AUTHOR'S NOTE: For a better understanding of the people involved with Rob, his true history, and Reyzzo's backstory, read Arcana, which is chapter twenty-three of Tales from the Rebellion. That history comes into play in this chapter but will be explained for those who haven't read Arcana.

CHAPTER FORTY-FIVE
JEZZEFF
He had not foreseen the intervention of the teenager. Jezzeff didn't know who the mysterious Yellow Ranger was, but she was definitely not Liza Campbell. Whoever she was, she'd saved Trini, and now, Jezzeff had to improvise.

He nearly collapsed as he landed in front of Reyzzo. "Reyzzo, I require more energy," he said.

"You have to learn to feed properly, Jezzeff," Reyzzo said. "I can only sustain you for so long. Remember, I need my energy just as much as you do."

"If you had managed to undo Zell's spell, that would not be a problem."

"I've tried everything. Zell was thorough. It's going to take more than an incubus to get your anatomy working properly again."

"I need to go into the past, where this is not yet an issue. If I can connect to my past self and absorb that energy, I should be able to reverse it. Until then, however..."

Reyzzo sighed. "Alright, come here." He grabbed Jezzeff and kissed him.

Jezzeff reacted to the incredibly powerful incubus and allowed his energy to flow into him. Reyzzo tried to pull away once Jezzeff was stable, but Jezzeff wanted more power. He ripped as much energy as he could away from Reyzzo, barely leaving him conscious before he finally released him.

"Go fix yourself," Jezzeff said dismissively. "I have work to do."

"Jezz, I can't... You took too much. I can barely think straight enough to form words," Reyzzo replied weakly.

"You'll survive, my friend. You always do. Go on. I'm sure you'll find someone nearby. I have to finish what I started." He left, knowing Reyzzo would find a way to feed. After all, he couldn't control himself.

Jezzeff went and found Sezzon, Bailey, and Reid. "I require your assistance, my friends. I need to collect the Kwan powers. My last attempt was thwarted by an unknown girl. I must ensure this does not happen again," he said.

"That was Minh Kwan," Sezzon provided helpfully. "She is Trini's daughter in another realm, one where Rita killed Trini. She tagged along with Elliot when he returned to our realm."

"Why didn't you warn me about her sooner?" Jezzeff demanded.

"She hasn't been here for long. I have not seen you since her arrival."

Jezzeff frowned, but he could hardly argue with Sezzon's point. "I have another Kwan in mind now."

"One of her daughters?" Reid guessed. "Are we going to South Korea?"

"No. There is another Kwan right here in Angel Grove. Come. And when I approach her, you three must guard against any interference."

"Of course, Jezzeff," Bailey replied.

"One more thing, Bailey. I see you have earned Trevor's trust. Kindly dispose of him for me. With Alex gone, I have no need of the boy."

Bailey hesitated. "He could be of use to you, Jezzeff. The boy has power."

"Nothing rare enough to interest me. He is young, frightened, and reluctant to help us. He will turn on us."

"Your loyalty spell prevents his betrayal."

"I can't take the risk. Are you refusing my order? I could just give the boy to Jonah."

Bailey was visibly conflicted. Reid put a hand on his shoulder. "Forgive him, Jezzeff. Bailey has a bit of a soft spot for kids. I'll put the boy down."

"I understand. Not everyone is strong enough to do anything for power. I will allow this one limit, Bailey. Killing children clearly isn't your strong suit," Jezzeff replied. "Thank you, Reid. After I gain the Kwan power, eliminate the boy."

"I've got this."

There was no further discussion as Jezzeff led them to his target. Sezzon, Bailey, and Reid scattered to cover more ground. Jezzeff saw her sitting in her garden, oblivious to the threat she faced.

He was struck by a flash of a vision as he got closer. A little girl stood with a clown calling itself Pineapple, and suddenly, she turned into a cardboard figure.

She was all grown up now, but she was definitely the same person.

This is not the first time her cousin's world has touched her life, Jezzeff realized. However, it will be the last.

"Hello, Sylvia," he greeted her charmingly.

Sylvia smiled at him. "I'm sorry... Have we met?" She asked.

"Sadly, no. Forgive me, my dear. This truly isn't personal." With that, he plunged his dagger into her chest. He made it quick, too hungry for power to draw it out. Sylvia could do little more than gasp and look at him with confusion in her eyes as he stole her life force and gained the powers of the Kwan line.

DEX
Things were a bit chaotic, and he was certain everything was about to change. Eris was no longer running a terrorist organization. The split had certainly caused trouble, but Dex figured it was for the best. Now he didn't have to worry about being ordered to kill any innocents.

He sat with Missy on the beach. She was wearing a very revealing red bikini he couldn't help but appreciate. The succubus certainly made for interesting company, and he was relieved she's followed his lead and remained loyal to Eris. In the hands of the wrong people, Missy could be extremely dangerous.

"Dexter, we need to talk," Heather said as she came toward him.

"No offense, Heather, but even when we were allies I didn't like you. Why should I talk to you now?" He replied.

"Look, Mezdan and Zaelah are not the leaders we need."

"No shit."

"I want you and Missy to come with me to the Guild. With your skills, Jezzeff would let you join in a heartbeat, and he needs a succubus."

"You want to join the Guild? You're supposed to be smart, Heather."

"Jezzeff is gaining more power every day, and the Witch is an Intangible. They can't be defeated. That's the winning team."

"Wow. I think your blonde hair finally turned you stupid."

"Missy, Jezzeff could protect you. He's an incubus now. He will be able to help you learn to control your abilities," Heather said.

Missy hesitated. "Do you really trust him, Heather?" She asked.

"I know he betrays his allies, but only once they are no longer of use to him. A succubus would always be useful. Besides, don't you want to know where you come from?"

"No one knows that. I was abandoned at birth. Mayor Freyst found me outside of the Counsel Building and brought me to an orphanage."

"I know who your parents were, Missy. Your mom died in childbirth. Her husband realized you weren't his child, so he abandoned you. Your father is Maegus of Eltar."

Dex's eyes widened in surprise. He'd never suspected that, but he could feel it in Missy's energy now that he was looking for it. He knew Heather was right.

"Maegus isn't an incubus," Missy protested.

"Correction. Maegus wasn't an incubus. His father was turned into one by the very first incubus before Maegus was conceived. It was dormant in Maegus, most likely suppressed by his incredible powers as a wizard. Last year, it was intentionally awakened when he learned the truth about his father, but he and his friends have told no one. I think Aphell and Freyst awakened it in you when they sensed it when you were a child."

"They used me as a toy... They told me they had to sell me to keep me alive," Missy said. "Everyone uses me."

"Jezzeff wouldn't. He'd see your value. And Reyzzo could teach you to get stronger."

"Missy, don't fall for this," Dex said firmly.

"I just..." Missy began. "I want to learn to control it, Dex. I've never had anyone to teach me. The Huntress and T'Dania are great, but neither is a succubus. Jezzeff has one of Bartello's sons on his side. If he can't teach me, who can?"

"Missy, you know Jezzeff would only use you. You'd be nothing but a toy or a weapon."

"I'm basically that now."

"No you're not. You know the Huntress and T'Dania respect you. They try to keep you safe. They saw your potential, Missy, just like I do."

Her eyes were incredibly vulnerable. Dex was the only one who really got to see the side of her that wasn't a powerful seductress. "I just want to be something more, Dex," she said.

"Then stick with me, because as far as I'm concerned, you already are more."

Missy brightened. "Sorry, Heather," she said. "Dex is right. You picked the wrong side."

"Oh, I'm sorry. Did you think it was a request?" Heather asked. "You're coming with us, Missy."

"Us?" Dex repeated.

Several of the defectors stepped out of a portal then. Malorah immediately sent a fire attack at Dex.

"Dex!" Missy screamed. She dove in front of him, knocking him to the ground.

Dex took a moment to recover. He realized Missy was injured. The flesh on her bare stomach was burned.

"Missy... Missy, stay with me," he begged her. He kissed her deeply, pouring as much magic into her as he could until he had to deflect another attack.

He conjured a shield that would have made the Knights of the Round Table jealous and placed it in Missy's hands. "Try to block their attacks," he said.

"Dex, be careful," she replied weakly.

He started fighting back, using as many of his party tricks as he could. He was very good at what he did, but he was also severely outnumbered. He couldn't keep this up forever, but no matter what, he knew he couldn't let them get their hands on Missy. Especially not if she was actually a daughter of Maegus.

Just as he was certain he was screwed, a Red Ranger appeared. Charleigh, he realized. We meet again.

"Haven't you guys ever heard of fair odds?" Charleigh asked. She started battling against the defectors. It didn't seem to intimidate her that there were so many of them. She took them each down with precision and skill, playing them against each other when she could so they'd take each other out.

"Power up, Miss," Dex said to Missy. He kissed her again, letting her absorb as much of his magic as she needed to in order to finish healing. After making out with her for a minute, he pulled away. "Are you okay?" He asked.

"Okay enough for this," Missy replied. "I'll need to feed properly after."

"Alright, come on. Let's help our rescuer."

Dex and Missy joined the fight again. Dex found himself battling at Charleigh's side. Missy grabbed one of the male defectors and kissed him. She shoved him against a tree, groping him and grinding against him as she stole his life force. He couldn't even attempt to protest. Missy soon tossed his lifeless corpse to the ground.

"Hi Boys," she said flirtatiously. "Would anyone else like a kiss?"

A few idiots with no resistance to succubi walked up to her. Dex focused on the fight. Charleigh took a bad hit to her chest that knocked her out of her morph and straight into a tree. She groaned in pain. Her head was bleeding.

"Charleigh!" Dex cried. He killed the guy who'd hurt her before offering her his hand. "Are you okay?"

"Just sore," Charleigh replied. "Come on. We have to keep fighting."

He couldn't help but respect her determination. "Let me heal you," he said gently. He did a quick spell that closed her wound before he gently wiped the blood from her head.

"Thanks," she said in surprise.

He smiled at her before saying, "Let's go kick some more ass."

The battle continued. Dex watched Charleigh move. Her skill was undeniable, and she was clever. Her reflexes were impressive, and she was holding her own very well. He noticed the way her eyes were full of determination but also something more.

She's incredible, he thought. And she's really pretty...

He almost got hit by an attack while he was distracted, but Charleigh kicked the guy in the head, saving him. He couldn't help but take a moment to smile at her before he forced himself to focus on the battle.

Missy soon started using her excess energy to cast some impressive attack spells. After several minutes of the three of them battling together, the defectors fled.

"We win," Missy said cheerfully.

"They'll be back," Dex replied. "Heather's sadistic and has a one-track mind once she gets an idea in her head." He turned to Charleigh. "Thanks for saving our butts, Beautiful," he said.

She ignored the compliment. "Thanks for healing me," she replied. "Are you both okay?"

"We're fine," Missy replied.

"Then I need to go. Stay safe." Charleigh walked away.

"You should have gotten her number," Missy teased Dex.

"What?" He replied.

"I don't have to be a succubus to know you have the hots for the Power Ranger. You should ask her out."

"You know what? Maybe I will," Dex replied with a laugh. "She's just... I don't know, Miss. She's different."

"You're really into her. I've never seen you like this."

"I guess I am."

"Good for you, Dex. I say go for it. She's cute."

He smiled. "She certainly is," he agreed. "Come on, Missy. I think it's time to end our beach day."

THORN
Caleb had warned him his aunt was back, and he'd explained it wasn't the same Kat they knew. Thorn told himself he was prepared, but when he saw her coming out of the Command Center with Zell, Anise, and Aiyana as he, Sage, and Caleb walked by, it triggered a reaction inside of him that he hadn't expected.

Instant rage filled his entire being. He moved in front of his twin and his boyfriend protectively. Vines suddenly burst from the ground and knocked Kat backward into the building. They wrapped around her, their sharp thorns drawing blood.

Aiyana immediately raced to Kat's side and began to heal her. Zell hurried to help. Anise created a shield to block any other attacks. A storm began brewing above their heads.

"Thorn, breathe," Sage said soothingly.

"Zell brought a storm," Thorn mumbled.

"No, Thorn," Caleb said softly. "I don't think this is Zell."

"What else could it be? The sky was clear ten seconds ago."

"It's you, Thorn."

"What? Don't be ridiculous. I don't have magic... Not real magic anyway. Just Power Ranger stuff and really minor, basic magic that lets me help Sage."

"Honey, you just knocked Kat into a wall with earth magic," Caleb pointed out.

"I..." He realized Caleb was right. "Oh my God. What's happening to me?"

"It's okay, Thorn," Sage said. "We'll figure this out."

"I have to get out of here... I need to think..." He began rambling. It started pouring rain. Lightning was soon striking all around them.

"Thorn, you have to calm down. The storm is getting worse," Sage said.

Zell looked toward them with concern before he tried to take control of the storm. It slowed down but didn't fully vanish.

Someone wrapped their arms around Thorn from behind. He started to calm down as her energy flowed through him, easing his rage.

"It's okay, Thorn," Sakura said soothingly. "Let it out. Release what you've been holding in. I'll help you."

He nodded, trembling as he felt all of the pain as though it were fresh. He remembered holding Caleb, powerless to save him as he died. He remembered losing his mother. He remembered his nervous breakdown, when he refused to speak at all and didn't eat unless Caleb forced him to.  He remembered killing Katie to save Kenny. Everything he'd tried not to think about since he started functioning again hit him. He let it out until, finally, he was calm.

Sakura gently wiped the tears from his eyes. "It's going to be okay, Thorn," she told him. "The magic that was meant to be yours is finally unlocked. I'll help you learn how to control it."

"Thank you," he replied softly.

"Are you okay?" Caleb asked.

"Yeah," Thorn replied. "I'm sorry if I scared you."

"I'm not afraid of you, Thorn. And I never will be." Caleb kissed him gently.

Sakura glared at Zell. He sighed. "Sakura... Please allow me to formally apologize for-" He began.

"Kidnapping me, using my magic to erase everyone's memories of me when I was a newborn, hiding me in Japan, killing my adopted parents, and ultimately sending an evil Shaman to kill me?" She cut him off.

He looked ashamed. "Yes, my dear. All of that."

"Apology not accepted. I know you've changed, and I know you're doing the right thing now, but that doesn't mean I have to ease your guilt by accepting your apology. You can't change the past with pretty words. The only reason I'm not using my Bankai on you is because I've gained enough perspective to understand that you are not the same Zell that did those things. I can be professional. Behave and we won't have an issue. Cross me and you will regret it."

"I understand," he replied.

She nodded before motioning toward Kat, who was trembling but no longer bleeding. "Is she alright?" She asked.

"She's healed," Aiyana replied. "She's just in a bit of shock."

"Are you okay, Thorn?" Anise asked.

"I don't know," he admitted.

"Well, I'm going to get Kat, Dad, and Aiyana out of here. You just take your time and process things, okay?" She put a gentle hand on his shoulder to comfort him. He nodded.

When the four of them left, Sakura sighed and turned toward Caleb. "Would you mind if...?" She began.

"Say no more," Caleb replied. "I'll see you later." He kissed Thorn and left.

Sakura turned toward Sage. "I don't like you," she said.

"I know," Sage replied. "I don't like the person I was when we met either. I lost it for a while, and I started acting more like Katie than myself, and it got you killed. I can't take it back, Sakura, but I regret it deeply."

"Would you guys please explain what happened?" Thorn asked. "I still don't fully understand why you two don't get along."

"Do you remember when some of the members of the Tribe wanted me executed because my power levels supposedly made me too dangerous and Amos had to appeal on my behalf? Back when the Stone Warriors were barely baby Rangers?" Sage asked.

"Of course I do. That's sort of hard to forget."

"I went to Japan for a couple of weeks. I don't really know why... I felt compelled to hide there, maybe because it's what Katie would have done and I was sick of being responsible. I met these guys who were just so goofy and kind and not connected to all of our stress, and I latched onto them... Especially Mori."

"Mori was one of my best friends," Sakura clarified. "I was really close to all of the guys, but Mori and I were the same age, and we'd been in the same class for our whole lives."

"Mori and I got involved," Sage continued. "We started dating, which I know is crazy since I barely knew him, but all of my pain just kind of vanished around him. He had no expectations. There was no pressure. He just accepted me and took care of me, and it was nice not to have to be the one saving everyone else for once."

"I knew Mori was really falling for her, but I sensed the darkness watching her. I didn't understand it, but I knew if she stayed, her problems would find my friends, so I told her to leave," Sakura said. "I actually threatened her and warned her to stay away from my friends before she got them killed."

"We had a huge fight," Sage continued. "I didn't want to leave... It wasn't until I realized Zell was about to follow me that I knew she was right. After another fight, I left."

"Mori blamed me," Sakura said. "He got so angry... Mori and I had never fought before. He refused to talk to me, although Mori barely talks anyway... He'd get along with Chad and Freddy... But he talked to me... And all of a sudden, he stopped. Within days, Zell had me murdered. I died with my best friend mad at me. We didn't get to fix things."

"Sakura, I never meant for that to happen," Sage said. "I was stuck in a downward spiral and I ruined everything. I hate that you were killed because of me, and I hate that Mori got hurt." She had tears in her eyes.

Sakura frowned. "I want to call bullshit, but I can feel you're being genuine. You fucked up my life, Sage, and for a long time, I blamed you for everything, but a lot of this is on Zell. I thought he only came after me because you and I were reunited and he was terrified of us learning we were triplets and joining together to stand against him. That was part of it, and I told myself I would have been safe if you hadn't come to Japan, but I realize now that isn't true. I was never safe... But my friends were, and you put them in danger."

"I know... And I'm sorry. I really loved them, but I was being selfish and I risked their safety just so I could find some relief from my issues. I should have listened to you, Sakura. I'm just relieved none of them ended up dying because of me."

Sakura sighed. "Now that I'm a Power Ranger, I realize I was always meant to end up involved in all of this. Zell killed me because you and I met, which was a mistake on his part. He didn't know Ichigo, Toshiro, and I had become friends, or that I would become a Soul Reaper when I died. He had no idea that dying would also activate my Shaman powers. By killing me, Zell actually made me the very thing he was so afraid I'd become. This was my destiny... But that doesn't make it easier to deal with. I don't know that we'll ever be friends, Sage, but we can't be enemies. We're on the same side of this battle and, like it or not, we are triplets. With Thorn unlocking his magic, we need to learn to work together as a unit. So let's consider ourselves reluctant coworkers. I will be civilized when we have to work together. You will only come around me when it's related to Ranger business or magic. Can you do that?"

Sage nodded. "That's fair," she agreed.

"Good. Now let's figure out exactly what Thorn is capable of." She turned toward him. "The training wheels are off, Thorn. Are you ready to embrace your magic?"

"Honestly, that was always Sage and Mom's thing," Thorn replied. "I never thought I was special enough to be worthy of magic like this."

"You're more worthy than I am," Sage replied. "You have such a pure heart, Thorn. There is no one I'd trust more with great power."

"Now that, we agree on," Sakura added.

Thorn actually laughed. "Am I going to be what finally unites you two?" He asked.

"That would take a miracle," Sakura replied, "but you've united us in our purpose at least. Now, come on... Let's stretch those magical muscles and see what you're capable of."

DARCY
Something felt incredibly wrong as she and Pierce stood in the park sparring. Pierce seemed to sense it, too, as he tensed beside her.

"Darce... I think we're in trouble," Pierce said.

Darcy assumed a fighting stance. "Keep acting like we don't notice," she said softly. "Let them think they can surprise us."

"Got it." Pierce started sparring with her again. They were both extremely skilled in Martial Arts and sparring was like a familiar dance. Darcy loved every second of it.

She was ready when the spell shot through the air. Darcy easily deflected the attack while Pierce sent a blast of water in the direction it had come from.

A bomb was launched at them. Pierce knocked Darcy to the ground and covered her with his body. As it exploded, Darcy pulled the fire out of it and Pierce deflected the shrapnel with a thick blast of water.

"You okay?" Pierce asked.

"Yeah," Darcy replied. "You?"

"I'm alright. Come on." He stood up and helped her to her feet.

"Hello, Serafine," a voice hissed.

"I'm sorry. Have we met?" Darcy asked the man standing in front of her.

"I am Mezdan, of Eltar, leader of the new Coalition."

"New Coalition? What happened to the old one?" She asked.

"The Huntress is no longer interested in our ideals. We have parted ways."

That was an interesting development. The last Darcy had heard, the Huntress was loving her homicidal ways.

"And now, Serafine, I will put an end to you and seal my legacy!" Mezdan declared.

"Yeah. Good luck with that," Darcy replied. She shot a fireball at him, burning his shoulder. He cried out in pain before sending a magical attack of his own at her.

Pierce jumped in front of her, deflecting part of the attack, but it still knocked him down hard. He couldn't get back up and Darcy knew Mezdan had hit Pierce's vulnerable spot, the same one Logan had targeted as Neptune. It was an old injury of his that took him out of a fight if it was hit too hard.

Unsurprisingly, Mezdan took a cheap shot, attacking Darcy as she checked on Pierce. What did surprise her was the sound of bullets ringing out.

Rob stood over Mezdan, still firing into his head even as his body stopped moving. "Dude, I think he's dead," Pierce groaned out.

"Just making sure," Rob replied with a casual shrug. "You alright, Darcy?"

"I'm fine," Darcy replied as she helped Pierce sit up.

Suddenly, several more Coalition members showed up. They attacked, most of them with physical force. Rob started shooting anything that moved, killing their attackers without hesitating.

As one tried to send a death spell at Rob, something odd happened. One of the Coalition members started gunning down her supposed allies, starting with the one targeting Rob.

As Pierce finally found the strength to stand, he moved to Darcy's side so they could work together. They left the mysterious woman alone. Her aim was impressive, and she was giving Rob a run for his money as far as who could outshoot whom. Watching them was almost like watching a movie. They complimented each other perfectly.

Once everyone was dead or had fled, Rob turned to the woman. "Who are you?" He demanded.

She removed the hood of her cloak. Long strawberry blonde hair spilled out over her shoulders. She grinned at him mischievously and said, "Hi, Father."

Rob stared at her for a moment as Pierce repeated, "Father?"

"Li-Li?" Rob asked softly.

"Surprise," she said with a smirk.

"But... I thought... I thought Zell killed you! I know he had Trex killed, and he killed Leffy directly... When I realized I couldn't feel you or Russ anymore, I assumed he killed all of my kids." He paused. "Is Russ...?"

"Russ died when I was sixteen," she said sadly. "He was a member of the Eltarian Guard, and he was killed by some of the last surviving members of the original Coalition... He died protecting Hanry's son, Ryce. Ironically, Zell tried to save his life, but there was nothing that could be done." She sighed. "I always knew Russ would perish heroically."

Rob's face became unreadable, but Darcy could feel his grief. She desperately felt the need to comfort him.

"Rob... What's going on?" Darcy asked gently.

"Lianna is Ignatius's daughter... She is his youngest child and only girl," Rob replied. "He loved all of his kids, but Li-Li was his little princess."

"Looks like your princess grew up to be a badass," Pierce said.

"Thanks," Lianna replied with a grin.

"Lianna, what happened to you?" Rob asked.

"After we lost Leffy, Russ had to take over raising me. We were both still pretty young. Trex and Leffy sheltered me, but Russ finally let me train as a warrior. He knew I needed to learn to keep myself safe. And, as it turned out, I'm pretty good at this stuff. I guess I'm more like you than you realized, Father."

"Did you join the Coalition to get revenge for what happened to your brother?" Pierce asked.

"The last of the Coalition was supposedly wiped out by Zell not long after Russ perished. I realized they were back and meeting in secret shortly after Zell was killed by Zordon, so I started hunting them, learning everything I could about them and training so I'd be able to put a stop to them one day. I started putting them down a few millennia ago, little by little. My father kept us hidden from everyone. I don't legally exist because there's no record of my birth, so I'm pretty hard to track. The Huntress finally realized what I was up to about three centuries ago, but she was impressed with my skills and my courage, so she recruited me instead of killing me. I figured it would be easier to take them down from the inside. Strangely, I found a friend in Eris. I actually respect her, and I understand why she did the things she did... I felt the Witch's mark on her."

She paused. She looked at Rob before saying, "I never told her I could turn into a dragon. You always told Russ and I to guard that with our lives, so I did. You said it was bad enough Trex had to admit it to the world. Anyway, I had to take time away from the Coalition about a hundred and fifty years ago because..." She hesitated.

"What is it, Li-Li?" Rob asked gently.

"I sort of got pregnant?" She wouldn't look him in the eye. Suddenly, she looked like a little girl who was worried she'd disappointed her father.

Rob suddenly looked homicidal. "Who the hell is the father?" He demanded.

She faked a cough as she mumbled, "Hezzo..."

Rob pulled out his gun. "I'm going to kill that son of a bitch!"

"No, you're not," Lianna replied firmly. "I've been an adult for a long time, Father, and it was a consensual act that got me into that situation. He has no idea our daughter exists."

"Of everyone you could have slept with you chose Hezzo?"

"What can I say? Bad boys are hot, and a girl has needs."

She shrank slightly as Rob snapped, "Lianna of Eltar!"

"Sorry, Father. Try not to be too disappointed in me?" She pouted at him, suddenly looking much more like an adorable little girl than a badass warrior.

Rob sighed. "That's cheating. Grown up or not, you still have those baby eyes..."

She batted her eyelashes at him innocently before saying, "Can I hug you now, Father?"

That did it. All of his anger vanished. Rob put his gun away and wrapped his arms around her. "Li-Li..." He whispered. "You're alive... That bastard didn't get to you..."

"I missed you, Father," she told him as she clung to him. After a few moments, she released him. "There's more."

"More?" He repeated.

"The Witch stole my daughter when she was seven. I left her sleeping in her room, and she should have been safe... I went off-planet to look for information about your past."

"What do you mean? There's no record of me, Li-Li. Zell raised me in isolation. I don't even know who my real family was."

"I know... But I do. I got to thinking, because transforming into a dragon is such a rare power on Eltar. I figured we had to be related to the only other person to do it."

"Talon?" Darcy asked. "We always wondered where Trex came from, but he was only a little bit younger than me, so we never thought he could be related to Talon. None of us knew anything about Trex's family."

"He was part of the Twelve, so I couldn't hide him the way I hid the others," Rob explained. "Trex and L'Fellian were twins. Leffy wasn't part of the prophecy. He was born at a different interval than the Twelve were." He paused. "Lianna, I was born about a century before Talon was."

"Yes... And Zell walks the time line," Lianna replied.

"He hid me in the past..." Rob realized. "That makes sense. No one would have thought to look for me. So Talon was my father?"

"Yes. And Serafine was your mom."

Darcy nearly choked on air as those words escaped from Lianna's mouth. "What?" She managed to ask.

"From what I've been able to figure out, Talon got Serafine pregnant while they were still together. Zell put the spell on her to steal her from Talon, and in order to get the spell to stick, he had to take the baby. He could never break her bond to Talon while she was carrying his kid. Anyway, knowing you'd be a powerful entity, Zell kidnapped you and trained you to be his own personal weapon."

Darcy looked at Rob and tried to comprehend this information. "That's why you're so psychotically overprotective of me," she said softly.

"When Talon died, my father was really upset, but when Zell killed you, he snapped," Lianna replied. "He became determined to stop him no matter what."

Rob sighed. "That's what got me killed. I rushed into a fight I wasn't prepared for, and Zell..." He shook his head. "I didn't die easily."

"Rob... I'm so sorry," Darcy said softly. Her chest ached. Sera and Talon had a son, and Zell had stolen him and ultimately killed him. All Sera had ever wanted was to have a family with Talon, and Zell had taken that away.

"Darce, are you okay?" Pierce asked gently.

"I'm furious, and I'm in shock. I want to go murder Zell myself right now, but I know he's not that monster anymore. It doesn't matter. I want to hurt him. He... He took my kid, Pierce! And not just a child he created in the Flames... Ignatius was conceived naturally. He was literally part of me. She carried him... She never even knew..."

Darcy hadn't expected to cry. She buried her face in Pierce's shoulder as he held her and tried to comfort her, but she was in Serafine Mode now, and all she wanted was Talon.

You're Darcy, she reminded herself. Not Sera. Darcy. And Darcy needs to be in her boyfriend's arms, not Sera's. Come on, ground, Darcy.

"Darcy... Don't cry," Rob said. He wrapped his arms around her, too. Lianna grinned before joining the group hug. Her light seemed to fill Darcy's heart, and that helped.

"Better?" Lianna asked.

"A little," Darcy replied. This is Sera's granddaughter. You're hugging Sera's granddaughter, she thought. That was hard to process, seeing as how Sera was only eighteen when she died.

"What happened to your daughter? Did you ever find her?" Rob asked.

"I think I did, as of today," Lianna replied. "Eris called me. She told me she needs my help. Mezdan started a mutiny against her. She's trying to stop the Coalition from being terrorists, so I agreed to help. One of her recruits is a dragon. I haven't seen her yet, but Eris mentioned her as she listed the people who stayed loyal to her. It's got to be my Trixie."

"Then we'll rescue her."

"She doesn't need to be rescued. Eris treats the Elites well, and she is an Elite... But I do need to reunite with her. When I asked Eris for details, she told me Trixie doesn't know where she comes from. She has no memories of her early childhood. She woke up abandoned. I think the Witch erased her memories and tried to turn her into a weapon, but Trixie must have escaped."

"We'll help her remember," Darcy replied. "Trerry can help her recover her memories."

Lianna smiled. "Thanks, Darcy. Or should I call you Grandmother?"

"I'm seventeen. Let's stick with Darcy," she replied with a laugh.

"Sounds good. Now, if you'll excuse me, I have a mess to clean up. Be right back!"

Lianna transformed into a dragon as gracefully as Talon usually did. She immediately took to the sky and began breathing fire, incinerating the bodies of the dead Coalition members. She flew back to the ground and took her human form.

Pierce smirked. "At least she's thorough," he said.

"And efficient," Lianna added cheerfully.

"Come on," Rob said. "Let's take this to a safer location."

SID
The mutiny in the Coalition had screwed him. Before Lenora could rescue him, Zaelah had taken him. He was trapped with his own personal monster and there was no escape.

She started to torture him, collecting his blood for magic as she cut his flesh up. She licked some of the blood from his chest, causing a slight sob of terror to escape from him.

Sid did what he'd done as a child when his own mother had tortured him. He retreated into the deepest corners of his very complex mind where nothing could hurt him.

Some time passed, although he wasn't sure how much. Then, a voice got through to him.

Hang on, Little Brother, Trinity thought. We know exactly where you are. We're coming.

Sid snapped back into awareness. Zaelah was still torturing him. He whimpered in pain, which only seemed to excite her more. Suddenly, she stopped. Her eyes went blank and she shuddered, clearly trying to fight something unseen. Soon, even that stopped.

"I have to heal you," she said tonelessly. She began casting a spell, making Sid cower, but he soon realized that she was actually healing him.

Trerry burst into the room. Trinity came in right behind him. Zaelah continued to heal Sid until all of his recent injuries vanished. He knew some of the scars remained, but he could live with that.

"Are you okay?" Trinity asked gently.

Sid was too stunned to speak aloud. You found me, he thought.

It was the Huntress who cast the spell to hide you in the first place, Trinity replied. She lifted it when Zaelah took you and we found you right away. It just took a little time to break through the defenses Zaelah put in place to keep people out.

You came... You cared enough to come...

You're our family, Sid. Of course we came.

Zaelah suddenly began to cast a powerful death spell. To Sid's shock, she turned it on herself. As she released it, her eyes widened in horror and pain for a split second before her lifeless body fell to the floor.

"Did you make her do that?" Sid asked Trinity as he found his voice.

"No," Trerry replied. "I did. No one hurts my kids."

"Dad... You... You saved me?" Sid asked in disbelief.

"I wish I could have found you sooner," Trerry replied. "I'm so sorry, Sid. But we're here now. You're safe."

Sid looked into Trerry's eyes, feeling lost. "You do care about me," he whispered.

Trerry looked like he was about to cry. "I love you, Sid," he replied. "You're my son. I wish I'd been there for you when you were a kid, but your mom hid you from me. I am sure as hell going to be here for you now."

For the first time in his life, Sid finally knew what it was like to feel safe.

REYZZO
He was starving. He had nothing left inside of him, but he left the house anyway. He had to feed or he'd die.

He saw an Eltarian walking toward him. Her energy was incredibly powerful. He needed her. He knew he'd be unable to control himself. She would die so he could live. Once again, he'd be a monster.

He grabbed her as soon as she was close enough. "Easy, Reyzzo," she said soothingly.

"You know me?" He asked.

"I knew your father. I'm here to help you. I sensed your distress."

"Who are you?"

"I am Grazziella Treygan, of Eltar. You can feed on me, Reyzzo. It won't kill me. I'm immune to incubi. I'll be able to feed you my magic instead of my life force."

"I'm too weak. I need too much..."

"I know. It's okay. I helped Bartello when he was in a similar state. I need you to trust me."

She kissed him and he could no longer think. She was exceptionally powerful. He was overwhelmed by her magic as it flowed through him, strengthening him and saving his life as things progressed from kissing to much more. As this continued, he began to calm down.

"Why did you help me?" He asked once they were done.

"Your father would have wanted someone to save you," she replied.

"He never cared about me."

"He never knew about you, Reyzzo. Trust me, if he did, he would have protected you."

"No one protected me. One person tried, but I had to make him forget me to keep him safe. No one else cared."

"I care. I believe there's good in you, hiding deep down. Don't prove me wrong."

"Grazziella... You feel like Zell," Reyzzo said. "You're not just a Treygan."

She looked confused. "I don't know what you're talking about," she said.

"You have Yizak blood."

"He's quite right, my darling," someone said.

Reyzzo jumped. "T'Dania? Were you spying on us?" He asked. He recognized her simply by her energy. She could be no one else.

"Not during the actual act, darling. Voyeurism is not my style. I arrived afterward," T'Dania replied. "Now... Grazziella, my dear descendant, I have only encountered one other like you... And she has the exact same base energy. You are Keilah's twin."

"That's impossible," Grazziella argued. "I know Keilah. We're cousins. I'm older than she is."

"Aphell knew how powerful you would both be. He hid you in the past, placing you in the care of your aunt. You are actually seven minutes younger than Keilah is."

"Why should I believe you?"

"I know you are living with her. Have the energy expert also living with you examine your energy together and compare it. I just removed the spell cloaking your true energy."

"You know they're alive," Grazziella said softly.

"I always know, my darling. Go on. Reyzzo is fine. Be with your sister. The truth must come out now. Her true youngest is about to be in danger."

Grazziella paled. "Thank you for warning me."

"You two are worthy of the family name despite your Yizak blood. I will do my best to ensure you and your descendants remain safe."

Grazziella hurried away. T'Dania turned toward Reyzzo. "Jezzeff does not care for you," she said. "He is going to betray you. Make better life choices if you desire to survive."

He nodded, a bit too overwhelmed by her power levels to dare to speak. "Oh, and Reyzzo?" She continued. "One of the reincarnations of Daphne Veritez intends to assist you. I was quite fond of Daphne's grandfather. If you harm so much as a single hair on that girl's head, I will destroy you, and this time it will stick."

She left him standing there stunned. Reyzzo finally recovered enough to start to walk away, but he stopped as he heard a voice say, "Reyzzo?"

He turned around. Aiyana stood looking nervous, but determined.

"Aiyana... I thought Sezzon killed you!" He said in surprise.

"He came very close. I'm here to finish what he interrupted," she replied. "I feel Leffy, Reyzzo. His presence is very close to this plane, although I'm not sure why. Something got his attention. I think I can manifest him for you now."

He paused. "Please," he finally said. "I need to see him."

Aiyana closed her eyes and seemed to focus. Slowly, a spirit began to appear. Reyzzo recognized him even though he was a few years older than the last time he'd seen him.

"Leffy..." He whispered.

Leffy looked at him in confusion for a moment. "You're familiar," he finally said in Eltarian.

"Here... Let me restore your memories," Aiyana said, easily switching to Eltarian. She touched his spirit.

Leffy stared at Reyzzo for a moment before smiling. "Reyzzo!" He said. "Why did I forget you?"

"She hurt you, Leffy... Just because you were my friend," Reyzzo replied. "She traumatized you and broke you and forced me to watch... It was all my fault."

"It wasn't your fault. She was your foster mother. She should have loved you, not tortured you... I wanted to protect you," Leffy said. "I was older."

"Only slightly. I couldn't let her hurt you... She almost killed you. I had to heal you... Leffy, I'm sorry. I never would have given you back the memories, but I need a friend... And you are the only one I've ever had."

"You gave up your only friend to keep him safe," Aiyana said. "You are good, Reyzzo. This proves it."

"We were just kids. I wasn't as out of control back then," Reyzzo replied.

"You still love him. That capacity to love means you aren't fully evil."

"I keep forgetting that... And now Jezzeff is using me as a feeding bag, so I'm completely out of control because he keeps draining me. I'm dangerous, and... I'm scared."

"You aren't alone, Reyzzo," Leffy said. "I'll stand by you. I'll help remind you of who you really are... I didn't have any friends at that age either. You were so precious to me, a major act of rebellion since I was supposed to remain hidden from everyone... You meant a lot to me."

"You meant everything to me, Leffy," Reyzzo replied. "You gave me my only sense of peace in my entire life. If I hadn't lost you, I think I'd be different."

"So be different... Because you have me back now. I may not be alive, but I'm here for you."

"Aiyana can't keep you manifested forever."

"No, but I know a spell that would grant you the ability to call on your connection to each other in times of need. You would always be able to see and hear him when he came to you, but no one else who wasn't a medium or a necromancer would," Aiyana replied.

"You would do that? After everything I put you through?"

"That wasn't you, Reyzzo. That was the hunger. The sad, lonely little boy who protected his friend is the real you. And perhaps, with Leffy's guidance, you will be able to make the right choices."

"Sezzon placed a loyalty spell on me. It hurts to even mention it." He held his head as pain shot through it. "I have to do whatever he commands me to do."

"Yet you're here, with us, trying to get help," Leffy said. "It sounds like his spell didn't fully take on you."

"I can't defy him if he's with me."

"Loyalty spells can be broken, Reyzzo. I'll help you find a way."

He nodded. "Thank you, Leffy... And Aiyana..." Reyzzo sighed. "Can you ever forgive me?"

"I'm trying, Reyzzo," Aiyana replied. "You're family, and you haven't had it easy, but what you did to me..." She sighed. "I have perspective, but that doesn't change the fact that you attacked me. It's going to take time."

"I understand. Thank you for putting that aside to help me."

"I have to go now. Leffy will remain with you until I cast the spell. I'd do it now, but I need to recharge a little. Give me a few hours." She walked away.

"Leffy..." Reyzzo began.

"Let's get inside, Reyzzo," Leffy suggested. "Then you can tell me everything I've missed."

CHARLEIGH
She hadn't anticipated such a chaotic journey home, but that didn't mean Charleigh couldn't handle it. As Remo, Mayzee, Zevah, and Lezt came toward her, Charleigh braced herself for a fight.

As the Floridians attacked, Charleigh fought to hold them off and tried to think up a plan. She was doing well against them until Remo took a cheap shot, trying to impale her with a sword while she had her back to him so she could battle against Lezt.

Suddenly, a statue of a Samurai warrior stood between Charleigh and Remo. The sword shattered it into pieces as Charleigh watched in confusion.

A table appeared in front of Zevah as she ran toward Charleigh. Zevah tripped and went tumbling over it at full speed, landing awkwardly on the other side and groaning in pain.

A bear suddenly appeared in Mayzee's path. She let out a scream of terror and fled as the angry creature chased after her.

Remo ran straight into a wall that popped up out of the ground. Lezt helped Zevah to her feet and picked Remo up. "We'd best go with Plan B," he said to Zevah. She nodded, opening a portal so they could escape.

A bouquet of flowers appeared in Charleigh's hands. She raised an eyebrow at that before Dex stepped out of the shadows and joined her.

"Beautiful flowers for a beautiful lady," he said with a charming smile.

"Are you stalking me?" Charleigh asked in confusion.

"Only a little." He laughed.

"Why, exactly?"

"I have a confession to make, Charleigh," he said.

"Oh?" She asked.

"I'm a member of the Coalition. In fact, I'm an Elite. Don't worry, though. I'm not looking to hurt you."

"I believe you, given you just helped me. Why would you tell me that, though? You obviously know who I am. You know I'm involved in this battle, and that we're on different sides."

"I do know all of that. The thing is, I like you, Charleigh. You're feisty, and you're clever, and you're easy on the eyes." He winked at her.

"Are you flirting with me?"

"Was I too subtle?" He laughed. Then, he snapped his fingers. A table with chairs for two appeared, along with candles and food that looked pretty expensive.

"You're quite the conjurer."

"I'm not done yet." He grinned as he snapped his fingers again. A string quartet appeared and began to play. "Still too subtle?"

Charleigh laughed and shook her head. "I get the impression you couldn't be subtle if you tried."

"You'd be surprised. Sit with me, Charleigh. Let's enjoy a meal together."

"You really are a strange one, Dex."

"I'll take that as a compliment. Normal people are boring. Come on, Charleigh. It's just a meal. What's the harm?"

"Don't make me regret this," she replied. She moved to sit down. Dex pulled her chair out for her. "Chivalry, huh? I'm a feminist, and I'm perfectly capable of pulling out my own chair."

"It's not about you being a woman, Charleigh. It's about you being my guest."

"So you'd pull the chair out for, say, Cooper, if he was here?"

"If he didn't kick my ass for trying, sure. Why not?" Dex smirked, and Charleigh couldn't help but laugh.

The spontaneous dinner in the park was awfully romantic, but seeing as how Charleigh hardly knew Dex, she remained on guard. "Just what is it you're after, Dex?" She asked. "Are you trying to trick me into trusting you?"

"I'm not out to trick you, Charleigh. I just needed a break from the drama I'm stuck in the middle of and thought you might, too. It's more fun to relax with company than alone," he replied.

She sensed something in him that seemed too genuine for him to be lying. "Why me?" She finally asked.

"Why not you?"

"I'm a Power Ranger. You're part of the Coalition. We're strangers."

"Everyone starts off as strangers, right? And as far as you being a Power Ranger, that's not a deal breaker for me. I don't see you as the Red Ranger... I see you as Charleigh, a girl who just might be able to handle me and all the Crazy I bring to the table. I meant what I said. I like you, and I want to get to know you."

"Isn't that redhead your girlfriend?"

"Missy's just a close friend. We mess around sometimes, but we aren't dating. She's a succubus and it's better to let her feed on me than set her loose on unsuspecting humans."

"Fair enough, but I don't share, so-"

"Does that mean you're interested?" He grinned.

"I didn't say that. I just won't let a guy who has a friend with benefits pursue me as more than a friend."

"Friendship's great, but to clarify, I'm definitely open to more. As for Missy, I can lend her energy by using magic instead of making out or doing other adult things. Is that your only hesitation?"

"I was raised in the Air Force. I don't date terrorists, Dex."

"I guess it's a lucky thing the Huntress banned us from killing random people then."

"She did?"

"Yeah. That's what caused the mutiny, although it was quietly starting before she announced her decision. Anyway, I stuck with her. Quite frankly, killing innocents isn't really my thing. I prefer a good party to senseless slaughter."

"Then why did you join the Coalition? You must have been pretty good at it to be an Elite."

"I never claimed I wasn't. That doesn't mean I enjoyed it."

She considered this. "You didn't answer the why," she pointed out.

"Let's just say I had my reasons for getting involved." He stood up and offered her his hand. "May I have this dance?"

"Dex-"

"Come on, Charleigh... One little dance won't hurt anyone, right?" He snapped his fingers. The string quartet vanished and was replaced by a DJ, a disco ball, strobe lights, and a song whose beat was hard to resist.

"You just conjured a party... Dex, are you related to Tinny?"

"Why don't you dance with me and find out?"

"You'll really tell me if I dance with you?"

"You have my word."

She stood up and took his hand. They began to dance. Charleigh couldn't deny he was very good at it. Soon, she found herself letting go of her anxiety and just having fun. She hadn't expected it to be so easy to relax with a near stranger who'd admitted he was part of a terrorist organization, but Dex was ridiculously charming. It was impossible to dislike him.

"Branz..." She mumbled. Louder, she added, "You remind me of Branz."

"Funny you should say that." He grinned at her. "I am related to Tinny, Charleigh. I'm also related to Hezzo, and to Branz. None of them know that, because that's how the Circle rolls, but I traced my lineage."

"How are you related to all three of them?"

"Well, from what I gathered... My grandmother was a daughter of Hezzo, and my grandfather was a son of Tinny. They had my mom. My mom then hooked up with Branz, and here I am!"

"No wonder your conjuring is so strong! Tinny and Branz are two of the strongest conjurers from Eltar. Do you have ice magic like Hezzo?"

He grinned at her mischievously before pointing to the sky. "You tell me," he said.

"It's snowing..." Charleigh said in wonder. "In California..."

He caught a snowflake in his hands. It transformed into an ice sculpture of a star. "For you," he said.

"You don't do anything small, do you, Dex?" She accepted the star.

"Where's the fun in that?"

She smiled. "If your family is who you claim, I think I can trust you."

"I went undercover to take the Coalition down from the inside," Dex explained.

"That's pretty ambitious."

"It's sort of in my blood," Dex replied with a laugh. "My father infiltrated the original Alliance."

"Fair point. So, what are you hoping to accomplish tonight, Dex?" Charleigh asked, still a little bit suspicious but also curious about her strange new companion. The Circle members had a bit of a reputation, after all.

"I'm hoping to get you to agree to a real date. How am I doing?"

"That remains to be determined."

He grinned. "Then let's keep dancing." He increased the music with another snap of his fingers and literally swept Charleigh off her feet.

SHELBY

She planned to stay in hiding, but something drew her out of Lido's hut. Shelby headed deeper into the woods and was startled to hear voices she recognized.

"I have only come for your sister and my Lazarus Ranger, Miss Morgan," Jezzeff said. "Bring them to me and I will do you no harm."

"If you think I'll fall for that, you're a bigger fool than I thought," Kendall retorted.

"Your team cannot stop me. I am too powerful."

"Keep telling yourself that," Chase replied.

"Come on, Jezz. You know you can't take me in a fight," a new voice said. Shelby figured it must be Trerry. Jezzeff had told her his old friend from Eltar had joined her former team, along with two British teenagers, Benjamin and Jean Marie Mills.

"What I can do now may surprise you, Trerry," Jezzeff replied. "My friends... Now is the time to prove yourselves!"

Shelby crept closer. She spotted several cloaked figures joining Jezzeff and surrounding her former team. The Ranger who had replaced her stood beside Koda, morphed and ready to fight. It really stung Shelby to see someone else in her suit.

It isn't yours anymore, she reminded herself.

She was conflicted. She wanted to be angry, but it wasn't AJ's fault the Energem had chosen her. Still, the way the team worked together, it was like they'd forgotten all about her.

"I sense you, my dearest Shelby," Jezzeff said as his new allies continued fighting the Dino Charge team. "Come! Stand at my side and we shall destroy your former team together!"

Shelby knew she couldn't keep hiding. She stepped into view. Tyler froze in place as soon as he saw her. Chase immediately flew into action, taking the lead and giving the team orders. Kendall pulled Tyler out of the line of fire. Ben and Jeanie picked up the slack as the others seemed to be struggling to process the fact that Shelby was standing in front of them. Trerry held his head in his hands.

Their thoughts are overwhelming him, Shelby realized.

Koda took off his helmet. He stared at her with wide eyes full of hurt. "Shelby..." He said softly.

"Koda, I..." Shelby sighed.

"Look out!" AJ cried. She knocked Koda to the ground, taking a fire attack meant for him.

"AJ!" Koda and Chase shouted in unison.

AJ stood up. A bizarre barrier of air was visible around her entire body, with spirals wrapping around her arms. The fire was blown away from her, landing in the dirt before going out.

"She has magic?" Jezzeff asked in surprise. He turned toward Shelby. "Our young Ranger is more formidable than I anticipated. Shelby, please, join me. Together, we can end this."

Shelby started walking toward him without even realizing she was moving. "It figures!" Chase shouted in frustration. "Kendall, Prince Phillip, take Tyler and Koda and go before this gets any worse. Get Trerry out, too. The rest of us will handle this."

"We're on it," Kendall promised.

"Come on, Koda," Phillip added. "It is best we leave."

"No," Koda replied. "AJ protect Koda. Koda stay, protect AJ."

No one seemed to notice how close Shelby was getting to Jezzeff. Then, someone stepped in front of her. "M'Lady, don't," Ivan said.

"Ivan..." Shelby replied.

"You are better than this, M'Lady. I know you."

"You still believe that? After everything I did?"

Ivan softened slightly. "You lost your way, Shelby. You are not the only person to ever do that." He paused. "Please, M'Lady... Against all odds, you are alive again. I beg thee, do not waste this opportunity! Do not lower thyself to being a puppet to the likes of Jezzeff of Eltar!"

"I'm not sure I'm worth anything more," Shelby admitted. She wasn't yelling or throwing a tantrum or trying to get him to pity her... She was simply stating a fact. "I certainly don't deserve your compassion."

"Shelby..." Ivan took off his helmet. "Lady Shelby, you were once the first person to make me see the good in this team... You showed me a group of worthy allies. You are the reason I joined the team. So while no, I do not approve of any of the things you did toward the end, I cannot give up on you. I refuse to believe you cannot be saved. The question is, do you believe you can be saved? Do you want to change?"

"I want to... I understand now how badly I messed up. I hate what I did to all of you... Especially Tyler."

"Then do the right thing now, M'Lady... Take my hand instead of Jezzeff's."

Shelby felt tears in her eyes. Ivan hadn't turned on her. He hadn't abandoned her. And if Ivan still believed in her, maybe she should believe in herself after all.

As a sword came toward an unsuspecting Ivan's back, Shelby pulled out her boomerang. She sent it flying toward Jezzeff. It made direct contact with the scar over his eye before returning to Shelby's hand. Jezzeff screamed in pain as he clutched his freshly cut eye.

"Lady Shelby, get behind me!" Ivan said as Jezzeff's new allies began to surround her.

Shelby morphed into her Lazarus Ranger form before saying, "I won't hide behind you, Ivan, but I'd be honored to fight beside you."

He smiled. "Very well," he said stoically. He placed his helmet back on his head. "Together!"

They fought side by side, and for a moment, it was like no time had passed. Shelby soon realized it felt different, but not in a bad way. She was no longer a Dino Charge Ranger, but she also wasn't evil, and she was ready to prove it.

She took a moment to watch everyone else as she and Ivan fought together. Trerry was still clutching his head. Phillip couldn't seem to get him to move, so he settled for covering him and keeping threats away from him.

Koda had pulled himself together. He and AJ battled together like a well-oiled machine. Shelby was genuinely impressed with her replacement.

She's worthy, she thought. And this is her destiny now. Mine is different.

Ben and Jeanie were doing very well together. Chase was moving from one opponent to the next, handling them as quickly as he could while he tried to keep everyone else safe.

She noticed Kendall hadn't left yet. She was still trying to get Tyler out, but they were surrounded. Tyler's morph had dropped. Shelby looked at Ivan and said, "Tyler and Kendall need help."

"Follow my lead," Ivan replied. He made his way toward his teammates. Shelby helped cover him, taking down anyone who he didn't as they tried to move toward Kendall and Tyler.

They reached them just as the Witch showed up. She cackled and went straight for Kendall. Ivan flew into action, defending Kendall and evening the odds. Unfortunately, this left Tyler wide open.

Jezzeff was still bleeding slightly as he grabbed Tyler, who remained in complete shock. He was defenseless as Jezzeff held a sword to his throat.

"Jezz, don't!" Shelby shouted.

"You have a choice to make, Shelby," he replied in a sadistic tone void of any charm or kindness. "Kill the Pink Ranger and reclaim what is rightfully yours or I will kill Tyler before you can so much as scream his name."

"Why are you doing this?" Shelby demanded.

"To make you strong, my dear. Love is weakness! The only way to become strong is to destroy that which makes you weak!"

She was terrified as Jezzeff drew a small amount of blood from Tyler. "Declare your loyalty to me again, Shelby!" Jezzeff demanded. "Kill the Pink Ranger!"

"Alright!" Shelby shouted. "I'll do it! Just don't hurt Tyler. I've hurt him enough already."

"If you touch her, I'll put you down myself!" Chase said fiercely.

"Jezz is right, Chase! I need to take back what's mine! I need to prove my loyalties!" Shelby released her boomerang. "Kill the Pink Ranger!" She commanded.

"AJ, watch out!" Ben shouted as Jeanie tried to run to protect her.

Their surprise was clear as the boomerang suddenly came back toward Shelby without touching AJ. It was moving far too fast. Shelby braced herself for the pain just before the boomerang landed in her chest, knocking her out of her morph and fatally wounding her.

"Shelby!" Tyler shouted as the shock of that sight snapped him back into awareness. His unexpected coherency caught Jezzeff off-guard. Tyler kicked his knee, causing Jezzeff to release him just long enough for him to escape.

"Shelby, you fool!" Jezzeff cried. He turned to his new allies. "Finish her off!"

The Dino Charge Rangers surrounded Tyler as he ran toward Shelby, protecting him from the attacks of the cloaked allies.

Tyler sank to his knees beside her. He pulled Shelby into his arms as she struggled to breathe. She was rapidly losing blood. "Don't do this," he whispered. "Don't do this to me, Shelby. Not again. Please not again."

"Tyler... I'm so sorry," Shelby said weakly.

"Don't... It doesn't matter anymore. We can't change it."

"I screwed up... I got your father killed because I was too stubborn and arrogant to listen to anyone's warnings... And I made it about me, when you were the one who needed support. And I killed myself just to hurt you. I'm so sorry. I can't fix it... But I refuse to do any more damage."

"You saved me... I couldn't really move or react. Seeing you in person, alive... It was too much of a shock. But I heard what he said... I know the choice he gave you. It would have been easy for you to choose to kill AJ, but you turned your weapon on yourself instead."

"I never said which Pink Ranger I wanted it to kill." She smiled sadly. "This time, I'm dying for the right reasons. The Lazarus Rangers are immortal except when our own weapons are used against us."

"Shelby..." Tyler's voice cracked with tears. "I loved you so much, and you broke me... Twice. Don't do it a third time."

"I'm sorry, Tyler. I can't reverse it."

"No, Lass," a voice said. "But I can."

"Amello! You can save her?" Tyler asked. Shelby noticed the rest of the Circle had come to join the fight.

"She already saved her soul. I've got the easy part," Amello replied. He began healing her.

"Hezzikins! Lingy-Wingy! So nice of you to join us!" The Witch cackled.

"Let's dance, Evi," Hezzo replied.

The battle quickly started shifting. Cloaked figures were going down left and right. No one got near Shelby, Tyler, and Amello. Even Jezzeff and the Witch began to struggle to hold off their opponents. The Dino Charge Rangers and the Circle were definitely winning.

Shelby felt better quickly. Tyler refused to let go of her until she was fully healed. By the time he did, Jezzeff and his allies were not looking good. Some of them were dead, many thanks to Grayzee. Others were badly wounded.

"Jezzeff, I think we'd better retreat," a blonde said. "We weren't prepared to face the Circle tonight."

"Yes, Heather. That is the best strategy for now," Jezzeff agreed. "Witch! Assist us."

With a final cackle, the Witch shrouded them in darkness and they escaped.

"How's the lass who ate the dark side cookies?" Hezzo asked.

"Shelby is fully healed physically and making excellent progress emotionally," Amello replied.

"Shelby..." Chase began. He sighed. "I guess we need to talk."

"Yeah," she replied. "We do. I need to talk to all of you."

"You certainly do," Kendall replied sharply.

Shelby braced herself for the inevitable lecture or even an attack. Instead, Kendall said, "Maybe my sister's not completely wrong about you after all. I don't forgive you, Shelby... You have got a long way to go to prove we can trust you. But you did good today, and I suppose that's a start."

Shelby stared at Kendall in disbelief. She hadn't expected any acknowledgment that she'd finally done the right thing. "Thank you," she said softly. She sniffled and wiped a stray tear from her eye.

Trerry finally stumbled over to them, leaning on Maegus for support. "Well then... That was a productive day, wasn't it?" Maegus asked. "Why don't you all come back to Hezzo and Tinny's pub? It's a great place to celebrate, and a pretty good place to talk."

"Yes, what a wonderful idea," Prince Phillip agreed.

"It's better than trying to bring her to the safe house," Chase agreed.

"Excellent!" Tinny declared. "Everyone, follow me!" He opened a portal. Most of the Circle went through first. The Dino Charge Rangers went next. Finally, Shelby approached it cautiously.

"It's time for you to take a leap of faith, Lass," Amello said gently.

"Do you really think we can work things out?" Shelby replied.

"You'll never know unless you try. Come on, Shelby. The road to redemption starts with one step, or in your case tonight, one giant leap. You already began the journey. Let's take the next leap." He offered her his arm. Shelby took it and allowed him to guide her through the portal. Whatever came next, there would be no turning back this time.