Episode 30: Part 1
Cold wintry air blew through the streets of a run down city district that night. Amid the swirling snow and the whistling winds, a tall hooded figure in white robes passed down the dirty sidewalk of the slums like some sort of wraith. As the thin ghostly figure glided along past another boarded up building, he stopped as he found himself surrounded by four rough looking young men. The burly street thugs were dirty and wore mismatched clothes, all while carrying improvised weapons ranging from brass knuckles to lead pipes.
As the thugs circled the hooded figure like hungry wolves, the leader of the thugs tapped the pipe in his hands with a mocking smile, "Yo buddy... Halloween was two months ago. You ain't gonna find candy out here."
The other gang members laughed as the Pale hooded figure stood motionless. The leader sniffed again, "Hey! You stupid or something? I'm talkin' to you."
"I have nothing to say to a pack of filthy degenerates like you," the Pale figure replied in a level voice.
"Oh you're really askin' for it now," the gang leader growled gesturing to the others, "Let's whoop his ass."
Before the thugs could raise their weapons, the Pale figure known as the Horseman of Death let loose his dark aura that immediately staggered the gang. As each of the thugs felt their bodies suddenly grow very weak, Death sniffed in contempt and reached out with his bony fingers to touch one of the assailants.
In an instant, the thug's eyes rolled up in his head and he collapsed, falling motionless to the frozen street.
"Hey! What did you do to him? Who the hell are you?" the gang leader gasped in sudden terror as the other two thugs dropped to Death's touch. Without a word, the Pale Horseman turned to the last gang member and grabbed him violently by the throat.
Death watched as the leader of the thugs went limp and dropped to the ground with the others. Death looked at the bodies of the fallen gang members with disdain for a moment before calmly reaching down and picking up a handful of fallen snow. He contemplated it for a long moment before continuing on his way, disappearing into the dark swirling winter winds.
"Are you sure Professor? There's got to be something else in the records about the Trumpet," Joe pleaded over the phone as he paced around the empty central lounge of the ski lodge early that morning. "I mean, what was Auriel getting at? I kinda doubt that going around saying I love you to people or having some big group hug is going to cut it."
"I'm sorry Joe, but I promise you I'm still looking for any other hints that can help us," Bishop answered, "Listen, you said that you haven't had the dream since right around Christmas. Maybe that's all we're going to get."
"But Professor…"
"In the mean time, why don't you just relax and enjoy your little pre New Years ski trip with the others. I promise we'll get back to work on this after the holiday."
The Red Ranger raised an amused eyebrow, "Oh? You've got some interesting plans this year?"
"Maggie's parents are in town visiting and she wants to introduce me to them. I always dread those meet-the-parents scenarios."
"You've already helped us fight Cambion demons head on Professor," Joe laughed, "This should be a walk in the park. Good luck and Happy New Year."
As he hung up his phone and ambled near the fireplace, his five friends entered the warm comfortable lounge accented with dark wood and large glass windows.
"Hey, there you are. Are you gonna join us for breakfast or what?" Nick asked.
"Sorry. I was just talking to Professor Bishop," Joe nodded, "I was wondering if he made any progress on his research about Auriel's Trumpet. I was thinking it might come in handy if the last of the Horsemen shows his face."
The Pink Ranger sighed and flopped down on a cushioned lounge chair, "I know you're concerned about another attack, but come on. It's only been a couple weeks since the last battle. I doubt another Horseman is going to show up so soon, and around the holidays."
"Izzy's right," Danny added thoughtfully, "We could all use a little break. That's why we saved up some money and came here right? It's winter vacation, there's no school, and we're here for New Years Eve. Let's just enjoy ourselves and hit the slopes, starting today!"
Nearby, Kara gave a hesitant look, "Or we could just stay in here where it's nice and warm."
"What? Is Kara the fearless warrior actually afraid of something like skiing?" the Green Ranger teased.
"I am not afraid!" Kara said with a growl, "I just… it looks rather cold outside. Don't you think Claire?"
The White Ranger turned with a playful wink and led the others toward the lodge's dining area while singing a familiar song, "I don't care what they're going to say. Let the storm rage on. The cold never bothered me anyway…"
Later that day, Gabriel Bishop sat in a local upscale Italian restaurant called Bertolini's skimming through some recent news articles on his smart phone. He frowned slightly as he read about several strange reports of people falling into mysterious comas around the city. While all of them were being attributed to the winter weather, Bishop knew better than to trust the spin of the local news.
"Gabe, please tell me you aren't working again," Dr. Maggie Feldman said putting her hand over his and lowering the phone. "We're here to just have fun tonight and meet my folks, remember?"
Bishop stopped and clasped her hand, giving an apologetic smile toward the woman sitting next to him: his old classmate, longtime friend and colleague, and until recently, girlfriend.
"I'm sorry Maggie. I was just reading the news. It sounded a little strange and I couldn't help but wonder if it was maybe related to the recent monster attacks on the city."
Maggie raised an eyebrow, "You know we do have a local team of Power Rangers to deal with those sorts of things."
"I know," Bishop said trying to sound indifferent, "I just wish sometimes that there was something more we citizens could do to help them."
"Well there's no need to try and risk yourself any more than you need to," she said leaning over to gently kiss his cheek, "You're already my hero for saving my life."
At that moment, Maggie's parents entered the dining area and Bishop rose to his feet. Giving another glance to the graying skies outside, he took a deep breath, "Ok. Here goes nothing."
A cloud of powdery snow sprayed up in the air as Danny cut around the final turn and headed for the bottom of the ski hill. Taking a quick glance behind him, he saw Izzy and Joe on their snowboards racing close behind trying to catch him. When they neared, the Blue Ranger turned made an abrupt maneuver to kick up another cloud of snow behind him. As expected, the spray momentarily blinded the Red and Pink Rangers causing them both to wipe out at the end. Danny grinned and triumphantly slid across the finish line.
Upon reaching the end, he saw Nick and Claire helping guide Kara along on her own pair or skis. Giving a smile he asked, "How's the trainee coming along?"
"She's got the basics," Nick sighed, "Now we just have to convince her to let go of us."
"I fail to see the reason I should risk breaking my leg on the slopes," the Gold Ranger replied primly.
Claire simply rolled her eyes and smiled while Joe and Izzy finally caught up, still covered in snow. "Looks like you two owe Danny the first two rounds of hot chocolate back at the lodge."
"How about a rematch? Double or nothing?" the Red Ranger said sticking his tongue out and tossing a handful of snow at Danny.
"I don't know, it's starting to get a little cloudy. Don't you think?" Izzy asked looking to the gathering clouds in the sky.
Just then, Danny's phone began to vibrate and he looked to the caller ID, "Uh oh guys. Looks like Bishop. Whatever it is, it can't be good."
Meanwhile, midway through the meal, Mr. Feldman turned to Bishop and gave him a curious look, "So Gabe, Maggie tells us that you've been very busy lately with some sort of secret research project. I'm actually a bit of an ancient History buff myself and was a little curious if maybe you could share any tidbits of your findings… between two enthusiasts of course."
"Oh… well…" Bishop floundered toward the older man, "It ah… involves some studies about some new tribe that may have come before the ancient Greeks and Romans. There's a lot of archaeology and linguistics involved so I won't bore you with all the technical details."
"Really?" Maggie asked curiously, "I actually think that sounds interesting."
Bishop forced a smile and waved it off as a waiter came by to refill his water glass, "Oh, trust me… it would bore you to death."
As he spoke those words, Bishop glanced up at the waiter and saw the young man stagger for a moment and nearly drop his water pitcher. At the edge of the room, he could also hear several plates and pieces of silverware drop to the floor.
"What's going on here?" Mrs. Feldman asked with wide eyes before the door burst open and a tall hooded figure in Pale robes entered.
From where he sat, Bishop could feel the cold air rush in from outside as well as a tingling feeling in his muscles. Strangely, he began to relax and feel sluggish. Near the front of the restaurant, several staff people tried to jump in the way of the intruder and grab him, but as they did, they collapsed limply to the floor.
The Horseman of Death strode further into the dining area as people began slumping in their seats, weakened by the monster's sinister aura, but not before Bishop sent an emergency message to his Rangers. Everyone watched as the gaunt hooded monster gazed around the restaurant until he settled on Bishop's table. Gliding over, he raised a bony finger toward the professor and said, "You. You are coming with me."
"The hell I am," Bishop retorted, "Who are you? What do you want with me?"
Death loomed over him angrily, "Do not try my patience human. It is not wise to try and avoid the Horseman of Death. Now come with me."
"Did he just say, Death?" Maggie gasped in terror.
The Professor ignored her and glanced around the startled room before turning to stare down the Horseman. "If I come quietly, you won't harm any of these people?"
The Pale Horseman growled before giving a slight nod, "For now anyway."
Bishop rose up and began to follow Death when Maggie jumped from the table and tried to get in the way, "Gabriel! What are you doing? Don't go with him!"
Before he could react, Death reached out and caught her arm to restrain her, then let go as the Botany professor toppled to the ground in a heap.
"Maggie!" Bishop cried in alarm as he fell to her side and cradled her limp form. This couldn't be happening. It was like losing his old fiancee Julia all over again. He wouldn't go through this. To his relief, he felt a faint pulse and detected shallow breathing coming from his girlfriend. Like the other victims, she was only in a deep coma.
Mr. and Mrs. Feldman were beside themselves in shock and horror as Death spoke again, "We waste time here."
Bishop brushed a strand of Maggie's red hair away and kissed her forehead before looking up defiantly, "You know what? I changed my mind. You'll have to take me too."
Before Death could reach down and curse Bishop as well, he glanced out the window and saw six winged Power Rangers descend outside, standing ready to confront him. The Horseman gave an amused sneer and phased through the restaurant window to meet the morphed heroes out in the open. As he did, he summoned a large fearsome looking scythe.
"Rangers… I've been looking for you. Now that you're here, I have no use for your teacher."
"What have you done to Professor Bishop?" Kara snarled protectively.
"Nothing," Death answered, reaching for his hood "But I have seen how important he is to all of you. I have seen into the future to witness many other things… including your inevitable doom."
The Pale being removed his hood to reveal a gaunt sallow skinned head of a withered man with no eyes.
"That's so gross!" Izzy muttered as the Horseman cackled.
"I'm going to go out on a limb here and guess that you're the Horseman of Death," Nick called out cracking his knuckles.
The Pale Rider snorted, "How surprising. You aren't as stupid as you look child."
Kara cut him off before he could continue, "What do you want here Death? Your three brothers tried to ruin this city and they've all been destroyed."
Death began to laugh in amusement, "My brothers were all short sighted fools… too preoccupied with temporal short lived suffering for this city. But death… that is inevitable and comes to all. No matter how long it takes, nothing will ever change that."
"Maybe so Horseman," the Red Ranger answered drawing his sword, "But we're going to fight it as long as we possibly can. Everyone, let's put the last of these guys away."
The other Rangers drew their Astral Armament and charged in to aid their teacher inside the restaurant.
"Foolish Rangers, you're playing right into my plan," Death laughed aloud as Nick and Kara charged in first with their weapons raised. The Horseman gave two great swings of his scythe and the two Rangers raised their guards just in time to block the strikes. Still, the force of the blows swept them both aside and they tumbled away.
As they did, Danny, Izzy, and Claire all drew their Keyrunes and called forth their elements into a combination attack. As streams of water burst from the Blue Ranger's artifact, Claire waved her Keyrune and froze them solid into large jagged icicles. Before the frozen bolts could hit the ground, the Pink Ranger called up a powerful gale of wind to hurl the icy projectiles directly at Death.
Everyone stared in shock as the Horseman freely accepted the deadly barrage, letting several of the spikes impale him. While the Horseman gripped an icicle and pulled it out of his chest, the Red Ranger charged in and harried Death with a flurry of fiery slashes and thrusts of his saber.
Giving a grunt, the Horseman blocked the Ranger's sword blows and locked weapons again, before Joe changed his grip and turned both weapons aside, allowing for a gap in his enemy's guard. Immediately, the Blue, White and Pink Rangers attacked together with their piercing weapons, but stopped as they were hit by Death's fearsome aura.
All the Rangers staggered for a moment, before Death brought his scythe around in a circular reaping swing, striking all four of them and sweeping them aside. As they fell to the ground in a stunned heap, the debilitating energy behind the Horseman's attack caused them to demorph as well.
Seeing the battle suddenly turn around, Nick gestured to the Gold Ranger, "Come on! We've gotta help the others!"
Just as the two remaining Rangers moved to counterattack, the Pale Rider summoned his demonic steed which swept down from the skies in a flash and plowed into them. Death watched impassively as Nick and Kara rolled to the ground momentarily stunned. Turning his head, the Horseman strode over to where Claire lay on the ground. "You are the one I ultimately came for."
With surprising strength, the Horseman scooped her up and placed her on his steed before mounting the horse himself. As the other Rangers came to their senses, they looked up and saw the still unconscious White Ranger propped up on Death's steed. Giving a sneer to them, Death pointed to one of the tallest mountains in the near distant horizon, "You've done your part now Rangers. Whether you chose to meet your ends by waiting here or trying to stop me, it makes no difference."
At that moment, Joe gave a furious growl and staggered to his feet as the Horseman took off into the sky with his hostage. Grabbing his blazing Keyrune, the Red Ranger hurled several searing bolts of fire into the air after the Pale Rider.
"Death! Get back here!" he roared, "Stand and fight me you bastard! Do you hear me?"
He suddenly felt two strong pairs of arms grab him from behind and restrain him as Nick and Danny moved to halt their enraged leader.
"Hey! Easy does it man!" Nick said, "Slow down and think for a minute."
"Let me go! We have to help Claire!" Joe growled, thrashing again before Danny tightened his grip.
"We will, but Death already played us once today. If we walk right into his hands again, we might all get killed."
Kara narrowed her gaze toward the distant mountain with a grim frown, "Danny is right. We still have a little time to regroup and plan a new strategy. Death would not have taken Claire hostage unless she would be of some use to him. At the very least, we know where he will be"
The Red Ranger relaxed and exhaled deeply before giving a small nod, "Ok… ok… where is Bishop? We make sure he's safe first... then we bring Claire home."