Legal: I do not own Power Rangers or the associated names, places, characters, events etc. Anything not covered by the above rights should be considered purely the creation of the author.
Rating: T – may be some mild adult themes, including language and violence.
A/N: As promised, the beginning of a new phase in the series. With Galvanax gone, and unaware that Odious has survived, the team has some time to themselves. With that time, it's time to catch up with some family and friends.
Dawn broke, and the sound of a cockerel echoed through the area. It was the usual alarm call for most of the people in this neck of the woods, and while normally the average 18 year old would object to being wakened at the crack of dawn on a school holiday, Brody couldn't help but smile.
It was very different waking up in the Romero farm than in the Ranger Base. He and Mick had lived there almost exclusively since he had escaped from Galvanax's ship. While he had always dreamed of coming back to the farm, it just seemed so large, so empty without his family that he couldn't bring himself to live there on his own. He had only lived there briefly when he believed his brother had returned to him, only to leave again when shortly afterwards he discovered it was a robotic imposter designed to fool him. Now though, it was a very different story. He didn't even mind the fact that his old room had a slightly stale, musty smell or that his bed was technically too small for him having never been replaced since he was eight years old. Now, it felt like home.
He got out of bed, and could already hear movement in the rest of the house, something he almost believed he'd never hear again. It was coming from the yard, and looking out, he saw his dad standing by a barbecue.
The farm had long been neglected, having been uninhabited for about ten years. While the realtors had tried to sell it, the fact that a whole family had just disappeared without a trace led to superstition setting in. The locals, who would have more than happily welcomed the opportunity to expand their own farms with more land were reluctant to touch the "cursed" farm, and it had sat so long without anyone being there that even outside developers were reluctant since it would now likely cost so much to return it to a working farm that it would be years before it would even break even. Of course, the Romeros were no farmers and so this was no concern of theirs. What it did mean however was they had a lot of work to return their home to its former glory and that meant in the meantime they had to make do with a few things, like the fact the appliances all needed to be replaced which was why Dane was outside cooking the breakfast.
Brody was so eager to get out and get started he didn't bother with a shower. He just quickly got dressed, heading out into the yard where his dad was humming contentedly as he made up the breakfast.
"What time is this to be getting up?" Dane teased his son. Brody knew that it was early, but his dad always did believe in getting up early and making the most of the day. Whether it was training or working, he always liked to get an early start to make the most of the day.
"Hey, at least I'm here." Brody answered, in reference to his brother. Levi was older than Brody, and had his own life. While Brody was now 18 and would likely be looking at his future options come the end of High School, Levi had become an adult some time ago. He had a career, he had his own home closer to the city and he even had his commitments. His record company was very understanding about his request to go on a hiatus to "work on his music" and were even surprisingly alright with his announcement that he was becoming a High School Music Teacher in the meantime, something he explained helped stoke his love of music by helping the stars of the future, that didn't mean he didn't still have to keep in touch with them and assure them that he was indeed coming back at some point. A lot of people had a lot of time, effort and money invested in the Levi Weston brand and needless to say they wanted to be sure that their faith and belief in that brand wasn't being thrown away.
There was also the factor that Levi just had his own life now. Even the name was an indication. He was still always going to be Brody's brother and now Dane was back, his son, but he had spent longer as Levi Weston than he had as Aiden Romero. He had been taken in by another family, the Westons and it wasn't as though he had just used them to help raise him. He had another brother now, Tom. Brody and Dane had made it clear that they were only too happy to integrate the family and treat it as one, but it did mean that Aiden wasn't going to be living at the farm. He had his own penthouse, and he was more than happy with that, even if he had agreed to come to the farm to help them rebuild.
"Actually he's already called, he and Tom are just stopping by the hardware store and then they're heading over." Dane told him, piling some sausage, bacon and eggs onto a plate. Brody just laughed and looked to it.
"So that's a healthy breakfast is it?" Brody asked.
"No, that's a HEARTY breakfast. We're going to need our strength for this rebuild." Dane told him. "Old Father Time has really not been kind to this place."
"Yeah, and Galvanax was even less kind." Brody commented, looking over to the very large pile of waste timber that used to be the workshop. They hadn't even gotten around to sifting through it to see what tools and fixtures could be salvaged before they raised its replacement. "This all smells great dad."
"Well don't get used to it, once we have the kitchen back I'll be able to make proper meals again." He told him. "Not that there's anything wrong with a treat like this once in a while."
He looked to his son as he started to eat and smiled. He had spent a long time in what could only be described as…well…he wasn't even sure how he could describe it. Limbo would not do justice to the good feeling inside wherever the Nexus Prism had taken him when the energy blast had injured him. It was warmth, contentment, peace…it was like he would never need anything again, a kind of peace that was so consuming that being back in the real world almost felt like a descent into an abyss. Of course seeing his son again, it made that seem more than worth it. He wasn't a religious man, but if he was going to leave 'Heaven' and return to Earth, then his sons would be what meant he wouldn't miss that contentment.
"I really appreciate you staying you know." Dane told him. "I mean, I would have understood if you had wanted to go with your friends."
"Dad it's…"
"I mean, it's not every day someone gets invited to a Royal Wedding." Dane chuckled. "I can't believe one of your predacessors is an actual Prince. God, I had never even heard of Zandar before his limo showed up!"
"Dad, seriously it's fine." Brody assured him. "Yeah, it'd be cool seeing another nation and going to a wedding, but ten years is long enough."
He put a hand on his dad's shoulder and looked to his eyes.
"There is literally nowhere I'd rather be right now."
"I'll try to remind you that you said that in a few hours." Dane chuckled. Just then, another truck rolled up and Levi got out. Brody remembered Tom, having met him some time ago. While their relationship had been…well…a little difficult at first. Mainly because neither of them really knew where they stood with each other having equal claim to being Levi's brother. The fact that a misunderstanding had led to Tom accusing Brody of plagiaraism for singing a song from his own album, a song which turned out to be Dane's song, didn't help that. However, a period of time in a hospital ward together had given them some time to make a relationship of their own. Dane came across, hugging Levi.
"Aid…um…Levi, it's good to see you!" Dane greeted him, before looking to Tom. "I'm guessing you're Tom?"
"Tom Weston." Tom introduced himself, extending a hand to him. Dane looked to it for a moment, before taking it, but also kind of going in for a one-armed hug for a half-handshake half-hug gesture. He had only just met the man so he wasn't terribly comfortable with him, but given his importance in Levi's life, a handshake just didn't feel anything like enough.
"You looked after my boy when I couldn't. I owe you more than I will ever be able to repay." Dane told him.
"Hey, it was a pleasure. Your son is a good man." Tom said with a bright grin. "A complete pain in my ass at times, but as far as little brothers go, I could have done a lot worse."
"Oh, it's like that is it?" Levi laughed.
"Seriously though, you took care of Aid…um…Levi." Dane reiterated. "Sorry, I'm still getting used to that. Anyway, if there's anything you need, anything at all, you only have to ask. You're his family, and that makes you mine too."
"Same." Brody added. Tom just pulled off his Stetson.
"Well, if it's all the same to you, some of that would be a good start." Tom said, pointing to the pan. "Dad always made us work the farm and I know how tough yard work is. It's time for some serious fuel!"
"It smells great dad." Levi chipped in, grabbing a plate.
"Well, dig in." Dane told them. "We've got a lot of work ahead of us."
With that, they all sat around, loading up their plates and beginning to eat, eagerly awaiting the day ahead.
Meanwhile, some distance away in the skies over Europe, the rest of the team were having a significantly different experience. They all had varied experiences of travel. Sarah had moved around a lot as a kid but had never really left California. Preston's dad had business dealings all over the world and he had taken Preston on a good number of those trips, meaning he was easily the most well-travelled of the group. Calvin and Hayley were more in the middle, haven taken trips out of the state, but not really leaving the country much. However, none of them had travelled like this!
They already knew they were in for a treat when Phillipe had said they were going on a private plane, however it wasn't long after they arrived at the airport they realised his idea of a private plane and theirs was significantly different. Most of them had ideas of a small plane, pretty high-end yes, ornately decorated as befitted his position as a Prince definitely but when they arrived, what they got was more like the size of a passenger plane, and it was all just for them!
The inside was like a hotel, carpeted with a luxurious red carpet and panelled with wood, with big plush chairs for them all. Preston was handed a lemonade by one of the attendants.
"Merci beaucoup." He greeted her. She smiled politely, but rolled her eyes. Phillipe coughed.
"Preston, we do speak English as a first language in Zandar." He pointed out.
"Oh, right." Preston said, realising his mistake. He looked around the jet. "Well, no offence to the Dragon Zord, but all things considered I think I prefer this method of flying."
"It certainly does have its perks." Phillipe agreed. Sarah was positively giddy as she looked out the window. It wasn't just the thought of going to see another nation she was excited by, but she knew that soon she would be reunited with friends that she hadn't seen in quite some time.
"So are all the others there already?" Sarah asked. "Will they be meeting us at the airport?"
"I'm afraid not, but you'll see them soon." Phillipe assured her. "Tyler and his father arrived about a week ago to take the opportunity to conquer some of our mountain ranges. Chase, Allison, Ivan, Riley, Matt and Kendall will likely already be at the castle. Koda and Alessandra were at a show in Japan so they should be arriving tomorrow."
"Wait, did you say castle?" Calvin asked him. "You actually live in a real life castle?"
"Yes, my father is something of a traditionalist." Phillipe said with a smile. "Margaret of course will meet us there."
"I can't wait to see everyone again!" Sarah said excitedly.
"The feeling is more than mutual." Phillipe told the team. "It is a shame that Brody and Levi couldn't join us, but I'm glad that you were all able to come on such short notice."
"Are you kidding? My parents totally flipped when I turned up on the doorstep in your limo!" Calvin said excitedly. "They were expecting me to spend the holidays on the couch eating junk food, but going to another nation? They were stoked!"
"All I had to say was the words 'Prince of Zandar' and my dad was all for it." Preston added. "I don't think he could believe it when he saw you!"
"Yes, well he did seem eager to set up a meeting to discuss some business." Phillipe replied. "Though he was respectful enough to wait for me to have my honeymoon first."
"It actually works out pretty well for me." Hayley informed them. "Technically it's my dad's turn to have me, but he doesn't get back from his expedition in the Caribbean for another couple of weeks so I was at a bit of a loose end to be honest."
"You couldn't have kept me away!" Sarah rushed out. "I have like so much to tell everyone!"
"Well the guest list is quite extensive, I've since been introduced to more than a few of our brothers and sisters in Spandex." Phillipe told them. "I've met some of the most powerful and influential people in the world, and yet nothing makes me as nervous as the thought that just a couple of days from now I'm getting married."
"So this is a pretty big deal in your country isn't it?" Calvin asked.
"Indeed, there are a number of festivities planned to ensure the whole nation gets to be a part of it." Phillipe told them. "There's a military parade, there's a fete going on right now, there's going to be a formal ceremony at the castle, and I've even managed to arrange a special treat for my father, Koda is bringing Carl and some of his friends to put on a show."
"Carl?" Sarah asked. "There's going to be a wrestling show before your wedding?"
"My father is quite a fan of Koda's old mentor, 'The Deer Hunter' Jack Malone." Phillipe said with a smile. "I managed to coax him out of retirement for a special exhibition bout."
"Jack's coming out of retirement?" Sarah asked.
"Just for one night." Phillipe told her. "It turns out that other than the Garden, one of the few venues he's never wrestled in is a castle, and so I managed to convince him. My father is absolutely thrilled!"
"I thought your dad was an isolationist." Hayley commented. Sarah gave her a hard glare. It was no secret that Zandar had a very isolationist policy for a long time. Phillipe was the first ambassador to a foreign nation and was looking to change that image. He just laughed.
"Well, yes, he is, but he does enjoy his foreign entertainment and I am hoping his views on foreign policy are starting to soften." He assured them. "He has his guilty pleasures like anyone else."
"It'll be so great to see everyone again." Sarah reiterated. "I can't wait to tell them all the amazing stories we have! I know we all worked together but man it'll be so cool having some stories to tell as an actual Ranger!"
"And I am sure they will be eager to hear them. Kendall for one was most vocal about how nervous she was hearing you had become a Ranger." Phillipe stated. "Though…she may have phrased it a little more colourfully than I did."
"Hey guys, we're starting to descend." Calvin said. A moment later the seatbelt lights went on. The attendants all headed off to get themselves prepared for landing.
"Ah, this is the good part." Phillipe said with pride. "As much as I love my job and your country, there's always something about the feeling of going home."
The plane came down, breaking through the clouds. As it did so, the Rangers heard something hitting the windows. Looking to them, the windows were quickly running with water.
"What the hell?" Hayley called out.
"That doesn't look good!" Sarah agreed. Phillipe just chuckled with amusement. "It's a storm!"
"I assure you, this is nothing." Phillipe laughed. "This is nothing, pilots land in weather much worse than this all the time."
"It gets WORSE than this?" Calvin asked. The plane juddered a little in the winds.
"Oh, this just adds to the fun." He said as they came down. The team all watched out the windows as they descended past the mountains towards the ground. The Principality of Zandar was a beautiful place, full of woods and forests, but they were all so concerned about the weather they didn't get much of a chance to appreciate it. As the plane started to slow for touchdown, they all sat in their seats with trepidation. The wheels touched down and the plane started to slow up, coming to a halt. All except Phillipe breathed a sigh of relief as the plane started to taxi to a hangar.
"That was terrifying!" Preston commented. Phillipe just shrugged.
"Personally I found your climate a little difficult to get used to at first." He replied as he went to the door, opening it up. He bounded down enthusiastically, followed by the others as he took in a big, deep breath of his homeland. A motorcade was already waiting for him.
"My friends, welcome to Zandar!" He declared. He turned around, finding them all shivering, rubbing their arms and chattering.
"What…happened…to…the…sun?" Calvin chattered. Phillipe just chuckled.
"Come on, there's heating in the car." He assured them.