Hope everyone had a great Christmas and a Happy New Year!
"Badrat and Rammer will gather some humans," said Scorch, indicating to the newest choice of Phantom Beasts.
Badrat was dancing around Rammer, throwing sand into the air, and chanting his name.
"We will keep them here," Scorch continued. "So, we can harvest their fear whenever we want. We will have a never-ending source of power."
Badrat stopped his dancing and turned to Dai Shi. "We're fast," he said, dodging around Rammer.
"We're a team!" Rammer added.
"We'll catch 'em and shake 'em…"
"… and make 'em scream!" the duo finished.
Camille grimaced. "They can rhyme," she said, her focus settling on Scorch. "But can they capture the Rangers?"
"In time, the dust will work on humans," Snapper explained. "But the Rangers have animal spirits that must be worn down before they can be captured."
"The hardest will be the Hellhound," said Scorch. "She is protected by more than just an Animal spirit. Her magic will not be so easy to dampen."
"No more dangers," said Badrat, drawing Dai Shi's attention to him.
"Soon you will have all the Rangers," both Badrat and Rammer chanted. They turned and walked out, passing Whiger on his way inside.
Dai Shi sat up straighter in his throne. "General Whiger," he boomed, his voice dangerously calm. "You stole the Red Ranger's tiger spirit, and even though he was weak, you could not destroy him."
"He was not alone," said Whiger.
"Excuses!" Dai Shi bellowed, his voice echoing around the room.
Instinctively, Whiger stepped back and then fell to one knee. "Of course, my King, I will accept whatever punishment you deem necessary," he said, bowing his head.
Standing, Dai Shi approached Whiger. "You no longer need your Rinzin power!" he said, creating an energy ball in his hand. He threw it at the General, absorbing the last of his power into his own body.
Whiger howled and fell to his knees again as his life force was absorbed from him.
"You are banished from the Phantom Beasts!" Dai Shi ordered. "Leave here, and never return."
"As you command," Whiger whimpered, picking himself up from the floor, and fleeing before Dai Shi changed his mind.
~X~
Kali watched as Nick and Aidan carried the eleven-year-old's thing across the loft and towards the bedrooms. While he was enrolled in Casey's class at the community centre, Kali had asked RJ if he minded Aidan moving in with them at the loft.
"Thanks for doing this, RJ," said Kali, turning her back as the pair disappeared. She smiled at RJ and Rylie, both of whom were in the kitchen, making smoothies. "It really means a lot to me."
"Couldn't very well put him out on the street, could I?" RJ asked. "Besides, it may be good for us all to have him around."
"You never told us you had a kid?" said Rylie. "How come?"
Kali shrugged. "Aidan's history is sensitive, and I didn't want him to think I was talking about him with just anyone," she said. "I know you're my team and family now, but still."
"Fair point," said Rylie. "But, he's not yours, biologically, is he?"
Kali shook her head. "No. His mother died when he was a kid, and his father disappeared - not by choice of his own, I'll add," she explained. "Anyway, I was called in to investigate, being the Hellhound and all that, and I guess I took a liking to him."
"You seem to get on really well with him," said Rylie. "Any plans for little Hellhounds of your own?"
"After seeing what I was like as a child, not a chance," said Kali, laughing.
"Not a chance of what?" Nick asked, returning with Aidan.
Kali shook her head and made room for them both on the sofa bed. She wrapped her arm around Aidan as he squeezed in between the pair of them, his head resting on her side as Nick sat on his other side, an arm over the back of the sofa.
"Everything set up?" Kali asked.
"Yep. Thank you for letting me stay here," said Aidan to RJ. "I promise to do my fair share."
Rylie smiled and shook her head. "You don't need to do that," she said. "We can manage. In the meantime, how about a smoothie?"
"Ooh. Do you have pineapple?"
"Pineapple?" RJ echoed. "Mhm. That does sound good. Let's see…" he disappeared beneath the counter, rummaging around in the tins before surfacing with chopped pineapples in juice.
Rylie shook her head and looked at Aidan. "You want to help?" she asked.
Aidan looked at Kali, grinning as she nodded, and jumped up. He run behind the island, climbed up onto a stool, and helped Rylie add ice cream and yoghurt to the blender.
As Nick scooted closer to Kali, a bang followed by a scream of terror echoed up from the restaurant.
"What was that?" Rylie asked.
"I'll go," said Kali, standing up and heading downstairs.
~X~
"Shouldn't one of you go get the rat?" Fran asked. She was perched on the edge of the front counter, along with the others. "You're Power Rangers."
Theo, who was holding a chair in front of him as a sort of shield, glanced around at Lily. She shook her head and turned to Casey, who's eyes widened, and he turned to Dom.
"Well," Dom sighed. "It depends on how you look at it. Fighting unspeakable evil is one thing, but Rats… eek?"
"Casey's our leader," said Lily, suddenly. "He should do it."
"Me?" Casey asked. "They didn't teach me anything about this at Pai Zhuq."
Theo sighed and dropped the chair back onto the floor, climbing down onto the seat and carefully stepping back onto the ground. "Alright! I'll do it," he said, looking back at the others. "And, for the record, I'm ashamed of all of you."
"Woah-oh! Careful, Theo," said Fran. She paused and turned back at the others. "Does anyone know if rats… leap?"
"Leap?" Theo echoed, jumping back up onto the chair.
Lily screeched and pulled herself further onto the counter.
"You know, I've heard that if Rats are left alone they eventually get bored and leave," said Theo, breathing heavily.
Watching from the kitchen window, Kali rolled her eyes and let herself out into the restaurant. "I think you're confusing rats with something else, Theo," she said, startling the group. "Rats will stick around a place as long as there is food to be eaten, and, if you hadn't noticed by now, we both live and work at a pizza parlour."
"You guys are Rangers," said Nick, "and you're afraid of a rat?"
Kali turned to stare at him. "Really, Mr. I-Nearly-Pushed-My-Sister-Down-the-Stairs-Because-of-a-Spider," she said.
"He was one a big one!" Nick defended, turning red. "And he was trying to kill me!"
"Sure, he was," said Kali, walking around the island and scooping up the rat. He was relatively small for a rodent, with long whiskers on the end of his button nose and red eyes.
Nick shook his head. "You can pick up a rat but not a snake?" he asked.
"Snakes are scaly and urgh!" said Kali, shivering. "Besides, look at him. He's cute!" she held up the rat toward the others. They shrieked and skirted backward.
Nick chuckled.
"Come on, little buddy," Kali cooed, running her finger over the rat's head and down it's snout. "Fearless Power Rangers, defeated by a rodent. Let's hope Dai Shi doesn't find out."
The others scowled at Kali as she disappeared into the kitchen.
"We'll remember that next time there is a snake around," Casey called as the door swung shut behind the two Mystics.
~X~
Theo grunted as he headed the ball toward Casey. The tiger jumped up and caught it on his chest, and knocked it towards Lily, who in turn kicked it towards Dom. Running forward, Dom jumped into the air and flipped over, kicking the ball into the goal post.
"Whoa! Oh! Yeah!" Lily cheered.
"Rhino Boy got some moves," said Kali, from the kitchen. She was once again reading, while Aidan sat beside her practising his guitar skills.
The alarm blared and the team rushed over to the monitors, Kali marking and closing her book as she stood. She ruffled Aidan's hair and joined her team on the lower floor.
On the monitors, an overgrown rat was throwing sand into the air, causing individual people to disappear.
"Let's do it," said Casey.
The others nodded and took off, swinging from vines and disappearing through giant holes in the wall. Casey moved to follow them, stopping as RJ and Kali crossed his path.
"Uh, how about watching the store?" RJ asked.
"I may not have my Tiger spirit, but I can still fight," said Casey.
"We know," said Kali, "but I need someone to watch Aidan while Nick is at work."
"Yeah, and Maurice needs some company, too," said RJ.
"Maurice?" Casey asked.
RJ grinned and nodded at the rat that Kali had picked up last night. "I think he's French. Bonjour," he said, and the rat squeaked in response.
Casey frowned at the rat.
"Besides, without your spirit you're weaker, you may not be able to morph," said RJ.
"I did last time," Casey protested.
"Yeah, and it almost wiped you out," said Kali. "Trust us, Case, we want you out there with us as much as you want to be out there with us, but neither of us want you to get hurt. You said yourself, that you didn't want to be like a burden to us, and while you're not, we'd feel better if you stayed here. Just until you get your spirit back."
Casey lowered his gaze and nodded.
RJ smiled and squeezed his arm.
"We'll be back soon," said Kali. "Hey, Aidan, listen to Casey, alright? I'll be back as soon as I can."
Aidan waved as Kali disappeared.
~X~
"Hey!"
Badrat looked around and laughed. "The VIPs are here," he declared, spotting the Rangers.
"What did you do with everyone?" Theo demanded, watching as increased people disappeared in a flicker of gold.
"You're about to find out," said Badrat.
Lily groaned. "Great, another rat!" she whined.
"This one you have permission to squash," said Kali, jumping backward and avoiding to punch from Badrat and knocking into Dom as he popped up behind her. The pair nodded at one another and blocked two more punches from the Rat, shoving him back and kicking him in the stomach.
Badrat whined as he stumbled, turning his back on the two Rangers as they slashed down with their swords and the Rhino Morpher. He laughed and whirled around, punching them both in the chest and knocking them backward.
Struggling to her feet, Lily rushed forward, and cheetah jabbed the rat. He blocked her punch for punch and then uppercut her stomach and chest, knocking her off her feet and launching her into the air.
"Lily!" Theo yelled. He turned back to Badrat, as Dom and RJ regrouped with him, leaving Kali to check on Lily.
Badrat whined as he was blown backward by the force of the claw cannon. "Yikes, that's got a punch behind it!" he said, pushing himself up. "Bye-Bye now!"
With a laugh, Badrat took off, disappearing around the corner at the end of the street.
"We've still got to find all those people," said Lily, hurrying over with Kali. "Come on!"
They found Badrat at the dock. He was singing, laughing, and dancing at the edge, he stopped and looked up as a shadow fell over him, knocking him closer to the edge. He teetered dangerously, and then fell into a forward roll.
"No more games, Badrat!" Lily said. "What did you do to everyone?"
"I forget," Badrat shrugged.
Theo cocked his head to the side. "Careful, this rat is up to something," he said.
Spreading his arms, Badrat launched himself into a whirlwind spin and surged forward, colliding with each Ranger multiple times. He laughed and stopped nearby, holding out his hands which glowed,
Kali sneezed as she felt dust settle over her, she looked down, surprised to find her body glowing. "What the -?" she murmured. The glow disappeared, and she looked around at the others.
"Oh yeah!" Badrat said, tapping his head. "Their animal spirits are stronger than normal. We'll have to wear them down."
"He thought that dust would make us disappear," said Lily,
Theo looked down, brushing aside any loose grains of sand that remained. "I guess our animal spirits protected us," he said.
"Don't go anywhere," said Badrat, holding out his hands. "I'm not done yet."
"Unlucky for you because neither are we," said RJ. He stepped forward, pausing only as the ground shook underfoot.
Looking up, Kali's eyes widened at the sight of a Ram towering over the city. "What the hell?" she asked.
"You want to tangle?" the Ram asked, his voice amplified due to his height. "Then mess with me!"
Dom turned to the others. "I'll deal with the Ram using the Rhino Steel," he said. He handed his Rhino Blade to Kali. "Here. You may need it."
Kali nodded.
"I'll go help Dom," said RJ.
"Okay," said Lily. "We'll take care of this vermin."
As Dom and RJ took off, Kali, Lily, and Theo turned back to Badrat. Kali locked the Rhino Blade onto the top of her Claw Booster and rolled the pair of them over in her hands.
"Let's do it!"
As Lily and Theo rushed at Badrat, Kali powered up the Rhino Blade with her animal spirit. She jumped over Theo as he was thrown towards her, and then stabbed the tip of the sword into the Rat holding Lily.
"Thanks!" Lily breathed, as Badrat released her and stumbled away.
"Get back," said Kali, pushing the cheetah behind her. She faced Badrat, rolled her arm up and around, and then slashed down. "Rhino Morpher, Claw Power!"
Badrat whined as he took the hit to the chest and rolled backward across the floor. "Now I'm annoyed," he grumbled, punching the ground, and staggering back to his feet.
"Yeah? Then let me frustrate you some more," said Kali. "Firing Jets!" she soared forward, slamming her outstretched foot into Badrat, and knocking him backwards, she slashed diagonally with the Rhino Claw and then pressed her second foot into Badrat's stomach, pushing herself backwards. She flipped over mid-flight, using her jets to stabilise her, before dropping to the ground.
Badrat hissed as he crashed through a solid wall, and stumbled back to his feet as Lily, Theo and Kali regrouped. "Hey, Rammer," he called, tilting his whole body upwards to where his friend was dominating against RJ and Dom. "You think they're worn down yet?"
"There's one way to find out," Rammer replied. "Let it rip, Badrat!"
"Okay. Bye-bye, now!" said Badrat. He reached into his bag and threw two handfuls of dust into the air. It settled over the Rangers, and Kali felt an unfamiliar twinge deep in her chest. She blinked, sneezed, and looked around at the others, watching as they glowed and faded to nothing.
"Guys?" Kali asked, reaching for Lily. Her hand slipped straight through Lily's arm, and then both she and Theo were gone.
"Kali!"
Kali looked up, her eyes wide as both the Rhino Steel and the Wolf Pride Megazord's powered down. The power disappearing from their eyes was an indication to her that both RJ and Dom were no longer in control.
Badrat laughed and, linking arms with a new downsized Rammer, started to dance in a circle.
"What did you do to them?!" Kali snarled.
Badrat jumped in surprise and staggered backward. "How did you escape my dust!" he asked, alarmed. "No one should be able to evade it."
"I'm not just anybody," said Kali, her grip tightening on the Rhino Claw. "What did you do to my friends?! Bring them back!"
"No!" said Badrat.
Kali growled and dashed forward, raising the Rhino Claw above her head. She struck down, but Badrat and Rammer disappeared.
"Great," Kali grumbled, looking around. Now what did she do?
~X~
"Theo! Lily! Kali!"
"Casey?"
Casey spun around, sighing in relief as he spotted Kali nearby. He rushed to her side, frowning as he realised she was alone. "Where are the others?" he asked.
"They got taken by Badrat and Rammer," said Kali. She cocked her head to the side, taking in his appearance. "Why are you dirty?" she gasped, her eyes widening. "Where's Aidan? Why aren't you at the loft?"
"Aidan's safe," said Casey. "He's helping Rylie make pizza. I got another message from Whiger, so I went to try and get my spirit back."
"By yourself? Are you crazy!"
Casey sighed. He should've anticipated this reaction, especially from Kali. "It doesn't matter, because I didn't get it," he said. "What do you mean the others are gone? Gone where?"
"I don't know," said Kali, shaking her head. "We were fighting one minute, and the next Badrat hit us with this dust, and they faded away."
"Why didn't you fade with them?"
Kali shrugged. "Magic, maybe?" she asked.
"It's because of your Mystic roots."
Spinning around, Kali narrowed her eyes and extended her fingers, summoning a dark ball of energy to her palm. "What do you want, Whiger?" she sneered at the General. He looked injured, and she half-glanced at Casey, curious to know if he had made him that way.
"Your Mystic roots protected you from Badrat's sand," said Whiger. "The others aren't so lucky. They only have their animal spirits to protect them, and if they were worn down then they are as helpless as any human."
"That's what Badrat said," said Kali. "Why are you telling us this? What do you want?"
"I can take you to where your friends are being kept," said Whiger.
Kali turned her head. "You can take us?" she asked. "You?! The same person that has tried to destroy us countless times. You want us to trust you?!"
"Yeah, you could be leading us right into a trap," said Casey. "It would make Dai Shi very happy to get his hands on us."
"I know I don't deserve your trust," said Whiger. "But, without me, you won't get your friends back." He groaned and bent at the waist.
Kali frowned as his leg started to fade. "What's happening to you?" she asked.
"He's lost his Rinzin power," said Casey. "He claims Dai Shi took it from him before he banished him."
"Oh, so the power has gone to Dai Shi's head already. Perfect!" said Kali.
Whiger looked between the two Rangers. "If you want your friends back then follow me," he said. He turned his back and stumbled away.
Casey hesitated and turned to Kali. "What do you think?" he asked.
"I think we're screwed if we do and we're screwed if we don't," said Kali, shaking her head. "But, he is right about one thing. Without him, we don't stand a chance of finding the others, much less getting them back."
Casey nodded. "Then let's go," he said.
Kali caught his arm as he passed her.
"What?" Casey asked, confused.
"Just because I approve of doing this, doesn't mean I trust him," said Kali, dropping her voice. "If things start to go sideways, or I feel that he is leading us into a trap…"
"I know," said Casey, nodding. "I wouldn't expect you to not do anything."
"Just so we're on the same page," said Kali.
The pair looked over at Whiger. He was waiting for them on the corner. They shared one last look, and then took off after him.
~X~
Dom flinched as he heard the creaking of a door. "Someone's coming," he said, opening his eyes and looking around at the others. They had taken to meditating, in hopes of calming the panic that had risen within them concerning their current predicament.
Whiger breathed heavily as he stumbled into the cavern. Behind him, following at a brisk, frantic pace, were the red and black rangers. They each looked around them in confusion, taking in the many rat traps suspended from the air. Inside of which were hundreds of different people, all scrambling over themselves to see who had entered, or just plain screaming for help.
"They're in that trap," said Whiger, pointing at one of the many thousands hanging around him.
"Casey! Kali!" the others called, their voices no louder than mouse squeaks.
Kali bit back a laugh as she peered into the trap that Whiger had pointed out. "The irony of this is too perfect," she said.
"Hey, we didn't trap the rat in the parlour," said Lily. "You picked him up."
"Yeah, besides, maybe you could taunt us after you've gotten us out of here!" said Theo.
Kali sniggered at the whine. "Aw, Theo, at this size, you're cute when you're angry," she said.
Theo scowled at her.
"Alright, alright," said Kali, reaching for the thread that held their cage. "Don't get your Jaguar in a knot. Ow!" she winced as an energy ball clipped her fingers, and she withdrew from the trap, turning to find Camille standing in the only entrance and exit.
Camille smirked. "What do we have here?" she asked. "A rescue party of tragic proportions. A Ranger with no spirit and a General with no Rinzin. A stiff wind could blow you over."
"Maybe," said Kali, taking a step-in front of the other two. "But I am at full strength, and ready to fight. Jungle Beast, Spirit Unleashed! Jungle Master Mode!"
Camille seethed and launched forward, raising her arm, and striking downward. Kali blocked and lifted her foot, slamming it into Camille's stomach and knocking her back. With a cry of annoyance, Camille recovered and lunged, but was blocked as Whiger darted between them; he hunkered down low, rolling Camille over his shoulder, and pulling back as Kali stepped aside.
The Phoenix general growled and pushed herself up. She turned, setting her sights on Whiger, and started forward, stopping only as Kali cut across her path with her Rhino Claw, threw her arm up, and kneed Camille in the stomach.
Clutching her stomach, Camille narrowed her eyes at Kali, and then turned swiftly, catching Casey's arm, and pulling him around. She held his arm into the air and kicked him in the stomach, sending him staggering into a fallen ladder.
Casey rolled across the ladder, falling to the other side as Camille followed him. He gripped the end and pulled himself back up, balancing himself on the steps and stepping over Camille's arms as she tried to grab at his ankles.
"Hands off!" Kali said, grabbing Camille by the shoulders and hauling her away from Casey. Camille turned, grabbed Kali's fists and the two shoved at one another, moving as far away from Casey as possible. Hands still gripped together, Camille kicked off from the ground and brought both feet together, slamming them into Kali's mid-section and sending her rocketing across the room.
Kali groaned as she hit the wall, her world swimming as she cracked her head against the brick.
Jumping down from the ladder, Casey rushed at Camille. She caught his wrist, twisted it towards his chest, and then threw him backward.
"Casey!" the others called.
With a groan, Whiger landed beside Casey. He rolled onto his side; his breathing heavier than it had been when he first arrived and looked Casey in the eye. "We have only one hope of defending ourselves. You have to trust me," he said.
"What do I have to lose?" Casey asked.
Grabbing Casey's hand, Whiger crushed it against the tiger face on his chest as they both glowed red. Casey gasped, feeling his body flood with energy as his animal spirit returned to him.
Camille laughed and walked around the room, flicking rat traps, and causing the occupants to scream in fear. "It's a pity, Whiger," she mocked. "The Rinzin that once made you great, will now destroy you."
"Don't bet on it," said Casey, pushing himself up.
Camille laughed, spread her arms, and rushed forward. She lurched forward onto her knees, looking down in confusion as her feet became fused to the floor. "No!" she yelled, looking back up and spotting Kali leaning heavily against the wall, her mystic wand outstretched in front of her, and glowing.
"You okay?" Casey asked.
"I'm fine," said Kali, nodding. "Finish her."
Casey nodded and stepped forward. He placed his left hand over his fist and glared at Camille. "Spirit of the Tiger!" he bellowed, unleashing his animal spirit within the cavern.
"And the White Tiger!" Whiger echoed, unleashing his own animal spirit. The two collided with Camille, causing her to cry out in pain as they chomped at her with their tear, and tore into her armour with their claws.
Kali released the spell as the tigers disappeared. Camille lay breathing for a second, before pushing herself up and scurrying from the room. "Yeah, run away," she murmured.
"What's happening, Whiger?" Casey asked.
Kali looked over at the pair and pushed herself bizarre. Whiger had fallen to his knees, his breathing coming in short gasps as his hands faded in and out. He did not look good, and she could sense that his end was near.
"I have used up the last of my energy," said Whiger. "Without my Rinzin, I will fade away."
"Why, why did you help me?" Casey asked.
"Dai Shi has proven to be my enemy," said Whiger, clutching at Casey's shoulder as he tried desperately to cling to life. "You. You have proven to be my friend. You must destroy them for all tigers."
His voice echoed as he faded away.
~X~
RJ sighed as he handed over the white rat. He was sitting comfortably in a pink plastic habitat, as a little girl, around the age of nine or ten, grinned happily at him. "Au revoir, Maurice," he said, as the mother offered her thanks and led her daughter out.
"Maurice?" Lily asked.
"It's a long story," said RJ. "But, I heard about this little girl that had lost her pet, so I thought… why not?"
"You're a nice guy, RJ," said Lily, smiling.
"Yes. I am," said RJ, agreeing. His eyes widened and he whipped around. "Wait, where's the box?" He snapped up an extra-large pizza box from the counter and chased Maurice out of the store, calling, "Wait, I made a king-size for the road."
Entering the restaurant with Nick and Aidan, Kali furrowed her brow as she glanced back at RJ and then turned her attention to the others. "Did he finally get rid of that rat?" she asked.
"Yeah, I think he's having an external crisis, though," said Lily, giggling.
"If he is so desperate for a pet rat, the pet store has a crate full of them," said Nick.
Rylie shook her head. "I am not having a rat in this kitchen," she said. "I don't care how much RJ pleads and pouts. The Health and Safety board would be all over us if they knew."
The Rangers laughed.
"Where've you been?" Theo asked, eyeing Kali suspiciously. She had disappeared after the fight been Badrat and Rammer, and this was the first time they were seeing her since.
Kali smiled and glanced at Casey. "Just so you know," she said, "I made sure that Whiger got to the Spirit World."
"You did?" Casey asked, started. "How? I can't imagine it was easy given his history?"
"Oh, it wasn't," said Nick, agreeing. "But, after Kali explained what he had done, and why, it was pretty much acceptance after that."
Kali nodded and squeezed Aidan's shoulders as she looked down at him. He smiled as he met her gaze. "What he did for you, Case, for us? That's the true spirit of kindness, and it's what separate us from them."
Casey smiled, but Kali could still detect a hint of sadness in his eyes as he met her gaze. "Thank you, Kali," he said, folding his arms. "If it wasn't for Whiger, then we would never have succeeded today. Knowing that he can now rest in peace? That's good enough for me."
The others nodded.