Enjoy!

Chapter 25: One Last Second Chance

Ari felt nerves churning in her stomach as she walked into Rootcore.

"Hello?" she called as she walked in, and was almost knocked off her feet as a blonde woman ran over and hugged her.

"Ari! You're back! I haven't seen you in so long! I only got to see you for a little while when everyone was at the Nexus, and before then I haven't seen you since you went to the Pai Zhuq Academy-"

"Easy Claire," Ari chuckled, hugging the sorceress back. She glanced over Claire's shoulder, and found the two young children than Althea and Daggeron had adopted staring at her with wide eyes. "Hey guys," Ari smiled to her adoptive siblings, walking over and crouching in front of them. "Remember me? I didn't get to talk to you for very long the last time I saw you," she said.

"Meraki!" Diana remembered, smiling a gap-toothed smile.

"I prefer Ari, but okay," Ari smiled, ruffling Diana's hair. The little girl giggled with delight. "Diana and Apollo, right? Do you know why you have those names?" she asked, looking to Apollo, who was a little shyer than his sister.

"After the Sun and Moon," he mumbled.

"Ari, it's good to see you," they looked up as Udonna approached with a smile. Ari stood up, and hugged the Snow Mystic who had taught her almost everything she knew about magic. "What brings you back to Rootcore? Have you had any luck in restoring Xander's Animal Spirit?" she asked hopefully, just as worried for the Earth Mystic as everyone else.

"Not yet," Ari's smile faded and she shook her head. "I've actually come here to...to speak with Léanbow," she admitted, and Udonna looked surprised.

"Oh, of course. He's through here," she gestured towards the library, before looking to Diana and Apollo. "Now, you two get back to your studies. You won't be able to become like Claire, or Althea or Daggeron, unless you know about our world," she instructed. The two nodded, and ran off, and Udonna smiled to Ari again.

"How are they settling in here?" Ari asked as they walked towards the library up the stairs of the giant hollowed out tree.

"Fine," Udonna nodded. "We've been unable to find what destroyed their village, but they're settling in well, and they really adore your parents," she chuckled.

"That's good," Ari smiled softly, her heart going out to the two orphans. She knew how they must be feeling. To lose their parents, and not remember anything about them, Ari knew the feeling well.

"Léanbow," Udonna called to her husband, who looked up from his book. "Ari has come to speak with you," she told him, gently pushing Ari into the room. "I'll just get some tea," she walked off, and Léanbow sat up properly.

"Meraki, it's good to see you again. How can I help?" he asked, gesturing for her to take a seat. Ari swallowed, and walked over to the table to join him. While she wasn't scared of the man, he was a little imposing, after all, he had been a hero, and was still incredibly powerful, going toe-to-toe with his son when Nick had been possessed by the Master.

"I'm sorry to bring it up. I'd have taken any other route if I could, but you're the only one I could think of that could help," Ari admitted. Léanbow watched her curiously, his dark gaze reminding her strongly of Nick. "Our Masters have been captured, and they're being forced to fight against us. Their spirits are being used to create new Rangers," Léanbow's gaze darkened, no doubt recalling his days as Koragg. "I was able to temporarily stop them, but we're going to need something more powerful to stop them," Ari admitted.

"A way to sever the link and cancel out the spirit entirely?" Léanbow summed up. Ari nodded.

"I'm sorry, I didn't want to bring it up with you after the whole Koragg thing, but you're the only one I could think of that could help," she apologised.

"It's fine, Meraki," Léanbow raised a hand to stop her apology. "I have an idea," he told her.

The Masters were chained back up to the walls after very little sleep and the small amount of food Minos had brought them. Dai Shi walked past them, studying them as if they were show dogs to be judged.

"Jarrod," Master Finn spoke up, his voice weak. "Think back to Pai Zhuq. You were honourable, virtuous, you can be again," he told the young man. Minos, standing behind him, took a breath as he was hit by a memory long ago suppressed.

"Daddy!" two children ran across his memory with bright smiles, one with black hair, like their mother, while the other had fair hair like him; both with bright blue eyes.

"Quiet you!" Scorch snarled as Dai Shi snapped back to attention and walked away. Master Finn screamed as Scorch slammed his fist to his shoulder, glowing bright with Rinzin Power.

"That's enough!" Minos roared suddenly, his brown and green aura exploding out and slamming Scorch away.

"You dare attack a Phantom Beast General?!" Talon shrieked as she grabbed him by the neck. "To protect a human?!" she demanded.

"Release him!" Dai Shi snarled. Talon hesitated, before dropping him when she saw Scorch look at her. Minos sank to the ground, coughing. "Why did you do it?" he demanded, looking down at the bull as Camille stared at her brother with wide eyes.

"I..." Minos coughed. "If he is injured, how do you..." he coughed again, massaging his bruised throat. "Expect him to fight against the Rangers?" he asked. Dai Shi stared at him for a moment, before turning to Talon.

"Don't touch him again," he ordered the General, who let out a growl, but bowed in answer to his order. She and the other three then stood in front of the Masters as Minos got to his feet, looking at Master Finn again. The Shark Master stared back at him, his blue eyes wide. Jenna watched as well, wondering just what the outburst had been about. The four Generals summoned their powers, and took control of the Masters, making them scream.

"Keep your eyes open," Casey warned as the six Rangers walked through the forest Morphed. They had chosen there for their battle to minimise casualties, hoping Ari's plan would work.

"Are you sure this is going to work?" Theo asked for what seemed like the hundredth time.

"I'm sure, Theo," Ari nodded. "I was taught by the greatest warrior of the Magical Realm. I'm just worried about what could happen once I do it," she muttered.

"It'll be fine," RJ touched her shoulder in comfort.

"I hope you're right," Ari muttered. She had warned them of the consequences of what Léanbow had taught her, but RJ had told her that it was their best option. His father had visited him in a vision the previous night, telling him to take the risk, and the Violet Ranger had a suspicion that it was to do with what Ari had learned.

"Wait," RJ stopped them. "I sense something," he told them. Ari shivered, feeling it too. Thunder suddenly boomed and lightning flashed, before the Spirit Rangers appeared.

"I can only use this spell on one at a time, who should I test it on?" Ari called to RJ as they fought Master Swoop together. The Bat Ranger kicked RJ into a tree, before turning to Ari and leaping into the air.

"My dad said to take the risk...use it on him!" RJ groaned as Ari was tossed backwards.

"Okay..." Ari mumbled, getting to her feet.

"Go! I can handle Swoop for now," RJ told her. Ari nodded, and ran over to where Casey and Lily were fighting Master Finn. Nearby, Theo was fighting Master Swift, and Dom was facing Master Phant.

"Guys, when I say move, you move the hell out of the way, okay?" Ari called. They nodded, distracting the Shark Ranger as Ari took a breath. She began to chant in a strange language, her eyes closed as she called on her magic. Golden light appeared in her hands and flowed up, before she opened her eyes. "Move now!" the girl shouted. Casey and Lily leapt out of the way, and Ari threw the magic at Master Finn as he walked towards her. However, another figure leapt in the way. "No!" Ari gasped as the light slammed into Master Swift, causing a small explosion that caused the other three Masters to disappear.

Master Swift screamed as she was suddenly completely covered in silver light, before disappearing as the light was sucked into the Crystal Eye controlling her. The other three Masters cried out as they regained control, looking to where the youngest of the four had stood.

"Jenna no!" Master Finn yelled in horror. "No...I'm so sorry," he sagged as tears stung at his eyes. "RJ...I'm sorry..." he whispered.

"Did it work?" Theo asked hopefully as the Rangers regrouped. Smoke had filled the area as they demorphed.

"I don't know..." Ari groaned as Casey and Lily supported her. "All I know is that Master Swift took the hit instead," she told them, before looking around as Camille emerged from the smoke with Flit.

"So, you figured out how to destroy a Spirit Ranger," Camille smirked. "Congratulations, you've also destroyed your Master Swift," she told them coldly. Dom caught RJ as he slumped, unable to take a breath as the shock hit him. Ari stared, stunned as Camille turned and walked off, grabbing Flit by the head as the fly seemed remorseful over what had happened.

"Dai Shi," Scorch bowed to Dai Shi. "Master Swift wasn't actually destroyed," he revealed. "Her Spirit was captured in the Crystal Eye, just as mine was, for 10,000 years," the Avalon Dragon revealed as Dai Shi leaned forwards with wide eyes. "The starlight that could save her, passed many nights ago. She's trapped. Forever," he declared.

"Put her where she'll never be found," Dai Shi ordered. Scorch snapped his fingers, and Unidoom appeared behind him. He held out the Crystal Eye to the warrior.

"Cast this into the sea," he ordered.

"Yes, General," the warrior nodded as they laughed. Unidoom walked out, and Minos, who had been watching from behind a pillar, disappeared into the shadows.

"RJ..." the Violet Ranger looked up as Ari approached. "I know I'm the last person you'd want to see right now, but I just wanted you to know that...that this isn't your fault," Ari told him as she walked up the stairs to the railing he was leaning on. "You told me not to risk it. I shouldn't have-" she was interrupted when he hugged her suddenly. Tears stung at Ari's eyes, and she couldn't hold them back, both of them unable to stop their crying.

"I don't blame you Ari," the Master told her quietly. "I just wish I'd been able to think of something, anything. You're the one who's kept it together this entire time, trying to find a way to break them out of their control," he shook his head.

"Master Swift told me once, that the lessons of the past guide us in the future," Ari sniffed.

"She never could give a straight lesson. Just like my dad," RJ sighed, before hearing footsteps. Looking around, RJ released Ari and both fell into fighting stances as Minos approached.

"What do you want? Come to rub our loss in our face again?" Ari challenged him.

"I..." Ari frowned as Minos looked down at his hand, before looking up. His uncertainty made Ari drop her stance and straighten up. Without another word, he held out something in his hand.

"A Crystal Eye?" RJ asked slowly, dropping his stance as well. Minos looked down at it again.

"I don't know why I'm doing this. I don't understand anything any more," he said in a quiet voice. When he looked up again, the two Rangers were surprised by the scared look on his face. "Master Swift wasn't destroyed. She was trapped inside the Crystal Eye, like the Phantom Beasts were," he explained, offering it to RJ. His eyes widened, and he grabbed it quickly, lifting it into the light.

"Jenna's trapped inside?" he asked, daring to let a glimmer of hope in.

"She's still alive?" Ari asked, staring at Minos. He nodded.

"There's just one problem. The only way to release her, is starlight. Like with the Phantoms," Minos explained. RJ clutched the Eye to his chest.

"We'll get her out. There's bound to be a way to do it," Ari fell into thought. "Your dad must have considered this happening when he said to take the risk," she looked to him.

"I took the risk!" RJ told her. "But I can't find the answer...wait," his eyes widened. "'We'. My dad said 'we', not 'you'," he said to Ari. "But how can he help me? He's trapped there as well..." RJ seemed to be talking more to himself than Ari. "Unless..you already did..." RJ realised, looking down at the Eye. He ran off, and Ari frowned.

"A...Ari," Minos swallowed, making her look around. "You once said I had honour. How did you know?" he asked her. The look in his eyes made Ari drop her guard. There was something helpless about him, something that reminded her of someone.

"You remind me of Koragg, the Wolf Knight that served the Master," Ari explained. "He was actually Léanbow, under the control of the Master," Minos' eyes widened. He knew that name well from his wanderings in the Magical Realm. "He fought only for the Master, but there were so many times he could have destroyed us, and didn't, because it wasn't honourable. Like you," she told him, and gave a small smile. "Now come on," Minos frowned in confusion. "We need to catch up to RJ," she pointed out. Minos hesitated, before sighing. Once they freed Jenna, Dai Shi would know he'd had a hand in it. He'd be destroyed for his betrayal. And even then, Minos found himself wanting nothing less than to return to his master.

"Alright. But first...I have something to give back," Minos told her, putting a hand to his chest. Ari smiled widely, tears in her eyes.

"Sure thing," she nodded.

RJ cleared a space on his father's workbench, setting down the Crystal Eye. Behind him, he felt a pulse of energy, before the ground shook and vines burst up from under the sand.

"Oh it is great to be back!" Xander smiled widely at his newly recovered power. He looked up at Minos, who was looking at the vines in mild alarm as they disappeared back under the sand. "Thanks," he told the man, who raised an eyebrow.

"I stole your spirit in the first place, you don't have to thank me," he said gruffly.

"I know," Xander nodded. "But you gave it back. That warrants gratitude," he told him before turning to Ari. The Gold Ranger smiled widely, jumping up and throwing her arms around him in a tight hug. Minos flinched as their laughter caused another memory to unlock.

"Oh sweetheart, you really must stop annoying your sister. You're as bad as the children," the black haired, brown eyed woman scolded with a smile as she wiped blood from his cheek, making him flinch.

"But it's fun, just like this," he grabbed her around the waist and she laughed as he spun her around.

"Okay guys, let's see if this works," RJ called, and the three approached as he aimed the telescope his father had made at the eye. "Oh, I hope I'm right and you captured the starlight," he muttered. "Here goes," he opened the cover, and light shone from it, hitting the Crystal Eye.

Everyone held their breaths, watching as the Crystal Eye lit up, before seeming to explode with silver light. The light formed a figure, and faded to reveal Jenna, who stumbled. "Jenna..." RJ caught her, and the young woman blinked.

"RJ?" she looked up at him, and tears filled her eyes. "RJ!" she gave a choked laugh and hugged him tightly as he hugged her back. When she released him, she noticed the other three, and she gave a gasp, stumbling backwards.

"Easy, he helped us," RJ told her quickly. "He gave us the Eye and told us what happened," RJ soothed, shooting Minos a smile. The bull nodded back.

"You also protected Master Finn from Scorch," Jenna accused. Minos gave one short nod. "Thank you," she smiled. "I should have known your father would have a plan as crazy as this!" she shook her head as she turned back to RJ, and Ari ushered Xander and Minos away to give them a moment.

"Yeah, I almost didn't realise it," RJ nodded with a chuckle.

"Hey, you're just as bad as him for your crazy ideas," Jenna poked his chest with a giggle, giddy as her joy of being free only grew. RJ pulled her in and kissed her, and Jenna kissed back, her hands moving behind his head as she savoured it. "Oh god, I must look a mess!" Jenna realised. After all, she'd been held captive for a number of days. "I need a shower, I need to brush my hair...and my teeth! Oh god, I-" RJ rolled his eyes and kissed her again.

"I don't care," he muttered between kisses. "I thought I'd lost you," he admitted in a quiet voice that made Jenna's heart pang painfully as she tightened her grip and the kiss deepened.

"Hey guys? I know you must be catching up on the make-out sessions..." Ari approached with a hand over her eyes.

"Shove off Ari," RJ growled.

"Why does everyone always say that?" Ari sighed, but it was out of amusement. "Anyway, before you get carried away in uh, your dad's beach shack...the others are taking a beating in town," she pointed out. Reluctantly, RJ released Jenna, both looking a little flustered.

"Alright...let's go," he told her.

"If I may," Minos called before they could run off. "The only way that's going to save your friends, is to rescue the other Masters. You were no match for the Spirits before, this is your only chance," he told them. The two Rangers exchanged looks.

The Rinshi guarding the entrance to Dai Shi's temple never saw the attack coming. Ari, and Cam, who had insisted on coming along, seemed to appear out of nowhere, taking out the Rinshi.

"Ninjas never fail to scare me," Xander muttered as the others emerged from their hiding place.

"You and me both," Minos muttered, and they ran into the temple. "This way," he called, and the small group ran through the temple, which was mostly unguarded as most of the Rinshi guarded the Masters. They burst into the room, where the three remaining Masters were being controlled. Auras surrounded them as they performed punches and kicks, fighting the other Rangers in their Spirit forms. The Rinshi looked around as the door burst open, and the group began to attack. Jenna knocked them about with her whip, while the others fought hand to hand.

"We need to snap them out of it!" Cam called to the others.

"On it!" RJ grabbed a broken beam, and slammed the stand in front of Master Phant. It collapsed, and the older man cried out as he was pulled back against the wall. He then did the same to Master Swoop, and then to Master Finn, and the three fell to the ground. "Dad!" RJ ran to his father as Ari and Jenna helped the other two fallen Masters.

"RJ?" Master Finn looked up at him, before glancing to where Jenna was helping Master Swoop up. "You did it," he smiled weakly.

"No time for that," Ari called, snapping her fingers. The chains around their wrists fell off, and they got up slowly.

"Can you stand?" Jenna asked Master Swoop as she helped him up.

"Of course. Let's get out of here," the Bat Master told them as RJ grabbed the Crystal Eyes from the ground.

"Minos," Master Finn grabbed the man by the sleeve. "There is something you should know, about your family," he said, making Minos frown.

"Five Pai Zhuq Masters," they stopped as Dai Shi walked in. "Two Mystics...and what are you?" Dai Shi asked Cam.

"Samurai," the man replied shortly. Dai Shi laughed.

"Of course you are. And a traitor as well. You're not so mighty now," Dai Shi chuckled as he looked to Minos. "I should have seen this coming, Minos. You can't deny yourself forever," he commented.

"Dai Shi, if you could, you would destroy us as you would blow out a candle," Master Finn told him. "But Jarrod's Black Lion Spirit cannot be crushed!" he told Dai Shi, whose smirk vanished.

"Jarrod's Spirit is buried deep in my darkness," he snarled.

"Buried maybe, but not lost. Never," Master Phant told him. Dai Shi stared at him. "His humanity is an antidote to your poison, and someday Jarrod will cast you out!" the Elephant Master warned him. Dai Shi was silent for a moment, before letting out a roar. His Zokado power blasted them off their feet. He let out a growl, and RJ met him in a fight as the others watched. Before long, the Wolf Master was thrown back on the ground, holding his ribs after a powerful blow from Dai Shi.

"RJ!" Jenna cried out, kneeling beside him.

"Try me on for size," Minos challenged as he stepped forwards. Dai Shi smirked even wider as Jenna and Master Finn helped RJ to his feet. Ari began to glow, healing her team-mate's ribs.

"After 10,000 years of serving me without question, you have finally turned your back on me," Dai Shi commented as the two circled each other. "Why?" he asked.

"Because I remembered," Minos replied. Dai Shi's eyes widened, and Minos ran at him. They began to fight, and Dai Shi grabbed his arm, twisting. However, Minos moved with it, and the sleeve tore off as he was freed. Ari clapped her hands to her mouth as she saw the tattoo on his arm, close to the inside of his elbow.

"He's a Master!" she breathed as all but Master Finn stared in shock. Minos looked at the tattoo as if only seeing it for the first time.

"Minos was once known as Master Taurus," Master Finn spoke softly as the two continued to fight. "But long ago, before the Great Beast War, his family were killed, and he joined Dai Shi," he explained.

"He blamed Pai Zhuq," Master Swoop remembered the name as Minos gained the upper hand against Dai Shi, who had long since lost his smirk.

"He did. But he never learned the truth," Master Finn shook his head.

"You're a fool Minos!" Dai Shi laughed. "You would join the Order again? Even after what Master Mao did to your family?" he asked. Minos hesitated, giving Dai Shi the chance to throw him backwards with his Zokado Power.

"Stop!" Minos put his hands to his head as he was forced to remember the family he had lost. "Stop it!" he roared, his aura appearing and his bull rearing. It charged, but at the others, instead of Dai Shi. They prepared to summon their own in response, before there was a flash of light.

"Daddy!" the bull stopped abruptly at the cry. Everyone looked around in shock as a young woman appeared, tears in her eyes. "Please, daddy, stop it," she ran to his side, and as Dai Shi went to attack, she looked up. "Spirit of the Squirrel!" a powerful Spirit leapt from the girl and slammed into Dai Shi, throwing him backwards.

"Master Rel..." Ari breathed, recognising her Spirit Master.

"That's impossible...how are you here?" Minos asked, staring up at her. Master Rel smiled sadly.

"The other Masters gave me enough power to get here, but it will only last a few minutes. Daddy, I miss you so much," she hugged him, and Minos hugged her back tightly. "I've been searching for you for so long, but Dai Shi's darkness kept you hidden," she explained. "You need to know the truth. Master Mao tried desperately to save mama, and Robert," Master Rel told him gently. "Dai Shi killed mama, and made it seem like he killed me and Robert, but Master Mao protected us," she explained.

"The Great Beast War...you were one of the four Masters who died sealing him in the box," Minos breathed. Master Rel nodded.

"But Robert lived on. He helped continue on the Order," Master Rel smiled. "He passed on the Way for generations...in fact..." she looked over to the others. "Two are here today," she revealed.

"What?" Minos stared.

"That's why you wouldn't let anyone hurt Master Finn," Master Rel smiled. RJ looked to his father in alarm, and the Shark Master gave a small nod. "Please daddy, keep fighting. Don't give in to Dai Shi's darkness," she pleaded as an orange aura began to surround her.

"No! Please, don't go!" Minos pleaded as tears ran down his face.

"I'll be watching. I love you daddy. And so does mama. And Robert," Master Rel told him, before disappearing. Minos let out a sob as she disappeared from his arms.

"How touching," Dai Shi scoffed as he recovered from the attack. "I should have destroyed you the moment I could. But I thought it would be more poetic to keep you around," he commented as he approached Minos.

"Enough!" he looked around just in time to block Ari's punch, but the force pushed him back several steps. "I have had enough of scumbags like you destroying families! Of ripping people apart!" Ari yelled as she stood in front of Minos. "You take the slightest ray of light, and crush it. And I won't let it happen anymore!" she screamed, and light exploded from her. Energy accompanied it, throwing everyone to the ground.

"What's happening?" Xander yelled as a powerful wind picked up. The light faded, and Ari stood in golden armour that was lined with silver. The helmet had wings down the sides, as did the boots, and on the chest plate, was her Mystic Symbol. "It's like...an Ancient Mystic Mode," Xander realised, seeing the similarities to Daggeron and Althea's armour.

"Daughter of Sun and Moon, son of Snow and Fire, the Light cuts through the Darkness, but it cannot shine without the Sun! I won't tolerate suffering anymore!" Dai Shi stumbled backwards, fear apparent in his eyes.

"No, you can't be...you can't be it!" he roared as his lion armour appeared.

"What's going on?" Cam asked as the group nearby got to their feet.

"What's happened is that she's finally awoken to her destiny," Master Swoop spoke. "To think it was Ari all along..." he murmured thoughtfully.

"What are you talking about?" Xander demanded.

"There's a legend," Jenna told him gently. "That the greatest warrior will awaken and protect everyone. The Legendary Golden Warrior," she breathed.

"Impossible!" Cam reacted at the name as well.

"No! You can't be!" Dai Shi roared again, leaping at Ari. With the back of her hand, Ari deflected his attack, before moving quickly and kicking him. Dai Shi slammed into a wall, crying out in pain.

"Enough!" another figure joined the battle, throwing a punch that Ari deflected. "I heard one of the Rangers was a Sparrow, I've been dying to fight you," Talon sneered.

"A Phantom Beast General," Master Phant gasped as the two began to fight.

"Too bad it's not going to be much of a fight," Ari told her calmly, kicking Talon back. The Phantom Beast was pushed back, before Ari slashed down with a sword that materialised in her hand. Talon screamed, staggering, before starting to glow.

"You're no match for Rinzin power! No mere human is!" she shrieked, slashing out at Ari. However, the Gold Ranger easily blocked it, and slashed across Talon's front.

"You Phantoms need to be erased. If you can't live in harmony, then I won't tolerate you here," Ari's golden aura returned, and she held up the sword. "With the power of the sun, Shining Sun Attack!" she blasted Talon, who screamed as she was destroyed. The light faded, and Ari's armour shattered. The girl stood with her back to her friends for a moment, before the room began to groan and shake. Ari collapsed as everything began to explode.

"We need to get out of here!" Master Finn yelled. Minos finally seemed to snap to, lifting Ari into his arms before following the others. Dai Shi let out a roar, thrown about the room as the others escaped.

Casey, Lily, Theo and Dom were blasted off their feet by Unidoom, who laughed loudly.

"With you gone, the beasts shall rule the world!" he declared. Camille watched with a smirk, an idea of her own coming to mind.

"Hey!" Unidoom looked around as RJ ran up, already Morphed. "That's not gonna happen," he told the monster as his team smiled in relief, exhausted from the beating they had taken.

"Hah!" Unidoom scoffed. "I've already beaten four Rangers, one more is no challenge," he taunted.

"How's this for a challenge?" RJ smirked, and the other Rangers were taken by surprise as Minos and the four Spirit Rangers stood beside the Violet Ranger. Camille let out a choked gasp, unable to believe that she was seeing her brother beside them.

"That's nothing!" Camille walked over, but was staring at her brother the entire time. "Here's a challenge. Rinshi!" Camille snapped her fingers, and a huge army of Rinshi appeared. Camille called on her armour. "Bring it on!" she challenged.

"With the Strength of a Tiger! Jungle Fury Red Ranger!"

"With the Stealth of a Jaguar! Jungle Fury Blue Ranger!"

"With the Speed of a Cheetah! Jungle Fury Yellow Ranger!"

"With the Courage of a Wolf! Jungle Fury Wolf Ranger!"

"With the Power of a Rhino! Jungle Fury Rhino Ranger!"

"With the Spirit of a Bat! Jungle Fury Bat Ranger!"

"With the Spirit of a Shark! Jungle Fury Shark Ranger!"

"With the Spirit of an Elephant! Jungle Fury Elephant Ranger!"

"With the Defiance of a Bull!"

"We summon the Animal Spirits from within! Power Rangers Jungle Fury!"

"Get them!" Camille screamed.

"Let's get them!" Casey called. The two opposing sides clashed, and Minos met Camille in the middle.

"How could you betray Dai Shi?!" she screamed furiously. "For those who took everything from you?!" Camille demanded.

"Because they didn't do it," Minos replied in a calm voice. After seeing Master Rel, he felt oddly serene. "Dai Shi was the one responsible for ripping apart my family," Minos told her, and Camille's eyes widened.

"You're lying!" Camille shrieked. "They've blinded you!" Minos sighed. He knew she'd never turn against Dai Shi. She loved him, and from what Minos could tell, more than she loved her own brother.

"No Camille. Dai Shi blinded us," he told her, and with a powerful strike of his hammer, knocked her flying out of the way. The Spirit Rangers and the others destroyed the Rinshi easily, leaving only Unidoom.

"Rinzin Power!" the monster blasted the Spirits, but they dodged it, and with powerful strikes of their own, destroyed him.

When they returned to the loft, Lily ran past the others to hug her Master.

"Master Phant!" she hugged him tightly as he laughed.

"Welcome back Master Swoop," Theo smiled up at the much taller Master, much more composed than Lily as Casey put his hand on Master Finn's shoulder.

"Jenna!" the Spider Monkey Master let out a cry of alarm as Dom lifted her into the air with a hug. "I was so scared that we'd never see you again," the Rhino Ranger smiled as he set her down.

"I'm not so easily destroyed. At least, thanks to Master Finn and RJ," Jenna smiled. Dom chuckled, releasing her so RJ could hug her again.

"And your story is...?" Theo turned to Minos with a suspicious look.

"Uh, maybe a proper introduction is in order," RJ said, not letting go of Jenna. The three older Masters were smirking in amusement, having known the two for years. "This is Master Taurus, a Master long believed to have been destroyed. And, so it turns out...my ancestor," he added, and the four Rangers double-took. Minos just shrugged.

"So uh...where's Ari?" Casey asked slowly. "Was she hurt before?" he asked.

"Yeah, why wasn't she in that fight?" Lily asked worriedly. "She's okay, isn't she?" she asked, seeing the looks on the Masters' faces.

"Something happened to Ari in Dai Shi's temple," they looked around as Cam spoke up. "And she hasn't woken since," he told them gravely as they stared, worried.

So this was probably one of the most important chapters that I've had planned since I first started writing this series. It's changed a great deal since then - Minos was a character added very late on, and even as I was writing it, I changed things about him (pretty much everything revealed in this chapter were very late changes) - but the main stuff stayed. Minos was always meant to join the good guys, but it was supposed to be a bit later, but I found that I liked this way a bit more.

Anyways, I hope you like it. Let me know what you think!

Please review!