Variations Of SPD
Chapter 17: Halloween Tragedy
By: Pink-Green-White-4ever
Last Revised: August 16, 2006
Summary: Halloween is supposed to be a night of dressing up, eating candy, and having fun, but for the SPD Rangers, it turns into a tragedy that rocks their world and leaves them precariously hanging.
Rating: M, for adult-themed situations.
Disclaimer: I don't own PR, Disney does
AN: This one is for BV and Angela! Thanks for the support! And yes, you two, I know what you're gonna say – you hate Anna – that's nothing I haven't heard already, but you're really gonna hate her after you read this chapter!
"Never part without loving words to think of during your absence. It may be that you will not meet again in life." -- John Paul Richter
--
"I can't believe Halloween is next week," Z announced, sitting down on the couch with Bridge. The five of them had just gotten home from the Academy and were relaxing in the living room.
"Do we have any ideas what we're going as?" Jack asked. "I heard A Squad got put in charge of the party."
"We did. Syd, Travis, Alana, Ally and I are on the decorating committee. Costumes though…don't know," Z grinned, looking to Sky.
"Not a clue," Sky responded, shifting a nearly sleeping Syd in his lap.
The others looked over at their Blue and Pink Rangers in worry. Sydney and Brian, with a bit of help from Bridge, had been trying to help the rest of them adjust to their telepathic powers since they learned they all had the ability to speak, mind to mind. It hadn't been the easiest of experiences for Sydney, especially since she was still learning how to use her new abilities as it was without adding everyone else to the mix. Because of all of that, Sky had been protective of her, even more so than usual.
"I know what I want to go as," Sydney sleepily told them. "Ms. Raya's helping me with my costume."
Z grinned, knowing the owner of Rain would make Sydney sparkle more than she did on an everyday basis. "What are you going as?" Jack asked Syd.
"A fairy princess," Syd grinned. "My costume is pink, white and blue."
"Any ideas for the rest of us?" Z asked.
"Jack could go as Robin Hood," Syd teased, snuggling against Sky, her face buried in his neck.
"What's Ally going as, Jack?" Bridge wondered out loud.
"I think Cleopatra, but I'm not sure."
"Then you should go as Marc Anthony," Sky grinned. Jack shot him a look that had the Blue Ranger chuckling.
"I'm not wearing a toga, sorry. Besides, if Syd's going as a Fairy, what are you going as?" Jack shot back, hoping Sky wouldn't have a come back.
Sky just grinned. "I have an idea, but it's a secret. We'll see if I can pull it off in the next week. What about you, Z?"
The Yellow Ranger looked deep in thought before her face fell. "Like I said, I don't really know. I do have an idea, but it might depend on Bridge."
The brown haired Green Ranger raised an eyebrow at his girlfriend's slightly pleading tone. "Why do I suddenly not like the sound of that?"
The other three started laughing at the expression on Bridge's face and the answering one on Z's.
--
He stood at a console, his tiny hand held computer connected into the mainframe of the base's computers, hoping to fix the mechanical glitch for the store room doors when he heard voices around the corner.
"Lord Vampra has issued your orders. During the holiday festivities, you are to strike."
"Tell Lord Vampra it will be done. The Dragon and Phoenix will be his."
"Good. Your payment shall be the Blue Ranger, to do with as you please."
He stuck his head around the corner and watched her smile wickedly down at the device in her hand, which was displaying a holographic image. "And the destruction of SPD will be complete."
"Yes. Do you need any...help?"
"No. I can accomplish this faster on my own. Where shall I meet you?"
"Very well. We'll talk again when your mission is complete."
His eyes widened as he pressed himself closer to the wall where he was hiding. He remained hidden even as she snapped the device shut and strode down the darkened hallway, her destination unknown.
"I've got to tell Kat!" he muttered to himself even as he went the opposite direction and made a bee-line for Dr. Manx's lab.
--
"Wow!" Bridge and Jack announced before whistling at the decorations that had been placed in the gym. Thanks to Kat, Boom, Syd, Travis, Alana, Ally, and Z, and of course all the lower level cadets that volunteered, they had a fun house, a haunted house, midway games, a space for dancing, and a huge costume contest.
"Wow is right," Alana sassily grinned, approaching the pair of senior officers. "Whatcha think?"
"You guys rocked this out. I think this is gonna be the best Halloween party I've ever been to!" Jack laughed, and then eyed Alana's costume. "Nice dress, by the way."
The junior Yellow Ranger nodded her thanks. She was dressed in a red and yellow sequined and feathered dress in the same style that had been worn as the Flapper's of the 1920's. Around her neck was a red and yellow feathered boa. Her feet were adorned in red high heels, and a yellow headband, complete with feather, kept her hair back from her face.
"Nice of you to show up," Aaron laughed, coming up to them. He was wearing a black suit with red pinstripes; a fedora with a yellow feather, black shoes, and in his breast pocket was a yellow handkerchief. "Let me guess, Marc Anthony to Ally's Cleopatra and a hunter?"
"Right," Jack grinned. "At least about me, I still haven't figured out Bridge's costume."
"Robin Hood," Bridge told them, watching the three stare at him in confusion. "Z thought it'd be too obvious for me to go with a green costume, so we researched Robin Hood movies, and we came across one with this really cool actor named Kevin Costner. His uniform was a white peasant shirt, brown vest, pants, and boots. So that's what I went with."
"Sometimes, your logic amazes me Bridge," Alana laughed.
"There you are!" a twinkling voice sounded, causing the group to turn their attention toward Ally, who came over wearing a spectacular gold headdress and white robes, looking incredibly like Cleopatra. "Jack, you make a spectacular Marc Anthony. Good thing Sky suggested it to me when we started looking for a costume for you."
The Red Ranger grumbled under his breath about bossy freaks in blue that were gonna get beat up before he wrapped his arms around his girlfriend, kissing her cheek softly. "So, is everyone here but Syd and Sky?" Z asked, approaching the group. Her hair was held back away from her face with simple hair combs. Her costume was a beautiful, medieval style pale yellow dress with an empire waist and long train.
"Z, you look wonderful," Jack grinned at his little sister. "I think we're missing Brian too."
Brett and Travis, dressed as Dracula and a court Jester respectively, joined them a few seconds later. "Kat, Boom, and the Commander are coming down from the Command Center in a few moments."
"You were saying," Aaron pointed as the trio in question entered the gym. Commander Cruger looked like King Arthur, complete with a crown and the Shadow Saber by his side in place of Excalibur. Kat and Boom both looked like they'd stepped out of the old films in the Star Wars series; Kat was dressed in a costume similar to one worn by Padme Amidala – a deep blue dress with navy blue crushed velvet coat and her hair pulled back in a unique gold clip while Boom was dressed in the uniform of a Jedi Knight just like Anakin Skywalker.
Commander Cruger looked at all of them gathered together before asking, "Where are Cadets Tate, Drew and Oliver?"
"Sky went to pick up Eric and Taylor's daughter, Melissa, and Brian's upstairs helping Syd last I checked," Z grinned. "They should be here soon."
The moment Z's words were heard by the others, they turned to the entrance of the gym, where Sky and his cousin stood. The young lady was dressed in a beautiful renaissance dress of blues and whites. What surprised the group though was Sky's costume.
Sky wore light blue tights, with black boots, a pair of dark blue shorts, a dark blue tunic over a white peasant shirt with a dark blue cape over that, and a silver crown tilted just so on his head that it made him look dangerous instead of dorky. At his side was a play sword, almost the same length as Commander Cruger's saber.
"I never thought I'd see the day when Sky Tate would be wearing tights that weren't part of his Ranger uniform," Jack shook his head.
"Funny, Jack, really funny," Sky grumbled, while Kat began giving the Rangers their assignments for the activities. "Z, have you seen Syd?"
"She hasn't come down yet," Z told him before turning to pay attention to Kat, who was telling her she was in charge of the costume contest.
"Holy shit!" Aaron's words echoed among the group gathered when Sydney and Brian arrived. The younger sibling was dressed in a white ninja uniform that was reminiscent of his actual uniform. The outfit was sans the traditional hood and mask, but Brian had a headband. He had also forgone the gloves, leaving his hands bare so he could grip things better.
However, it was Sydney's outfit that surprised them all. The Pink Ranger wore a two piece bikini in light pink with a fitted body suit of see through white gauze under it. The bottoms had strips of light pink, dark blue, and white gauze attached to it in layers. Each of the strips shimmered in the light because they were covered in silver sequins and glitter. On her back, two beautiful wings rested, each done in see through gauze with sequins and glitter decorating them. Her feet were adorned with lace up ballet shoes in the same light pink as the suit, and nestled in her bangs against her forehead, was a crystal and silver tiara that shot pink and blue fire when it caught the light. Her hair was partially pulled back into a ponytail and curled, while the rest of it hung down her back in golden waves and her face was decorated too look like a she wore a butterfly mask in soft pink and blue make up and glitter.
"Oh wow!" Ally grinned as Brian led his sister toward the group. None of the lower level cadets had shown up yet, so the team was taking their time soaking in Sydney's costume.
Most of the team turned to look at Sky, and saw that he was just as amazed by Syd's costume. "I take it she never showed it to you?" Alana teased, nudging the older Blue Ranger.
"Like I said, she got ready here, Z did her hair, I heard about the costume, just hadn't seen it," Sky rambled, his eyes locked on the woman he loved more than life itself. She looked like a fairy princess, looked every inch the princess she was meant to be. Their eyes had met halfway across the room, locked, and continued to say more than anyone could possibly say to either of them.
Sydney offered a serene smile when she and Brian stopped before the group. Brian said hello to everyone before moving over to stand next to Melissa, who was his date for the night. Syd remained where she was, quiet, her eyes on Sky and no one else. Bridge, Z and Jack grinned at each other, knowing their teammates were lost in each other – the beautiful fairy princess and her handsome human prince.
"You two look spectacular standing there together!" Kat grinned at them, finally breaking the silence.
"Thank you, Kat," Sydney smiled. "You all look wonderful yourselves."
The others grinned their thanks. "Well, here, comes everyone," Jack announced as cadets began to file into the gym.
"Sydney, you and Bridge are in charge of the midway games," Kat told her, watching her nod before turning to the White Ranger. "Brian, you're with Sky in the fun house." With that, Kat walked away to make sure the Dee Jay was ready.
"I'll meet you over there," Brian mumbled to Sky, before taking Melissa's hand and leaving the Pink and Blue Rangers alone in the middle of the dance floor.
"You look very handsome," Sydney whispered. She felt a little self-conscious with the way he was staring at her so intently.
Sky just continued to stare, his mouth moving before he realized what was coming out. "You take my breath away."
The Pink Ranger smiled at him before bringing her hands up to cup his face. Leaning forward, Sydney stood on tip toes and kissed him softly, hoping not to smudge makeup on him. "I love you."
Sky felt his heart soar at her words. It was moments like this, he thought, that made life worth living. "I love you too. Save a dance for me?"
Sydney's grin was impish. "Only one?" she teased. "I'm afraid you're the only one I want."
The Blue Ranger smiled down at her. "I can't argue with that. See you in a bit?"
"But of course. Maybe we can really have some fun in the fun house later," she wiggled her eye brows suggestively. Sky let one of his own arch up in question, a look Sydney had seen on him countless times before and it still made her laugh.
"Beautiful Princess, are you suggesting I take advantage of my position as keeper of the fun house and get naughty with you?"
Twinkling laughter ensued. "Maybe."
"I love how your dirty little mind works, Milady."
A second round of laughter was drown out as the music began to blare and Bridge's amused call over their link for Sydney to hurry startled them both. Another kiss was shared before they went their separate ways.
--
"Well?" a static-filled voice called out from a small device in her hand.
"I'm almost set," her voice ground out. "It's going to be utter chaos when I unleash my powers, so I want to be ready with the trap before hand."
--
Brian was just finishing a walk through the fun house when he heard Sky's call over their link. TROUBLE! The White Ranger ran the last couple of steps out of the fun house and found himself frozen in place.
Anna was floating about five feet off the ground, her black leather body suit hugging her curves even as redish-black power wavered around her. The mere sight caused Brian's stomach to roll as he realized just what was happening.
Bridge, Z, Jack and Sky were positioned below her on the gym floor in a circle, surprised at what was happening. Sydney, he noticed from the corner of his eye, was running from the midway games, her eyes flaming pink as she ran.
Oh Shit! Brian let float across their link, his comment bringing the others back to reality.
NOW! Syd ordered, her command followed without question.
"NINJA RANGER POWER!" the six called as one. The other cadets scattered back while the junior A Squad created a perimeter around their senior counterparts. Aaron's look held with each of them, warning them to only morph on his command.
"Anna, what the hell are you doing?" Sky barked, anger rolling off him in waves. "What exactly to you think you're gonna get?"
The woman in question merely smiled at the Blue Ninja. "A fight."
"Then you're gonna get one," Z growled. Jack shook his head at her while Bridge let his calmness seep into her.
"Destroying you, Elizabeth, would be a pleasure, but it'll be more fun to watch you suffer. Vampra wants the keys to the Morphin' Grid, and I want what was promised to me. So, Sydney, Brian, if you'll be so kind as to come with me, Lord Vampra would like to speak to you, and Sky, you'll be coming with me, Lover."
Sydney's blue eyes burst into pink flames that were visible even through her hood. "Like hell," Sydney muttered, bringing her hands together, power building around her.
Bri, I need your help, she shot at her brother, who merely gave a nod. "PHOENIX FIRE!" Sydney cried out loud, seconds before Brian's attack was announced.
"DRAGON'S ICE!"
A thick wall of ice went up between Sydney and Anna, and Brian and the others. "What the hell are you doing?" Sky hollered at Brian. "Syd needs our help!"
"I'm buying us some time!" Brian yelled back, before concentrating on keeping the wall of ice sustained. "You have attacks, use them!" Jack, Z, Bridge and Sky looked startled before they quickly dug down deep for the power that sang through their blood.
"TIGER'S ROAR!" Z's voice lifted, the familiar sound turning into a supersonic roar as it echoed away from her.
"PANDA QUAKE!" Bridge commanded, the gym suddenly rocking as if an earthquake had hit the building.
"PEGASUS WINDS!" Jack's voice came next, an unknown gust of the most powerful winds instantly whipping through the room, but they didn't effect any of the cadets or Rangers adversely.
"SPHINX FLARES!" Sky's voice was shaky as it came next, his worry for Sydney filtering through his attack, making the neon blue light that burst from his body take on a strobe-like effect.
The wall of ice that Brian had lifted disappeared in a foggy haze, revealing Anna hovering over Sydney's prone form. "SYDNEY!" Sky's voice seemed to rip from his throat with such force that the Blue Ninja choked on the rawness left behind.
"Syd!" Z chirped, her eyes wide even as a blast of pink colored flames shot up from Sydney's body, forcing Anna up and away from the Pink Ninja. Once the flames died down, Sydney struggled to her feet, her chest heaving and her energy just about depleted, leaving her helpless to what happened next.
Anna saw the momentary lapse in Sydney's defense and took advantage. "Vampra wants you, Phoenix, and will reward me well for you!"
"NO!"
Cornflower blue met navy blue as Syd's head shook back and forth in denial. Sky's eyes closed when pain coursed through him, Anna's power having slammed into him when he jumped between her and Syd. His back was on fire like it had been only once before, but he didn't pay it any attention. His only thought was that she was hurt. "Syd?"
Tears fell, forgotten. Blonde curls shook even as her head moved, her hood having disappeared. "No." Lips began to tremble. "No." Her chest heaved more with each breath. "SKY!"
"I've failed," Anna growled when the others began closing in on her, only to have her lips morph into a smirk. "Well, maybe not totally failed. Come, come, Schuyler, I have plans for you!"
Sky's eyes widened while Sydney pushed to her feet and started to cross the ten feet separating them. Their fingers barely touched when Sky's body disappeared. "Say goodbye, Sydney," Anna sneered.
"SKY!"
Those gathered watched as Anna and Sky disappeared, and then silently stared on as Sydney collapsed to her knees, the rest of her Ninja uniform flashing away to reveal a torn and tattered fairy costume. Z reached out for Jack's hand and was pulled into his arms for a tight while Bridge and Brian raced to Sydney's side, the two gathering the Pink Ranger into their arms, her scream echoing in the silent gym, breaking all their hearts. "SCHUYLER!"
--
The shrill ringing of the phone woke Wes from a dead sleep. Groaning, the former Red Ranger untangled himself from his wife and snatched the receiver off the nightstand. "Collins here."
"Wes."
Anubis' voice shot Wes right out of sleep and into full alert. "Anubis?"
"You need to come to New Tech. It's urgent."
"I'll be there in an hour."
"Of course."
Wes felt his throat clog before the line went dead. Something was wrong, terribly wrong, if Cruger was calling him to the Academy. "Honey?" Jen's sleepy voice questioned.
"Jen, get up and get dressed. Something's happened," Wes ordered, his voice taking on the rough, leader tone it had so often during their second stint as Rangers.
The former Pink Ranger struggled to sit up, her fear filled eyes going to her husband's. "Meet you downstairs in ten."
--
Katherine smiled when she opened the curtains in their hotel room and found Jason still sleeping soundly. Their late night flight to New Tech to surprise the Rangers for Halloween had left him a little more tired than normal. More often that not, she mused looking at the clock that read seven thirty, her husband had been up for at least two hours already.
The blonde haired former ballerina frowned when Jason's cell phone began to ring insistently. Shaking her head, she skirted around the bed and snatched up the device from the night stand. The caller ID screen read Doggie, making her heart jump into her throat.
"Hello?" she asked, answering the phone.
"Katherine."
"What's wrong Anubis?"
"You need to come to New Tech."
"We're already here, what's wrong?"
"Then you need to come to the Academy. It's urgent."
"We'll be there within the hour." Kat frowned when the phone started to beep, announcing the other end of the line was no longer in use.
"Who was it, Kat?" Jason's voice scared her from her thoughts.
With a hand on her chest, Kat glared at him. "Get up and get dressed. Something's going on."
Jason's dark eyes met his wife's brilliant blue ones, silent communication going on between them before both of them jumped up to get ready.
--
Dr. Felix shook his head after withdrawing the needle from Sydney's arm. After Bridge had carried her into the infirmary, it had been decided that she needed to be sedated. Even now, accommodations were being made to move Sydney to the house shared by the senior members of A Squad.
"How is she?" Anubis asked, entering the dimly lit room.
"She needs rest, and I'm recommending a leave of absence from duty for at least the next few days until we see how she reacts."
Anubis nodded. Kat had said pretty much the same thing not more than fifteen minutes before. "Of course. You'll be sure to check up on her?"
Dr. Felix nodded. "Cadets Delgado, Carson, and Landors have been informed that they are to keep a watchful eye on her until I arrive to check on her."
"Good."
"COMMANDER CRUGER TO THE COMMAND CENTER!" Kat's voice echoed through the base, seconds before Anubis turned and strode quickly from the infirmary.