Chapter 4: All of the Lights
(Ancient Harbor: Many Years Ago)
"Are you sure you want to do this Atticus? The Order of the Meridian keep a watchful eye on everything. If they find out about the boy..." The harbormaster argued worriedly working on his ship. In the middle of the night, Atticus heads to the Ancient Harbor docks to find a longtime friend, a harbormaster named Lupin. He valued his friendship with Lupin due to their mutual acquaintance with Lena. The news of Lena's death strengthen their friendship.
Atticus had Jacob under his protection and left him for awhile at a local inn to meet with Lupin. If there was one person who can secure his son's protection it was his friend as he has done for others who were facing the same predicament as Jacob.
"What will stop the Order or the Alliance of Evil from using these innocent souls as soldiers in their never ending vendetta? Sometimes the battle lines are drawn that without anticipation there is a neutral force that lurks on the sidelines. They said to be wary of the third party and soon a triple threat breaks out." Atticus said wary.
"If you send the boy beyond the seas to the free lands, there will be a chance that "they" will reveal themselves when their time comes. There is an unorthodox aura to the lad that he'll be the first of those of his kind." Lupin said. "The Alliance of Evil are just a faction that acts as liaisons for Lokar, The Source of Evil. The tales of the ancient forces underneath the Seal of Talel, it was one of many talltales. My friend, be mindful and wary of where the true battle lines are drawn. I will give you my word that Jacob will be granted sanctuary."
"Lupin, you are not making any sense. What do you mean by be wary of the battle lines?"
"Why do you think Earth has been the prime battle field for many years for the forces of good and evil? Of all the planetary systems in the galaxy they come here because it's a port to the great beyond. The Order maintains sanctity over this planet for the sake of the greater good while the Alliance of Evil serves to fulfill Lokar's bidding. However, there will always be sects within factions who have different ideals and purposes. Which is why you understand my purpose to serve as the harbormaster. Lena knew as she foreseen that the soon the tide will rise. The houses and banners will fly across these lands..."
"A game of power is rising and the players will be selected. My fealty and oath binds me and if my brethren found out about my transgressions, I fear that justice will be inflicted upon my son. I have already asked the young Namine to alter his memories for the sake of his protection..."
"Apart of him will remember you no matter how many futile attempts you conjure to make him forget about you." Lupin said slightly smiling. "That Spirit Denizen of yours, I suggest you keep an eye out for talent like hers and that of the rest of your charges. As for your son, let's just say there are some things that can outweigh the influence of magic and that of the supernatural. Jacob's destiny has already been predetermined and his will be woven to those around him he meets."
"Then why do I get the feeling it has already happened? I have already committed acts of treason against my oath and fealty but I cannot deny my conscience nor my heart to do the right thing. I have a promise to fulfill to someone I hold dear."
(The Boarding House)
It happened again as Tommy jolted awake in the middle of night. He looked over at Kimberly who was still asleep beside him. Her hand moved from his chest to his stomach. If either him or Kim would ever have dreams it meant that something was happening or hinting of an impending threat beyond the horizon. However, they were no strangers to cryptic dreams or visions of past lives of ancestors, but it wasn't something they had control over. He admitted openly that he hated having dreams about the past or anything cryptic unless it was with reason.
The one constant fear he had is that his dreams became premonitions of events to come and that what happened in past lives will repeat down the line. His only solace during these restless nights was comfort of his beloved crane. They were each other's safety and embrace whenever these dreams occurred. Tommy took deep breaths before laying back down and turned to look at his wife who woke up.
"Tommy?" she mumbled. "Are you alright?"
"Hopefully I'll be okay." He mumbled but even in the dark Kim knew something was up. Tommy pulled the sheet around her more and put his arm around her. Kimberly's face nuzzled in his neck as he rubbed her back.
"You had another dream again did you?" she asked.
"I been having dreams for quite sometime about the past lives of Atticus, Jacob and then one of Angel Grove in the 1880's. It was kind of like the flashback you had awhile back after we found that secret nook." Tommy said rubbing Kimberly's arm. "You know I'm used to the vivid and cryptic dreams, but not the ones about previous past lives."
"Makes you wonder if we too use to live past lives or if we're doppelgangers. Anything is possible after what happened with Rosaline."
"Yeah and it got our daughter killed the first time, Kim. My ancestors did a lot of questionable things and somehow the powers that be ensure our fate and destiny will always be tied together. I don't want the past to define who we are or our legacy and the last thing we need is for it to dictate our family's future."
"I promise you Handsome we won't let it happen. Don't let these dreams get to you," Kimberly assured him resting her head on his chest. "What happened in the past with Namine, Atticus, Jacob, Lena, Madeline Ashford, Fuscha O'Hara, The White Stranger or anyone else that came before us, it doesn't dictate our future."
"I know but whether we like it or not Beautiful, it is apart of us. You could say it was fate and destiny that somehow the Great Power would be bestow upon us. However, it does make you question with everything we continue to discover over the years about the line and legacy of Power, what more is there to know?"
"Then there is that possibility that some third party force has been keeping tabs on us since the very beginning."
"We're just two regular adults who have been in love with each other since we were teenagers. We're married with five children, what makes us so damn special?" Tommy remarked leaning against the headboard.
"That's the mystery all in itself. What made us so special that all these coincidences just keep on occurring?" Before the couple could continue or settle back to sleep, their bedroom door opened as they saw Gabriel walk in. He was carrying the stuffed falcon he called "Ace" that he had since he was born. Tommy and Kimberly looked up to see their little boy standing on Tommy's side of the bed tired, scared and seeking the safety of his parents.
"Hey little buddy. What's the matter Gabe?" Tommy said sincerely.
"I had a bad dream, mommy. Monsters are after me. Can I sleep with you and daddy?" Gabriel asked sounding tired but worried.
"Of course sweetie come here. You can stay with me and your daddy tonight." They both moved over as Gabriel crawled into the bed and settled himself between his parents. Once Gabriel's head hit the pillow, he latched onto Kim's arm and fell asleep as Kimberly put her arm protectively around her son. Tommy settles closer and pulls the sheet around Gabriel and drapes an arm over him and towards Kimberly.
"Don't worry little guy you're safe with us." He mumbled giving a kiss on the top of his son's head. "Mommy and daddy are here to protect you Gabriel. No monsters are going to get you."
"I love you daddy. I love you mommy." Gabriel whispered as he fell asleep.
"We love you too our little birdy." they mumbled as they fell asleep.
(Vallerte's Music Jukebox)
A week later, Shi-Ann, Bianca and Aidan finally arrived back in town, much to the delight of the Twilight Rangers. However, the sleeping arrangements at the loft had become crowded so Shi-Ann and Bianca agreed to stay at the boarding house for awhile as Aidan settled back into his bedroom at the loft. One afternoon, Tommy and Kimberly decided to take the kids out for a day of shopping and to spend some quality family time. Since Cadence's birth, they were constantly busy and preoccupied that it was taken into their quality time with Elena, Hayden and Gabriel.
The task of getting their other children to their respective lessons or recreational activities such as Elena's gymnastics lessons, Hayden's karate lessons or Gabriel's play group fell on Rosaline. However, the Oliver kids also found themselves having limited quality time with their parents due to their lessons and activities. Looking at her family's schedule today, it was Rosaline who convinced her parents that they should have a family day together. After a morning of shopping for some new clothes for Cadence and new workout clothes for Elena and Hayden, the Oliver family decided to stop by Virgil's music store for a visit.
"Elena, Hayden keep an eye on Gabriel and Cadence while we talk with your sister and the others okay?" Tommy asked the twins. "Just look around but make sure your little brother doesn't get his hands on something breakable which I have to pay for out of my wallet." He let out a small chuckled and smiled at his children.
"Here take your sister's baby bag," Kimberly passed the diaper bag to Hayden as Elena took over pushing the stroller. "If she gets hungry give Cadence a bottle."
"We'll be alright mom, dad don't worry," the twins said assuring their parents. "We'll keep an eye out on Gabe and Caddie."
Virgil led Tommy, Kimberly, Rosaline and the others up to the loft after informing his uncle he was going to be on break. Bianca, Aidan and Chan were at the store to keep Virgil company while Shi-Ann and Christian went to run some errands and visit Malcolm at the hotel he was currently staying at. Tommy and Kim informed the other Rangers that Quincy, Penny and Desmond were at the boarding house working in the lab trying to track down some lead. Virgil and Chan spent the entire morning updating Bianca and Aidan of the events that took place a week prior at the financial district.
"Shi-Ann managed to access your old lab at your old house in Reefside Tommy to monitor the area," Bianca reported. "She said about a month ago a person on Quincy's person of interest missing list suddenly turned up in the woods near your old place."
"Must have been the fourth case that was filed by the BAU before Jared Rollins." Tommy stated. "Our resident genius turned the lab at the boarding house into his HQ like he was solving a murder case. Thank goodness Kim and I were able to provide a manual for Shi-Ann on how to operate the equipment if in case something happens."
"She had Malcolm as her IT tech guy be her eyes and ears when she investigated the woods near the area last month." Aidan added.
"Why didn't Shi-Ann call us to report something was going on in Reefside. She should have called the Dino Rangers for assistance." Kimberly said worried. "Why didn't she call for backup?"
"Because of Cadence's birth. She didn't want to distract you two or put Cadence in danger or the rest of us," Rosaline confirmed. "We weren't suppose to tell you guys until we needed to be sure if we had a situation on our hands. Shi-Ann wanted to prove she was able to handle the situation on her own and out of respect for you guy and the rest of the veterans, didn't want to disturb our period of peace. It wasn't until Quincy and Christian's arrival last week we figured out something was up."
"So there are five cases of missing children apart of the category of their disappearance dating back to 1993." Chan added. "In the last couple of months these people suddenly turn up away from their abducted last known locations in random cities throughout the country."
"Quincy has been down in the lab for almost a week trying to workout the connection and find something common with all these abductions." Kimberly explained. "I mean the missing children's cases that Landon Spicer has him looking into are of children who disappeared from 1993 and onward."
"But it doesn't make sense. There are thousands of missing children's cases that end up going cold or discontinued." Virgil argued. "Unless these missing children were all abducted by the same person or group."
"Virgil has a point. There are thousands of missing person's cases in the FBI database but why focus on this particular timeline?" Rosaline inquired looking at her parents with question. "I mean you and the original Rangers told us 1993 was the year you all first got your powers."
"Yeah it's true and it made us realize that besides Rita and Zedd, someone was keeping tabs on us for a particular purpose." Tommy stated. "Usually when people go missing there is a slim possibility they'll turn up alive. But for them to return like something you see on an episode of Heroes or in the Marvel or DC Comics is not ordinary."
"As Quincy puts it he likes to uncover the Unsub who is mastermind behind these kidnappings. He likes to see in terms of classification what kind of criminals to profile them as and their personality." Virgil said as the others looked at him with intrigue. "Oh gosh guess our resident genius is rubbing his traits on me."
(The Juice Bar)
Meanwhile, Christian and Shi-Ann arrive at the Juice Bar to get some takeout to bring back to the others at the boarding house. Christian opted to accompany her to the Hilton Hotel to visit Malcolm as he was attending a seminar during the week. They saw Allison teaching a dance class that day and Zack working behind the bar with a playpen set up as the the two spotted BJ playing inside.
"Hey Shi-Ann, Christian how's it going?" Zack greeted them.
"How's it going Zack?" Shi-Ann smiled and then waving at BJ. "Hey there BJ how's it going little dude?" BJ let out a giggle as he continued to play with his toys in the playpen and acknowledge the two young Rangers.
"We thought Katherine would be in today with you to help manage the place," Christian replied. "How are things going with the wife and kids?"
"Angela is in Baltimore for a medical conference leaving me in charge of the kids for the week." Zack said. "Allison is teaching one of Kat's dance classes today. My little Ally has been such a help this week with the Juice Bar and at home. Kat and Jason are at Jason's parents place because his parents are in the middle of renovating their house."
"That sounds exciting. I'm looking forward to hanging out with them along with Aaron, Claire and Sophie." Shi-Ann said.
"Anyways we just came by to pick up the food order we phoned in earlier." Christian replied. "Is it all ready?"
"Yeah it's been prepared I'll pack it up for you guys," Zack said as he was coming out with the takeout containers of food and started packing it up. "So any word about that guy who tore up the financial district last week?"
"From what Rosaline and the others said there hasn't been a sighting of him after that news bulletin," Shi-Ann replied sighing. "It didn't help when I let it slip I encountered their fourth missing returnee last month in Reefside. At least your so called evolved person didn't make your ears clinch."
"No but he manage to melt a hole through a light post and split a mail box in half and make a parking meter melt." Christian argued.
"Wait a minute, Shi-Ann the person you encounter last month in Reefside was on Quincy's list?" Zack asked.
"Yeah and I think she had the power to sort of manipulate sound like amplify it ten times louder than usual. When we brought all of this to Billy's attention he put an APB alert if anyone sighted these people. As everyone is putting it this feels like an episode of Heroes come to life."
"But do you think whoever these people are were taken by some adversary we faced before?" Christian asked.
"I'm not sure guys but knowing missing person's cases the odds of people turning up alive are slim." Zack pointed out. "However, the odds of missing people suddenly turning up and suddenly having powers you see in comics is something entirely different. Katherine believes it's not magic because if it was, she would said something about aura and energy. Combine with the particular case files Quincy has these are disappearances that date back to 1993."
"There is the possibility that more will show up and we fear that list is going to get bigger and bigger," Shi-Ann replied as they paid for the food. "Thanks again for the food Zack and we'll keep you posted on any updates."
"No problem and hey Christian, Shi-Ann..." Zack said as the two were making their way out. "Don't die out there okay? Seriously, stay safe and whatever happens just know you can count on us veterans to keep an eye out for you."
"Thanks Zack we appreciate it," Christian smiled as they left. While the two walked back to their car, Christian heard Shi-Ann's phone vibrate as she revealed it was Malcolm calling to check up on her. However, unknown to her friend, Shi-Ann read Malcolm's text message in regards to some personal manner while she questioned what would happen if she revealed some personal secrets to her closet friends and teammates.
(Vallerte's Music Jukebox)
Back at the music store, Elena and Hayden continued to watch over Gabriel and Cadence while their parents, sister and the other Rangers were up in the loft. Virgil's uncle was watching the store and it had a few customers come in. However, everyone in the store found themselves being drawn to a young woman who was playing on the keyboard. The twins sensed something strange because one minute the customers in the store didn't acknowledge the pianist's presence while she played a few notes. In a matter of seconds suddenly the crowd was drawn to her but the more the woman kept playing, it started attracting Gabriel's attention.
"Oh look at all of the pretty lights!" Gabriel stared in awe looking up at the ceiling and then around the room. However, the twins were confused as to what Gabriel was seeing the more he got excited and giggly. "So many pretty colors wow! It's like dancing lights!"
"Hey Gabe...what are talking about buddy? What lights?" Hayden asked confused. "Is there something you see?"
"Don't you see the pretty lights Hayden? It's right there!" He argued pointing out at the lights that were dazzling and swiveling around. To Gabriel it looked like a rainbow and he noticed that there were lights coming out from the pianist's hands the more she played. Whatever Gabriel was seeing troubled the twins trying to get their little brother's attention. "Look more lights coming from the piano!"
"What do you mean more lights coming from the piano?" Elena asked looking bewildered. "Gabriel where are the lights pal?'
"They're everywhere don't you see it?" Gabriel yelled excitedly. "The piano girl she's making all the lights appear! It's all so bright and nice! Can't you see?"
Elena and Hayden continued to observe the customer playing piano and the more she kept going, it was as if half the customers were mesmerized by the music. It was as if the music was putting them through a trance and soon more customers who walked by the store started coming inside.
"Hey Elena I think this is the time we should get mom and dad," Hayden whispered. "Something seems off about that customer near the piano."
"This is odd because everyone seems effected by the music except for us," Elena observed noticing that her and Hayden were not effected by what inflicted the other customers and Virgil's uncle. "Why do you think that is?"
"I don't know but I guess we're lucky," Hayden said as Elena rushed out of the front of house.
Elena looked at her twin brother who was now struggling to restrain Gabriel. She dug through the diaper bag looking for the headphones their parents packed for Cadence and covered their baby sister's ears. Elena took Cadence out of the stroller heading to the loft while Hayden continued to keep his brother in his grip despite the little boy's protest.
Upstairs in the loft, Bianca was about to light up another bundle of magical incenses when she stopped for a moment. There was a sensation she in the air, an aura and energy that felt foreign and unknown. Luckily, her time in New Orleans provided her with a a new array of spells and protections to immune her friends and family from the wards of unknown magic and energy. Whatever sensation Bianca was feeling, it was as if the perpetrator was converting whatever energy they had using an outlet.
"Bianca, what is it? You have that look saying your magic spidey senses are tingling," Rosaline replied.
"Something is here, but it's an energy and aura I'm not familiar with. It's like an unknown source but it's not of traditional magic," Bianca said looking around. "This energy I'm feeling is being channeled by an outlet. It's like it's trying to pull people towards it through a means of emotion. It reminds me of a siren song..."
"There's an unfamiliar energy source here...this is odd because I feel it too..." Tommy said looking at Bianca with awe. "When...when you sense magic or auras what's the sensation like? Is it like your body feels in tune with it that it pulls you towards the source? I'm not a supernatural entity like a witch or doppelganger...but why am I able to suddenly sense magic?"
"Tommy, what's happening? Since...since when were you able to sense magic?" Kimberly asked looking confused. "When did this start happening?"
"I can't really explain it and it's probably possible there is a dormant side to either you or Kim to channel magic. However, being both a Highlander/Necromancer witch it amplifies the draw of me sensing magic." Bianca explained. "Given that the original veterans channeled the Great Power and that of the Ninjetti, anything is possible. Probably after the Order of the Meridian bestowed their power and authority to make you guys the new governing council, something changed. There's a lot of possibilities but..."
Before Bianca could continue her theory and explanation, they were interrupted by a frantic banging on the loft door. They heard Elena's voice sounding like she was panicking. Virgil opened the door to let Elena in who was carrying Cadence with her headphones protectively secured on her head.
"Elena, what is it?" Rosaline asked concerned. "What's the matter and why is Cadence wearing her baby headphones?" Rosaline was about to take the headphones off her baby sister until Elena stopped her.
"No, no, no! Don't take them off! Something weird is happening in the store," Elena hysterically said. "I can't explain it but there's this customer in the store who started playing piano and suddenly all these people came into the store! It's like there in a trance or something and Gabriel is going on and on about seeing colorful lights. For some reason Hayden and I weren't affected by the whatever is going on!"
"Okay sweetie alright calm down," Tommy and Kimberly reassured their daughter as Elena handed Cadence over to her mom. "Where are your brothers? What is happening downstairs in the store?"
"I don't know what's going on but I'm freaking out right now and Hayden and I are really worried about Gabriel. Mom, dad whoever that girl is playing the piano downstairs it's like she is doing something to make the customers see lights and hypnotize them, including Gabriel! Please you have to help!"
"Maybe that is what is causing your magic spidey senses Bi," Rosaline added looking at her sister. Without saying anything, Bianca headed downstairs to the store with Tommy, Kimberly and the other Rangers behind her. By the time the group got to the main floor, they no longer couldn't hear the piano playing. However, they were left inside a store full of confused and dazed customers ranting about seeing colorful lights. It didn't stop Bianca's Highlander senses from detecting that there was something amiss in the air.
"Gabriel! Gabriel come back!" they heard Hayden yelling as Tommy and Kimberly saw their son running out of the music store. "Gabriel stop!"
(Back Alleyway)
The couple were in pursuit of their boys while Rosaline, Virgil and Bianca followed leaving the girls with Aidan and Chan. The group didn't get that far as they pursue the boys towards a back alley behind the store finding out that the youngster was trailing the mysterious pianist. However, the person stopped the second she heard Hayden yelling for Gabriel as he picked up his little brother and looked at the person holding a harmonica and stared bewildered at both boys.
"What are you two doing following me?" she asked suspiciously. "What is going on?"
"How about you tell me what the hell you were doing earlier at the music store?" Hayden demanded keeping a protective hold on Gabriel. "What did you do to all those people and why were they suddenly coming in? Did...did you do something to the piano?" However, the group soon caught up to the boys looking to confront the mysterious customer. She eyed the group of strangers with wary and hostility.
"You? Are you the one I was sensing in the music store? Your aura, it's not supernatural...but it's something...different," Bianca eyed suspiciously. "What are you?"
"Aura? Supernatural? Why are you looking at me like I'm some sort of alien? Who the heck are you people? Are you the people that "they" warned me about who will capture people like me?"
"People like you? Are you telling us that there are others like you out there?" Rosaline questioned.
"Tell us what you did at the music store and why our three year old son was going about seeing colorful light waves?" Tommy and Kimberly demanded. "You literally almost jeopardized the safety of our sons! What did you do in the store?"
"I was just playing a piano what crime is it to play a piano?" the person asked warily. "Gosh I was better off in "Alto Portum" instead of being out in the real world. "They" thought I was ready to reconnect with the world..."
"I saw pretty color light waves! You had color coming out of your hands," Gabriel said in awe as the girl stepped back even more. "You play and lights come out." She wasn't sure what Gabriel was talking about but apparently she cause some commotion in the music store. It was why they were outside confronting her.
"Okay you people must be out of your freaking minds to think I did something to your kid because I didn't? Look my name is Yvonne Riggs and I was just passing by through the area. Frankly, I found out I'm in some town called Angel Grove after I got dumped off in the middle of nowhere as some sick cruel joke. I've been on the road for three months panhandling my way just to get the heck back to Cincinnati, Ohio. The thing I was doing is called enhanced synesthesia, an ability to visualize sound waves as colorful lights and manipulate these lights by combining them with a particular emotion. I didn't mean to cause trouble okay?"
"Are you like Jared Rollins? Do...do you have an "ability" like him?" Kimberly asked. "Were you taken or abducted like him?"
"Maybe she is also on the National Missing Children's list too just like Jared Rollins," Tommy added. "There's a chance Quincy might have a file on Yvonne Riggs as well."
"Alto Portum? What does Alto Portum mean?" Virgil asked as the girl named Yvonne kept stepping back after being bombarded with questions. Suddenly, she felt like these people were suddenly developing theories about her and she unintentionally let it slip about her special talent.
There was a possibility she must have been reported missing or someone filed a missing person's report on her. However, before Virgil had the chance to try to interrogate her, Yvonne Riggs suddenly was transported from the alleyway by a mysterious middle age man wearing a blindfold. Before Yvonne's rescuer disappeared, he stared at both Tommy and Kimberly curiously as if he was startled by their appearance. Both individuals disappeared out of sight to a bewildered and shocked group.
"Boys, thank god you're okay," Kimberly replied going up to both of her sons hugging them. "Are you alright? Are you hurt?"
"We're fine mom and I know the risk going after Gabriel like that and I'm sorry for that dad," Hayden apologized. "I didn't want him to get hurt and I was scared for him because he's my only little brother. I want to keep him safe."
"You get a free pass for it Hayden and it was brave of you to protect your little brother," Tommy reassured him putting a hand on his shoulder. He took Gabriel in his arms and picked up his younger son. "We're glad you're okay little pal and promise you don't ever scare mommy and daddy like that okay Gabriel? We love so much buddy."
"I'm sorry daddy for running away," Gabriel sighed giving his father a hug and then turning to his mother, "I'm sorry mommy and I love you."
"Okay now that the little guy is safe and no longer under some hypnotizing spell can we talk about what we just saw," Virgil replied getting the group back on track.
"Yeah the dude that just showed up and pulled a Nightcrawler on us," Hayden said in awe.
"Bianca, you said something about a different aura or energy you sensed from her," Rosaline inquired. "Your Highlander senses amplify when you're in the presence of supernatural entities like me? A doppelganger? Yvonne Riggs and that mysterious teleporter...are they supernatural as well?"
"That's the thing because their energy source and power it's mystical alright, but supernatural that I'm not sure of." Bianca explained. "I couldn't explain it but for some reason my magic and my intuitions were all over the place. It was like I couldn't channel or focus...it's a first it happened. I think it's something more than we know."
"What does that suppose to mean?" Kimberly asked. "Do you think they're good guys or bad buys? Do you think they're also been reported missing as well?"
"All we know is right now we just stumbled into something we have no idea of," Tommy sighed with tension and stress. "As for what we're dealing with at this moment, we absolutely have no clue who they are or what the heck happened to them. What we figured out is we are dealing with some wild cards our hand has never dealt with so it's a toss up on who side they are on. Something tells us that list is going to expand if the more of these people keep on showing up."