AUTHOR'S NOTE: This chapter is written entirely from Jezzeff's point of view. I feel dirty and horrible just writing it, LOL, but it is very necessary to move the story forward. For this reason, it is significantly shorter than most of my other chapters. Let's just say things are about to take a turn. Enjoy!

CHAPTER TWENTY-FIVE

THREE DAYS LATER...

JEZZEFF

Time moved differently in the Underworld. In three days, he'd absorbed three lifetime's worth of knowledge from his ancestor. Joachim smiled at him fondly as Jezzeff demonstrated excellent control of one of his new gifts.

"Your training beneath me is complete," Joachim informed him. "Now, I must give one final gift to you before you do what we discussed."

"I am honored," Jezzeff replied. "What is the gift?"

"My power."

Jezzeff paused. "What do you mean?" He asked.

"My time has long since ended, Jezzeff. It is your time to rise."

"I am ready. What must I do?"

"Absorb my life force. Take what is truly yours."

"That will destroy you."

"Yes, but my power will live on within you. This is the final test, my boy. Will you embrace your destiny, or are you weakened by your loyalty to me?"

Jezzeff smiled sadistically. "Not at all," he replied. He reached toward Joachim and grabbed onto his life force. He absorbed the power, draining his ancestor mercilessly. He could tell it hurt, but the rush of power filling him made it impossible for him to even pretend to care. When he'd taken everything, Joachim vanished from existence.

"Thank you for your sacrifice, Joachim," he said. "I shall make you proud."

With that, he began to move through the Underworld. He had work to do. The first target he found was the most important, for she would be the easiest to sway. He spotted her sitting in the shadows looking lost. Tears streamed down her cheeks.

"What troubles you, my dear?" He asked in a kind, sympathetic tone as he conjured a tissue and handed it to her. Here, spirits were more physical, so she was able to accept it.

"Thanks," she managed to say. She blew her nose and tried to smile at him.

"Now, now, you are far too beautiful to be so sad," Jezzeff insisted. "Perhaps talking might help. My name is Jezzeff. What's yours?"

"Shelby," she replied with a sniffle. "Shelby Watkins. What kind of name is Jezzeff?"

"I am Eltarian, like Zordon," he explained. "You may call me Jezz if you prefer. My friends often do."

"You... You want to be my friend?" She asked in surprise. "Everyone else hates me."

"How could they hate someone as lovely as you?"

"Why are you here, Jezz?" Shelby asked suspiciously.

She is supposed to be clever, Jezzeff reminded himself. This may be more difficult than I anticipated.

"I know what happened to you, Shelby," he replied. "I feel it was terribly unfair. You are brilliant, but you made an error. One small mistake shouldn't ruin your life."

Shelby sniffled again. "I never meant for anyone to get hurt... I would never hurt James! He was Tyler's father! It was an accident."

"I know, my dear. These things happen in the course of scientific advancement."

"And they all turned on me..."

"You deserved better. They were supposed to be your friends, and when you needed them the most, they abandoned you."

"Exactly. I have no one, Jezz. I'm all alone here."

"What would you say if I offered you a second chance, Shelby?"

"What do you mean?"

"You can be a Power Ranger again."

"No I can't... My Energem abandoned me. They replaced me at my funeral! They moved on and forgot all about me."

"And they should pay for that, Shelby. I know someone who can connect anyone to the Morphin' Grid. He can reconnect you to a new team... A better team."

"Better how?"

"I am building a team of warriors, Shelby. I want you to be my Pink Ranger."

"But I'm dead. Aren't you?"

"My death is temporary. Yours can be as well. All you have to do is come with me."

"Jezz... You're not one of the good guys, are you?"

"No, Shelby, I am not. I don't intend to reveal that to the others, but you are special. You and I share a desire to punish the very people who betrayed you. You're remarkably clever and will be of much use to me."

"How will you create a team of Power Rangers if you're evil?"

"It's been done before. Astronema created the Psycho Rangers. Zell created the Rangers of the Flame. I, too, shall use the Flames, but only to resurrect each of you and bring out your darkness."

"What will you call the team?"

He smiled at the curious girl, knowing she was on board even if she hadn't yet agreed aloud. "Given you'll each be resurrected, I felt the name Lazarus Rangers was rather fitting."

Shelby smiled. "That's clever," she replied. "Alright, Jezz... I'm in. What do I have to do?"

"Simply follow me, my dear. We must gather the rest of the team, and they may not be as eager as you were." He offered her his hand. Shelby took it, her tears now replaced with a bright smile.

They found another part of the Underworld. In it was a mountain set beside an ocean. Jezzeff paused, watching the figure who was climbing the rocks fearlessly. She was very athletic and strong, and her courage meant she'd serve him well in battle.

"Shelby, stay here. When the time is right, you will know what to do for me," he said.

"Where are you going?" Shelby asked.

"I have a mountain to climb. Enjoy the beach." With that, he headed toward the rocks and tried to figure out how he was supposed to climb them. He'd done it before with Serafine, Laby, and Ash, but he wasn't sure he remembered exactly how to do it. He took a deep breath and forced himself to stop thinking about it. Soon, he was moving up the mountain with ease.

As he got closer to the woman he was seeking, she paused and looked at him. "Who the hell are you?" She asked.

"I am Jezzeff, of Eltar," he replied.

"Eltar, eh? Like Zordon? Okay, what do you want?"

"You're Kelsey, correct?"

"Yeah. Why?" She continued climbing, forcing Jezzeff to follow her.

"Kelsey, I have a proposition for you."

"You're barking up the wrong tree, Creeper. I prefer girls."

He paused in confusion. "I'm sorry?"

"I'm gay. I'm waiting on my wife, even if it takes her another fifty years or so to get here."

"Oh! I apologize, Kelsey. That is not what I meant. However, my offer would enable you to see her again much sooner."

"If you just threatened to kill Nancy, I swear to God I'll destroy you."

"Of course not. I am offering you a second chance, Kelsey. There is a major threat on Earth, and the universe needs more Power Rangers. I am building an elite team of Rangers who fell in battle. That team will return to life to help. You would be the Yellow Lazarus Ranger."

"Wait... Are you serious? I would be alive again? I could see Nancy and my old teammates again? No strings attached?"

"You would join your teammates in battle, but other than that, no. There are no strings attached." That was possibly the biggest lie he'd told in millennia. "Would you do me the honor of joining us?"

"Hell yes! Where do I sign up?"

He smiled. "Come down with me. I will introduce you to the Pink Ranger, and hopefully the Blue Ranger will have arrived as well."

Kelsey began repelling down the mountain. Jezzeff followed her. He was barely able to keep up with her and reached the ground a minute after she did.

"Shelby, this is Kelsey," Jezzeff explained. "She comes from Lightspeed Rescue. Shelby is from the Dino Charge team, Kelsey."

"Nice to meet you. I guess you answered the call, too," Kelsey replied.

"You know what they say," Shelby replied. "Once a Ranger..."

"Always a Ranger," someone else replied. The beautiful blonde emerged from the ocean carrying a surfboard. "Hey, Shelby! Good to see you again, although I didn't know you'd died, so maybe it's not good."

"Tori!" Shelby cried in surprise. She immediately hugged her. It was clear how lonely Shelby's afterlife had been. "This is Kelsey, from Lightspeed Rescue. She missed the big battle to save Tommy."

"I would have been there," Kelsey replied, "but Dana refused to call in anyone but Ryan. She was still grieving Carter and wanted to protect the rest of us."

"Nice to meet you, Kelsey," Tori replied. "I'm from Ninja Storm."

"Tori, this is Jezz. He's Eltarian, like Zordon," Shelby said. "He's offering us a second chance to help everyone by joining a new team."

"New team?" Tori repeated. "We're dead, Jezz. How can we help?"

"I can resurrect a Ranger of each color to form this new team," Jezzeff explained. "Tori, I believe you would be the perfect addition to the Lazarus Rangers. You were a wonderful Blue Ranger before Merkhet got into your head, and you died honorably. You deserve another chance."

Tori hesitated. "No offense, but how do I know I can trust you?" She asked.

"Zordon does. I was very close to his mother and her siblings. I remember when he was still just a baby," he gushed. He filled his
tone with love and adoration for the people he'd betrayed. Tori watched him for a moment before nodding.

"Alright. I'll never refuse to help in a Ranger crisis. Besides, I look great in blue. I'm in."

Jezzeff smiled as Shelby squealed in excitement. "Alright. Let's go find the rest of the team," Jezzeff said.

They continued walking through the Underworld. Soon, they arrived at a beautiful sunset. Everything was calm and peaceful. There was not even a hint of chaos.

So the Afterlife he desires is one of pure peace, Jezzeff thought as he watched him sit in a clearing beneath the stars. This made sense. After all, the only things he remembered were chaos and pain. His life had been filled with both.

"Dillon?" Tori called. Jezzeff hid in the shadows. He kept Shelby and Kelsey with him. Dillon knew who he was. He'd never trust him. He'd need to catch him off-guard.

Dillon looked up in surprise. "Tori? This is unexpected." He said.

"I didn't realize you'd been killed. Are you doing okay? You don't have to be alone. There are a lot of us here."

"I like the solitude," he replied with a smile. "I'm still getting used to being dead. Especially because I know it broke my sister. Summer's not much better. I thought she was gonna kill Gia."

"Gia? Why?" Tori asked in confusion.

"She killed me. The bad guys turned her evil. She was aiming for Tenaya."

"Dillon, that's horrible!" She shook her head. Then, she looked toward the shadows. Jezzeff nodded at her. "There's a new team being formed... Rangers who died are being given another chance. We can go back, Dillon! We can be Power Rangers again."

Dillon frowned. "Tori, that's too good to be true. You're smart. You must know that."

"I thought the same thing at first, but this guy is legit, Dillon. If you talk to him, I'm sure you'll trust him, too."

"Then introduce us."

Tori offered him her hand. He took it and stood up. Quickly, Jezzeff whispered a spell. Dillon immediately fell into a trance-like state.

"Dillon? Are you okay?" Tori asked.

"The newly dead sometimes struggle with keeping awareness," Jezzeff said soothingly. "He'll feel better once we resurrect him."

Tori frowned. "You did something to him."

"Of course I didn't." He gently touched her shoulder and Tori fell under his control.

"I'm sorry. Merkhet made me paranoid," she replied. "I mean, you're close to Zordon, so you must be trustworthy."

He smiled. "It's alright. Come along. We still have one other to find for now. Our sixth Ranger will be far more complicated to revive."

Jezzeff walked with his Pink, Yellow, Blue, and Black Rangers toward the most important part of the base team... His Red Lazarus Ranger.

He knew this would be the perfect choice. This man had honor and was a beloved team leader in his day. There was, of course, the added benefit of what his return would do to Karone. Jezzeff was certain Astronema would return, and given the gift he would offer her, she might even join the Guild.

Leo Corbett was sitting on a cliff, looking down at the Earth. He might be in the Underworld, but the symbolism was clear. He was watching his wife and children. He looked up curiously as the others approached him. "Hey, Leo!" Dillon greeted him. "Long time no see."

"Dillon... I saw what happened to you. I'm sorry," Leo said, standing to shake his hand. He noticed Tori, Shelby, and Kelsey then. Jezzeff remained in the shadows.

"Yeah, it sucked, but shit happens. Anyway, get this... We've been offered a second chance. A friend of Zordon's is forming a new team of Power Rangers out of some of us who were killed. He wants you to be our leader."

"I don't understand," Leo replied.

"He'll resurrect us. This is our second chance, Leo," Tori explained. "We'll be the Lazarus Rangers."

"And you're all sure about this? You want to go back?"

"Our lives were unfairly cut short," Shelby replied. "We deserve a chance to get things right this time."

"I just want to see my wife again," Kelsey added. "If I can kick some bad guy ass while doing that, I'm all for it."

Leo paused. "You mean... I could be with Karone and Ella again? I could meet my son?" Leo asked. Tears formed in his eyes, and Jezzeff knew he was hooked.

"You can be with your family, Leo," Dillon replied. "We all can."

"And we'd be Power Rangers again... We'd be helping people."

"Exactly," Shelby replied.

"My body was blown up. How can it be reformed?"

"Jezz has magic, Leo," Shelby explained.

Leo tensed. "Jezz?" He repeated.

"Jezzeff. He's an Eltarian, like Zordon," Tori replied.

"Jezzeff? No... No, guys, you can't trust him. I've been watching everything. Jezzeff is dangerous. He's the bad guy everyone's battling against right now."

"Wait, what?" Kelsey demanded. "I knew this was too good to be true."

"Leo, you're wrong," Dillon said. He tried to grab Leo's arm.

"You're under his control," Leo realized. "All of you are."

"I'm not," Kelsey said firmly. She moved closer to Leo, suddenly clearly suspicious of the others.

"Neither am I," Shelby added. "I trust him, Leo."

"He's a liar, Shelby... An incredibly gifted one. You can't trust him. He's just as dangerous as Zell... Maybe even more so."

Jezzeff showed himself then. "My promise is true, Leo," he said soothingly. "You can be with your wife and your children again. I would welcome Karone at my side, and I adore children."

"Karone will never work with you, and neither will I," Leo said firmly.

Jezzeff sighed. "Very well. I understand." Before Leo could react, Jezzeff grabbed him and absorbed his energy.

"What the hell did you just do?" Kelsey demanded.

"I captured him. He'll be fine, Kelsey. I'll release him once I can resurrect him."

"Okay, back the fuck up! I did not sign up for this, you lying sack of shit!"

He paused. "Don't worry, Kelsey. You will change your mind soon." He moved too quickly for her to process it and grabbed her, absorbing her as well. Then, he turned toward Shelby, the only one remaining with free will.

"We're good, Jezz," she assured him. "I'm still in."

He smiled. "Excellent! Come. We must make our way out of the Underworld."

They had nearly made it when someone stopped them. "You may not leave my Underworld, Jezzeff of Eltar. Not until you return what you are trying to steal," she said.

"Casey Park," Jezzeff greeted her. "The famed and revered Shaman of Stone Canyon. We are practically kin, my dear Ranger."

"That is Goddess to you," Casey replied. "This is my domain, Jezzeff, and you may not leave with these souls."

"I am sorry it must come to this, Casey. I cannot allow you to interfere in my plans."

"You can't stop me, Jezzeff. You have power, but I am still in charge here."

"Yes, it worked out so well when you tried to stop Zell. I'm sure you are a formidable foe, Casey, however I have no time for you." With that, he sent a magical attack straight at her, knocking her into a wall.

Shelby's eyes widened in surprise. "Do you disapprove, my dear?" Jezzeff asked.

"Not at all," Shelby replied. "That's Sage's mom. Sage sent me away before I could fix things. She didn't even let me go to the funerals in Angel Grove. She ruined any chance I had of fixing things with my team. I'm just impressed. Casey's a power house."

"That I am," Casey replied, back on her feet. She launched an assault against Jezzeff that left him smoking, but he survived. He laughed to himself as he realized how much more powerful he'd become.

"You'll have to do better than that, Casey," he taunted her.

Casey hesitated as she seemed to sense something. "You're holding Leo and Kelsey hostage," she said after a moment. "Their survival currently depends on yours."

"That is correct," Jezzeff replied with a sadistic smile. "It seems that you have a choice to make, Casey... Destroy me before I can escape, thereby also destroying Leo and Kelsey in the process... Or allow my new friends and I to leave in peace. So tell me, Casey... Are you strong enough to embrace your full power and unleash the true wrath of a Goddess upon me, or are you too weak to make such a ruthless call to protect the Greater Good?"

"There is always another path," Casey replied firmly.

"Oh? Do enlighten me, Goddess," he mocked her. "What other choice do you have?"

Casey began to cast a very powerful sleeping charm that would most likely have left Jezzeff in a coma. He could tell that much from the energy. For anyone else, they would sleep until they faded away, never waking and eventually no longer existing. Tori dove in front of Jezzeff to protect him. Casey stopped the attack just before it would have hit her.

"They are loyal to me now, Casey," Jezzeff informed her. "If you wish to harm me, you must harm them first."

Casey was clearly trying to think up a new plan. Jezzeff took the opportunity to attack again, sending a spell meant to destroy ordinary humans. Casey wasn't ordinary, and being a Goddess would save her from complete destruction, but the spell would still do enough to allow Jezzeff to escape from the Underworld.

Casey was only able to deflect a small amount of the spell. She was bleeding energy and it was clear her magic had been temporarily knocked out. She struggled to catch her breath and recover. Jezzeff smirked at her before he began gathering more energy for another spell.

Suddenly, someone hit him with a spinning kick to his head from behind. "Look out, Jezz!" Shelby cried entirely too late. His head was throbbing and for a moment, his vision began to blur.

"That's what you get for picking on Doc O's sister, asshole!" The person declared.

"Trent..." Casey mumbled weakly.

Trent... He was one of Katherine's victims, Jezzeff remembered.

"Stay down, Casey. I've got this," Trent replied. He summoned the White Drago sword before grinning. "Nice to know it still responds to me," he added.

Jezzeff smiled and conjured a sword for himself. He bowed to Trent grandly. Trent shrugged and prepared to fight. "Shall we?" Jezzeff asked.

"Bring it," Trent replied.

Jezzeff began to duel against him. Trent actually held his own impressively well. For a while, Jezzeff was content to spar against him, just to see what the White Ranger was capable of. As they went back and forth, Casey struggled to heal herself, but her magic was still temporarily down. Jezzeff knew she wasn't a threat to him in that moment.

Eventually, Trent actually managed to cut Jezzeff. He smiled. "Very impressive, Trent. I intended to choose to another White Ranger for my Lazarus team, however I cannot ignore your remarkable potential. Resurrecting my first choice will take time... It is clear to me that you are the one I require."

"Not a chance, asshole. I've done the evil Ranger thing before. I'm beyond over it," Trent replied. As he spoke, Jezzeff took a cheap shot, shoving his sword through his chest and casting a spell at the same time. Trent's energy flowed through the sword and into Jezzeff's hand until he'd absorbed his soul just like he'd done to Leo and Kelsey.

"Trent!" Casey cried. "No... I will stop you, Jezzeff of Eltar!"

"Perhaps, Goddess," Jezzeff taunted her. "But not today." He sent a final attack, knocking her unconscious.

"That was amazing!" Shelby cried in delight.

"Thank you, Shelby," Jezzeff replied.

"Who were you planning to resurrect as the White Ranger, though?"

"Katie Oliver, of course. No one would shake things up as much as she would."

"That's really diabolical... But Sage trapped her on the Reservation. The ancestors keep her there or something. No one can free her."

"Ah, but I can access the Reservation, Shelby. And although Sage is quite powerful, I believe I can break her spells. That said, it will take time we do not have. Trent is a better choice. I have other uses for Katie."

Shelby smiled. "Well, whatever, I'm convinced. You took down Casey! You are definitely as powerful as you claim."

"Yes, I am," he replied. "Now, let us journey on. I will reform my body, and then I will bring you all back to life. Simply remain at my side, Shelby. I will protect your souls until your bodies are ready for you."

Shelby linked her arm through his. Tori and Dillon obediently followed closely behind him. As Jezzeff reached the gates of the Underworld, he felt his newly reformed body on the other side.

"This is temporary. I will release you as soon as I can," he promised before he absorbed their souls, too. Then, he flung the gates open. He was instantly pulled to his body. As he slipped back inside, he willed his heart to start beating. Soon, his chest began to rise and fall. After a minute, he opened his eyes.

"Took you long enough," the Witch said with a cackle. She helped Jezzeff sit up.

"I come bearing gifts, Witch," he replied.

"I should hope so. Did your journey go well?"

"Oh yes," he replied with a dark smile. "It went perfectly."

"I'm glad to hear it. So, presents! Gimme!"

He laughed. "All in due time. First, I require a place to perform a very dark spell."

"My favorite kind!"

"No one must know before it is complete."

"I have just the place." She opened a portal. Jezzeff followed her into a dark pocket realm.

"Now, I need six souls."

"Six?"

"A life for a life. I am about to resurrect some new friends. A balanced offering is required in exchange."

The Witch grinned. "Give me an hour. I'll find you some worthy sacrifices."

"Three male, three female."

"Got it! I'll be back. Stay here and prepare." She cackled again. "This is going to be so much fun!"

As she left, Jezzeff smiled to himself. "Yes," he agreed. "I do believe that it is."