Chapter 7: Way of the master.
Chelbell2016:
Okay as promised first the date and then the episode.
Courtney's POV:
I am sat on bed unable to stop smiling. I have never felt this way before.
I begin to remember the events of the night and the smile stays on my face the whole time:
FLASHBACK:
We enter one of the most fanciest restaurants of my life. I look around in shock wondering how we are affording such a fancy restaurant. We head over to the desk.
"Hi do you have a reservation?" The waitress asks.
Casey nods. "Yes. Rhodes."
The woman looks on her computer and then nods.
"Table for two," she says and then grabs two menus and motions for us to follow her.
We follow her to a table near the window. She places the menus down and says. "Someone will be round to take your order in a second."
We nod and before I sit down Casey pulls my chair out for me. I smile as I lower myself down and he pushes the seat in for me.
"Thanks," I say before taking off my jacket, underneath I am wearing a white dress with a red and orange strap around the middle.
I pick up my menu and glance at all the prices. "Did you win the lottery and neglected to tell us? How are we affording this?"
"Don't worry about that," he says gently and he smiles widely at me. "Order what you want."
I nod and glance at the menu again. My favourite meal just happens to be on there.
The waitress from before approaches. "Would you like to order some drinks first?"
I glance at Casey and he nods at me to go ahead.
"I'll have a soda," I say before saying to Casey. "I've still got the morning shift tomorrow."
"Same," Casey nods and the waitress nods.
"Are you ready to order your food?" She asks us and Casey looks at me again.
"I'll have the spaghetti and meatballs," I say to her with a smile. "Please."
Casey says. "I think I'll have a plate of lasagne. Please."
She nods and walks off. I decide to start off the conversation as I hate awkward silences.
"So you know nearly everything about my life," I say to him as our drinks arrive. "Thank you. Or at least a huge part of it. Tell me about your life."
He tells me about where he grew up, his siblings, his parents and everything up until the time that he joined Pai Zhuq. I nod along.
"What about you?" He asks me. "You told us all about from when you were fifteen. What about the rest of your life."
"Well," I begin slowly. "As you know I was adopted. For most of my life it was just me my dad and his best friend Hayley. I never really wondered who my birth parents were. But when my school was attacked and my magic began manifesting I had to find out who they were. Then Leanne joined the family and let me just say we did not get along at first. For a year after that I finished normal high school and made new friends and team mates. Went to Briarwood in search of my parents... that lead to another adventure and nearly heart break. In the end ended up not just having parents but a big brother. Became a vet... then went to Hartford mansion for a long adventure that nearly took my life... and now I'm here."
"WOW!" Casey says in amazement and as I finished my story our food arrives and then he whispers. "You sure don't know how to say no to becoming a ranger do you?"
I shrug. "Its hard. Feeling like the world is on my shoulders. I feel that if I didn't help and the battle ended badly then I would be responsible."
I look up as Casey takes my hand and I notice tears are running down my face.
"Its no one persons responsibility," he points out to me. "Thats why its always a team. And you can't be a ranger forever."
I nod and smile at him. "Thanks Casey. Lets eat."
For the next few minutes everything is quite as we both eat our dinner. After that we talk and laugh for a while. Then I look at my watch.
"We better start heading back," I tell him and we both begin to get our feet. "We both need to get up early tomorrow."
He nods and we both head out after paying.
After we get back we sneak inside and head up to the loft.
"Good night," I whisper to him.
"Good night," he whispers back and then he kisses me on the cheek.
FLASHBACK OVER:
I have never been kissed by anyone before, even on the cheek. I feel like something is growing between Casey and I.
The next day we've been called into battle. We are currently running away from a giant ball that is a tough nut to crack.
It crashes into us and sparks fly as we all go flying backwards. We hit the ground.
"Watch out!" Casey says as Pangolin starts coming back to attack again.
We all go jumping over it. Pangolin decides to go into monster mods instead of ball mode.
"You think your fights have been tough?" He taunts all of us. "I'll show you tough!"
Theo and Lily pull out their weapons and run forwards to fight with Lily saying. "LET'S GO!"
Their weapons make no effect against his armour though. Casey and I race forwards as they hit the ground.
"GUYS!" Casey says as we lean down next to them. "He wasn't kidding about tough!"
"Our weapons didn't even scratch him!" Lily points out.
"Time to try something different!" I say and do a ninja sign in the air. "NINJA FIRE BLAST!"
It doesn't work though. He turns so it hits his armour and has no effect.
"Nothing can get through my armour!" Pangolin points out to us.
"Never mind about those brats!" Camille says as she and Lepodina appear. "You're here to clear out the city. NOW GET TO IT!"
"I'm all over it!" Pangolin says to her.
He glows purple and grows.
"ZORD TIME!" I say before we place our hands together and summon the zords. "ANIMAL SPIRITS UNITE! JUNGLE PRIDE MEGAZORD!"
We race forwards and strike Pangolin but once more his armour protects him.
"ROLLING ATTACK!" Pangolin says before going into ball mode.
"THIS CALLS FOR A MEGAZORD SAVAGE SPIN!" Lily points out.
We spin as the ball comes at us and we continue to spin with no impact.
"I think I'm gonna be sick!" Theo points out.
"NOT IN YOUR HELMET THEO!" Lily tells him.
"Not in the megazord!" I tell both of them. "Otherwise you're cleaning it out!"
In the end the ball hits us and we go flying out of the megazord as our animal spirits break apart. We hit the ground quite hard.
Pangolin goes rolling away.
"He got away!" Casey says says in anger as we all begin to get up.
We go back to JKP, to hopefully figure out a way to defeat Pangolin.
"Talk to me team," RJ says as he and Abby approach us together. "So then this giant anteater-"
"Hedgehog," Casey tells her.
"I thought it was an artichoke with legs," Theo says.
"I guessed Pangolin," I say being the vet of the team.
"Right Courtney," RJ tells me.
"Pango- what?" Theo asks clearly not knowing what one was.
"Pangolin," RJ repeats what I said. "The name means 'something that rolls up'. It has plate like armour that's almost impossible to break through."
"We found that out the hard way," Lily points. "None of our weapons worked."
"Listen and learn young Cheetah," RJ tells her and I cross my arms wondering what he has planned. "I said almost impossible. You just don't have the right weapon."
"You mean there's something that might work?" Theo asks him holding some sort of axe.
"There's a legend in the order of the claw," RJ begins as he gets to his feet. "About a master who wielded a weapon that could break through steel. His name was master Phant."
"Okay," Casey says with encouragement. "So we just call this master Phant dude and ask him to borrow his weapon... done deal."
"Deal not done," Abby says and I finally notice that she is wearing clothes similar to that what you would wear to go camping. Her colour theme seems to be orange. "When master Phant retired he moved to a remote forest to a life of solitude. No one's heard from him in years."
"Wonder why he dropped off the grid," Theo says and I nod my head in agreement.
"No one knows," RJ explains. "But he's lost all contact with the order of the claw."
"Well the order of the claw is about to contact him," Lily says. "Come on guys were gonna find master Phant.
"I'm coming with you," Abby says. "I know those woods pretty well."
With backpacks on and Abby and I in the lead we head out.
"You know," I begin slowly. "I never asked you. What's your animal spirit Abby?"
"Well I take after my mum," she says to me. "The dolphin is my spirit animal. My mum died when I was younger so its nice to know that I have something of her."
I smile at her.
"This is ridiculous," Theo says as we try to climb slowly down the rocks. "Are we almost there Abby?"
"Theo remind me to take you to rootcore and the mystical realm sometime," I say to him. "Those woods are tough."
"What's a matter anyway is the mighty Jaguar getting tired?" Casey taunts and I try not to laugh as Theo looks insulted.
"No," he snaps back at Casey. "The mighty Jaguar is getting eaten alive by mosquitoes."
"Yeah better then ten foot spiders," I say and all four of my companions stop. "Cimerian forest. Don't ever go there is my advice to you."
"Chill T," Lily says as Theo sits down shivering at my words. "Lets keep focused on our mission, okay?"
"Okay guys break times over," I say wanting to hurry up and find this guy before the Pangolin does anymore damage to the city. "Let's go."
"This forest is giving me the creeps," Theo points out but I sense something.
With my powers off though I am a little worried that this can be false readings.
"Come on," Casey says but I keep looking around.
We carry on but then I stop. Casey turns around and comes back to me as I glance around.
"Whats wrong?" He asks concern laced in his voice.
"I... I think someones watching us," I tell him. "But with my powers being off I cannot be sure."
"I think we're almost there," Lily says looking around as we decide to continue on. "Stick close together!"
Casey takes my hand and I smile at him as we continue up the hill together. I see Abby glance at our hands and raise an eyebrow. I don't say anything to her.
My senses suddenly go haywire.
"GUYS DUCK!" I yell as a man comes flying at me.
I raise a shield but he jumps over me and lands on the other side of me. I turn to face him as the others look shocked.
"Note to self Courtney," I say under my breath. "Always follow your gut."
He jumps at all of us and then he moves forward and knocks Theo to the ground. He then turns and kicks Abby back. The rest of us duck under his arms to avoid his strike.
He kicks Casey in the leg and he falls backwards. Theo has gotten to his feet and moves forward to help. But not long after he is back on the ground. I move forwards and with a combination of ninja and Pai Zhuq moves I manage to hold my own against him.
Casey jumps onto his back as I get knocked into a tree and wince. After Lily tries again he stomps on the ground and she falls down.
"Your not wanted here!" He growls at us. "Go away!"
He runs off and all of us climb back to our feet.
"What was that about?" Theo asks confused.
We all share a look before continuing on.
We arrive at an old shack and I am surprised that anyone would live here.
"What a dump," Theo exclaims what we are all thinking. "Don't tell me a Pai Zhuq master lives here."
"Well there's only one way to find out," Casey points out to all of us.
We all head towards the cottage. Theo looks through the window as Lily knocks on the door.
"Hello," she says but we cannot see anything inside.
We go in hoping to find this master that we are looking for.
"Anyone here?" I ask as I follow Lily in and Abby follows after us before the boys.
"Yes," a mans voice says to us.
We look to see a man with white hair sitting in a chair, in a corner, staring at us.
"We're looking for Master Phant," Lily says to him as we walk towards him.
"I was once known by that name," the guy says and I am surprised that he is sat down. "Why do you disturb my solitude?"
We bow towards him in respect.
"Master we need your help," I tell him.
"Impertinent children," he snaps leaning towards us looking angry. "You are not invited here. Leave me be."
"No please," Lily says. "We're not children. We're students, of the order of the claw."
"I see," Master Phant says not seeming phased by all of this. "Well thats of no matter to me."
"Really?" Theo says. "Well if you really were a Pai Zhuq master, it might matter to you that Dai Shi has escaped."
"What?" The man enquires in shock. "No, no. No, that can't be."
"It's true," I tell him looking around at my friends. "We're the new guardians who are trying to stop him."
"Well that is unfortunate," Phant says and I do not even think hes a master anymore. "But there's nothing I can do to help you."
"Yes there is," Lily replies. "We need you to teach us how to use your special weapon."
"The jungle mace," Phant tells us his weapon. "I haven't even looked at it in years. Its the weapon of a warrior not a useless old man."
Abby is holding the rag that the man who attacked us was wearing. "Useless my foot! You're the one who kicked our tails before!"
Phant takes it off of her and I pull her back.
"I do not tolerate intruders," he snaps at all four of us. "I just want to be left alone to live out my days in peace."
Theo grabs his backpack and storms out of the cottage. We all follow.
"Can you believe this guy?" He says as we get outside. "He's the only one who can help us and all he does is sit around feeling sorry for himself."
"Theo he's a Pai Zhuq master," Lily scolds him. "Show some respect."
"I'm with Theo on this one," Casey says and Abby nods. "Master or not, I'm not gonna stand here and beg for his help when people are in danger."
"I'm sorry there's nothing I can do," Phant says and I can actually hear the sorrow in his voice.
Before any of us can reply our morphers go off.
"Come on guys," Theo says and Casey and I go to follow him.
But both Abby and Lily do not.
"Lil, Abby you coming?" Theo asks when we all stop.
Abby stops and whispers. "My mum knew this guy. Maybe I can convince him to help you guys."
We nod and turn to Lily.
"I'm staying as well," she says. "Master Phant is going to show me how to use the jungle mace."
"Stubborn girls I said NO!" Master Phant who had followed us, and was listening to the conversation says to them both.
"And I say were not leaving till you do," Lily says and Abby crosses her arms and nods in agreement.
Master Phant goes inside and I share a smile with Theo and Casey. Both Abby and Lily sit on the ground.
"You guys call me if you need me," Lily says also crossing her arms.
We nod and take off for the city.
We arrive where Pangolin is with both Lepodina and Camille.
"TOO LATE!" Casey yells as we jump down to fight them.
I take Lepodina why the other two take Camille.
I duck under a kick from the woman and then turn to punch her. She grabs my arm and I groan as I kick her away from me. She growls as she runs at me again. I slide under her and land on the other side of her.
I watch as Pangolin, jumps into the air, glows purple and turns into his monster form. Then he rolls into a ball and goes underground.
I turn as Lepodina's foot comes towards my helmet. I fall backwards from the force. Then a bunch of Rin Shi appear and Lepodina smirks before walking over to her sister.
"JUNGLE SAIS!" I say pulling out my weapons.
I begin to strike my way through all of the Rin Shi. But more and more seem to be coming and I am getting tired.
I am suddenly kicked into the air. I fly through the air before someone catches me. I see Casey grabbed me.
"Okay time to end this!" He says and I step back. "WITH THE STRENGTH OF A TIGER! STRIKE RIDER CRUISE!"
I pull out my wand and enter the code 1-2-4. "GALWIT MYSTO MOTRO!"
My mystic bike appears. Lepodina goes wide eyes as I swing my leg over it and start my engine.
"LETS RIDE!" Casey tells me and I nod.
"FULL THROTTLE!" I agree.
The Rin Shi begin to blast at us as we ride towards them.
"TIGER STRIKE!" Casey yells as we both begin to blast back.
"LASERS!" I yell.
"STRIKE RIDER HIGH SPEED!" Casey says changing his bike into weapon mode and together we finish them off.
But Lepodina, taking advantage of my back turned, blasts me and I go flying off of my back. She then rejoins her sister.
"Its been fun," Camille says preparing to finish off all of us. "But now its time to say goodbye kiddies."
Both she and Lepodina power up their weapons.
"JUNGLE MACE!" A voice suddenly yells and we see a mace come flying towards the two sisters and it wraps around both their wrists tying them together.
They turn to face her.
"LILY!" Casey yells.
"She's back!" Theo points out.
"And she has the weapon!" I cheer.
"Yeah it wouldn't be a party without me!" Lily jokes and I roll my eyes.
She flips the two sisters to the ground with Lepodina on top of Camille.
"LETS DANCE!" Lily says as the sisters begin to get up and she moves in for the fight.
For a few minutes the three fight and Lily clearly is winning. Then she knocks them both to the ground.
"Give it up you two!" She says to us.
"You're too late," Camille growls at her. "Our plan is already in action!"
She shoots her tongue out but Theo jumps in front of her and strikes her tongue. Camille and Lepodina run towards them so Casey and I jump into action.
"NO YOU DON'T!" We both yell.
I strike Lepodina across the chest with my sai before kicking her back. I duck under a kick and then punch her as I come back up. Theo tells Lily where Pangolin went. Lily moves towards the hole. She uses her weapon to send him out.
"NO!" Pangolin cries. "I haven't reached the fault line yet."
I continue to fight Lepodina. I axe kick her and she drips to one knee, then she swings her leg around to sweep mine but I jump over hers and turn to face her. As I turn she aims a kick to my chest. I grab her leg and flip her over.
We rejoin Lily as she has now broken through Pangolin's armour with the jungle Mace.
"Nice one Lil," Casey says.
"You got the jungle mace!" Theo cheers. "No way!"
"It rocks!" I smile and pat her on the shoulder.
"Even though master Phant gave up on himself," Lily tells us. "I didn't."
Pangolin stands up and then grows. I sigh just wanting this battle to be over.
"Ready for the big time guys?" Lil asks.
We all give words of agreement.
"ANIMAL SPIRITS UNITE AS ONE!" We yell calling for our zords. "JUNGLE PRIDE MEGAZORD!"
"YEAH!" Lily cheers punching the air. "I'm ready for this!"
Pangolin goes into ball mode and races at us. He hits us and sparks fly from our megazord. We all cry out as we hit the ground.
"Now what do we do?" Casey asks.
Lily suddenly looks up. "I hear you Master Phant! Yes master I'll try! Come on guys! We are going to use the Elephant technique!"
We all get to our feet and prepare to call for the Elephant zord. We all punch our fists and we begin to glow our ranger colour.
"CALLING ON THE SPIRIT OF THE ELEPHANT!" We all call together. "JUNGLE FURY!"
The elephant spirit appears in zord form. He stands in front of our megazord. Then he stands on his hind legs and trumpets.
"ELEPHANT ATTACK!" We call and the Elephant begins to attack Pangolin.
A giant ball appears on his trunk. The Elephant uses his trunk to kick the ball at the monster in front of him. It hits and knocks him back.
"YES!" Lily says.
"SPIRIT OF THE ELEPHANT COMBINE!" We yell and the Elephants body separates.
It's head becomes our jungle mace weapon. Its legs become shoulder pads and its tusks and mouth becomes our helmet.
"JUNGLE PRIDE WITH ELEPHANT POWER!" We all call. "JUNGLE MACE NOW!"
"You can't defeat me!" Pangolin says. "PANGOLIN ROLL ATTACK!"
"FOLLOW MY LEAD GUYS!" Lily says and we copy her moves.
"JUNGLE MACE ATTACK!" We all yell and using the weapon we destroy Pangolin.
The five of us have gone back to Master Phant's shack and done it all up for him. Now its time to show it to him.
"Now this is a place fit for a Pai Zhuq master!" Theo says.
"Yeah," Casey says placing an arm around my shoulders. "I think we did a pretty good job."
Master Phant has returned, he looks a lot better with his hair even tied back.
"Guys here he comes," Abby and Lily say at the same time.
"Oh what is this?" He asks when he sees differences to his place.
"A little thank you present," Lily tells him. "Wait till you see the inside!"
He looks shocked but happy that the place is redone.
"Well master what do you think?" Lily asks him.
"It seems in this case the master has learned from the student," Master Phant tells her with a smile.
"It was an honour," Lily tells him. "And we may need your help again sometime. So don't forget to keep in touch."
"I have the spirit of the Elephant!" He points out. "I remember everything!"
We all smile.
Chelbell2016:
Hope you enjoy. What do people want her next spirit and master to be?
