CHAPTER FOURTEEN
GIA
The trail they'd chosen to hike was tough but beautiful. Jake was struggling to keep up with Gia, whose stamina was much higher since she was basically always training. Troy and Nessa were a few feet ahead of them holding hands as they walked up a very steep hill.

When Gia finally reached the top, she noticed Jake was still struggling. She offered him her hand to help him up the last of it.

"Can... we... stop?" Jake asked as he struggled to catch his breath.

"Slacker," Gia teased him affectionately.

"I think this is the perfect spot for a picnic," Troy decided, clearly taking pity on Jake.

"Not bad as far as romantic double dates go," Nessa agreed as Troy set a large blanket down and started pulling food out of his backpack. Gia pulled drinks out of hers.

"Are you okay?" Gia asked Jake as he gulped down some of his water.

"I'm good," he promised. They began eating their lunch. Gia relaxed as they talked and joked around. It was nice to have a peaceful moment in all the chaos.

As they began packing everything up, Gia noticed Jake looked much stronger. "Ready for more?" She asked.

"At least we're past the hardest part of the trail," he replied.

"I feel like we should have invited Noah," Troy said suddenly.

"So he could be the fifth wheel again? You know he hates that," Gia pointed out.

"I know, I just... I feel like Noah should be with us... I can't stop thinking about him."

"Are your Shaman senses tingling again, Spidey-Troy?" Gia asked.

"It's probably nothing..." He mumbled.

"It's never nothing," Nessa replied. "Jake, why don't you call Noah and check on him?"

Jake pulled out his cell phone and made the call. He frowned after a minute. "It went to voicemail," he said. "But I'm sure he's fine..."

Nessa and Troy exchanged a worried glance as Gia tensed. "We'd better check on him in person," she decided.

Suddenly, Troy's communicator went off. "Guys... I'm in trouble," Noah's voice said. His terror was obvious.

"Where are you?" Troy replied.

"I'm-"

The silence was incredibly loud as the communication was abruptly cut off.

"Shit..." Gia mumbled.

"Alphas! We need you to teleport us to Noah immediately," Troy said into his communicator.

"Yo, yo, yo, we got you, Troy. Teleporting now," Six replied.

Moments later, they were outside of the Stone Canyon Reservation.

"What the fuck are we doing here?" Gia asked in confusion.

"Noah's been researching tribal genealogy," Troy replied. "We're still trying to figure out Jezzeff's tie to the tribe... Noah agreed to help because he's really good at stuff like this."

"Noah! Where are you, Man?" Jake called.

Someone began moving toward them. As the figure stepped out of the trees, Gia realized they were wearing a cloak. A second cloaked figure emerged, followed by a third.

"It's the Coalition..." Nessa whispered in horror.

Soon, there were over a dozen of them. "Um... Is it Morphin' Time yet?" Jake asked nervously.

"Let's do this," Troy said with a nod.

"Bring on the monsters," Gia replied.

The four of them morphed and the battle began. The Megaforce team had been training more than ever lately and had unlocked some new tricks, becoming much stronger as a team.

Gia pulled out a key and switched up her morph, proclaiming, "Shift into Turbo!" She immediately transformed into the suit and began wielding the Yellow Turbo powers. Interestingly, she felt an energy lingering near her.

Keep fighting, a woman's voice said. You're in a lot more trouble than you realize. Keep them guessing.

Who are you? Gia wondered.

Ashley, she replied. I'm Ashley.

Gia's eyes widened in shock. Ashley the Turbo Ranger? I thought you had amnesia when you... Well...

Ashley had been murdered by Felina so she could abduct her daughter. Zell had sacrificed the kid to resurrect Katherine. Prior to her murder, she'd suffered a severe head injury and lost her memories of everything and everyone except her daughter.

I did, and I still somewhat do, but I remember this, Ashley replied. I can't remember the Space team, but Turbo is coming back to me... The power called me here and I remembered. Watch out!

Gia easily blocked an attack from one of the Coalition members and took him down.

Gia, keep them guessing. They have studied the Power Rangers extensively. You have to keep changing up which power you use so they can't adapt to you.

She didn't need to be told twice. "Time for Time Force!" She declared, popping in the right key and shifting again.

She took another Coalition member down before switching keys again. "SPD, Emergency!" She shouted. She touched the button that created temporary clones of her. She'd only recently learned to fully connect to Z's true power and it had given Gia the power to briefly sustain copies of herself in battle. Unlike Z, one good hit would destroy her clones and she couldn't do it again in the same battle, but it still came in handy. She surrounded several of the Coalition members.

"Clever little brat," a woman spat at her.

"Where's Noah, Bitch?" Gia demanded as she shoved her against a tree and pinned her there.

"You'll find out soon enough," the woman replied.

A man took down one of Gia's clones. The others slammed back into her with enough force to briefly knock the wind out of her. She knew she couldn't hesitate.

"Dino Thunder, power up! Ha!" She cried. As she morphed into the Yellow Dino Thunder Ranger, she used the one thing that could buy her some time and unleashed one of Kira's ptera screams.

The Coalition members hadn't expected that. They retreated slightly, covering their ears. Gia caught her breath as she looked for the rest of her team and Nessa. Troy was in the Mighty Morphin' suit and was working with Nessa against several Coalition members. Jake was still in his Megaforce suit. He let out a cry of alarm as a man tried to impale him with a sword. His suit immediately failed.

"Jake!" Gia cried. "Stone Power, Activate!" She morphed into the Yellow Stone Warrior. She ran to Jake's side with Chelsea's super speed and moved him to safer ground.

"Can you morph?" She asked.

"I think so," he replied.

Gia began striking the Coalition members with lightning.

"Magical Source! Mystic Force!" Jake shouted. He morphed into the Green Ranger and immediately sent vines to wrap around their enemies and pin them against trees.

"You're getting better at using the powers of the other Rangers," Gia said with a grin.

"Not as good as you," Jake replied.

"Duh! But it's still a big improvement."

"Where's Noah?"

"I don't know. There's been no sign of him. Keep switching up your attacks. They can't fight us if they can't predict our next move."

"Beautiful and smart. I'm a lucky man."

"True and true, but it wasn't my idea. I heard Ashley in my head when I went for Turbo."

"I wonder if I'd hear Carlos..."

"That depends on if he's connected to his power since he died. Ashley was drawn to hers."

"Troy!" Nessa suddenly screamed.

Gia and Jake ran toward them. "Jungle Beast, Spirit Unleashed!" Gia shouted as she ran.

"Go, Go, Samurai!" Jake added.

Troy lay on the ground unmorphed. He had a sword in his chest. Nessa had slaughtered the nearest Coalition members and now stood over him protectively, her stance almost daring anyone to be dumb enough to attack.

"Is he...?" Jake asked nervously.

"He's alive," Nessa replied. "For now."

Someone approached. "Symbol Power! Shield!" Jake shouted, drawing the Kanji. A protective shield formed around them.

"Training with Jayden is really paying off for you guys," Nessa said with respect. She sighed as she looked at Troy, her concern obvious. "Troy needs a healer. I'm trying to keep him stable with a minor spell, but he won't survive without real help. If I can get onto the Reservation and get him to David and Sam, he has a chance."

"Come out, Little Rangers," the woman who'd taunted Gia before said. Gia gasped as she realized the woman had Noah pinned against her. He was bleeding severely from the head. His eyes were wide with terror.

"Let him go!" Gia shouted.

"Stop hiding and I will."

Jake moved forward. "Don't hurt him," he said. "Let's talk about this."

"Jake, don't," Nessa warned him.

He moved away from the shield. The woman laughed and slashed Noah's throat.

"Noah!" Gia screamed as Jake ran to his side. Gia hurried after him.

"Noah... Noah, please don't do this..." Jake begged as he sank to his knees and clung to his best friend. "Noah... Oh, God..."

Flashes of Emma and Orion's dead bodies slipped into Gia's mind. "No..." She said as she realized Noah had just joined their friends on the other side. "No! You'll pay for this!" She screamed.

A blast of magic hit Jake in his chest. It knocked him out of his morph. He was a sitting duck. The shield around Troy and Nessa failed.

"Go, Go Wildcat!" Gia shouted. She shifted into the Yellow Wildcat, giving her an extra burst of energy because she and Kaylen shared similar views on beating up bad guys. She grabbed Jake, barely moving him in time to avoid another attack. In one swift motion, she stole the attacking Coalition member's sword and decapitated him before moving Jake closer to Nessa and Troy.

"Go, Go, Samurai!" She cried. "Symbol Power, Shield!"

A new shield wrapped around them. "Nessa... Get the boys to the Reservation. Save Troy and take care of Jake. That bitch killed Noah. She's mine," Gia said.

Nessa knew better than to argue with her. "I've got these two. Be safe, Gia." She gave her a quick hug before looking at Jake, who was starting to recover. "Can you walk?" She asked.

"Yes... I think. But... But Noah's... Noah's d... He... He... And... And Gia..." Jake began rambling.

"I'll be okay, Jake. Troy needs you, okay? Stay with Nessa and Troy," Gia said as she realized he had gone into shock. She took off her helmet to kiss him. "Go," she said to Nessa.

Nessa took Jake's hand. "Help me move Troy carefully," she said.

Jake nodded numbly and seemed to move on autopilot. Together, Nessa and Jake headed toward the Reservation with Troy propped up between them.

As soon as they were safely across the border of the Reservation, Gia shouted, "Go, Go, Megaforce!" In Noah's honor, she intended to go into this fight representing her team.

She slaughtered the woman who killed Noah easily. Then, she turned to the others. After she killed three, the rest retreated. Gia had no intention of letting them escape with their lives. She raced after them, taking down several more and injuring others.

A man came toward her with his sword raised. She braced herself for another battle. "Percival, no," a woman's voice commanded.

"But she slaughtered several of our allies," Percival protested.

"They were insignificant... She is extraordinary."

"She's a Power Ranger."

"I won't hold that against her. This girl is far too special to kill."

"She's dangerous, Great-Grandmother."

Great-Grandmother? Fuck, Gia thought as she realized the woman must be T'Dania Treygan. This was not my smartest idea.

"Exactly. I like her, Percival," T'Dania said. "Join us, Gia. You would make an incredible addition to our ranks."

"That is so not happening," Gia replied. "Either fight me or kill me, Crazy Bitch, but I'll never join your little club."

"You'll come around eventually, Darling. They all do. Until then..."

T'Dania moved so suddenly, Gia didn't see it coming. She felt the needle prick her flesh, and then the cold serum flowed into her veins, causing her to black out almost instantly.

TROY
He groaned in confusion as he opened his eyes. Looking up, he noticed Sam and David both standing over him.

"What happened?" He asked weakly.

"You nearly bled out," David replied. "You were impaled with a sword. Nessa stabilized you, but you weren't in good shape by the time they got you here."

"My team... Noah... Did we...? Did we find Noah?"

"Troy..." David sighed. "I'm sorry."

"What? Why? Why are you sorry? What happened? Where's Noah? Where's my team?"

"Shhh, Troy," Sam said soothingly. "Nessa is with Jake. They're safe, right in the next room. She's trying to take care of him. I'm afraid the poor boy is in shock. I had someone call your mother. She's on her way."

"Just tell me what's going on. Please, Sam."

Sam nodded. "Noah was killed, Troy. I'm very sorry. I sent some of our best people to try to help, but it seems it was his time to leave us."

"No... No, I can help him... I can save him..." Troy insisted.

"You aren't meant to, Troy," David said gently.

"Screw the rules! He's part of my team... He's part of my family!"

Nessa came into the room. She looked at him with sympathy in her eyes. "I'm so sorry, Troy," she said. "I held off a lot of them after you got hurt, but more kept coming."

Seeing tears in her eyes, the truth sank in. "Noah... God, Noah, I'm sorry," he whispered. He'd failed him... Just like he'd failed Emma and Orion.

Nessa wrapped her arms around him tightly. "Jake's resting," she said. "The shock really got to him... He broke down in hysterics, so I just kind of held him and sang an Eltarian lullaby to him because I didn't know what else to do. He cried himself to sleep, so I covered him and came to check on you."

"Gia..." Troy said. "No one's mentioned Gia. Where is she?"

"She was okay the last time I saw her," Nessa said quickly. "Homicidal Mode activated. She protected us so I could get you and Jake out, but she went after them."

"You left her alone?" Troy demanded. "What were you thinking?"

"I was thinking that you were dying and Jake wasn't functional and if I wanted either of you to survive, I had to get you both onto the Reservation. Gia is a grown-ass woman who is tougher than almost anyone I know. She can handle herself. You guys weren't in any shape to fight."

"You should have made her come with you!"

"Excuse me, Troy, but have you ever tried to force Gia to walk away from a fight? It's not easy, and she watched them murder her friend. That kind of thing sets a girl off. I assessed the situation, and getting you and Jake help had to take priority over talking Gia's stubborn ass out of seeking justice for someone she loved."

"She could get herself killed, Nessa! How could you just leave her? How could you abandon her when she needed you?"

Nessa looked like he'd slapped her, but he couldn't stop lashing out. He was too panicked. Noah was dead, and Gia might be next.

"I had to make a choice, Troy," Nessa replied softly.

"You made the wrong one!" He shouted. "You might have just gotten her killed, Goddamnit! I have to find her. I have to fix what you screwed up!"

"Troy! That's enough," his mother said firmly as she arrived.

Nessa actually looked like she might cry, but she fought the urge and tried to hide the hurt in her eyes. "I'm going to check on Jake," she said softly before leaving the room.

"Mom..." Troy began.

Sage sighed. "Nessa did what she had to do to keep you and Jake safe, Troy. You were bleeding out, Baby..." She shook her head, stroking his hair gently. "I felt you slipping away. And Jake was hysterical and would have been screwed if she didn't get him out of there. Protecting the two people who couldn't defend themselves and leaving the one who could to fight was the right call."

"Gia's in danger... I have to get her back. I-"

"Troy, you're in no shape to do anything right now. You're staying here and recovering."

"There's no time!"

"I'll ask Kira to arrange a rescue mission for Gia. We'll get her back, Baby, I promise."

"Mom..." His voice cracked with emotion. "I failed Emma and Orion... I failed Noah... My team keeps dying, and I refuse to lose Gia, too."

"Gia's one tough girl, Troy," David said soothingly. "If anyone can survive this, it's her. Now calm your ass down or I will sedate you." He paused as he added, "And you're about as mad at Nessa for this as I was mad at Tommy when we lost Casey. You're mad at yourself, Kid. And you shouldn't be. There was nothing you could do. So try to forgive yourself, but for now, at least apologize to that poor girl. She saved your life, Troy, and Jake's. And if you haven't noticed, she's very fond of Gia. This wasn't an easy call for her to make."

Troy sighed. "Oh God... I was really an asshole to her," he admitted.

"Acknowledging that is the first step," Sam replied with an encouraging smile. "The girl clearly loves you, Troy. She'll forgive you."

"If you remove your head from your ass," David added.

"I messed everything up..." Troy mumbled.

"We all mess up sometimes, Troy," his mother said soothingly. "Some of us more spectacularly than others... But you didn't cause what happened to Noah, and you didn't make Gia run off. That's not your fault. Just focus on what you can fix. Rest now, and when you're stronger, talk to Nessa. Until then, I'll be here, Baby... Right by your side."

"Go on, Sage... Help the boy rest," Sam said. "You can call Kira after."

His mother began stroking his hair again. Troy wanted to fight and stay awake, but he knew he was of no use to his team or anyone else in his current state. Reluctantly, he allowed his mother to ease him into a dreamless sleep.

DEXTER
The last thing he expected to find in the woods was someone practicing magic. Dexter was bored, so he figured he might as well stay and watch for a bit. As he moved a bit closer, he recognized her.

Charlotte Leigh, he thought. The leader of the Celestial Force Rangers.

That was a lucky discovery. If he brought a Power Ranger to the Coalition, especially a Red Ranger, he'd be rewarded handsomely. She was  extremely focused on her magic, making her a sitting duck. It hardly seemed fair.

If you don't do it, someone else will, he reminded himself.

As she held the shards of a broken vase in her hands, it began to turn into solid gold, pulling itself together into a beautiful statue of a dragon. She smiled peacefully.

That expression changed as she seemed to sense a threat. She stood and readied herself for a fight. Dexter understood why when he saw the monsters approaching her.

"Sevs..." He whispered in surprise. Sevs, or sevillarks, were Eltarian demons, specifically creatures of Darkness. The Witch could surely summon them, but Dexter had never witnessed her doing it. Each sev had the ability to tear a living body apart with its bare hands. Not only was it a horrifically painful death, but with each kill, they grew stronger until they became immortal.

The Red Ranger grabbed a fallen tree branch. With the touch of a chemical, it transformed into a golden sword in her hands. Dexter had to admit he was impressed. She wielded the sword with skill and managed to kill a couple of the sevs on her own.

"Guys, I need backup," she said into her communicator.

"We're on our way, Charleigh," a voice responded.

Charleigh, Dexter thought. That nickname's kind of hot.

The other Power Rangers showed up as Charleigh fought sevs in the shadows. "Dora! Elliot!" Patti cried in delight. The ball of light ran and hugged them. "Thank God you guys are home!"

"Are you two okay?" Lachlan asked.

"We're good," Dora replied. "What's the emergency?"

"Where's Charleigh?" Cooper asked.

"Guys... A little help?" Charleigh called.

"Whoa... What exactly are we looking at?" Stephanie asked as they finally spotted the sevs and their team leader.

"No idea," Cooper admitted. "But I think it's Morphin' Time."

They morphed quickly as Dexter continued watching from the shadows.

"They're called sevs," Lex informed the others. "They've done a lot of damage over the millennia on Eltar. Usually, they get summoned by warlocks who end up losing control of them."

"How do we fight them?" Lachlan asked.

"Light irritates them, so Patti should be a lot of help here, but be careful... If you piss them off, they'll attack you."

"We can't risk them singling Patti out," Charleigh protested.

"I'll cover her," Cooper offered. "She'll be safe."

"Cooper... What if I mess up?" Patti asked.

"You can do this, Patti," Cooper insisted. "I believe in you."

Patti took a deep breath and nodded. She manifested her light. Dexter was nearly blinded by it until she started to shape it into tendrils and send them at the sevs. The ones she hit screamed in pain and struggled to escape, but that only made the tendrils tighten more.

The sevs attacked the team fiercely. As another one tried to attack Charleigh, Elliot kicked it in the head, knocking it away from her.

"Good to have you back, Elliot," Charleigh said. "And thanks."

"No problem," Elliot replied.

As a sev tried to pounce on Elliot, Dora suddenly stunned everyone by manifesting fireworks and attacking the creature with them.

What the fuck was that? Is she secretly Jubilee or something? Dexter wondered. Fireworks definitely weren't a Grant power. I should hire her for my next party. She'd probably be a blast.

The sevs weren't a fan of the fireworks. The one she attacked fled. Several others apparently took offense and turned their attention toward her. As they zeroed in on her, a dozen stray cats came toward her and surrounded her protectively.

As Dexter was distracted by the strange magic Dora seemed to possess, a sev zeroed in on him. He let out a startled cry as it knocked him onto his back.

Fuck. The sevs are equal opportunity attackers... They'll kill anyone, no matter who summoned them, Dexter remembered. His status as the Witch's ally wouldn't save him.

Suddenly, blood covered him. The sev who'd attacked fell beside him, dead. His savior pulled a golden sword out of the creature and decapitated another before she turned toward him.

"Get up," Charleigh said, offering him her hand. "This isn't over."

He took her hand and allowed her to help him to his feet. "Thanks," he said softly.

"Are you injured?"

"Mostly just my pride," he replied with a reassuring smirk. "We need a riktaz."

"A what?"

He waved his hands in the air. A small, round device with sharp edges appeared in them. He took a deep breath. "This should do the trick."

"You're a conjurer."

"I am. Thanks for saving me, Charleigh. Allow me to return the favor." He ran his thumb across one of the edges of the riktaz. It drew his blood, which activated the device. "Tell your team to duck and cover. Their morphs should protect them, but I can't be sure."

Charleigh apparently decided it was better safe than sorry. "Everyone down!" She shouted. Her team was confused, but they hit the ground anyway.

Dexter squeezed the riktaz. A thousand shards of glass burst from it, each radiating with powerful light. The shards attacked the air and pierced the flesh of the sevs. They burst into flames and turned to ash quickly.

"Holy crap! You have got to teach me how to make one of those!" Stephanie exclaimed.

"Who are you?" Charleigh asked him.

"Call me Dex, Charleigh," he replied.

"How do you know my name?"

"I heard your friends use it." He bowed to her grandly before adding, "I'll see you around, Charleigh." With that, he vanished into a portal.

He wasn't expecting to feel something grab him and yank him into a pocket realm. He looked around to try and get his bearings. The cackling gave away who'd grabbed him.

"Naughty boy, killing my friends," the Witch said as she showed herself. "We're supposed to be allies, Dexy, yet you saved a team of Power Rangers. Wait until I tell the Huntress!"

"We are allies, Witch," Dexter replied charmingly. "My loyalty simply draws the line at being ripped apart by sevs."

"Hmm... I suppose that's fair... Make me forgive you, Dexy!"

He smiled and conjured a giant basket of liquor-filled chocolates. Her eyes widened before she cackled with joy. "Oh, Dexy, you know the way to my heart!" She immediately unwrapped one and popped it into her mouth.

"Enjoy, Witch," he said with a grin.

She waved him off cheerfully as she consumed more chocolate. He knew she'd be drunk by the time she was done and she'd forget she even launched the attack, let alone that Dexter had interfered.

Charleigh's pretty cute, he thought. And she's a total badass. Besides, she saved me. I owed her.

It had been a risky move. If the Huntress or, God forbid, T'Dania suspected he wasn't completely loyal to their cause, they'd slaughter him... But he couldn't just leave the Power Rangers to die when he was fully capable of stopping the attack. Not unless he had to. And not after Charleigh had risked her safety to rescue him.

"You're part of the Coalition, Dex," he reminded himself. "You can't do something like that again."

ZEKE
He was still trying to make sense of why the Coalition might target Lilly. Cooper had told his team Lilly had some sort of affinity, but that didn't make any sense. She was just an innocent little girl from Earth. How could she possess any power the Coalition would want?

As Lilly sat playing in the grass in their backyard, Zeke sighed. Lilly was in danger, his dad's back was acting up again, and Maddie was actively avoiding him.

He wasn't even sure what he'd done wrong. He'd seen Maddie for a minute after she made it home safely, but right after he'd kissed her, she'd claimed she was tired and asked him to go home. He hadn't seen her since, except from a distance at training sessions, where she stayed with the Wild Force team.

That bastard probably raped her. She swore he didn't, but why else would she freak out at me touching her? Zeke thought. I'm an idiot. An evil incubus abducted her. I shouldn't have tried to kiss her. She needs to know I'm here for her, on her terms, whatever she needs.

He was thinking about apology strategies when a monster appeared in the backyard. "Holy cow! Like, literally! What is that thing?" He cried in alarm. He was about to swoop in to Lily's rescue when the cow-serpent-thing lay down beside her in what Zeke recognized as the rub my belly position dogs and cats often assumed around people they trusted.

Lilly's eyes widened in delight as she began to rub the belly of her new monster friend. It seemed content to be in her presence.

"Oh boy..." Zeke mumbled. "I think we're gonna need an animal whisperer on this one." He pulled out his phone and dialed Liza's number.

"Speak and be recognized," Liza answered cheerfully.

"Liza, I need your help," Zeke began.

"As a Power Ranger, a fashionista, or a relationship consultant?" She replied.

"As a Campbell."

"Hmmm... Alright, I'll be right there."

A portal opened a minute later and Liza emerged. Lilly got excited at the sight of the portal and ran toward it with her arms out.

Liza scooped her up and gave her a hug. "Hey, munchkin," she greeted her. Her eyes widened as they fell on the creature.

"I don't suppose you can communicate with serpent-cow-creatures?" Zeke asked.

"Bull," Liza replied.

"I'm not punking you, Liza. It's right there!"

"Serpent-bull-creatures," she clarified.

"Well, excuse me for not keeping up with the 4H Club. What the hell's the difference?"

"Bulls have balls."

"What, like they're aggressive fighters?"

Liza laughed. "Bulls are male, Zeke. Cows are female."

"Oh. Well, now that we've cleared that up... Can you communicate with that thing or what?"

"It's an ophiotaurus, and possibly."

"An ophio-what now?"

"Apparently, you haven't kept up with your Greek Mythology either. I wasn't aware they were real until this moment, but fu-" She paused to cover Lilly's ears. "Fuck it. Let's see just how sharp my skills are." Liza released Lilly and knelt in front of the ophiotaurus. "Hi, Friend," she said softly.

The ophiotaurus eyed her cautiously. "If you're trying to figure Liza out, good luck, Buddy," Zeke said with a laugh. "She's one of a kind. Well, maybe two of a kind, since she's Galaxia's  doppelgänger and all."

The ophiotaurus suddenly seemed excited. It made direct eye contact with Liza. They proceeded to have a silent conversation as Zeke could do little more than watch. Finally, Liza stood up. She pet the creature and smiled at Lilly.

"Go play with our new friend, sweetie," Liza said. "Zeke and I need to talk."

Lilly happily ran toward the ophiotaurus. "Liza... Is that a good idea?" Zeke asked in concern.

"He won't hurt her, Zeke," she promised him. "Lilly has an affinity for his kind, which is basically unheard of. He's here to protect her."

"Protect her from what?"

"The Coalition? The Guild? Harm in general, probably. Looks like Lilly's got a new pet, because he's not leaving."

"Dad's going to flip out."

"I'll cast a spell on the property so no one sees him who shouldn't and I'll build him a stable."

"You'll build him a stable?"

"Okay, fine... Zedd will build him a stable. I'll supervise and look dazzling while I do it."

Zeke laughed. "You know what's sad? This doesn't even seem that weird to me at this point."

"Let me call Ze-" Liza froze. Her phone dropped from her hand.

"Liza? Liza, what's wrong?" Zeke asked. He got no answer. Instead, Liza ran to the back fence and opened the gate.

LIZA
What she was seeing was beyond impossible. Still, she had to be certain... She ran to the gate and opened it.

She couldn't find the ability to ask her question aloud, so she simply signed the letters for Claudine and made it a question.

Claudine opened her mouth in shock and flung her arms around Liza, hugging her tightly. She had tears in her eyes.

It was definitely her. Liza couldn't deny that much... But it shouldn't have been possible.

"Liza, what's going on?" Zeke demanded.

"I'm not sure yet," Liza replied.

Who's this? Claudine signed.

Zeke, Liza signed back. He's a friend.

He's cute.

He's taken, Liza replied as she laughed. It was just such a classic Claudine reaction.

"Um... You speak sign language?" Zeke asked. "I had no idea."

"There are actually a lot of things you guys still don't know about me, Zeke," Liza replied. She signed as she added, "This is Claudine. She's a friend from back home."

"Back home? Like where you and Micky grew up?" Zeke asked. "That's cool... But why is she at my house?"

"That's a pretty good question," Liza said, looking away from Claudine and not signing. "Because she's dead, Zeke."

"What?" Zeke demanded.

"Claudine and this other kid, Trevor, grew up in the same group Micky and I did. They were killed a year before I came to Angel Grove." To Claudine, she signed as she asked, "Is Trev here, too?"

Claudine tensed. "I'm confused... It's all a blur..." She said.

"She speaks?" Zeke asked in surprise.

"Claudine was born with hearing," Liza explained. "When we were seven, a ritual went wrong, and she ended up completely deaf. She can speak fine. She just can't hear us." She paused.

"So, um..." Zeke paused, looking away as he asked, "Why are you so sure she's dead?"

"Excuse us for one second," Liza said, signing the words to Claudine before walking a few feet away. Claudine politely occupied herself by watching Lilly and the ophiotaurus.

She tried to keep herself calm as she recalled one of the worst days of her life. "I was there, Zeke."

"What happened?" Zeke asked.

"Our parents were running a really dark ritual. It required two sacrifices."

"Wait... Are you saying...?"

Liza couldn't hide the tears in her eyes as she continued. "They slashed Claudine's throat to start the ritual. That summoned the demon as she bled out. They... They threw her body into the fire afterward... Then, when it was time to end the ritual, they did it to Trevor. He fought, and they ended up cu... Cutting off his head."

"Liza... Oh my God..."

"They burned his body, too. Micky and I tried to stop it... I tried every fucking spell I knew, but they just kept attacking me before I could cast any of them... And Micky was restrained by a lot of spells. Even his super strength couldn't free him."

"I'm so sorry... Man, I thought my family situation was fucked up..."

"There's more, Zeke..."

"More?"

"Claudine's last name is Johnson, after her father. I figured out who he was the first time I saw him, but I didn't tell him. She was already dead... It seemed cruel. I knew he never knew about her."

"Who's her father?"

"Her dad was TJ, Zeke."

He stared at her. "Turbo TJ?"

"Yeah. It wasn't like with me and Micky. No time travel or magic was used. TJ was still getting into trouble back then, and I guess he and Cassie were off again. Anyway, Claudine's mom chose not to tell him." 

"Damn... This can't be good."

"Trevor was consensual, too... And his dad knew about him but he abandoned his mom." She sighed. "Trevor's last name was Collins."

"As in Wes?"

"No, Zeke... I'm pretty sure he's not Wes's."

"Then... Oh shit. But... Alex's last name is Drake, isn't it?"

"Yeah, but Trevor's mom hated his father. What better dig is there to piss Alex off than to name his son after the ancestor he hates? I'm positive Trevor is Alex's. And if he's back just like Claudine..."

"Jezzeff must have done it."

"I don't know what to do," she admitted.

"Maybe we should bring her to Zordon. I know she's confused, but if she knows what happened to Trevor, he might be able to help her connect to the memory... And if this is some sort of trap, he should be able to detect it."

"Claudine's got a really pure heart. If they used the Flames to turn her, I'd notice the difference... But a basic loyalty spell mixed in to a resurrection spell is harder to catch," Liza admitted. "If it's not actively being used, we'd never know until it was too late. You're right; we need Zordon or... Maybe Zell."

"Liza-"

"Look, Zell did some really fucked-up shit to me when he was evil, but that guy's dead now. I know this Zell won't hurt me... And he's a better expert on the Flames than Zordon."

"Okay... You can bring her to Zell, but just be careful... I've got to stay here with Lilly and her pet."

"I'll make sure Zedd comes by to build the stable. For now, no one will detect the ophiotaurus."

"Thanks, Liza."

"No problem."

Suddenly, they both received text messages. They exchanged a glance before they both grabbed their phones.

"It's from Kira," Zeke said aloud.

Bad news. Brace yourselves. Come by the training center ASAP.

"Shit..." Liza mumbled.

"Well, we probably shouldn't bring Claudine to training," Zeke said. "I can bring Lilly if I have to. Dustin's great with kids, and if Kira's there, him and Jayden probably are, too. Take Claudine to Zell... I'll let the others know you're on your way."

"Will do. And don't worry. The ophiotaurus is confined to the yard. It can't leave unless Lilly summons it."

"Got it. Good luck, Liza."

"Thanks."

She hugged Lilly. "See you later, Kiddo," she said before turning toward Claudine. She began to sign as she said, "Come with me. We'll figure this out."

She opened a portal. Claudine had seen her do it often enough when they were kids that she didn't even blink. Together, they headed to Zell's house.

Liza knocked on the door. Zell opened it and looked rather shocked to see her. "Liza..." He said. "What can I do for you?"

"I need help and you owe me," Liza replied sharply, still signing. She was in full Bitch Mode. She needed to be, or bring alone with Zell might being unwelcome flashbacks.

"Of course... Come in." He moved aside, allowing them both into the house.

Liza's eyes widened as she spotted a girl on the couch. "I guess I'm interrupting," she said. "I wasn't aware you had a social life, Zell."

He didn't acknowledge the comment. Instead, Zell said, "Liza Campbell, this is Aiyana Sunfeather. I'm allowing her to stay here until she is truly safe from the Guild."

"The Guild's the reason I'm here..." Liza hesitated. "This is my friend, Claudine."

"It's nice to meet you both," Aiyana replied softly. She signed the words as well.

"You know sign language?" Liza asked.

"There was a deaf boy on the reservation. He was very lonely, so I decided to learn sign language and befriend him," Aiyana explained.

"Reservation? I'm sorry... I thought you were Eltarian. I must be slipping."

"I'm half Eltarian. I was born there, but I spent several years living in Stone Canyon, where my mother was from."

"Okay, cool. Would you mind sitting with Claudine for a few minutes while Zell and I talk?"

"Of course not."

Liza motioned for Zell to follow her into the next room. "Look... I know you and I have a crappy history and you hate me as much as you hated Galaxia, but-" She began.

"I don't hate you, Liza," Zell replied softly.

"You could have fooled me."

"I despised Galaxia because I could not control her. Of all of the Chosen, she was the one who refused to break... At least until I turned Zedd. Even then, she never stopped fighting. I respected her a great deal, even though she frustrated me to no end. You are very much like her, my dear... And before, I resented that about you, however I hold no ill will toward you now. In fact, if anything, I am horrified by how I treated you and wish I could undo it." He paused. "I'm terribly sorry, Liza... To you more than most. I have owed you a proper apology for over a year. Whatever it is that brought you here, simply ask. I give my word I will assist you however I can."

She was surprised by the apology. "Help me now and we'll call it even," she said after a moment.

He nodded. "Go on and explain, my dear."

"Claudine's dead," Liza admitted.

Zell paused. "She appears to be very much alive," he said after a moment.

"Her mother sacrificed her in a ritual. Micky and I were there... And our friend Trevor's mom did the same thing to him. The problem is, Claudine is confused and..."

"And you have not informed her she perished?" Zell guessed.

"How can I? She's standing right here, Zell... And having to look her in the eye and admit that Micky and I couldn't save her isn't exactly my idea of fun."

"If your friends were killed in the same ritual and one has returned, then the other likely has as well."

"I know... And that's why I think the Guild did this."

"What interest would the Guild have in these children?"

"Claudine's father was a Power Ranger... TJ. He didn't know about her, but Trevor's father did. He's either Wes's son or..."

"Alex..." Zell realized.

"And if Alex has him, there's no telling what he'll do to Trevor. I have to help him, but Claudine doesn't remember anything. I think Jezzeff used the Flames to bring them back, like you used to do. And if he did... They could both be evil, but Claudine seems like she always did."

"If your friend was resurrected by the Flames, I should be able to detect them inside of her. Even if Jezzeff didn't turn them, there will be a loyalty spell built in. After all, nearly everything he does comes from my old plans. I was careful when resurrecting the dead. If I was uncertain I could trust them to do as I desired, I added a spell to ensure their loyalty."

"Then why was Jezzeff able to betray you?"

"I was a fool," he admitted, shaking his head. "Jezzeff always seemed completely devoted to me as a boy. I killed his mother to protect him from her abuse. I was certain that his loyalty was as unquestionable as Felina's. He had me as fooled as everyone else and I was too blind to see it. I saw no need to waste my energy casting a loyalty spell on someone who already did everything I asked of him."

"Fair enough... Zell, how do we know if they're under a loyalty spell?" Liza asked.

"I'll need to see inside of her mind. Will you allow me to do this?"

Liza sighed. "Yes," she decided aloud. "It's the only way to know for sure."

They headed back into the other room. Claudine and Aiyana were having a conversation that had both of them smiling. Liza was surprised.

"Claudine was a bit confused by Zell's skin tone, so I explained he's a sorcerer from another planet and we got to talking about magic," Aiyana explained. "She's kind of hilarious."

"She always has been," Liza replied.

Zell's surprisingly attractive for a guy with blue skin, Claudine signed. Aiyana laughed softly at that.

Liza was both horrified and deeply amused by Claudine's words. You always like the angsty bad boys, she signed back.

Don't hate! Smurfs can be sexy, too, Liza.

Liza burst out laughing. She can't be evil, she thought. She's still Claudine.

Zell was clearly lost as to why the three young women in his house were so amused. He stood awkwardly waiting for the cue to move forward.

"Zell needs to examine your mind," Liza explained aloud and in sign language to Claudine. "He can help you."

If you trust him, I trust him, Claudine signed back.

It was strange, but she did trust him. "She said it's okay. Go ahead," Liza told Zell.

"Can she understand me?" Zell asked.

"She's pretty good at reading lips. Just don't turn away from her."

Zell nodded. "Relax, my dear. This won't hurt," Zell promised Claudine.

After several intense moments, Zell looked at Liza. "Claudine is not under a loyalty spell," he said. "She was never their target. I believe they intended to kill her and be done with her. Somehow, she escaped. Her memories are deeply repressed. Something is blocking them from her conscious mind."

"Maybe I can help," Aiyana said. "I'm a Shaman. If anyone can recover the information without traumatizing her further, it's a Shaman."

"I'm all for trying, but I don't know you," Liza began.

"Would it help if I told you my soul is part of Oralee and Daphne?"

Liza paused. Now she understood why Zell was protecting this girl. "Yes, actually," she replied. "Claudine... Are you okay with this?"

"I trust her," Claudine replied aloud.

Liza moved back and allowed Aiyana to do whatever she was planning to do.

AIYANA
She took Claudine's hands and focused before sending her consciousness into the girl's mind. She was not prepared for what she found.

There was darkness... Then a room lit up with fire. Everyone stood around the circle dressed in black ritual robes. As two men dragged Claudine toward the center of the circle, she looked confused and frightened.

"No!" Liza shouted. "Use me, Dad. I'll be the sacrifice. Let Claudine go."

"The opening sacrifice must be pure of heart, Liza," the man leading the ritual replied. "You certainly don't qualify."

"Please... Please don't do this!"

"Enough! Begin."

They started chanting. Liza tried to cast several spells to stop them, but the adults attacked her. A boy fought against invisible restraints. He looked desperate. A second boy was restrained near the fire. Aiyana knew he was also going to be sacrificed.

As they slashed Claudine's throat, the memory grew hazy. Claudine fought to survive, but she bled out.

No... I... I died? Claudine thought.

I'm so sorry, Claudine, but yes. So did Trevor... I think it was about three years ago, Aiyana replied. I can help you process this trauma. I promise I will as soon as you're ready. For now... I need to know what came next.

Claudine didn't fight as Aiyana pushed further into her mind. There was darkness, followed by fire. It didn't burn as she emerged from the flames.

"Who the hell is this?" The Witch demanded. Claudine read her lips to try and figure out what was happening. With effort, Aiyana could detach enough from Claudine to hear them. "I only approved of one resurrection today."

"She's connected to the boy," Jezzeff replied. "I couldn't resurrect one without the other. I believe it ties into their deaths. You told me to resurrect Alex's son at any cost. This was the cost."

"Kill her, Jezzy. We don't need some tag-a-long."

"Very well. Let me revive the boy, Witch. Then I shall handle the girl."

Claudine watched in horror as Jezzeff stood over Trevor's body. His head was detached, and she covered her mouth to keep from screaming as she stared at him.

"Easy, Trevor... Return to me now," Jezzeff said.

Trevor's head slowly reattached to his body. Claudine sobbed in relief as his chest began to rise and fall and he opened his eyes.

The Witch and Jezzeff continued speaking, but Claudine was only focused on Trevor.

How are we here? Trevor signed.

I don't know, Claudine replied.

Claudine, you have to run, Trevor told her urgently.

I'm not leaving you, she replied stubbornly.

They're talking about killing you. Please, go. I'll be fine.

No. We're in this together. Always.

Jezzeff grabbed Claudine by her arm. He pulled her to her feet. She struggled against him.

"Let her go!" Trevor shouted.

"The girl dies. I'm sorry, Trevor. Your father only wants you," Jezzeff replied.

Trevor stared at him. "This is about my father?" He asked.

"He wants you alive, Trevor. Now, join us, and I might be kind and allow your friend to continue to draw breath."

"I'll do whatever you ask... Just don't hurt her."

No! Don't listen to them, Claudine signed.

I have to, Trevor replied.

"What are you doing?" Jezzeff asked. He motioned toward Trevor's hands.

"I think the useless tag-a-long is deaf," the Witch replied with a laugh. She got in Claudine's face and screamed as loud as she could. Claudine blinked at her in confusion. "Yep, she's deaf alright. Just kill her and get it over with, Jezzy. Alex has plans for the boy."

"Dale... Bring the girl to Reyzzo. I believe he needs to feed," Jezzeff said. "She should satisfy him well enough."

Aiyana took a deep breath as she spotted Dale. He grabbed Claudine's arm fairly gently and dragged her out of the room.

"I can't do this," Dale said softly. "She's innocent..."

Drakaina joined him. "Leave," she said to Dale. "I'll handle this."

Dale didn't protest. Drakaina began casting a powerful spell. "You are going to forget what you saw here so they can't track you until you're safe. Find someone who can help you. Follow your heart... I've enchanted it to lead you straight to the person you need to find."

Drakaina cast a spell on herself that made it look like she'd been attacked. Then, she guided Claudine to the door and sent her on her way.

With a gasp, Aiyana returned to her own mind. Claudine was looking at Liza with tears in her eyes. "They have Trevor," she said as she signed.

"We'll get him back," Liza promised.

Aiyana took Claudine's hands in her own. "She knows what happened to her now," she explained to Zell and Liza. "I'd like to help her."

"That's fine. I need to figure out how to tell Micky about this." Liza looked at her phone. Her eyes widened. "Shit..."

"What's wrong?" Aiyana asked.

"Micky texted demanding to know where I was... We lost a Power Ranger. He didn't say who... I... I need to call him."

"Go on, my dear," Zell encouraged her. "We shall look after Claudine."

Liza stepped outside. Claudine looked worried. Zell looked like he wasn't entirely surprised.

"You know what happened," Aiyana realized.

"I feel the disruption in the Universe... More than that, I sense my son's distress. I know who perished, and I sense another is in great peril."

Liza walked back in a minute later. "I have to go... Gia's missing," she said. "And... We lost Noah," she added softly.

"I'm sorry for your loss," Aiyana replied. "Can I help?"

"Help Claudine. I'm trusting you... Both of you. Please keep her safe and help her cope. I'll come back for her later." She paused. "Is that okay, Claudine?"

I'll be fine, Claudine signed back. Will you?

"Noah was a nerdy little fanboy, but he was our nerd... And he didn't deserve this. It sucks," Liza replied. "As for Gia, she's a badass Yellow Ranger like me. I'll explain later... But I have to help her."

Okay. Be safe.

Will you be comfortable here with strangers?

Sure. I'll figure out if alien smurfs turn purple when they blush.

Liza rolled her eyes. "Yeah, you'll be fine," she decided. Aiyana had a feeling that Zell had no idea what he was in for with Claudine's playfully flirtatious nature. Liza hugged Claudine tightly. "I'll be back as soon as I can."

"I promise she'll be safe here," Aiyana vowed. "Good luck."

"Thanks." With that, Liza opened a portal and left.

THE HUNTRESS
The Power Ranger was feisty. Eris knew that much. She also knew she'd make an excellent addition to the Coalition if they could convince her to join their ranks. Currently, however, Gia was fighting tooth and nail to free herself from her restraints.

"Calm yourself, Gia," Eris said. "You're wasting your time. The restraints are enchanted. You'll never escape them."

"I don't care what you have to say," Gia informed her.

"You will soon."

"Go to Hell."

"You first." Eris turned toward the door. "T'Dania made an error in judgment recruiting you, but I believe I know precisely how to fix it."

Jezzeff entered the room. Gia tensed. "Jezzeff..." She said. "I guess I should be flattered the boss man decided to show himself."

"Jezzeff may be in charge of the Guild, but I have no boss, Gia. I'm in charge of the Coalition. He's simply here to assist me," Eris explained. She pulled Gia to her feet roughly, keeping her hands bound.

Jezzeff smiled sadistically at Gia. "Hello, Gia," he greeted her. "It's lovely to see you."

"Fuck off, Jackass," Gia replied.

Jezzeff smiled wider as he summoned the Flames. For the first time, Gia looked nervous. "No," she said. "I'm not becoming some puppet for the Coalition or the Guild."

"You could never be a puppet," Eris replied. She wrapped her hand in Gia's hair and roughly dragged her closer to the Flames. "But you will be extraordinary, just as T'Dania said."

Gia struggled against every step. Her hands remained bound, but her feet were free, and she kicked and tried to free herself with all the strength she had.

Jezzeff laughed at her efforts. "She certainly is a spirited one," he said.

With a final shove, Gia was inside of the Flames. She tried to escape, to no avail. Eris smiled as Gia screamed. Her light was strong, and the Flames were hungry to consume it. She fought hard, resisting longer than Eris had expected, but eventually she was reduced to desperate sobs as the last of what made her Gia was ripped away from her.

The Flames vanished. Gia stood in place, looking around curiously.

"How do you feel, Gia?" Jezzeff asked.

"Homicidal," Gia replied. She proceeded to attack him, getting his sword away from him and stabbing him in his side.

Jezzeff let out a cry of surprise as Eris laughed. "You truly are exceptional, Gia," she said as Jezzeff began to heal.

"This was a mistake," Jezzeff said weakly. "We cannot control this girl."

"Calm yourself, Jezzeff. I know what I'm doing," Eris replied. She moved closer to Gia. "Vermiz..." She whispered.

Gia fell to the ground, instantly asleep. Eris gently moved some of Gia's blonde hair out of her face and stroked her cheek with her index finger. "Gia's default reaction to pain is rage," she explained. "She was already a killing machine. Now that the pain is something she cannot process or truly feel, all she has is that murderous instinct. We simply need to harness it."

"How do you intend to do that?" Jezzeff asked.

"That's easy, Jezzeff. I'm going to help Gia's mind see that the true cause of her pain is Zell and the Power Rangers. And then, we shall watch as she destroys everyone she once loved."