Chapter 21: Traci's Birthday
Normal POV
Antonio is in his room hard at work fixing Traci's Vihuela. He takes a short break to let the paint dry underneath the fretboard where he painted Traci's name and got to work programming the clawzord. While the Rangers along with Traci's Aunt and Uncle, and Zachary, are making decorations for Traci's birthday tomorrow.
"Are you sure that we'll be able to pull this off," Kevin asks.
"I know we can, so what about the cake?" Jayden answers.
"I'd make it, but it's too hard without risking that Traci finds out what we're planning," Ptera says.
"I know she'd love to have one of your homemade cakes, but we'll have to order it from the bakery," John says.
"What kind of cake are we having?" Mike asks.
"Chocolate Strawberry Devil's' Food," Ptera answers.
"I want to make sure I didn't get Traci the same thing Y'all already gave her. What are Y'all giving her?" Zachary asks.
"Antonio is fixing her Vihuela. I got her a charm bracelet," Emily says.
"I got her and Itunes gift card," Mike answers.
"Kevin and I, put our money together and bought her an art set. Since she told us that she loved to draw and paint," Mia says.
"I took her locket to the jewelry store to have it fixed after a seagull mistook it for food," Jayden says.
"What did you get her son," John asks.
"I got the sheet music for one of the songs from one one her favorite movies when she was little- Lion King 2," Zachary answers.
Meanwhile, Traci is walking around the forest. She sits down on a rotten log a few feet in front of her to take a short break then looks up to the sky.
"Aunt Adrienne, I know that I'd be more in the mood to party if you still were here," Traci says.
She looks back down at her feet. Then hears a twig break like someone stepped on it. The silver ranger quickly stands up and activates the symbol for her sword to defend herself from whatever is approaching her. She gets ready to attack seeing Dayu walks up to her.
"What do you want Dayu?" Traci asks.
"I'm not here to fight you silver ranger. I'm sorry about what happened to your guitar," Dayu says.
"How did you know that those bullies broke my Vihuela? Were you spying on me?" Traci questions.
"Yes I was, and I sensed that your Vihuela meant as much to you as my Harmonium does to me," Dayu says.
"Do you just come here to rub it in my face that I should have tried harder to get the bullies to stop?" Traci asks.
"No, I thought you might want me to have one of Master Xandred's new nighlok pal can help you sneak your revenge on those bullies that hurt you," Dayu says.
Traci wanted the bullies to pay for the pain they caused her but was on the fence whether this was a good idea or not. Then her morpher goes off, and she sees Dayu heading back to the Netherworld through a gap.
"Consider my offer Silver Ranger," Dayu says.
Back in the city, Splitface, a Nighlok who steals spirits, attacks a business person and several other citizens taking their souls. Splitface quickly takes down Mike, Antonio, Mia, Jayden, Kevin. The Nighlok is about to take Emily's spirit Traci runs over to her and pushes her out of the way. Then takes Traci's spirit.
"Traci," Emily shouts.
Emily runs over to Traci. She sets down her sword and picks up Traci holding the silver ranger close to her to keep Traci safe.
"I wanted the yellow ranger's spirit, but she will do," Splitface says.
He mocks the other Rangers, and tells them that they only have twenty-four hours to defeat him or Traci and 54 other people, who he stole spirits from, will be asleep forever. Splitface then tells them he is going back to the Netherworld and is never coming back.
The next morning, Traci's Birthday, in her room. Emily spent the night looking after her. She dabs a damp cloth on her forehead. John walks in and offers to take over that way Emily could get some breakfast.
"Hang in there sweetheart, I know your friends will save you," John says kissing her on the forehead.
He sees her eyes flutter as he sits back down in the chair. He calls,"Everyone Traci is awake," The Rangers along with Ji runs into the room. John hands Traci a glass of water.
"Hey, everyone you don't have to pretend that I'm okay. I know I'm not," Traci says.
"Why did you take that hit for me," Emily asks.
Traci tries to answers Emily's question but slowly starts to fall back to sleep. The Rangers head back to where they first battle Splitface.
"I wish I knew why Traci let the nighlok take her spirit instead of mine," Emily says.
"We'll find out after we beat this nighlok," Jayden says.
"How the nighlok said it won' t leave the netherworld," Mia says.
Suddenly, Antonio appears saying he knows how to save Traci and everyone else. The Rangers use their symbol power to activate Claw Zord, and summon the Nighlok. Splitface can't use his special power, Body Swarm, because Antonio marked him. Antonio uses Claw Zord to defeat Splitface and return the spirits because without his plan they'd never be able to bring the nighlok out of the Netherworld.
The team walks through the front gate and see Traci standing on the front porch. She walks down the stairs just as Antonio runs up and gives her a big hug before picking her up and spinning her around.
"Traci, I'm glad that you're okay," Antonio says
'Me too," Traci says.
"Traci, why did you let the nighlok take you spirit in place of mine," Emily asks.
'I knew if your spirit got taken, Emily. We wouldn't have a megazord, and everyone would be in big trouble when the mega monster showed up," Traci answers.
After dinner, Traci walks down the hallway to the living room. She looks around and sees the "Happy Birthday Traci" banner on the wall to her right. Then her friends and family jump out and shout "Surprise, Happy Birthday" as they toss confetti into the air.
"I can't believe Y'all we able to do this so quick," Traci says.
Antonio walks over to her and says, "We did a lot of help from your family," Traci is trying not to cry because this is one of the nicest things anyone has ever done for her. They walk over to the table, and Traci sits down. Antonio cover her eyes so her Uncle could pick up the cake off the other table to put it in front of her.
"A birthday party isn't complete without a cake," Antonio says removing his hands.
Traci's eyes light up seeing her favorite cake in front of her. "Aunt Ptera did you make it?"
"Sorry, Darling, we got it from the bakery," Ptera answers.
"Come on Cuz, blow out the candles before it becomes inedible due to being covered in candle wax," Zachary chuckles before she closes her eyes takes a deep breath and blows out the candles. After everyone had some cake, Jayden hands Traci his present. She smiles after opening the small box and seeing what's inside.
"You got my locket fixed, thank you Jayden," Traci says putting back where it belongs around her neck.
"You're welcome," Jayden says.
Four presents and thank yous later, it was time for Antonio to give Traci his gift. He leaves and asks Zachary to cover Traci's eyes again. Antonio returns and sets the Vihuela case down in front of Traci. He nods and Zachary removes his hands.
"Antonio, did you do what I think you did?" Traci asks tearfully seeing the Vihuela case in front of her.
"Open the case and find out," Antonio answers.
Traci slowly puts her fingers on the latches and flips up the lid. Tears of joy stream down her face seeing her Vihuela. Now it has her name painted underneath the fretboard along with two roses painted on the top corners of the body. She takes it out after attaching the shoulder strap to it. Everyone sees a huge smile on her face as she starts to tune it.
"Antonio, it's beautiful, I don't know how to thank you," Traci says.
"Traci, those tears of joy and seeing you smile is reward enough for me," Antonio says.
"Antonio do you think we could sing a song?" Traci asks.
"Sure which song?" Antonio answers.
Traci stands up and walks over to where she and Antonio have enough room to perform. Antonio smiles hearing her starting to play "Love is an Open Door," Throughout the song the others smiles watching them dancing and listening to their voices blend perfectly when they sing the chorus. They clap when they finish Traci walks back over to the case to put her Vihuela away.
"So, cuz, are you and Antonio a couple or not?" Zachary asks.
Traci walks back over to Antonio and sets her head on his shoulder. Antonio puts his arm around Traci and pulls her closer to him.
"Yes, we are. I'm sorry everyone. I should have told Y'all sooner, but I wanted to make sure that nothing would go wrong," Traci says.
"I'm happy for you sweetheart," John says.
"Thanks, Uncle John, so what about you guys," Traci asks.
"I think you guys are a perfect couple, I'm all for it," Emily says.
"Same here," Mia adds.
Traci watches the boys and Ji nod confidently. Another big smile appears on her face before Antonio kisses her forehead.
Antonio fixed my vihuela, and everyone is okay with Antonio and me being a couple. I guess telling them about my birthday wasn't such a bad idea after all. Traci thinks.