other Rangers."

"Then why not reactivate the entire Mystic Force team? We're more powerful together than alone!" If Xander had to go back to being a Ranger then, damn it all, so should she!

"I only have the power to restore one Ranger from each of the chosen teams."

"That's bullshit!"

"Vida, enough." Vida looked at her boyfriend, surprise written on her face. Very quickly, though, that surprise faded.

"Xander, I can't believe that you're agreeing to do this!"

"V, listen. You told me that this could happen and I didn't believe you. Now, it is happening and you won't let me do it? Vida, I need to do this, to prove to myself that I am a good Ranger." Xander's eyes were serious.

"But you already are!" Vida protested. The two didn't notice Hayley, who was still watching the incident, placing it into her memory for later analysis. "You proved yourself over and over again!"

Xander shook his head. "Not quite, V. Not quite. I could've done more, like not getting turned to a tree." He glanced at his girlfriend and, placing his hands on either side of her face added, "I will come back to you, V. I promise."

Vida remained silent for a moment before responding, "If I let you go, you have to promise that you'll call every night, without fail. I don't want to hear that you've been killed on the news through some random act of stupidity."

Xander chuckled. "Done, V." He placed a soft kiss on her lips before turning to the Sentinel Knight and nodding. The apparition nodded and placed his hands together, concentrating. A spark of bright green energy flowed from him to Xander's Mystic Morpher, causing the screen to once more light up with magical energy and causing Xander to instantly morph. Xander turned the device over in his hands, feeling the adrenaline that came with the Ranger suit. Then, turning to Vida he gently grabbed her Morpher and, pressing a rather long sequence of numbers muttered an incantation. A portion of his energy left the Morpher, turning pink. It faded into Vida's Morpher, causing it to light up as well. As Xander demorphed, The Sentinel Knight nodded in approval. He couldn't restore all of the Rangers' Morphers, but the Mystic Force had the ability to do the deed when he couldn't. They were some of the most powerful magic users in existence, after all... plus his contact with Mystic Mother and, through her, Zordon's spirit had agreed that it was necessary… just in case.

Xander then turned to the Sentinel Knight and said, "I agree to answer the call. Once a Ranger, Always a Ranger."