Thump!

"This is useless!" Kali growled, slamming shut another book and shoving it away from her. "There is nothing in this whole place that tells me how severe a mental link between the Crystal Eyes and the Masters."

"That's because there isn't a way," said Eithne, calmly.

Kali shook her head. "There has to be a way!" she said, turning on her mother. "There's a spell for just about everything else. Why not this?!"

"Magic isn't the answer to all your problems, Kali," said Eithne. "Sometimes, life is just messy. Things happen that we can't control, and you have to accept that."

"NO!" Kali yelled. "No! I don't have to accept anything. I didn't have to accept you abandoning me as a newborn, I didn't have to accept Joe leaving me when I was sixteen, I didn't have to accept the challenge of stealing a car, and I most certainly didn't have to accept becoming a Power Ranger, just like I don't have to accept this."

Eithne sighed. "Those times were different," she said. "During those times, you either didn't have a choice, or your choices led you to that path. Yes, you could've walked away from stealing the car, but you didn't because you were going through a rough patch. You learned your lesson at the end of that, and you walked away unscathed."

"And what am I supposed to learn from this lesson?" Kali asked. "That magic is only available when it wants to be? Magic saved you and Leanbow. Why can't it save Finn, Phant, and Swoop?"

"I wasn't trapped under the control of the master's mentality," said Eithne.

Kali's angry glare softened, and her shoulders relaxed as she looked up at her mother. She blinked slowly, and then turned on the spot, heading for the Dragon's mouth.

"Where are you going?" Eithne called.

"You weren't being controlled mentally by the Master," said Kali. "But Leanbow was. Koragg was the result of the mental hold the Master had over Leanbow. If I can figure out how he overcame that link, maybe I can use it on the Crystal Eyes."

"Leanbow got his memories back by absorbing the virus that Imperious used against you and the others," said Eithne. "You can't infect the Crystal Eyes with a virus."

"That was the first time," said Kali. "What about the second time? What about when you and he were protecting the lake where the Master was trapped? Something obviously happened them for you both to break cover and come save us, remember? We were fighting Black Lance and Megahorn."

"The rules of Darkness must always be followed," said Eithne. "Black Lance broke the rules by trying to help Megahorn defeat you. That is why we intervened. To give you a fighting chance."

"Yes, but you broke your own rules of leaving the Master unguarded to come help us," said Kali. "If we can figure out a way to get through to the Masters, maybe we can them to severe the link themselves."

Eithne shrugged. "How do you intend for them to do that?" she asked. "If there was a way, don't you think they would've done it by now?"

"Maybe they just need a little help," said Kali. "Isn't that what the Mystic Force are for in times like this? To help. We created the Pai Zhuq to protect Dai Shi. We can't turn our backs on them now."

Eithne sighed. "What do you have in mind?" she asked. "I assume you have a plan?"

"Of sorts," said Kali. "But like you said, life is messy, and plans don't always work."

"What do you need?"

Kali swallowed. "Not yet, but soon, I'll need backup," she said. "Think you can do that for me?"

Eithne stared at her daughter and then nodded. "Okay," she agreed.

"Thanks, mom," said Kali. She then turned and left Root core.

~X~

"Keep your eyes open," RJ warned, leading the others through the woods outside of Ocean Bluff. Kali had wandered into the loft an hour after he had finished explaining his plan to the others and had decided to fill her in on their way back out.

Kali ducked under a low hanging branch and turned to the Wolf Master on her left. "Are you sure it's going to work?" she asked. "Cancelling the Spirit is a big risk, RJ, we don't know the reverse effects it will have on the Masters."

"We don't have any other choice," said RJ with a sigh. "You said there was nothing in the books at Root core. I'd say, as long as we have this chance, we take it."

"I couldn't find anything, but I have an idea on how to do it," said Kali. "I can channel my Zokado power and infect the Crystal Eyes. It's not a full proof plan, and sure, it may not work, but we can try it."

"I thought you didn't want to use the Zokado power?" Lily asked. "You were hell bent on getting rid of it."

Kali sighed and nodded. "Apparently, I can't get rid of it," she admitted. "It's fused with one of the Hellhound heads, and therefore it's stuck with me. Besides, I use other dark magic for good, why not this, right?"

"I suppose," said Lily, uncertainly.

"Wait," said RJ, stopping short. He held up his hands, his head twitching to the left before rolling around to stare at Kali. "Do you sense that?"

Kali paused and closed her eyes, her head falling to one side as she strained her senses, picking up the faintest of noises. "Yeah," she murmured, feeling the pull of magic somewhere to her left.

"Argh!"

Throwing up her hand, Kali watched as the Elephant ranger collided with her shield and bounced backwards. He looked over the heads of the team, and Kali threw up her other hand, erecting a second shield to the rear of their group, and blocking the Bat Ranger as he appeared behind Casey.

The Shark Ranger stepped out of the trees to the right of the team, and Kali drew her right hand around, muttering a spell as several more shields appeared, forming a protective circle around her team.

The Spirit Rangers stopped short of the shields. They fizzled with energy as Kali lowered her arms, certain that they wouldn't falter without her command.

"I ask you again," said Kali to RJ. "Are you sure you want to do this?"

RJ hesitated but nodded. "Yes," he confirmed.

"Okay," said Kali. "Ready?"

The others nodded.

"Here we go." Kali snapped her fingers and the shields disappeared. The Spirit Rangers didn't waste any time and launched themselves into the fray, dividing the team and separating them.

As the Elephant and Shark Rangers dealt with Dom and the others, RJ and Kali led the Bat Ranger away. Kali caught RJ's arm as he was thrown aside and used his stance as the leverage she needed to run up the side of a tree trunk, push off and kick the Bat Ranger in the shoulder.

The Bat Ranger raised his arm and blocked. He swiftly caught Kali's ankle and spun her over in mid-air, jabbing the tips of his fingers into her chest as she landed beside him. Coughing and spluttering, Kali pressed a hand to her chest and stumbled back. She ducked as the Bat Ranger jumped at her, swinging his fist at her head.

With a crack, the Bat Ranger punched through the trunk of the oak tree, splintering it,

"Holy shi -" Kali gasped, pushing herself into a forward roll to get away. She made it back to her feet and turned to RJ as he reached her side. "I didn't think they were that strong!"

"They're being powered by Rinzin," said RJ, grasping her shoulders. "Who knows how much stronger they are under its influences."

Kali sighed out a growl and ducked aside as the Bat Ranger jumped at the pair. This time it turned its attention to RJ, blocking and kicking at the Wolf Ranger, before knocking him out of the clearing.

"Hey!" Kali yelled, running forward, and pushing off from the ground. She flipped over the Bat Ranger, landing between him and RJ, and spread her arms. She closed them as the Bat Ranger punched forward, missing her entirely, and punching over her shoulder.

Wrapping her arms around his one, Kali held tightly as he tried to pull back. She dug her feet into the ground as he tugged her forward a few steps, but she pulled his arm down to the ground and then kneed him in the chest.

Boom!

The Bat Ranger disappeared, and Kali looked around to see the Elephant and Shark Rangers had, too. She also spotted Casey, Theo, and Lily supporting the Claw Cannon between them, aiming it into the forest, the trees ahead of them were smoking and ashes fluttered on the air.

"Did it work?" Kali asked as RJ stumbled back into the clearing.

RJ powered down. Kali followed him and the pair headed towards the trio of cubs.

"What happened?" Dom asked.

"I'll tell you what happened, Rhino Ranger," said Camille, appearing through the smoke that lingered after the attack. "In figuring out how to destroy a Spirit Ranger, you also destroyed your Master Finn." She smirked, her eyes finding RJ, "Congratulations."

Kali closed her eyes as RJ stiffened beside her.

~X~

RJ heaved a sigh as Kali settled herself onto the stone step beside him. She didn't say anything, merely propped her arms up on her knees and stared ahead, the fingers in her left hand picking at the nails and cuticles of her right. "I should've listened to you," he said, after a while.

"Why? Because my plan was any better than yours?" Kali asked. "My plan was to infect the Masters, who knows what that could've done to them."

"It could've saved them," said RJ. "It could've saved Dad."

"Or, it could have made things worse and destroyed them all," said Kali. "Mom was right. Life is messy, and I have no right trying to interfere with what is happening. It's not my choice who gets to live and who doesn't, all I am here to do is protect those that are gone, to make sure that they find solitude on the other side."

RJ rubbed his face with his hands. "Have you seen him yet?" he asked. "My dad? Has he crossed over yet?"

Kali shook her head. "But then, I didn't see Master Mao until thirteen hours after his death," she said. "So, I may get a visit tonight. If I do, I'll let you know."

"Do you see every spirit that crosses over?"

"I never used too," said Kali, shaking her head. "But, since the whole Abyss fiasco, and sealing it shut. I have had to open the gate for spirits to cross over. I'd say there is a good chance I'll see your father soon."

RJ heaved a heavy sigh and lowered his head into his arms. "Why did I do it?" he asked, his voice muffled.

"Do what?" Kali asked, blinking? "Follow orders?"

RJ nodded.

"Because your father told you to," said Kali. "And, sure, your father also told you to become a Shark Master, and you refused. But this was different. This wasn't an order against which you could argue. This was one we had to accept had to happen…" she sighed, her conversation with her mother that morning rushing back.

RJ lifted his head. "I keep thinking that I must've missed something," he said, irritated. "That… we could've done things differently. Less, destructive."

"There wasn't a less destructive way," said Kali. "Cancelling the Spirit or infecting the Masters, both ways could've, or even would've, resulted in losing one of the Masters. Life is messy, and there isn't always an easy way out."

RJ huffed and stood up. "Why, though?" he asked. "Why can't there always been an easy way out? We're Pai Zhuq and Mystic Force! We teach students that death isn't the end, so why do we have to accept that this is the end for Dad?"

"Because magic can't bring back the dead," said Kali. "At least, not anymore."

"What does that mean?"

Kali sighed. "I did have a way, once, to bring back the dead," she admitted. "But that gate closed a long time ago. Nikki no longer has the ability, and I can't keep opening and closing the gate to search for spirits. We have to accept that Master Finn will cross over and live a happy life in the Spirit World."

RJ turned away. He leaned against the railing, the palms of his hands pressed against the cool metal, and he clenched his fingers around it.

"It's like they say - Lessons of the Past will Guide you in the Future - or something like that," said Kali, shaking her head. She pushed herself up from the stairs and leaned beside RJ, her arms folded across her stomach. "I'm going to head back to the loft, let Rylie know you're okay." She nudged his shoulder. "I'll see you later."

RJ didn't reply and Kali walked away.

~X~

Dom looked up as Kali returned. "Did you find him?" he asked.

"Of course, she did," said Casey, dribbling the basketball over. "I learned fairly quickly that you can't hide from Kali."

Kali smiled lightly and then turned her attention to Dom. "He needs time," she said. "He's beaten up, as expected. But it's going to take him a while to accept that what happened, happened, and it's no fault of his own."

"You told him your plan?" Lily asked.

"Yeah, but, I'll tell you what I told him, my plan could've done a lot worse damage," Kali said. "As hard as it is to accept, at least this way, we can save two of three Masters, rather than none."

The others shared a look, sighed, and nodded.

"Where is RJ?" Theo asked.

Kali shook her head. "Leave him be," she said. "There is nothing we can say that is going to make him feel any better about the situation. We just have to let him come to terms with what happened and make his way back to us."

The alarms beeped.

"Unfortunately, we don't have time for that," said Theo.

"What do we do?" Dom asked, looking between Kali and Casey.

Casey met Kali's gaze. She nodded. "Okay. You stay here and wait for RJ," he told her. "The rest of us will head off whoever this is. Join us when you can, alright?"

"Alright. But be careful!" Kali warned as the foursome scooted past her. "There are still three Phantom Beast Generals, seven Phantom Beasts, and two Spirit Rangers left."

"We'll hold them off for as long as we can," said Casey. "But we'll need you and RJ sooner rather than later."

Kali reached for her Mystic morpher. "I was hoping this would come at a later date," she said, snapping it open, "but, I'm about to cash in on a plan that I created this morning. Go, backup will be waiting for you."

"Okay. See you soon," Casey called, dashing out of the loft.

Kali slipped her Mystic Morpher back into her pocket and headed over to the monitors. She had just tuned into the right channel when Rylie and Fran entered the loft.

"We were the alarm," said Rylie. "Why are you still here?"

"Waiting for RJ," said Kali. "The others will be fine. I've sent word to the Mystic Force; they'll meet them on the scene."

"How is RJ?" Fran asked.

Kali shrugged. "As to be expected," she admitted. "He'll be fine, thought. He has to be."

Rylie watched the screen. "A Phantom Beast Unicorn?" she asked. "What next?"

"Well, the ones at Root Core house a Tyrannosaur and a Spinosaurus," said Kali. "I think a Unicorn is the least of our worries."

Buzz. Buzz. Buzz.

Fran looked around, shrieked, and swatted at the air, knocking a large fly into RJ's chair. "Someone pass me a slipper," she said. "It's a big one… a very big one."

"Easy, Fran," said Kali, scooping up Flit and shielding him from the panicking redhead. "It's okay. He's a friend."

Fran shuddered. "I hate flies!" she said, wrapping her arms around herself and stepping away.

"Fran, why don't you head downstairs and check on the pizzas?" Rylie suggested. "I'll be down in a few."

Fran nodded and headed off.

"Thank you, my friend," said Flit, shaking his head. "You saved me again."

Kali smiled, although it faltered as she noticed the Crystal Eye on the cushion of RJ's chair. She picked it up and looked between it and Flit. "Why do you have this?" she asked.

"I saved it for you," said Flit. "Your master Finn wasn't destroyed like Camille said, his spirit was captured inside the Crystal Eye, just like the Phantom Beast Generals."

"Captured?" Rylie asked.

"Yes," said Flit. "Dai Shi had a warrior throw it into the ocean so you could never find it. But, I saved it for you, my friend."

Kali smiled at Flit's bravery. "Thanks, Flit, but, it doesn't matter," she said. "The starlight that is used to release a spirit from the Crystal Eyes has passed. There is nothing we can do to get Master Finn out of his cage."

"Kali, you are the Hellhound," said Flit. "There are no problems that you cannot solve, only problems you have not solved yet."

"What do you mean?" Rylie asked.

Flit shook his head. "I cannot answer that one, my friend," he said. "But now I must get back to Camille. Good luck!"

He flew into the air and buzzed off, disappearing through one of the giant holes in the wall.

"Thanks, Flit!" Kali called. She turned her attention back to the Crystal Eye, and then looked up at Rylie. "I have an idea."

"Yeah?" Rylie asked.

Kali nodded, looking back at the Crystal Eye. "When RJ comes back, tell him to meet me at Root core," she said.

Rylie nodded.

Kali then pocketed the Crystal Eye and disappeared in a flicker of black magic.

~X~

Rhea looked stunned as she opened her front door and found Kali standing on her doorstep. "I thought you were in Ocean Bluff?" she asked.

"I am," said Kali. "But I need your help."

"My help?" Rhea asked, confused. "With what?"

"You still have your Celestial Symbol magic, right?" Kali asked. "You can still cast spells and that?"

Rhea nodded. "Yes, but I haven't practiced in years," she said. "Plus, Symbol Power isn't exactly a magic."

"But, it is strong enough to replicate the element it is based on, yes?"

"Yes."

"Good. Then, I need you do to something for me. Can I come in?"

Rhea stepped aside and allowed Kali to enter her home. It had been almost two years since they had last seen each other, and that had been when Kali had come to collect Rune and take her to the Mystic Realm for training. At first Rhea had been unsure, but after seeing how excited her daughter had been at the prospect of training under her favourite Ranger, she had relented and allowed the transition.

Closing the front door, Rhea followed Kali into her living room. "What do you need me to do?" she asked.

"You've heard of the Crystal Eyes, I'm sure?" Kali asked.

Rhea nodded. "Yes. They're embedded in Mystic lore," she said. "Everyone who is a part of the Mystic Realm knows about them. Why? I don't know where they are if that's what you need."

"No. I need you to open one," said Kali. She removed the Crystal Eye from her pocket and held it up for Rhea to see.

"Only a special kind of starlight can open a Crystal Eye," said Rhea.

"Yes, I know, but you have symbol mastery over the Celestials," said Kali. "I know Rune can control the Moon, but she also has abilities over the stars. She told me that you were starting her training on them after she had mastered the Moon, but then she came to the Mystic Realm, so it never happened."

Rhea nodded.

"If I could ask Rune I would," said Kali. "But, she doesn't have the control you do. I need you to manipulate the starlight that will open the Crystal Eye."

"Do you have any idea what is trapped inside that thing?" Rhea asked. "You'd be unleashing evil on this world. You're the Hellhound, you're supposed to trap evil."

"The evil is already here. The Phantom Beast General that was trapped in here, is already roaming Ocean Bluff."

Rhea frowned. "Then why do you -?" she started.

"Because a Pai Zhuq master is trapped inside," said Kali. "I need to get him out. I don't have time to wait for the starlight to come back around. RJ is lost and is having a hard time coming to terms with the fact that his father is gone, but if I can get him out of here, I have a chance to save both RJ and the other Masters."

Rhea took the Crystal Eye as Kali offered it to her. "What you're asking me to do is…" she started.

"Dangerous, I know," said Kali. "But I wouldn't be asking if I had another way. Please, Rhea, you're my only hope."

Rhea sighed and looked down at the apple-sized crystal in her hand. She heaved out a breath and looked up at Kali. "Okay," she agreed. "Let me get my morpher."

Kali released the breath she had been holding and sunk down into a nearby chair as Rhea left the room. When she returned, she set the Crystal Eye on a pedestal in the centre of her coffee table, stepped back and opened her Samurai morpher.

"You may want to cover your eyes," Rhea said. "Things are about get very bright in here."

Resting her elbows on her thighs, Kali rested her head against her palm, bridging her fingers over her forehead and shielding her gaze from what was about to happen.

"Symbol power," said Rhea, drawing a silver kanji in front of her. "Starlight!"

TO BE CONTINUED…