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Disclaimer: The basic concept belongs to whoever Disney assigned it to but the characters belong to us. Like our previous fic series Viva La Resistance this series requires a lot of work due to differences in Time Zone and Hemispheres.
The day after the festival ended with a huge mess courtesy of The Nameless One's two goons Xelia was sitting in her room with a small pocket computer in her hands reading an article when her mom walked in.
"What are you up to Xelia?"
"Some research on real Ancient Greek Gods and Goddesses," Xelia responded.
"Sounds interesting, any particular one?"
"Yes the Goddess Artemis. Interesting reading?"
"How would you say that festival in Nigeriala went that your friend invited us to? How you know her though I would love to know."
"Except for those two goons attacking the festival went well in my opinion. Not that I'm all that familiar with that kind of festival."
"Your father of course spent some of that time with campaigning. Julia Basto a very important contributor to his party was on hand. Before I forget Dek is on the phone."
A couple seconds later a small hologram was raising out of a small spot on her nightstand.
"Yeah Dek?"
"Xel, about time you picked up."
"Well my mom spent time on small talk before she told me you were on the phone."
"Oh. I tried to call you about a hundred times over the weekend but no one was ever home of your actual family."
"We were out of town."
"You want to come over this afternoon we can hang maybe plan some new tricks for our discs."
"Sure it shouldn't be a problem. You mind if I bring someone with me?"
"Anyone in particular like your sister?"
"No a surprise person Dek," Xelia hinted.
"Sure no problem. Anyone I know?"
"Not exactly."
"Anyone I've heard of?"
"That I can guarantee," Xelia commented.
"OK 1300 my house you know the coordinates."
"Of course," Xelia said before she hung up.
"You have certainly changed since school got out for the summer," Mrs. Silvino commented. "All these friends I don't even know like that Nigerialan girl who had invited you someone she barely knows to a big festival only for it to get attacked. I think your father is meeting with his advisors about that attack as we speak."
Her mother then left the room. Xelia then pushed back her left sleeve to reveal her secure wrist phone.
"Sita, you busy?"
"Kind of why do you ask?"
"I'll explain when we meet up. You at home?"
"If you can call it that yes considering there is no heat."
"Where are you living the freezer case of the local store?"
"No I've sort of set up residence at Articia. You want to port over so we can get to know each other?"
"Give me a second."
Xelia locked her door and ported to the base. E-Berg was on hand with a mug of hot chocolate.
"I'd have put in marshmallows but well they somehow got frozen."
"I prefer mine plain."
"Sita is a marshmallow person."
E-Berg then showed Xelia to the lab where Sita was working away on something under a sheet.
"What brings you by Xelia?"
"I have to meet with my boyfriend this afternoon for some stuff and he would really like to meet you. I didn't tell him I knew you in fact he had expressed interest before I even met you."
"I suppose a short break wouldn't hurt. When are you supposed to meet him?"
"1300 Capital Time."
"Good enough time to skip lunch before hand."
"No way Sita. I'm going to have something to eat as are you."
Right then the Minartic Fox came strolling through.
"That silly thing supposedly belongs to E-Berg but it gets in my way. Everytime I try and sleep it curls up on my head."
The two rangers then sat down to a simple lunch. Afterwards they set the coordinates on their belts and teleported to the street where the Luitons lived.
"His mother doesn't like people porting directly into their house."
"Understandable," Sita said as they walked up to the fairly nice looking two story house. Dek's dark haired mother was just opening the door when they reached the front porch.
"Xelia, how you doing? I'll let Dek know you two are here."
Dek came out a few seconds later.
"Xelia, glad you could make it. You know your friend looks familiar from somewhere."
"You must be Xelia's boyfriend. I'm Sita Lynch," Sita said as she stuck her arm out.
Dek's mouth opened so far Xelia could swear she saw the bottom of his esophagus.
"Xelia, you didn't tell me you actually knew her," Dek said when he was able to get his mouth closed.
"We met over the weekend when she went to a festival in Nigeriala that I happened to also be at. In other words Dek we don't know each other all that well."
"What was your take on the battle that took place there over the weekend?"
"It wasn't too bad. If anything it was worse the first day because of the number of enemy combatants. There weren't as many combatants yesterday even if there was more damage done because of the kind of battle," Xelia commented.
"The rangers looked pretty cool and I had liked the proportions of the one that almost looked to be wearing purple."
Xelia secretly hoped Dek didn't notice her blushing.
They then began work on planning out their new tricks for the discs. Periodically Sita while working on something on a small computer pad would interject her knowledge of the world. About 4PM they were getting ready to port back to Fortress Articia.
"Better idea. Sita. Let's head back to my house. It's a nice place," Xelia commented. "I bet my parents wouldn't complain if you spent the night even."
"I have things to do though back at the base."
Xelia eventually twisted her arm enough That they ported to Xelia's bedroom. Xelia then unlocked the door and opened it to find her sister Melalia leaning against the door.
"Something up sis?"
"I was just trying to see if you were in," the fourteen year old girl commented.
"I am sis so you can head off now," Xelia said.
Xelia then began to show Sita around the majestic Presidential Palace. At one point they noticed her father with a concerned look on his face.
"Something wrong Dad?" Xelia quickly inquired.
"Yes. It looks like whatever attacked that village over the weekend might be attacking the Legislative Complex."
"This is not good Mr. President," Sita commented.
"I know. Here is the thing we have no troops to hold back an attack of that magnitude."
Xelia and Sita then rushed off toward a nearby room.
"Holoimages, online," Sita said.
The Holoimages then appeared.
"Ranger Astro Morph," Xelia growled. "Power of the Purple Nebula."
"Power of the Black Hole," Sita chirped.
They then ported to the Legislative Complex where Jolik was leading a large number of Tylais against the citizenry.
"Articula, how long before we have the other Rangers?"
"Depends. E-Berg was just about to summon them."
"Articula, I suggest you have them port here directly and bypass Articia. We need all the help we can get. Sita and I can only attack so many."
"I read you Xelia. Back-up should arrive soon."
"Any luck?"
"They are going to come here directly," Xelia said.
"Good," Sita said as she roundhouse kicked one of the Tylai into a few others. Xelia meanwhile concentrated on an object the power had told her about. Suddenly in her left arm was a long almost like a lance but with blades like on a sword at the ends. Jolik was trying to dodge her attack with his whip. Just then port streams in various colors started to announce the arrival of the other rangers. Adria and Will came barreling up to try and help distract Jolik. In the process of trying to defend himself against three rangers Jolik accidentally sent an elbow into Xelia knocking her down and shattering the black face plate of her helmet. Xelia swore in Itastrian since she realized her face was exposed for all to see. About an hour into the battle Xelia looked over and saw a familiar looking hoverlimo pull into the gates.
That's right dad had a speech before the legislature tonight and there is a State Dinner afterwards. I'm supposed to be there.
Xelia having momentarily forgotten her face shield was shattered ran toward the car.
"Xelia," her father realized. "What happened?"
"I'll explain later dad. You might want to reschedule your speech."
"This speech is very important Xelia. I can't just reschedule it. We'll discuss it after the state dinner tonight if it's not real late," The President said as a Tylai tried to take out the hoverlimo. Xelia though grabbed her side arm and blasted it.
Soon after that the battle ended. Xelia then gathered the rangers together.
"Something up Xelia?" Valdi wondered.
"Sort of. My Dad is about to give a very important speech before the legislature. You all have something formal on?"
Only Landre nodded but Xelia waved it off.
"Come on," Xelia said after they were demorphed.
She then led them inside the Legislative Assembly Building and up to a small Gallery.
"They are guests of the Family," she told the guard at the door to the Gallery.
"OK Miss Silvino."
Xelia's mother and sister were sitting in seats to one side with Dek and another boy who the Rangers presumed was Xelia's sister's boyfriend. The holoimage of Xelia then disappeared as the real Xelia sat down.
"Enjoying it so far?" Dek wondered as he went to kiss her.
"Yeah. My dad gives a good speech normally."
"Universal Peace across Unaka will be restored given time. The few battles that have taken place around Unaka have mainly been isolated skirmishes including the one outside the very gates to this complex. I'm proud of the effort given by the mysterious Power Rangers in keeping the skirmishes contained and getting them under control with a minimum of effort. I ask that you all not try and learn who these fine individuals are because if you ask me we are better off not knowing who they are since to know who they are means we will be too focused on how a single ranger is as a person instead of on the community as a whole."
Xelia didn't even notice a cleverly disguised Articula enter the Gallery as her father was giving his speech.
After the speech Xelia had everyone port to her room in the Presidential Palace.
"Whoa, this place is something else," Valdi said.
"Dek, if you can take the guys to where my brother used to sleep see what you can find for them to wear while I see what I can come up with for the girls."
"Gotcha Xelia," Dek said. Mel's boyfriend went along. Fairly soon they were standing to one side at the state dinner.
"These things are full of protocol. Melalia and I tend to get introduced separately with our escorts. My dad would have insisted on you all being here tonight."
"I wouldn't miss this for anything Xelia," Wildrik said.
"The First Daughters of Unaka Xelia and Melalia Silvino and their chosen escorts," a voice boomed.
"Showtime Xelia," Melalia said.
Somehow each Ranger was introduced with their country of birth given as they were entering the huge ballroom where the dinner took place. A large table had materialized for the entire group. Xelia kept them informed about some of the more important people.
"How do you know all these people?" Wildrik wondered.
"Our dad has been involved in politics since even our births. We basically grew up meeting all sorts of unusual people," Melalia explained.
After the dinner was over Xelia's father walked over. By sheer coincidence Articula made an appearance just then.
"Xelia, about earlier," President Silvino wondered after he had sent Dek, and Ericon (Melalia's boyfriend) on their ways.
"Well you see," Xelia started to say.
"It's ok Xelia, if anything your father and sister in fact all your immediate families have the need to know but that's it," Articula said.
"Dad, the Rangers well they are sitting right here at this table," Xelia said.
"All of you are the rangers," he gasped.
"Not all of us dad. I'm still normal," Melalia pointed out.
"Well except for Melalia yes. That's how I came to know Adria because of Rangering."
"I want you all to know I was serious when I said how proud I was of the job you all did during my speech tonight. In fact Xelia it was seeing you earlier with your face plate smashed that's why I said what I did earlier. I would have preferred not knowing you were a ranger but in a small way I guess you are doing your part for a better Unaka. Tomorrow at 1030 I want to see the ten of you in my office."
"Yes Mr. President," Valdi said speaking for the group.
"So who is for a slumber party?" Melalia commented.
The five female rangers agreed and quickly four of them ported home to get appropriate clothes. The guys though chickened out.
The next day at quarter after ten the Rangers in their own clothes and appropriately dressed were sitting where ever they could find a spot in the President's outer office.
"Debri send my daughter and her friends in," came over a small com unit at one point.
"Yes Mr. President."
Xelia and the other rangers then walked into the office.
"I wanted to give a somewhat formal thanks for everything. While I wish I could publicly decorate you all that's probably not the best way. Therefore I had these made up," he said as a small hanging rack with ten dark gray jumpsuits with various colored shirts was revealed. Xelia noticed how there were simple tee-shirts, more formal turtleneck and pullovers and even button down shirts and blouses depending on gender. The insignias on the jumpsuits were for the most part very informal and obscure.
"They look nice Mr. President," Adria said.
"Well I need my special representatives for the young people of Unaka to look nice. The button down shirts and blouses are for State Dinners to which I hope you all will bring escorts."
"Last nights was well interesting," Adria said.
"Miss Tenwa, You can assure your village that I will do everything in my power to ensure that your village receives more economic aid and so forth. During my visit to the festival I was able to see that the people of your village were in need of assistance."
"We could use all the assistance we can get Mr. President," Adria informed him.
"Miss Lynch, I will also try and see to it that more and larger grants be made available to young scientists like yourself."
"That would really help Mr. President."
Xelia then led the other Rangers with their clothes to the residential area. After everyone had changed she took them on a tour of the vast expanse known as the Presidential Palace. At one point Articula made an appearance.