Kali pressed the tips of her fingers to her temple as she watched Leanbow, and RJ circle one another. It had been almost twenty-four hours since the Porcupine attack on Ocean Bluff, and while everything there had turned out perfect, things with RJ were still going downhill.

The Wolf Master was in flux, as Eithne had called it. Battling for control against his Animal spirit. She couldn't be certain how long the issue had been going on, but she could tell Kali that it had happened quite recent.

"How's it going?" Nick asked, appearing behind Kali and wrapping his arms around her waist.

Kali shook her head. "They're just assessing each other," she said. "I can't hear what is being said, Leanbow cast a silencing charm, and RJ is changing between human and animal. Your father is good, though, he seems to know how to calm the beast."

"Dad's more experienced than us," said Nick. "So, it's not much concern that he knows what he is doing."

"Mhm. I just wish I know why RJ didn't tell us this was happening."

"Maybe he didn't want to add to your burden."

Kali glanced sideways. "He's not a burden," she said. "Besides, if this was happening to me, and I hadn't said anything, he'd been pissed off. We're a team. We're supposed to tell each other everything."

Nick kissed her shoulder. "I know, but, you have had a lot going on these last few months - the wedding planning, fighting the Dai Shi, RJ's abduct - where are you going?" he asked, as Kali untangled herself from him and headed for the arena where RJ and Leanbow were. "The silencing charm is up for a reason."

"To stop me from listening in," said Kali.

"Yes, but if that is up then dad probably put a -" Nick broke off. As soon has her hand had come in contact with the door, Kali was thrown across the room by some invisible barrier.

Kali groaned as she collided with the far wall. "Ow!" she whined, pushing herself into a sitting position and glaring.

Nick snorted, trying to cover it as a cough, but failing. He grinned as Kali met his gaze with a glare, and jogged over to her, holding out his hand.

She swatted away his offer of help and stood.

"I did warn you," said Nick.

"Yeah, thanks," said Kali, shortly. She rubbed the back of her head, feeling a bump already starting to form.

Nick eyed her curiously. "What's so important that you have to get in there now for, anyway?" he asked. "What did I say?"

"All this weird behaviour started happening after RJ was rescued from Dai Shi," said Kali. "What if he did something to RJ? Something we missed. Something I missed?"

"Okay," said Nick, still not following.

"I'm supposed to be the Hellhound," said Kali. "I'm supposed to be able to detect when something is amiss. I'm not doing a good job if I failed to notice this." She pointed at the sealed door.

~X~

Eithne cocked her head to the side as Kali popped another load of Aspirin, choking them down without any water. "Should you be taking that many painkillers so close together?" she asked.

"I wouldn't have to if this headache would do one," said Kali, pressing the balls of her hands into her eyes. The pain wasn't just in her head, it was behind her eye sockets, too.

"If it's relentless pain then it's probably not a headache," said Eithne. "I was actually coming to tell you that there's been a shift in the darkness. I'm sure Leanbow has told you about the Overlords, right?"

"Carnisoar and Jellica, yeah, they're in Ocean Bluff," said Kali. "He mentioned a third - Grizzaka, I think?"

Eithne nodded. "Did he tell you about the powers that Grizzaka had?" she asked. "Mainly the control over -"

"Zokado," Kali interrupted. She nodded. "He also told me that, as the Hellhound, I could possibly be a vessel for it. What, you're saying this headache could be linked to that?"

"I think it's too much of a coincidence that your headache happens at the same time there is a disruption in the darkness," said Eithne. "I've spoken with Xander, and he too has felt a disruption in the Earth. I think Grizzaka has been resurrected, and his Zokado is more powerful than ever."

"Great," Kali whined. "How do I make this pain stop? Who do I have to destroy to get some peace?"

Eithne smiled, softly. "Once the Earth and Darkness elements have got used to Grizzaka's presence they will cool down alone," she explained. "Just try and give it a few hours… and stop popping Aspirin. They're not helping."

Kali whimpered as Eithne took the bottle and strode out of the room. She huffed and buried her head in her arms, pressing the palms of her hands down on the top of her head in hopes of pushing out the pain. It was times like this that she hated her connection to the Hellhound.

"Are you safe to be around?"

Kali looked up as RJ stuck his head into the room. He was looking guilty and, if she wasn't mistaken, a little scared. She narrowed her eyes; despite the vulnerable look he was offering her.

"I can explain…" RJ started.

"Then start explaining," Kali snapped. "Start with why you didn't say anything!"

RJ sighed. "Can I apologise first?" he asked.

"No. I promised Rylie that I wouldn't let anything happen to you," Kali continued. "I made a promise, RJ, one that I thought I had come through on, but I obviously haven't. What happened to you? What did he do."

"What makes you think - "

"Dai Shi did something to you," said Kali, interrupting again. "You were fine before you gave yourself up. I don't know why I didn't sense it before, maybe it was because of what happened in the Spirit World, but you could've told us, you could've told me. But no, I had to find out in the middle of a fight."

RJ sighed. "That's why you sent Theo and Casey after the Porcupine," he said.

"You remember that?"

"I remember everything," said. "Well, almost everything. When I… change, I sort of black out. But, I remember yesterday. Leanbow helped me piece that together. I want to say thank you, you sending me here has helped, but I can't stay here for long. I'm a liability."

Kali shook her head. "You're better off here than in Ocean Bluff," she said. "Leanbow can help you, plus, you're safe in the Mystic Realms, our defences will stop you from hurting anyone, including yourself."

RJ hesitated.

"It's not up for debate, RJ," said Kali, shaking her head. "You're staying here until you get whatever is wrong with you under control." She paused, then smiled.

RJ eyed her nervously. "What?" he asked.

"Think of it has a type of retreat," said Kali. "A rehab, if you want."

RJ snorted, despite himself.

Kali smiled.

~X~

Later that afternoon, Kali wandered into the Rock Porium and found Vida and Chip sitting in the kitchen pouring over wedding venues, she sidled up behind them, leaned forward and, reaching between them tapped the magazine. "I like that one," she said, startling them both.

"You're going to kill me before the wedding," said Chip.

Kali smiled. "How are my two favourite love birds?" she asked. "Did you get your dress?" she added to Vida.

"Yes. Thank you. Mum's not all that happy, but eh," Vida shrugged. "It's my wedding after all."

"Exactly," said Kali. "What about you, Chip? You tried on your tux yet?"

"Nick, Xander, and I have an appointment in an hour," said Chip, checking his watch. "But, I should probably start heading over now. My dad is giving us a ride, and he wants us home before it's time to leave."

Kali turned away as Chip leaned forward, pressing a kiss to Vida's lips and then standing from his seat. He hugged Kali and left the store.

"Where's he off to?" Xander asked, wandering out of the back office. He paused when he spotted Kali and his eyes widened as he checked his watch. "Shit!" he muttered, tearing off his work jacket, tossed it haphazardly into the office and raced out, slamming the door in his wake.

Kali sniggered and slid into Chip's vacated seat. "You're so lucky you have me as a maid of honour," she said. "I know I shouldn't really be interfering in the men's side of things, but Chip would be in his birthday suit if it wasn't for me."

"You're doing amazing," said Vida. "Chip has seen everything, and he's totally in love with it."

"But…"

Vida looked nervous.

"Hey, you can tell me," said Kali. "This is your big day, remember? I'm not taking over, just trying to help. What is it? What's not meeting your expectations?"

Vida heaved a heavy sigh. She looked better already, like this had been hanging over her for a long time. "I have a pink dress," she said, "and I love it. But… if Chip wears a yellow tux, isn't that going to look weird?"

Kali furrowed her brow. "I thought he was wearing a black tux with a yellow flower?" she asked. She fished her phone out of her pocket and thumbed her way through the messages she, Nick, and Xander had been sending one another for the last two weeks. "Yeah. Here, see…"

Vida read the messages.

K: Vida's dress has been picked up. Please tell me you have Chip's tux ready.

X: We're being fitted next week. I'm not a total idiot, you know.

K: That's up for debate.

X: Hey!

N: I know I got the girl. But could you two knock off the flirting, please?

K: I'm not a trophy!

X: And I'm taken, thank you.

N: You're still a flirt.

K: …

X: Shut up!

K: Anyway, back to the conversation. What tux has Chip picked out? Do you know?

X: How can he pick out a tux without a fitting?

K: Colours, idiots. What colours is he thinking? It can't be just any colour scheme, it has to match Vida's, and she's chosen pink.

N: I'm guessing because it's her colour now?

K: Hey, her attitude towards pink changed dramatically after we became Rangers. Besides, the dress is like a pink champagne colour, and she looks amazing. Just tell me Chip has something that will match it. Preferably black.

X: You're willing to share your colour with someone else?

K: It's not my big day. I can wear a different colour for one day. It won't kill me, besides, it's for Vida and Chip. So, focus, people! Colours. What are you and the Groom thinking?

N: We did talk about black. Black is traditional, and I think Daggeron may have got to Chip a few days ago. All he has been talking about is Mystic traditions.

K: Okay. Someone has to talk to Daggeron, see what he has said. Not it!

N: Not it!

X: Dang it! Rematch…

K: Ok. Still not it.

N: Not it!

X: Come on!

Giggling, Vida slipped the phone back to Kali. "Nick's right, you and Xander are two flirts," she said. "It doesn't matter if you're both in healthy relationships."

Kali rolled her eyes. "Xander's a big idiot. Loveable, but still a big idiot. I think there will always be chemistry, but we just can't cross that line," she said.

"Sounds fair. So, did you find out what Daggeron said to Chip?"

Kali shook her head. "No. He left for the Solar Dimension the same day, and he's still not back. Mum is trying to locate him, but it's proving difficult because of her control over darkness," she said.

"I can see what that would be hard. Darkness and light? Not a good combination."

Kali nodded. "But, if Chip has changed his mind then we'll work around it," she said. "You can get different shades of Yellow, so as long as it's not a bright, neon yellow then we should be fine."

Vida smiled.

Kali watched her for a few seconds. "You nervous?" she asked.

"About spending the rest of my life with the man I love?"

Kali shrugged.

"Terrified."

Kali laughed.

"What about you?" Vida asked. "You already said you aren't interested in having kids, but what about marriage? If Nick proposed to you right now, what would you do?"

"Right here in the store?"

Vida nodded.

"Probably walk out."

"Kali!" Vida laughed.

Kali chuckled. "What? I'm not a hopeless romantic, and I find that stuff embarrassing," she defended. "Nick knows better than to put me in a situation that will humiliate us both."

"Poor guy," said Vida, shaking her head.

Kali rolled her eyes. She spotted the abandoned magazine and pulled it towards her, flipping through the different venues. "So, which have caught your eye?" she asked.

"A few," said Vida "But we're concerned about the price. We need something affordable."

"Are you thinking indoor or outdoor?" Kali asked, flipping to another page.

Vida shrugged. "We're just waiting to see what catches our eye. Why? Do you have a suggestion?" she asked.

"I was thinking, if Daggeron is talking tradition with Chip, then maybe we could go down the Mystic route?" Kali asked. "You know, an outdoor wedding in the woods? People aren't afraid of it anymore, but we could decorate Cedar Grove, have an archway of pink and yellow flowers for where you and Chip could stand along with - who is marrying you, by the way?"

"I have asked Udonna."

"Nice. Well, an archway would be perfect," said Kali. Her gaze swept from page to page, picking out highlights and ideas from each image that was shown. "Yes, that would look amazing."

Vida raised an eyebrow. "Are you going to tell me?" she asked.

"Do you want to know, or do you want to be surprised?"

Vida looked considerate. "Okay. Surprise me," she said.

"Okay. But I will show the others," said Kali.

The two were silent again, before the familiar chirping of Kali's morpher echoed from her pocket. She fished out her glasses, slid them onto her face, and set the small mic against her cheek. "What's up?" she asked.

"Have you seen RJ?" Rylie asked.

"Yeah. He's safe."

"You have? Where is he? What do you mean he's safe? What happened?"

Kali sighed. She hadn't told Rylie or the others what was going on with RJ, mainly because she wasn't 100% certain herself. Plus, she wanted to get Leanbow's report on his assessments before she went back to Ocean Bluff, which was mainly the reason she had been in Briarwood for the last twenty Four hours.

"Kali, are you there? Where's RJ?"

"He's fine, Rylie, I promise," said Kali. "I'll let you know soon what is happening, but for now you're going to have to trust me."

"It's bad, isn't it?"

"No. It's not bad… exactly."

There was silence, before Rylie spoke again. Her voice sounded small and scared as she asked, "what do you mean 'exactly'?"

"As soon as I get my answers, you'll get yours, okay?" Kali asked. "I made you a promise, Rylie, and I always make good on them. Just a few more hours, alright?"

"Okay. Um, that's not the only reason I called," said Rylie. "There's been an attack in the city. Do you not get the news down there?"

"Been a little busy," said Kali. "What channel?"

"Three."

Approaching the front desk, Kali reached beneath it and pulled out a black remote. She used one button to turn down the store music, much to the customer's annoyance, and then used another to turn on the TV in the corner. It flickered for signal, and then a news report from Ocean Bluff came through.

"Witness say it was just past midnight when they heard strange noises and then screams," said the reporter. "But by the time police arrived, the beast was gone. Victims say that the strange animal attacked without warning, too fast to be seen clearly. But, all reports do include long teeth, covered completely in fur, and very sharp claws. Mayor Sheppard has requested that all residents stay off the streets, until the matter is solved."

"Holy shit!" Kali murmured her eyes wide. "I'm coming back!" she added into the mic, she then ripped off the glasses, stuffed them back into her pocket and turned to Maddie, LeeLee, and Vida, all of whom were now crowded around the front counter.

"That does not look good," said LeeLee. "Any ideas on what it could be?"

Kali shook her head. "No. I am really sorry, guys, I know I said we'd hang out today, but -" she trailed off, her gaze trailing back to the TV. She had passed it on a mark that had been left on the side of a stone pillar.

"Don't apologise," said Vida. "Just go. Keep us in the loop."

"I will," Kali called as she raced from the store.

~X~

Arriving downtown, Kali turned and raced to where she could hear shrieks and shouts. She turned the corner and found the rest of her team in battle with a monkey. She cocked her head to the side, taking in the monkey's appearance, even though he was dancing around and leaping onto lampposts to get away from the other Rangers.

She noted that every part of his body was covered in long orange fur, and his claws were extremely long and sharp. "I think we found the midnight monster," she murmured, racing forward just as the Rinshi General floored Theo. He stood over the Blue Ranger, his arm raised, and his claws extended.

"No!" Casey and Lily called. They weren't that far away, but they too had been dealt blows that had knocked them down.

"Hey!" Kali called, jumping over Theo and swinging her foot around. She slammed it into the Monkey and knocked him back.

"Kali, you made it!" Casey called, relieved.

"Where have you been?" Theo asked. "You've been gone all night. Don't you know how to use a phone?"

Kali rolled her eyes. "I've been busy," she said. "Why didn't you guys call to say there was a Rinshi attack?"

"Rylie said she'd do it," said Lily. "She thought you'd have an idea on where RJ could be. Do you?"

"RJ is fine," said Kali. "But not our problem right now," she added as the Monkey made it back to his feet. He shook himself, released a high-pitched screech, and launched himself across the street at the team.

Kali raised her arm and snapped her fingers. The monkey collided with her shield and was blasted back.

"Nice save," said Casey. "Maybe if you morph, we can finish him for good."

"Sounds like a plan," Kali said, nodding. She took out her glasses, slid them onto her face, and tapped the side. "Jungle Beast, Spirit Unleashed!"

The monkey launched his whole body into the air and smashed both feet onto the ground as he landed. "No fair!" he whined. "Four Rangers are too many!"

"That's a first," said Theo.

"Maybe he knows that with the Hellhound, he doesn't stand a chance," said Lily. She nudged Kali. "You strike fear into even the darkest of souls."

Kali laughed. "Then let's strike it into him," she said. "Ready for an upgrade?"

"Yeah - Jungle Master Mode!"

The four powered up further and then raced at the Rinshi General. There was a flash of fear, one that Kali felt deep in her core, and minutes later a small army of Rinshi soldiers appeared, separating the team from the Monkey.

"I got these clowns," said Kali. "You guys take ape-boy."

Casey, Theo, and Lily nodded and took off, carving a way through the Rinshi soldiers as Kali called on her swords. She rolled them both between her hands and took a running leap into the mix. She landed, extended her arms outwards, away from her body, and then spun in a full circle, cutting down whoever dared get to close.

Stumbling out of the spin, Kali glanced around her as those that remained tried to box her in. She smirked as they bounced forward, their arms outstretched as if ready to grab her at the last second. They then fired - tiny laser pellets shooting out of their fingertips.

Kali disappeared and the laser bullets hit the Rinshi instead. "You guys are worse than Hidiacs and Kelzaks put together," she said, watching as the soldiers fell by their own hand. "This will be over soon. Emerald Blaze!" she called, crossing the swords over one another and holding them above her head.

A black ball of green, black, and purple energy grew larger and larger. She uncrossed her blades and swung them both down, slicing through the air as colourful energies followed their every move. She struck the Rinshi, causing them to fizzle into nothingness.

A scream caught her attention, and Kali turned to see the others getting thrown around like rag dolls. She rushed over, leapt into the air and yelled, "Darkness Wave!" as she raised her swords above her head again. She slashed down, and a wave of darkness hit the monkey, knocking him through an abandoned building.

"Why won't he just give up?" Lily asked. "We've all hit him with enough power to destroy him."

"He's not a normal Rinshi," said Kali. She hadn't noticed it before, but she could see and feel it now. The amount of darkness seeping off the Monkey was enough to make her delirious. He wasn't one of Dai Shi's fools, he belonged to someone stronger, someone with unlimited access to a far great power. "Zokado…"

Theo turned to Kali. "Zo-what?" he asked.

Kali shook her head. "I'll explain later, but we have to be careful," she said. "Also, I don't think my attacks are doing any good on him. He's just absorbing them and it's making him stronger."

"How can he do that?" Lily asked.

"I have an idea. But now is neither the time nor place," said Kali.

Casey hesitated. If Kali and the Hellhound didn't have the abilities to put down this Rinshi, what use would they have?

Staggering out of the rubble, the Monkey unleashed another shriek, beat his chest, and raced at the team of four. He swung his claws around, dragging them down two Rangers at once, and sending then crashing and rolling across the floor.

There was a collective groan as the four Rangers demorphed.

"That didn't go to plan," said Casey, wincing with each movement. He rolled onto his stomach and looked up, the monkey was edging closer and closer, his claws raised for a second attack.

Kali raised her arm but found that she didn't have the energy to snap her fingers, much less withstand a shield. The surge of magic it took to create just one shield put a dampener on her strength, and she wasn't at full strength after the last attack. She needed time to re-energise.

"It's over, Rang -" the Monkey cut off as a howl echoed around the area.

Instinctively, Casey, Theo, and Lily turned to Kali, but found the same confusion they felt reflected back at them from her face and eyes.

"WOLF ATTACK!"

A large, purple wolf leapt over the team and collided with the Monkey. The team struggled to sit up and found RJ racing towards them.

"RJ?" Casey, Theo, and Lily breathed.

RJ jumped over the team and landed between them and the Monkey. His wolf disappeared, and the monkey let out an angry shriek as he glared at RJ.

"What are you doing?" Kali asked.

"Helping," said RJ. He held up his wrist, showing them a large purple bracelet in the shape of a wolf. He set his gaze on the Monkey. "Maybe I can give you the challenge that you're looking for? Jungle Beast, Spirit Unleashed!" he called.

A collective 'whoa' rippled between the others as RJ now stood before them in a purple and silver spandex suit.

"You're a Ranger?" Lily asked.

"That's awesome!" Theo and Casey chuckled.

Kali's gaze skimmed the suit and then came to a halt on the helmet, which was, obviously, in the shape of a wolf. "A new Wolf Warrior," she grinned. "Let me guess. Leanbow?"

RJ shrugged.

"Another Ranger!" the Monkey howled.

Kali glanced around RJ and smirked. "I don't think everyone is impressed," she said. "Maybe you should give him another reason?"

"Sounds like a plan," said RJ. He turned to the Monkey, clenched his fists, and launched himself into battle.

~X~

Rylie let out a sigh of relief as she hurried across the parlour and threw her arms around RJ. He, in turn, wound his arms around her waist and hugged her fiercely.

"I'm glad you're okay," said Rylie, pulling out of the hug. "I was so worried. You are okay, right?"

"I am now," said RJ.

"What happened? Where've you been?" Rylie asked. She turned as Kali entered the parlour, along with the others. She noted their excitement, which was contagious. "What's going on?"

Kali nodded at RJ and then glanced at his wrist.

Rylie followed her gaze and gasped, clasping a hand over her mouth at the sight of the morpher. "Wait… that purple ranger. That was you?" she asked, looking up and meeting RJ's gaze. She and Fran had watched the fight, but only caught it after the Purple Ranger had morphed.

"Yeah. Surprise, I guess?" it was more a statement than a question. "Leanbow gave me the morpher, infused it with his Wolf Warrior spirit, and sent me to Ocean Bluff."

"If Leanbow infused the morpher with his animal spirit then he must've figured out what was going on with you," said Kali.

RJ nodded.

"What do you mean?" Rylie asked. She looked from Kali to RJ. "What does she mean?"

RJ sighed. He knew he had to come clean, and it was always better when his team new the truth. If something like this were to ever happen again, at least they would know and have a way to fight it. "It's my animal form," he said. "It became too powerful for my human spirit to handle."

"So, wait a second," said Casey. He looked between RJ and Kali. "You're telling me that that… wolf creature we fought yesterday. That was you, RJ?"

RJ nodded.

Casey rounded on Kali. "You knew," he accused. "You knew and you didn't say anything."

"I needed to be sure," said Kali. "Which is why I sent RJ to Root Core. I knew Leanbow would be able to help him."

"And he did," said RJ.

"How?" Lily asked.

RJ smiled and wrapped a single arm around Rylie. "By reminding me that I am more than my spirit," he said. "He reminded me that despite the troubles and upheavals that come with being human, I have friends and family that care about me. Also, that I'm not a bad person and wouldn't hurt a fly, unless needed or provoked."

"Sounds like Leanbow," said Kali, nodding.

"So, you're okay now?" Fran asked. She had joined the conversation during RJ's explanation and was in the process of drying her hands on a towel.

RJ nodded. "I hope so," he said.

"And good thing, too," said Rylie. "If you had transformed into an actual wolf for too long then you'd be stuck in that form forever."

"You mean, he'd be a complete werewolf for the rest of his life?" Theo asked, stunned.

Rylie nodded. "It's the same for all of us," she said. "If either one of us got stuck in our animal form for too long, the results are permanent."

The team shared worried glances.

"Don't look so scared," said Rylie. "As long as we reverse the problem in time, you'll be fine."

"Let's hope none of us ever have to experience it," said Kali.

The others nodded in agreement.

"Either way, welcome back, RJ."

Even though we don't see the Dino Rangers, this chapter lines up with Saturday's chapter of Expect the Unexpected.