Chương 1: Chapter One: A New Beginning
Angel Grove, California - December 27, 1985
The winter sun cast a warm glow over the sprawling estate of Ashcroft Castle, its majestic turrets and spires reaching towards the clear blue sky. Inside, within the opulent master bedroom, a young boy of five stirred from his slumber. As his emerald green eyes fluttered open, a strange sense of displacement washed over him.
Cross Ashcroft sat up abruptly, his small hands clutching at the silk sheets. Memories flooded his mind – memories of past lives, of a world where he was known as Aaron Jacob, of another where he had been a ninja assassin. But here, now, he was Cross Ashcroft, son of Lucien and Victoria Ashcroft, born into one of the wealthiest and most influential families in America.
He slid off the bed, his bare feet touching the plush carpet. With tentative steps, he approached the full-length mirror adorning one wall of his bedroom. The reflection that greeted him was both familiar and strange – a young boy with striking emerald eyes and features that promised to grow into those of the actor Henry Cavill.
"This is... unexpected," Cross murmured, his voice carrying a maturity far beyond his years. He ran a hand through his dark hair, memories of his encounter with ROB – the Random Omnipotent Being – surfacing in his mind.
A sharp pain lanced through his head, causing him to stumble. Cross gripped the edge of his dresser, steadying himself as a trickle of blood ran from his nose. As the pain subsided, clarity washed over him, and he recalled the three gifts bestowed upon him by ROB.
The first gift was the power of Lord Drakkon, a fusion of the Mighty Morphin Green Ranger and White Ranger powers. Cross knew this would grant him incredible strength, speed, and combat abilities when the time came to use them. He could almost feel the power thrumming beneath his skin, dormant but ready.
The second gift was the ability to summon and control three powerful zords: the Dragonzord, Tigerzord, and Falconzord. In his mind's eye, he could see these massive mechanical beasts, waiting to be called into action.
The third and perhaps most precious gift was the promise of five loyal Power Rangers who would join him in this new world. Jason, Jen, Eric, Trent, and Tori – names and faces he knew so well from his previous life, now destined to stand beside him as protectors of this Earth.
As the implications of these gifts sank in, Cross's gaze drifted to the window, taking in the view of Angel Grove spread out before him. Suddenly, he froze, his eyes widening in shock. The skyline was familiar, yet subtly different from the Angel Grove he knew from the Power Rangers series.
"It can't be," he whispered, pressing his hands against the cool glass. But it was true – somehow, impossibly, Angel Grove had been incorporated into the DC Universe. And at its heart stood his family, the Ashcrofts, a name he now realized carried immense weight in this world.
Cross's mind raced as he pieced together the history of his family in this new reality. The Ashcrofts, he realized, were to Angel Grove what the Waynes were to Gotham City – but their influence ran even deeper. Unlike the Waynes, the Ashcrofts were of noble blood, their lineage tracing back to the British royal family.
In the early 1800s, Cole D. Ashcroft and Michael A. Ashcroft Jr. had founded Angel Grove, using their wealth and influence to transform a small settlement into a thriving city. Through their petroleum empire, Shade Oil, the Ashcrofts had amassed one of the world's largest fortunes. By 1957, they were considered one of the most powerful families in American history.
Ashcroft Castle, where Cross now stood, had been built in the early 1800s as a symbol of the family's power and royal heritage. It was more than just a home – it was a testament to the Ashcroft legacy, a legacy that now rested on his young shoulders.
The realization of his family's status and influence in this world both excited and sobered Cross. He understood that with this power came great responsibility – a responsibility he was determined to use for the betterment of Angel Grove and, eventually, the world.
A soft knock at the door interrupted his thoughts. "Master Cross?" a gentle voice called. "Are you awake? Your parents are waiting for you in the dining room."
"I'll be right there," Cross replied, his tone carefully modulated to sound more childlike. He quickly dressed in the clothes laid out for him – a crisp white shirt and navy blue shorts that spoke of his family's status.
As he made his way through the grand corridors of Ashcroft Castle, Cross's mind raced with plans and possibilities. He knew the challenges that lay ahead – the rise of crime and corruption, the threats that would come from both Earth and beyond. But he also knew that he had the power to shape this world, to protect it in ways that even the yet-to-emerge heroes like Superman and Batman could not imagine.
The dining room was a grand affair, with a long mahogany table that could easily seat twenty. At its head sat Lucien Ashcroft, a distinguished man in his early forties, his sharp eyes scanning the morning newspaper. Victoria Ashcroft, a woman of timeless beauty, sat to his right, sipping delicately from a china teacup.
"Ah, there's our boy," Lucien said warmly as Cross entered the room. "Happy birthday, son. How does it feel to be five years old?"
Cross smiled, the expression both genuine and tinged with the weight of his hidden knowledge. "It feels... like a new beginning," he replied carefully.
Victoria set down her teacup, a look of surprise crossing her face. "My, what a grown-up thing to say," she remarked, reaching out to smooth Cross's hair. "You're becoming quite the little gentleman, aren't you?"
As Cross took his seat at the table, a servant appeared silently to place a plate of breakfast before him. The young boy's eyes darted around the room, taking in every detail, every potential resource that could aid him in the years to come.
"Father," Cross began, his tone measured, "I was wondering if I could start learning more about our family's history and the founding of Angel Grove. And perhaps... about science and technology too?"
Lucien lowered his newspaper, eyebrows raised in amusement. "Eager to follow in your ancestors' footsteps, are you? Well, I suppose it's never too early to start. What's brought this on, Cross?"
For a moment, Cross hesitated. He couldn't reveal the truth – the knowledge of future events, the power that lay dormant within him, the destiny he was prepared to forge. Instead, he opted for a partial truth. "I want to help people," he said simply. "I want to make Angel Grove even better, like our family has always done."
Lucien and Victoria exchanged a glance, a mixture of pride and bewilderment in their eyes. "Well," Lucien chuckled, "if that's what you want, we'll certainly support you. The Ashcroft legacy is one of progress and protection. Perhaps one day, you'll add your own chapter to our family's storied history."
If only they knew, Cross thought to himself. He nodded obediently, turning his attention to his breakfast. As he ate, his mind continued to work, planning and strategizing. He had years ahead of him before he could take action, years to prepare, to learn, to become the hero this world would need.
Outside the windows of Ashcroft Castle, the sun continued to rise over Angel Grove, its citizens unaware of the remarkable child in their midst – a child who would one day stand as their protector, their hero, their Zephyr. In the years to come, Cross Ashcroft would face challenges beyond imagination, emerging as a founding member of the Justice League and leader of the Power Rangers. But for now, on this winter morning in 1985, he was content to begin his journey, one careful step at a time.
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