"Out of all the godforsaken places in this catacomb of a realm, why does it have to always be the Cimmerian Forest! Why?" Kali whined, leading the Jungle Fury team through the Mystic Realm. Ahead, she could see the other Mystics waiting for them.
RJ chuckled as he patted Kali on the shoulder. "Hiding the Nexus in a place that is shrouded in folklore and mystery, keeps people out," he said.
"I know that," said Kali. "But this place is like the ice berg of mystery. It's downright creepy, not to mention dangerous and unruly."
"Are you still complaining?" Xander asked.
"Oh, like you weren't shitting yourself when you found out," said Kali.
Xander smirked. "She hasn't even made it past the warning signs yet, and she's already cursing me out," he laughed. "Yes. Today is going to be fun."
Lorna rolled her eyes. "Leave her alone, Xander," she said, hitting his shoulder. "She has every right to be troubled."
"As long as we don't get eaten again, we should be fine," said Maddie.
"Reminder to self, don't follow Xander," said Chip.
Vida and Nick laughed.
"Hey," Xander pouted.
Kali smirked. "So, who's are guide this time?" she asked. "Is it Phineas again? He's usually skulking around these parts."
"He's on a date with LeeLee," said Nikki, pushing away from a tree. "I hope you don't mind, but I volunteered."
"You know Camille is heading for the Nexus, right?" Kali asked.
Nikki nodded. "Family reunions were never our strong point," she said. "We'll just play it by ear."
"Family reunion?" Casey asked.
Kali turned to him. "Nikki is Camille's sister," she answered. She turned back to Nikki. "Family reunions are hard no matter which realm you're from."
"Yeah, take it from someone who tries to hide from hers," said Nick, settling his hands on Kali's hips.
"Shut up," Kali said, driving her shoulder into his chest. She looked around at both teams, and then up at the dreaded Cimmerian Forest. "Everyone ready?"
"Should we be asking you that?"
Kali glared at her friend. "You'd think you'd be more concerned. Given the majority of your wedding party is entering a forest that could easily steal their souls and hide their bodies," she said.
"You're such a dramatic," Vida said, rolling her eyes. "Come on. Let's go."
Nikki stepped out into the path, stopping anyone from entering the forest. "Just one thing before we press on," she said. "Are you 100% sure that this is what you want? There is a reason that no one gets into the Nexus. There are hidden dangers, protectors, if you will, so keeping your guard up is a priority."
"Because that's not ominous at all," said Lily. She glanced at her Tori, who had also decided to tag along.
Cam head decided to head back to the Wind Ninja Academy, and was on standby with the others should their assistance be required.
"Also, remember that your magic won't work in here," said Nikki. "Neither will Animal Spirits. If you want to morph, I would recommend you do it now."
The two teams considered one another.
"It wouldn't hurt," said RJ.
Kali nodded and reached for her sunglasses on her belt. She, along with the other cubs, slid them onto their faces, and tapped the sides.
"Jungle Beast, Spirit Unleashed!"
The Mystics bit back smirks as they snapped open morphers.
"Magical Source, Mystic Force!"
Kali rolled her eyes and flicked at the cape over Nick's shoulder. "Yes, I miss my cape," she said, before shaking her head. "But not today. Besides, that's not all we got."
"Jungle Master Mode!"
Once finished, Kali turned to her first team.
"Jungle Master Mode?" Chip asked, bouncing on the balls of his feet. "That's so cool!"
Kali laughed as Vida groaned and shook her head. "You'd love it, Chip," she said. "Maybe you'll get to see it in action, too."
"I hope so," said Chip, excitedly.
Nikki looked around at the two teams. She, Tori, and Lorna were the only two that weren't morphed, not that it really mattered, they had enough power between them to defend an army, if needed. "Alright then," she said, turning back to the entrance. "Let's go."
~X~
"What is that?" Lorna asked, pointing at the growing mass in the sky. It was a blackish purple in colour, and moving faster than any creature that would be out in the Cimmerian Forest.
"It's the Overlords," said Kali, sensing the power radiating off the mass. It flew straight over head, searing the tips of the trees. "They're heading for the Nexus!"
"We have to stop them," said Theo.
"We will," said Casey. "Come on. If we get there before they do, we stand a chance of fighting them off."
"How?" Lily asked. "We couldn't stop the Overlords when it was us against one. How are we supposed to stop all three of them together?"
Kali touched her shoulder. "There are more of us now," she said. "We have magic, Ninja Magic, and Pai Zhuq magic on our side. I'm liking those odds."
"Let's hope it doesn't come down to a fight," said RJ. "It's not just the Overlords in these woods, remember?"
"I still like our odds," said Kali. "But, sure, let's hope not for a fight."
They pressed on, pausing only as a crash echoed from up ahead, and smoke rose into the air.
"That didn't sound good," said Chip.
"The Overlords must've found Dai Shi and Camille," said Tori. "Maybe they'll destroy each other until no one is left."
Kali laughed. "You sound like Dustin," she teased.
"He had a point, though," said Tori.
"Come on. Let's check it out," said Casey, picking up the pace. They reached the edge of the path, leading into a clearing, and spotted Dai Shi and Camille fighting the three Overlords alone.
Grizzaka roared and spread his arms, his whole body shrouded in blackish purple mist. When it cleared, the Overlord of Earth towered over the area.
"Oh, that's not good," said Maddie.
"We got this," said Casey.
Theo and Lily nodded.
"Go for it," said Kali. "I'll come help if you need it."
Casey nodded and the trio took off, summoning their Master animal spirits and forming the Jungle Master Megazord.
"Rangers!" Grizzaka growled, facing them.
"Kali, Dai Shi and Camille are making a break for it," said Casey.
Looking around, Kali spotted the two in question slipping into the trees ahead. "All over it," she said, nodding at the Mystics.
The team took off, giving chase through the trees, as Tori, Lorna, Nikki, RJ, and Dom remained behind.
"I will destroy the Rangers with my bare claws!" Grizzaka roared, swinging his fists up and striking the Jungle Master. "You can't handle my power."
"We need extra power - Calling on the Spirit of the Shark!"
Kali watched as Grizzaka blocked the two shark fins. His eyes clouded over and the blackish-purple energy returned as he channelled it into his claws, before blasting the Megazord back.
"Zokado," said Nikki. She glanced at Kali. "You do know that your standing as the Hellhound is suspectiable to Zokado power, yes?"
Kali nodded. "Leanbow told me," she answered. She gasped as the Megazord disappeared and her new team landed nearby, completely demorphed. "Guys!" she yelled, rushing over.
The Overlords laughed. Grizzaka had returned to his normal form and regrouped with the other two.
"Hello, Hellhound," Grizzaka growled upon seeing Kali. "Finally decided to join us."
Kali clenched her fists and narrowed her eyes. "I'm not like the Hellhound of old, Grizzaka," she hissed.
"We shall see. You have no where to hide this time," Grizzaka responded. "This is your end."
Jellica laughed.
"I will enjoy eliminating you," Grizzaka said, drawing his claws across one another.
Feeling the ground shift beneath her, Kali glanced to the left and spotted movement head in their direction. "Don't move," she murmured to the others, resetting her gaze on the three Overlords.
Grizzaka stomped his foot, the sound reverberating through the ground.
"Look!" Dom yelled, pointing at the dirt rising to his left.
The Overlords turned, eyes widening, and voices carrying on the air as three holes opened up beneath them.
"What are they?" Theo asked.
"Sand Snakes," Nikki replied.
The sand snakes weaved their way around the Overlords legs and dragged them beneath the surface.
"We should get out of here," said Nikki. "That won't hold them for long."
Dom jumped to his feet. "We're running out of time!" he yelled, racing for the trees.
"Dom, wait, you don't know where you're going!" Kali called after him. She sighed as he disappeared beyond the tree-line.
"I got him," said Tori. She squeezed Lily's shoulder and took off after Dom, disappearing into a blur and then completely as she entered the trees.
"Come on," said Nikki, leading them away.
They had just made it out of the Cimmerian Forest and into the quarry where Kali, Nick, and Vida had found the Fireheart, when the floor beneath their feet exploded and Carnisoar landed in their path.
"You have proven to be resilient," Carnisoar growled. "But I am the Overlord who will finish the job."
"You picked the wrong day to mess with us," said Casey. He reached for his sunglasses and turned to Kali.
Kali nodded. "You're out of the forest," she said. "A little sooner than I expected, but you're good as gold for morphin now."
"Sweet. Ready?" Casey asked the others.
"Ready!"
"Jungle Beast Spirit Unleashed!"
Once the others were prepared for battle, Kali stepped back. "If Carnisoar has escaped that means the others have, too," she said. "You think you can handle this guy alone?"
"Where you going?" Theo asked.
"Trust me when I tell you that my gifts are better off elsewhere," said Kali, glancing at Nikki.
RJ nodded. He knew of the potential a Hellhound guardian with three heads was capable of, and had to agree when Kali said she would be better off anywhere than fighting Carnisoar.
"Okay," said Casey. "But be careful."
"You, too," said Kali. She turned to Lorna and Nikki. "Come on! They got this under control."
The trio nodded and followed Kali across and out of the quarry.
~X~
Dom halted suddenly as Jellica appeared in his path. If she was here, did that mean the other Overlords had escaped the Sand Snakes, too?
"In order to get to the Nexus, you must get through me," Jellica said. She spun her staff over in her hands, and then blasted the tip at Dom.
Dom covered his head with his Rhino Morpher. "Rhino Ranger!" he called, morphin' and rushing forward. He raised his blade, blocking Jellica's staff and then jumped back as she aimed it at his feet.
Jellica huffed and swung her sword up and around, blocking Dom's high kick and herding him into the trees on the edge of the clearing. "The Rhino Ranger?" she questioned, hitting him with both sides of her staff, but growling in frustration as he blocked. "It seems we both want the power from the Nexus."
Dom stumbled as Jellica shoved him back.
Wielding her staff around, Jellica stabbed it at Dom, firing a blast from the tip. Dom covered his head with his hands, pausing and only looking up when the blast froze solid, mid-air.
"Huh?" Dom asked, cocking his head to the side.
"Snow Witch!" Jellica growled, looking around. Through the trees to her left, stepped another white Ranger.
"Whoa," said Dom, taking a step back in surprise.
Udonna twisted her Snow Staff and the column of ice shattered, covering the ground in snowflakes. She turned to Dom. "Go," she said. "I shall handle this."
"But, how can you do it alone?" Dom asked.
Tori landed beside Dom and touched his shoulder. "Because she's not alone," she said, turning her attention to Jellica. "A Jellyfish is mainly water, and so is snow and ice." She glanced at Udonna.
Udonna nodded.
"If you're sure?" said Dom.
"We're sure," said Tori.
Dom nodded and took off, glancing back as he reached the tree-line, and then disappearing from sight.
~X~
Dai Shi stopped Camille as she stepped forward. He held up a hand, placing it flat against the forcefield that surrounded the large tree before them. "This is how far I got last time," he told her.
"Then how do we get in?" Camille asked.
Dai Shi smirked and raised the Control Dagger above his head. The shield surrounding the tree shattered, and a doorway in the trunk of the tree started to open. A set of stairs appeared, but before Dai Shi or Camille could step forward, they were knocked back by a blast of heat and fire.
As the shield pinned Camille to the floor, Dai Shi stood and sliced through it using the dagger. He then held out a hand to the chameleon and pulled her upright. They shared a smirk and then took off towards the steps.
"They made it inside!" said Chip, breaking the treeline and watching Dai Shi and Camille disappear into the tree. "Do we go after them?"
"Yes. Come on!" said Nick, leading the charge. The forcefields had been destroyed, and they passed through with no obstacles.
Xander whistled as he looked around. "It's like Rootcore, sort of," he said, shrugging halfheartedly.
"Except it holds great power," said Maddie. "Great power that's going to be used against our friends if we don't stop Dai Shi.
The others nodded and raced up the steps.
At the top, the Mystics stopped as they found Camille and Jarrod standing before a large stone monument. It was in the shape of a Rhino, and covered in leaves and ivy.
Holding the dagger up, Dai Shi grinned as it glowed. Then, the statued started to move - wheels on the shoulders of the Rhino spun, opening a secret compartment at the base, with a keyhole carved out of the rock.
"Finally," said Dai Shi, stepping forward. "Great power is at last -"
"Stop!"
Dai Shi, Camille, and the Mystics turned as Kali, Dom, Nikki, and Lorna appeared out of nowhere.
"How -?" Chip asked, cocking his head to the side.
"We're out of the forest, Chip," said Kali, demorphin'. "Our abilities are back."
Chip huffed and dropped his morph, as did the other Mystics.
"Nikki?" Camille asked, spotting her sister.
Nikki offered a half smile. "Hey, sis," she said.
Camille glared back.
Dai Shi narrowed his eyes. "Dominic?" he asked, recognising the blonde male next to the Hellhound. He scoffed. "Of course you're here, you possess the spirit of the Rhino. But, it doesn't matter, any minute now I will have the powers of the Rhino." He thrust the dagger forward.
"NO!" everyone, bar Camille, yelled.
The Dagger stalled in mid-air… and Dai Shi was thrown backwards.
Camille gasped and rushed to his side.
Dai Shi looked up, startled and surprised, and then turned his attention back to his hands. What had happened? Why had it happened?
"What are you waiting for?" Kali asked, shoving Dom forward. She followed him, standing at a distance, a shield erect between them and Dai Shi, as Dom stared down at the Control Dagger floating in mid air.
Grasping the handle, Dom felt a surge of energy wash through him. He then slotted the dagger securely into the secret compartment.
The statue rumbled with life and power.
Withdrawing the Control Dagger, the eye of which glowed, and Dom morphed without prompting.
"What's happening?" Dom asked.
"You did it," said Nikki. "You unlocked the Rhino Nexus."
"What does that mean?"
Nikki looked up as the stone statue started to crack. A crevice run straight down it's back, around the hind legs and under the stomach. With a creak, the two stone fell away, revealing a massive white Rhino Zord.
"No!" Camille hissed.
Kali grinned at the Chameleon. "You lose," she taunted.
"Are you okay here?" Dom asked Kali.
Kali nodded.
With all the confirmation he needed, Dom jumped up into the Zord, and herded it out of the Nexus. "Rhino Steel Zord!" he commanded, holding the dagger aloft. "Charge!"
~X~
As Dom charged into battle against Carnisoar, Kali turned her attention back to Dai Shi and Camille. She noted that Dai Shi was still looking at his hands, and she couldn't help the flush of cold she felt when she noticed they were intermittently glowing a blackish purple.
"Looks like we both got new powers," Dai Shi muttered. He raised his head and met Kali's gaze, the smirk he gave was bone-chilling. "Looks like your friend is doing me a favour, Hellhound. He'll destroy Carnisoar, which will be one less Overlord for me to destroy."
"Destroying those who are supposed to be allies is never a good sign, Dai Shi," said Kali.
"They are not my allies," Dai Shi argued. "If I cannot be the one to control everything, then everything will be destroyed."
"Wow. Narcissistic and power hungry," said Kali. "I'll remember that in future."
Dai Shi smirked. "Once I get what I want, I'll come for what you own," he promised. "The Underworld will add quite nicely to my conquests, don't you think?"
"Try it," Kali challenged.
"I will, Hellhound, but not today," said Dai Shi. He looked out towards were the Rhino Zord and Carnisoar were fighting, they towered high enough above the forest to be seen from even this distance.
Carnisoar held his clawed talon out as Dom's warrior mode stood before him. "You may have won this battle," the hawk Overlord was saying. "But the war is far from over."
He exploded into nothingness.
Dai Shi smirked and returned his attention to Kali, finding it amusing that she had refused to take her eyes off him, even for a second. "Thank you, Hellhound," he said. "One less Overlord means a lot more power…" he struck his arms down to his side, unleashing a blast of Zokado power into the air.
Kali raised her arms, covering her face. Her shield shattered and she felt the intensity of the dark power wash over her, igniting every nerve in her body, and causing the Hellhound to howl.