So I meant to upload this last night but forgot, so my bad! I hope you enjoy it, I'll be away until Monday so the next update won't be until during the week.

Anyway, enjoy!

Chapter 21: Race to the Nexus

"Everybody ready?" RJ asked as he walked down the stairs with a smile. "Keep in mind; there are good reasons why nobody gets into the Nexus. They say there are hidden dangers, protectors so...keep your guard up," RJ warned with a smile.

"I've called my parents, they know all about the Nexus," Ari told them. "They can lead us there," she smiled.

"How are we getting there?" Dom asked. He then heard a loud whistling noise, and Ari giggled.

"In first class, of course," she laughed, leading the way downstairs.

"Is that...a train?" Dom stared as they walked out of Jungle Karma Pizza. Instead of the street, they found themselves in a strange station.

"This is the Solar Streak. The only way to travel these days," Ari smiled widely.

"So this is how you got out of the Spirit World," Jenna stared at the golden train with wide eyes.

"Honestly Meraki, I am not a taxi service," Daggeron stepped out of the control room, and Ari smiled as she walked over and hugged him.

"In my defence, I only ask for the help when it's somewhere in a different dimension," she defended.

"Better her asking for help than hijacking it," Althea chuckled as she walked out.

"Or me! Remember she hijacked me too?" Jenji peeked out, looking offended. Ari smiled, looking innocent.

"Okay, well you guys remember Casey, Theo and Lily," she decided to change the topic. "This is RJ, our Master who we were trying to save that time," she gestured to the Wolf Master, who raised a hand in a slow wave, still confused. "Jenna, my other Master. That's Dominic, and Adam. Guys, this is my mum and dad, Althea and Daggeron. Also known as the Solaris and Lunar Knights. Oh, and Jenji," she gestured to the genie.

"Oh sure, add me as an afterthought," Jenji grumbled.

"Oh Jenji, you're not an afterthought," Ari soothed the cat.

"How is any of this normal to anyone?!" Theo demanded.

"You get used to it," Xander sighed heavily.

Dai Shi, Camille and Minos walked through the forest towards the Nexus, following the route that Dai Shi had taken the first time. As they came to a clearing, they were finally able to see their destination; a massive tree that towered over everything else.

"We're close," Dai Shi smirked, and continued walking.

"Yes, but that's when the danger starts," Minos muttered, before feeling the ground shaking. They looked around to see something moving under the earth, before suddenly bursting up and grabbing Camille. She screamed as it dragged her away, and both Minos and Dai Shi ran over, grabbing her hands.

"Dai Shi!" Camille screamed, and Dai Shi raised the Dagger. The creature that grabbed her suddenly retreated as the Dagger glowed, releasing Camille.

"Thanks..." Camille glanced to Dai Shi.

"They protect the Nexus. Watch your step," he told her, turning and walking on. Minos rolled his eyes, noting the lack of gratitude aimed at him.

"This is awesome," Dom breathed as he looked out the window as they flew over the forest of the magical realm. "I do have to ask, what's with that door?" he asked, gesturing to a door that was damaged nearby.

"Oh..." Ari went red and looked out the window. "We're not allowed to talk about what happened that day," she muttered.

"Okay...now I really want to know what happened," Dom laughed.

"What happened was Ari adopted a monster, escaped with him to another realm, was followed, and the monster who followed broke the door," Xander told him shortly.

"Not allowed to talk about it...dad gets mad when we mention me stealing the Solar Streak," Ari muttered, going even redder.

"How do you adopt a monster?" Adam stared at her. Suddenly, the train jolted, knocking everyone around.

"What was that?" Casey asked as he pushed himself off Lily, both of them going red.

"It's the Overlords! They just went past on black smoke," Jenna frowned, having seen them fly by.

"Oh man...they're heading to the Rhino Nexus too...we have to beat them there!" Casey groaned.

"I'll tell my dad to speed up," Ari groaned, hurrying to the control room.

On the ground, Dai Shi, Minos and Camille were approaching the Nexus when they heard a clap of thunder. Looking around, they saw black smoke hurtling towards them, before slamming into the ground. A wave of energy blasted out, and floored the three. When they looked up, the three Overlords emerged from the smoke with laughter.

"Once we fought side-by-side, and it was you who brought us back to life!"

"But you have betrayed us! Today shall be your last!"

"I've been looking forward to this! Grizzaka, Overlord of the Land!" the bear Overlord ran at them, and Dai Shi tried to defend himself with the Dagger, only to be forced down on one knee. "Weakling!" Grizzaka threw Camille into Minos as she tried to help. The two continued to fight, and Minos got to his feet in time to see Dai Shi deflect Grizzaka's attack with the Dagger. However, even then, he wasn't strong enough to beat Grizzaka. "Now you'll pay the price for crossing us!" Grizzaka roared, summoning more Zokado power until he towered over them. Just as he went to strike them, he heard a loud whistle, and looked up just in time for the Solar Streak Megazord to slam into him.

"What is that?!" Jellica gasped in horror. The Solar Streak whistled again, turning in mid-air.

"Rangers!" Grizzaka growled.

"Now's our chance," Dai Shi pulled Camille to his feet. The doors to the Solar Streak opened, and the Rangers leapt out, forming the Jungle Master Megazord.

"Come on guys, they're getting away!" Casey saw the three on the ground running off. The Solar Streak changed into its Megazord form, landing beside them.

"Another of you?" Grizzaka was surprised at the sight. "No matter, I'll destroy you with my bare claws!" he declared. "You can't handle my power!"

"We need extra power!" Casey told his team.

"Calling on the Spirit of the Shark!" they combined the Shark Zord with the Megazord, but even it wasn't enough as Grizzaka blasted them with Zokado power. The Megazords disappeared, and everyone was ejected, landing heavily on the ground.

"Oh, it's been a while since that's happened," Althea groaned. Grizzaka landed in front of them, reverting to his normal size, and Carnisoar and Jellica stood beside him.

"There's nowhere to hide! This is your end!" Grizzaka declared. "I will enjoy eliminating you!" he said as the other two laughed. However, as he made to attack, a blazing jet of fire exploded in front of them, making the three Overlords cry out in alarm and step back.

"I don't think so," Nick called as he stood nearby, his staff resting on his shoulder. Beside him stood the remaining members of the Mystic Force team.

"More Rangers?" Lily gasped in shock.

"What is this?!" Grizzaka snarled angrily as the fire faded.

"The Mystics!" Jellica gasped in horror.

"It's so great having everyone know who we are," Chip grinned under his helmet.

"Easy Chip, you sound like Xander," Vida smirked.

"Hey!" Xander frowned from the ground.

"It doesn't matter who they are," Grizzaka snarled. "None of them are a match for my Zokado Power!" he roared, but before he could think of using it, the ground shook again. They looked around just in time for the ground beneath them to explode.

"Sand Snakes!" Carnisoar cried out in horror, before all three disappeared beneath the ground.

"We're running out of time!" Dom yelled, taking off again without waiting for the others.

"There's always trouble where you're involved, isn't there Ari?" Maddie asked as they demorphed.

"Hey, this time it's not really my fault. It's Dom's. It's his destiny, not mine," Ari defended as they got to their feet.

"For once," Nick muttered.

"Hey, last time it was yours too, remember?" Vida grinned.

"Introductions will have to wait, we better catch up to Dom before he gets into trouble," Ari told them, and they began to run after Dom.

"Stop!" everyone was blasted off their feet, minus Dominic, and Carnisoar landed in front of them. RJ gestured for the White Ranger to run on, leaving the rest to face Carnisoar. The Hawk Overlord attempted to stop him, but failed, and with a growl, turned back to the others. "You have proven to be resilient, but I am the Overlord who will finish the job!" he announced.

"You picked the wrong day to mess with us," Casey growled. "Ari, you and the others go on. If Carnisoar got out, then Jellica and Grizzaka might as well. Ari nodded.

"Sure thing. But V, you stay here. Overlord of the Sky, they'll need some Wind Magic on their side," Ari told the Pink Mystic, who nodded with a smirk.

"As long as I can kick butt, who am I to argue?" she laughed.

"I'll stay too. This guy looks like fun," Chip grinned.

"You just want to stay with V," Nick rolled his eyes, but they began to run, leaving the Jungle Fury Rangers, Vida, Chip and Jenna behind.

"JUNGLE BEAST, SPIRIT UNLEASHED!"

"MAGICAL SOURCE, MYSTIC FORCE!" all but Jenna Morphed.

"Man...I almost wish I was a Ranger too," Jenna grumbled as she fell into a fighting stance.

"Stop!" Dominic skidded to a stop when he heard another voice. "In order to get to the Nexus, you must get past me!" Jellica declared, and shot a powerful jet of water at him. However, before it could hit the White Ranger, it turned to ice and shattered. "What?!" Jellica cried out in alarm.

"You are strong, Overlord of the Sea," they looked around as Udonna approached, Snow Staff in hand. "But not strong enough," she smiled confidently.

"A Snow Witch? Hah! You aren't strong enough to defeat me!" Jellica shot another jet of water at her, but this time it suddenly veered away from the White Rangers, turning and slamming into Jellica.

"What about a Water Witch?" Maddie smiled, her hand out.

"Your magic has improved a lot, Madison," Léanbow praised as the other Rangers approached as well. Dom smiled in relief. Maddie blushed at the praise from the normally stern man. "Let's take on this foul creature and be done with it," Léanbow called.

Even with the help of Vida and Chip, Carnisoar was far more powerful than any of the Rangers, easily overwhelming them and throwing them aside every time.

"Fighting you is tiresome," Carnisoar complained. "Perhaps you should fight each other, in my world of illusions!" he blasted them with feathers, and when they opened their eyes, they were somewhere else entirely.

"Oh man, this is like that guy we had to fight when we first became Rangers!" Vida groaned, before she spotted Carnisoar. "Get back here!" she leapt at him, throwing multiple punches that he blocked before striking her in the stomach. As Vida crashed to the ground, both she and Jenna gasped.

"Oh gosh, I'm sorry, I thought you were Carnisoar!" she told Vida.

"I thought you were him," Vida pushed herself up. "Watch out!" she intercepted a blow from behind Jenna, staggering backwards.

"Oh man, V!" Chip cried out in horror, only to be struck from behind by RJ. The confusion continued until all of them were visible to each other again.

"Are we having fun?" Carnisoar laughed, flying around and striking them all.

By the time they reached the foot of the tree, Dai Shi, Camille and Minos were breathing heavily.

"We made it!" Camille smiled in relief. Dai Shi smirked, and stopped Camille as she made to walk forwards. He reached out, and his hand was repelled by a forcefield, that shimmered for a moment.

"This is as far as I got last time," Dai Shi explained, and raised the Dagger. The forcefield disappeared, and a doorway opened, only to blast them off their feet.

"It's another protection field!" Minos yelled as they were thrown down. Dai Shi got up, and cut through it with the Dagger before helping Camille up. "Oh sure, no problem," Minos rolled his eyes, pushing himself up as they continued on, and he ran after them.

Having Morphed, the Rangers who were facing Jellica were having issues even hitting her, as every time they went to strike her, her body turned to jelly.

"This is the problem we had last time," Ari groaned as she got up. "She repels every hit," she threw an energy-ball, which just flew through the laughing Overlord.

"I hate Jellyfish," Maddie grumbled.

"I'm not too fond of them myself," Adam lifted his axe up.

"I've got to get to the Nexus," Dominic groaned from the ground.

"Not likely," Jellica scoffed.

"She's just dodging everything we throw at her!" Nick growled, calling on his sword. He ran at her, but his strike just went through her as Jellica laughed.

"Nick watch out!" Maddie cried, and Xander tackled his friend out of the way before Jellica could strike him with her staff.

"Jenji!" Daggeron grabbed his lamp, spinning the dial and firing it. Jellica once again changed into her jelly form, moving around and dodging each of the golden lights that flew at her.

"No! This is my destiny! And no-one is gonna stand in my way!" Dom got to his feet with a determined yell. "Rhino Blade!" he began to glow orange. "Rhino's back in business!" he grinned.

"Ari!" Ari put a hand to her head as she heard Casey's voice echo through their communication link in their helmets. "We need help, Carnisoar's gone big!" he cried.

"I'm on my way," Ari replied. "Guys, I gotta go help the others, you okay here?" she looked to the Mystic Rangers and Dominic.

"Oh yeah! I got this!" Dominic grinned widely.

"Okay then," Ari laughed. She called on her Squirrel Spirit, and hurried back to the others. Dom then fought off Jellica, using his Rhino Blade to strike her hard. As she went flying, the others ran over to him.

"Hey man, it's your destiny, right? Better get going," Nick told him.

"You sure?" Dom asked.

"Yeah, we can handle on little jellyfish," Nick grinned.

"Thanks man," Dom smiled, and ran off.

"No, stop!" Jellica yelled, going to stop him. However, her staff slammed against Léanbow's sword, and she stumbled back.

"Too late," he told her, and with a powerful slash, cut across Jellica's stomach and knocked her flying backwards, directly into the line of fire of the other Mystics.

Having run up the stairs to the top of the tree, the three at the front of the race found themselves in a small clearing.

"At last," Dai Shi smirked.

"The Power of the Rhino..." Minos shivered, feeling the power in the air. Dai Shi lifted the Dagger, which glowed. The statue of a rhino lit up in response, and moved to reveal a slot. Dai Shi smirked, and walked over to it.

"Jarrod!" he stopped before he could insert the dagger, hearing a familiar voice.

"Dominic?" he stared at the White Ranger, who had once been his friend. Minos frowned. The voice hadn't sounded anything like Dai Shi. "Of course you're here...you possess the Rhino Spirit! But I'll have the Rhino powers!" Dai Shi seemed to return to normal, turning back to the statue.

"No!" Dom yelled, but the statue instead blasted Dai Shi back. Camille ran over to Dai Shi, helping him up, and he looked at his hands as black and purple energy flowed from them. Dom then ran over to the statue.

"No!" Minos made to stop him, but was too late. Dom inserted the Dagger, and everything began to shake. The dagger began to glow, and Dom Morphed. They watched as a Rhino Zord rose from the ground, and Dom leapt onto it.

"Rhino Steel Zord! Charge!"

Carnisoar was making battling the two Megazords and two Titans look easy as he easily fought off RJ and the other Rangers. With one powerful strike, he made their Megazords disappear. They all crashed to the ground, and Jenna ran over to them.

"Oh man, I miss the Manticore Megazord," Chip groaned.

"Your pitiful powers are no match for me!" Carnisoar declared with a laugh, towering over them. As he went to finish them off, the ground shook, and they heard a loud roar.

"What is that?"

"I don't recognise it," Lily frowned.

"Grizzaka?" Theo gulped.

"No, it's something else," Ari shook her head.

"Is that...Dominic?" Casey spotted a large white Rhino Zord, with Dom on top.

"The Rhino Ranger!" Carnisoar leapt at him, but the Zord's horn began to glow, and slashed the Overlord out of the sky.

"Whoa, that thing is awesome!" the Rangers on the ground looked around as the Mystic Rangers and Adam returned.

"Jellica?" Ari asked them.

"Slipped away at the last minute when all the shaking started," Xander told her. Ari sighed. It was wishful thinking, that Jellica would be destroyed so quickly. They turned their attention to the fight at hand as Dom's Zord transformed into a Megazord, and faced Carnisoar.

"Seems your successor is quite good," Althea smiled to Udonna, who nodded. The two towering over them fought, but Carnisoar was easily overpowered, with all the moves bouncing off the Megazord harmlessly.

"Let's see how you like this! Rhino Steel Power!" he stabbed his blade into the ground, and explosions shot towards Carnisoar. "Rhino Steel Blade! Attack!" his sword began to glow, and with powerful strikes, he destroyed Carnisoar.

"You may have won this battle, but this is far from over!" Carnisoar declared, and exploded as the Rangers on the ground cheered loudly.

"They destroyed Carnisoar," Camille looked to Dai Shi, who was smirking.

"They did me a favour," he told them coldly. "One less Overlord, a lot more power," Dai Shi let out a fierce roar, and black energy blasted everything around him. Minos watched him warily. He may have gained Zokado Power, but the Rangers were a lot more powerful now as well.

"Thanks for all your help today," Ari smiled, hugging her mother.

"It was no problem. We are here to protect this world, after all," Léanbow nodded to her. "And it was good for the true protector of the Nexus to finally reclaim his destiny," he looked to Dom, who grinned widely, looking down at the Dagger in his hand.

"So you know of the Nexus as well. I believed it to be Pai Zhuq lore," Jenna folded her arms, confused.

"When the Order of the Claw was formed, they sought help from the former Mystics, long ago," Udonna smiled gently. "We have always been connected, but after the Great Battle 21 years ago, we were a little...separated," she said. "It would be nice to have that connection restored," she commented.

"Well that explains a lot," Ari sighed. Hearing laughter suddenly, they looked around.

"Oh please, stop! Come back!" a familiar voice pleaded, and a young woman ran into view, along with two small children who were giggling.

"Claire? What's going on?" Udonna asked her niece, who was chasing the two children.

"I'm sorry, I tried to stop them, but they're fast," Claire apologised, going red as the two children ran over.

"It's them! The Mystics!" the girl whispered to the boy as they stared up at them.

"Excuse me, but I distinctly recall instructing you to remain in Rootcore with Claire," Daggeron spoke as he walked over and knelt in front of the children. They were young, only about three years old, with black hair and brown eyes.

"Oh, I suppose it's a good thing they're here," Althea chuckled. As Claire guided the two away, Althea stood by Ari. "About a month ago, their village was destroyed, we don't know who by, but they were the only survivors, and even then they barely made it," Althea explained, and Ari looked over to the two, who were playing with Claire with laughs.

"They don't remember anything before last month," Daggeron explained. "There's no-one to look after them so..."

"We adopted them," Althea explained. Ari's eyes widened and her jaw dropped. The other Mystics began to snigger, but hid it as Udonna shot them stern looks.

"You mean..." she started, looking at the two.

"Meet Diana and Apollo, your new siblings!" Althea said, and everyone started to laugh at Ari's expression.

I hope you liked it!

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