Now onto the Master's Arc! Yay! This chapter was really fun to write, so I hope you like it!
Let me know what you think!
Chapter 9: Way of the Master
"This way!" Theo yelled loudly as the four Rangers sprinted as quickly as they could away from what seemed like a huge boulder rolling towards them.
"I never thought we'd go the way of Indiana Jones, I'm done with the adventuring and finding mythical objects thing!" Ari whined. The boulder finally slammed into them and they flew forwards, hitting the ground hard.
"Watch out!" Casey yelled as he looked up just in time to see it rolling towards them, bouncing off the ground. As it landed, they leapt over it, and as it rolled away, it suddenly changed forms to a Rinshi beast.
"You think your other fights have been tough? I'll show you tough!" the Rinshi yelled at them.
"Let's go!" Lily and Theo called on their weapons and began to attack, but their weapons bounced off his armour harmlessly. He laughed, and slammed his fists into the pair, flooring them.
"He wasn't kidding about tough," Casey gulped as he and Ari helped the two up.
"Our weapons didn't even scratch him!" Lily shook her head.
"His armour, it's too thick," Ari shook her head. "Even my swords won't be able to break through," she told them.
"Nothing can get through my armour!" the Rinshi laughed.
"Never mind about those brats," they all looked around as Camille and Minos approached.
"Your mission is to clear out the city of all inhabitants," Minos reminded the Rinshi. "Now go!" he instructed.
"I'm all over it!" the Rinshi began to grow, and the Rangers called on the Jungle Pride Megazord. They attacked, but the Rinshi turned and used the armour on his back to protect himself. The Megazord punched the armour with a loud clanging noise, before stumbling back as the Rangers all felt the jarring sensation run up their hands. "Rolling attack!" he turned into a large ball again.
"This calls for a Megazord Savage Spin!" Lily cheered. The Rangers began to spin, rushing at the Rinshi as he rolled towards them.
"I think I'm gonna be sick!" Theo groaned as they collided, and the Megazord continued spinning, batting against the Rinshi.
"Not in your helmet Theo!" Lily pleaded, before the Rinshi broke through and slammed into the Megazord, causing it to detach and disappear. The Rangers cried out as they were tossed to the ground. The Rinshi laughed and rolled away, while Minos and Camille smirked and disappeared as well, leaving the Rangers defeated.
Back in Jungle Karma Pizza, the Rangers regrouped to speak with RJ, who was at his workbench.
"Talk to me team," RJ looked up at them.
"So this giant anteater-"
"Hedgehog," Casey corrected Lily.
"I thought it was an artichoke with legs," Theo frowned.
"It was a Pangolin," RJ corrected them as Ari giggled.
"They're small mammals with large keratin scale to protect themselves, they roll up and their armour is almost impossible to get through," Ari explained as they shot her weird looks. "Kinda like defensive hedgehogs, instead of spikes, they have armour. Pangolins are also known as scaly anteaters, so Lily was kinda right," Lily shot the other two a smug smile.
"How do you know all this stuff?" Xander asked with a raised eyebrow.
"I paid attention in school, instead of waiting for my best friend to give me all the answers," Ari smirked back. Xander just shrugged, not looking the least bit guilty. "We learned the hard way that their armour is practically impossible to get through. None of our weapons worked," Ari turned back to RJ.
"Yes, practically impossible. Not impossible. You just don't have the right weapon," RJ explained with a smile.
"You mean there's something that might work?" Theo asked with a grin, holding a Monk's Spade from the weapon rack beside him.
"There is a legend in the Order of the Claw, about a Master who wielded a weapon that could break through steel!" RJ told them, getting to his feet as he looked excited. "His name, was Master Phant," he said.
"Ok, so we just call this Master Phant dude and ask him to borrow his weapon, done deal," Casey nodded confidently.
"Uh dude, RJ just said this dude was a legend, something tells me it's not gonna be anything as easy as that," Ari pointed out.
"Ari's right," RJ nodded, sighing. "When Master Phant retired, he moved to a remote forest to live a life of solitude. No-one's heard from him in years," he told them, less excited now he had told them the bad news.
"Wonder why he dropped off the grid," Theo mused.
"No-one knows, but he's lost all contact with the Order of the Claw," RJ replied.
"Well the Order of the Claw is about to contact him," Lily growled. RJ smiled, impressed. "Come on guys, we're gonna find Master Phant," Lily told the others.
"Remote forest...no-one's heard from him since. You don't think..." Ari glanced to Xander, who seemed to think the same as she did.
"It would explain a lot about why he's lost contact with the Order," he nodded in agreement. The two looked to RJ, and found he looked grave.
"He's in the Briarwood forest, isn't he?" Ari asked, and RJ nodded.
"Isn't Briarwood where you guys are from?" Lily asked curiously.
"Yeah, and the forest is home to a gateway to another dimension," Ari told them. "Any idea where he would be?" she looked to RJ again as Casey, Lily and Theo exchanged baffled looks.
"Last I heard, he was going to a place known as the Cimmerian Forest," RJ told them. Instantly, both Xander and Ari groaned.
"Of all the places he could be," Xander put a hand to his face.
"Well he wanted solitude," Ari shrugged.
"You know the place?" Casey asked.
"It's one of the most dangerous places in the magical realm," Ari explained. "Xander almost got us eaten by a giant spider there," she added, and he frowned.
"You're never letting me live that one down, are you?"
"I had cobwebs and swamp sand in my hair for days!"
"Well what are we waiting for? Let's go," Lily told them, ignoring the bickering.
"Uh Lil? Did you miss the 'most dangerous place' in another realm?" Theo stared at her. "Or the 'almost eaten by a giant spider'?" Theo repeated Ari's words. Lily shivered, but shook her head.
"This world is in danger Theo. We need that weapon to defeat the Pangolin," she replied fiercely. "So let's go," she ordered.
"Just...be ready to get covered in mud and swamp sand," Ari sighed.
"Really, was there any need for so many exclamation points on that warning sign?" Casey asked as the five walked through the Cimmerian Forest.
"I know right?" Ari glanced to him with a grin. "Hey Xander, maybe we should try and find Phineas, he knows this place better than anyone," she told her boyfriend, who was looking around warily.
"It's Phineas, he'll find us," Xander reminded her. No sooner had he spoken, did a figure flip upside down in front of them, hanging from a tree. Casey, Theo and Lily shrieked in fear, and Phineas yelled as well, before flipping out of the tree and landed on his feet.
"Hey Phineas," Ari laughed as the three fell into fighting stances. "Relax guys, he's our friend," she gestured to them.
"Ari! Xander! Come here!" Phineas instantly squashed the two in a tight hug, making them grimace at the smell. "What brings you to the most dangerous part of the Magical Realm?" Phineas asked once he finally released them.
"We're looking for someone," Ari explained. "Phineas, this is Casey, Theo and Lily. Guys, this is Phineas, he's a Troblin who helped us out a lot a few years back," she introduced them.
"A...Troblin...?" Theo repeated slowly.
"Part Troll, part Goblin," Xander whispered.
"How is any of this normal to them?" Casey muttered as Ari spoke with Phineas with a bright smile.
"Phineas, you wouldn't know of a guy living in the Forest? He's human, moved here a few years back?" Ari asked, ignoring the other three Pai Zhuq students.
"Human? Huh," Phineas fell into thought. "Yup! You're looking for old Master Phant!" he nodded.
"You know him? Where does he live?" Lily asked eagerly.
"Just follow me, I'll lead you right to him!" Phineas smiled brightly. "Unless you'd rather lead?" he looked to Xander with a grin, and the Earth Mystic blushed as Ari snorted.
"I'm never living that down..." he muttered.
"Lead the way Phineas," Ari laughed.
Theo was grumbling as the group made their way through the forest. They'd only been walking for an hour, but they were already covered in dirt and sweat.
"This is ridiculous," Theo grumbled as he slipped, almost falling down a hill. "Are we almost there?" he called to Phineas, who led them down the safest route to Master Phant. Theo cried out as he then tripped over a rock.
"What's the matter? Is the mighty Jaguar getting tired?" Casey taunted.
"No..." Theo glared at him. "The mighty Jaguar is getting eaten alive by mighty mosquitoes," he growled.
"Oh! That's lucky!" Phineas told him with a bright smile. "And luckier than Sprites eating at you," he chuckled, continuing on.
"Sprites?" Lily asked curiously.
"They're tiny fairy-like creatures," Ari told her. "Their bites are dangerous. Enough venom and they're lethal. At best, you're bedridden from sickness for a while," Theo suddenly looked a lot less grumpy that all he was getting attacked by was mosquitoes. He took a seat on a rock, brushing more mosquitoes off.
"Why in the world would Master Phant come here?" Casey wondered aloud.
"There's only one reason anyone would live here. He wants to be left alone," Ari replied softly, stepping over another rock.
"And he's crazy," Xander muttered, earning a slap. With a small smile, he rubbed his arm and looked around, only for the smile to drop. "Theo, get up," his tone made everyone look around.
"What's the problem? I was just taking a break," Theo frowned, not moving.
"Uh, T?" Lily swallowed nervously. "You're sinking," she told her best friend, who looked down sharply. Half of the rock had already gone, and his feet were slowly following. Reacting instinctively, he leapt up, only for his feet to sink even further down, causing him to almost overbalance.
"What is that?" Casey cried out as Xander grabbed Theo's arm and stopped him falling.
"Swamp sand!" Ari groaned as she grabbed Xander's arm and pulled him back. Casey and Lily grabbed Ari and pulled, and they managed to dislodge Theo from the sinking ground.
"Yup! Best not stick around this place, it's everywhere," Phineas nodded with a smile.
"That's enough of a break, let's keep moving," Casey suggested.
"Don't have to tell me twice..." Theo muttered. "This place is giving me the creeps..." he looked around nervously.
"Not far to go now!" Phineas called over his shoulder as he led them along.
"You said that an hour ago," Theo grumbled.
"You wanna lead the way?" Ari challenged him, growing tired of his endless complaints.
"Easy, antagonising him, won't help," Xander warned her, patting her head. Ari stuck out her tongue, but kept moving. Suddenly she stopped, looking around. "What's wrong?" Xander asked, standing beside her.
"We're not the only ones here," she warned them. The others looked around just in time for a figure; his face hidden by a large hood, to attack them. Phineas gulped and ducked behind a rock as the other five began to fight the mysterious man, who easily overwhelmed them all with powerful, skilful moves. When he kicked Ari into the rocks nearby, she cried out and sank to the ground.
"Ari!" Xander threw out his hand, casting a spell. The man leapt away just in time to avoid the vines that burst from the ground, reaching for him as Xander stood in front of Ari. With a yell, the man slammed his foot to the ground, causing a shockwave that floored them all.
"You are not wanted here! Go away!" he warned, before running off.
"What was that about?" Theo groaned as they leapt to their feet, watching the man disappear.
"No idea, but we better keep moving," Ari stood, glowing to heal her injuries.
"Ari's right. We need to find Master Phant," Lily told them. Ari and Xander looked to Phineas as he popped back out from behind the rock, and then to each other. Something told them that they already had.
"Here we are! The great Master Phant's humble abode," Phineas announced as they reached a clearing, and found a small, rundown house in the middle, surrounded by overgrown bushes and crates.
"What a dump! Don't tell me a Pai Zhuq Master lives here," Theo frowned.
"There's only one way to find out," Casey nodded.
"Thanks Phineas, we owe you one," Ari smiled to the Troblin.
"Aw shucks, don't be worrying about it!" he smiled back at her. "Oh! I better go, can't be late to work!" Phineas realised, and rushed off, leaving the five to approach the shack.
"He has a job?" Theo asked with a raised eyebrow.
"Yep, works at Rock Porium," Ari nodded.
"Has a serious obsession with Bulgarian Nose Flute players," Xander spoke up.
"Why'd I even ask?" Theo sighed. They walked up to the shack, and Theo peered inside. Lily knocked, calling in, but there was no response. With a slight push, the door opened, and they stepped inside.
"Hello? Anyone here?" Lily called.
"Yes," an annoyed voice spoke. They squinted through the darkness, and found a man sitting by a window where poor sunlight managed to work its way in, showing off the dust and dirt of the small home.
"We're looking for Master Phant," Lily told the old man, who was scowling at them.
"I was once known by that name," the man told them shortly. "Why do you disturb my solitude?" he demanded. Casey, Theo, Lily and Ari bowed respectfully to him.
"Master, we need your help," Casey explained.
"Impertinent children!" Master Phant sat up straight. "You were not invited here, leave me be!" he snarled at them furiously.
"No, please, we're not children!" Lily insisted. "We're students. Of the Order of the Claw," Lily explained.
"I see. Interesting that the Order is now taking in the Mystics now as well," his gaze travelled to Xander and Ari, and the others glanced to them in surprise.
"You know of the Mystics?" Xander asked him curiously.
"I have spent a long time in this forest, boy. Of course I know of you and the others, using magic to fight," Master Phant scoffed, making both Ari and Xander bristle. "You are all well known. But none of this is important to me," he dismissed, looking away.
"Really?" Theo raised an eyebrow. "Well if you really were a Pai Zhuq Master, it might matter to you that Dai Shi has escaped," he spoke in a hard tone.
"What?!" Master Phant was instantly on his feet.
"No...that cannot be!" he breathed as he approached them.
"It's true," Casey confirmed with a nod. "We're the new guardians who are trying to stop him," he explained.
"That is unfortunate, but there is nothing I can do to help you," Master Phant told him.
"Yeah there is," Master Phant looked to Ari as she spoke. "We need you to teach us how to use your weapon," she told him, hoping he would help.
"The Jungle Mace...I haven't even looked at it in years," Master Phant muttered. "It's the weapon of a warrior! Not a useless old man!" he growled, becoming angry again.
"Useless my foot!" Theo pushed past as he spotted a cloak hanging from the man's chair. He grabbed it and held it up in the poor light. "You're the one who kicked our tails before!" he accused.
"I do not tolerate intruders!" Master Phant snatched back the cloak. Theo backed away quickly. "I just want to be left alone. Live out my days in peace," he sighed. Without a word, Theo grabbed his backpack and left.
"We're up against a monster we can't beat without the Jungle Mace, and you won't help us?" Ari asked him, not moving as Lily and Casey followed. Master Phant stared at her for a moment, before shaking his head. "Fine. Then we'll just have to face the Pangolin with what we have," Ari spun on her heel, grabbing Xander's hand, and made to leave.
"You're Althea's daughter, aren't you?" Master Phant's words made her stop. "You have the same stubborn spirit. She was just as irritable when she warned me of the dangers of living here," he mused, and Ari smirked slightly. "But I won't help you," he shook his head.
"If you can say no to both Ari and her mum, then you're far more stubborn than either of them," Xander commented, earning two glares before he and Ari walked out, joining the others.
"Can you believe this guy? He's the only one who can help us and he's sitting around feeling sorry for himself!" Theo yelled angrily.
"Theo, he's a Pai Zhuq Master, show some respect," Lily frowned at him.
"I'm with Theo on this one. Master or not," Casey raised his voice to ensure Master Phant heard him. The man frowned at them from beside the door. "I'm not going to stand here and beg for his help when people are in danger," he said, glaring at the Master.
"I'm sorry, there's nothing I can do," Master Phant told him, glaring back equally as hard.
"I doubt that," Ari scoffed, before their Morphers beeped. "That's Pangolin back. Come on," she nudged Casey, and they, plus Theo and Xander, began walking.
"Lil, you coming?" Theo asked, noticing that she'd stayed behind.
"No. Master Phant is going to show me how to use that Jungle Mace," Lily replied stubbornly, walking back over to the old man.
"Stubborn girl, I said no!" Master Phant snapped as he collected firewood.
"And I say, I'm not leaving until you do," Lily replied. Master Phant glared at her, before disappearing back inside and closing the door with a slam.
"And I think we found someone more stubborn than you and your mum," Xander muttered to Ari, who elbowed him.
"You guys call me if you need me!" Lily told them as she sat down on the ground, making herself comfortable.
"Will do," Ari grinned.
"I'll stick around too, make sure she gets out of this place ok," Xander told Ari, who smirked.
"Lil, if Xander tells you he knows where he's going, don't listen to him," she told the Yellow Ranger.
"Get out of here and go save the day, would you?" Xander rolled his eyes, shoving her. With a laugh, Ari led Theo and Casey away from the hut that Master Phant called home.
"This is the perfect spot!" Pangolin, in his sealed form, crouched as he put a hand to the ground. "I'll drill right into the fault line!" he said, looking up to Camille, who watched him.
"Yes, but hurry, before the Rangers find out our plan," Camille told him, sounding nervous.
"Too late!" they looked around to see Casey, Theo and Ari leaping towards them, already Morphed.
"I knew it..." Camille scowled. She blocked the path of the Rangers, grabbing them and stopping them. "Hurry Pangolin!" she snapped over her shoulder.
"Yes!" the Rinshi beast leapt into the air, transforming. He then spun and dug into the ground, disappearing as Camille fought off the Rangers.
"Where's your brother?" Ari called as she caught Camille's wrists.
"Why, you miss him already?" she smirked, shoving Ari back and calling on her green and purple armour as Rinshi appeared, fighting off Theo and Casey.
"No, but he's more of a fight than you are," Ari retorted as she called on her swords and met Camille, continuing to fight.
"You know, this isn't really what my magic is for," Xander told Lily as she used an old trowel to pat down the fresh soil.
"I won't tell Ari that you were growing flowers," Lily smiled back at him in amusement.
"What are you two doing in my yard?" they looked around as Master Phant emerged from his house.
"Trying to cheer this place up a bit," Lily smiled happily as she moved back. Xander cast another spell, and more yellow flowers popped up beside her. Her smile brightened, and Master Phant scowled.
"I don't want cheery, I hate cheery!" Master Phant growled.
"Whoa, sounds like V when she couldn't get tickets to that DJ she liked," Xander snorted, earning another glare.
"Were you this grouchy when you were a Pai Zhuq Master?" Lily asked him. "Cause if you were, I'm glad you weren't my teacher," she said, making Xander grin. She was riling the old Master up.
"You would have been lucky to be my student. I was one of the greatest of all the Masters!" Master Phant boasted, offended by her words. Lily got to her feet, abandoning her gardening.
"Then prove it! Teach me how to use the Jungle Mace!" she pleaded.
"It'll get her out of your hair," Xander nodded.
"Those days are over!" Master Phant told them angrily. "When I was a Pai Zhuq Master, there was purpose to my life! Then they put me out to pasture! What have I got to live for now?!" he demanded. "Nothing!" he turned and walked back to his home.
"That's not true!" Lily shouted back. "That great Master is still inside you somewhere, I know it is," she insisted.
"Don't bother with the flowers, they'll only die," Master Phant replied, turning and disappearing back inside.
"I think you're winning him over," Xander commented, and Lily gave a small smile as she turned back to the plants, only for both to be blasted off their feet. Rinshi leapt into view, followed by Minos, already in his armour.
"So, this is where the legendary Master Phant has been hiding out? Cosy," he snorted. "Oh? Who are you?" Minos noticed Xander as he and Lily got to their feet.
"What do you want Minos?" Lily asked as she fell into a fighting stance.
"Dai Shi sent me to find out what you little Rangers were planning," Minos explained with a smirk, swinging his hammer. "And what do I find, but an old Master feeling sorry for himself and a cub trying to convince him that he's still a legend. Beautiful really," Minos gave a mocking sniff.
"Ok, you're in for it," Xander growled, reaching for his Morpher. Before Lily could do the same, the Rinshi swarmed her. "Enough! MAGICAL SOURCE, MYSTIC FORCE!" he Morphed into his green suit, and called on his axe.
"You're a Ranger too?" Minos stared at him. "No matter, I'll destroy you!" he declared, and leapt at them, swinging his hammer. Xander raised a hand, casting a spell quickly. A bush suddenly grew much bigger, and Minos crashed straight into it. The Rinshi began to attack as Minos struggled to get out of the sudden trap, and the two struggled to fight off the Rinshi.
With a cry, Lily was tossed to the ground, and Xander cast another spell. Vines wrapped around the weapons the Rinshi carried, yanking them away. He then dodged another that attacked him, before jumping back to avoid Minos' hammer. The Bull laughed, and disarmed Xander with another swing. "So you're like the little bird huh? That makes things interesting," Minos smirked, spinning his hammer again.
"Calling her a little bird is kinda creepy mate," Xander replied as he fell into a fighting stance. Minos gave a snort.
"You think you can take me? You're not even Pai Zhuq!" he taunted.
"I don't need to be to take you on," Xander retorted, dodging Minos' hammer and getting in close to kick him backwards. Minos stumbled backwards in surprise, before they heard a loud trumpet and looked around. They saw a huge elephant with glowing red eyes, cloaked in a pale green aura, rush from the small shack and destroy the Rinshi. The door opened and Master Phant ran out, holding a mace on a chain in his hand.
"Get away from my student!" he roared.
"Rinshi, show this old fool that he's no match for you!" Minos yelled as Xander forced him to drop his Hammer.
"I'd focus on yourself mate," Xander replied as the two grappled, attempting to push one another back. Master Phant took out the Rinshi easily, slamming the ball to the ground and destroying the last of the Rinshi. With a yell, Xander managed to shove Minos back, making his eyes widen in alarm. He was then tossed through the air, landing with a grunt.
"Well well, looks like you may be even more interesting than the little bird, mate," Minos mocked as he got to his feet. "It's rare you find someone with the same animal spirit. I think I'll join my sister in destroying Ocean Bluff," he chuckled, and stomped his foot, disappearing as Lily ran over to Master Phant.
"Same...spirit?" Xander frowned as he demorphed.
"We don't have much time," Master Phant said to Lily, who was practically bouncing in excitement.
"You really get annoying, you know that?" Ari called as she kicked Camille back.
"Speak for yourself, you annoying brat!" Camille growled. Nearby, Casey called on the Strike Rider and hurtled past as he destroyed the Rinshi.
"You're not the first to call me that, and you won't be the last!" Ari taunted, flipping backwards. As she landed, she pushed forwards again and struck Camille across the chest, making her cry out.
"Ari, watch out!" Theo yelled, making Ari turn. Her eyes widened and she called on a shield, but Minos shattered it with a blow from his hammer. She was then hit from behind by Camille, and cried out as she was tossed into a car.
"Couldn't let you have all the fun now," Minos said, before hitting Theo and slamming him into a wall. He then grabbed the Blue Ranger and hurled him through the air. Camille then made to blast them, but Casey leapt in the way and took the hit. "Looks like you really could have used your Yellow Ranger and that Mace, huh?" Minos laughed as Camille prepared to finish them off, but before she could, a long chain wrapped around her Sai.
"What?!" Camille cried out.
"Lily!" Theo smiled.
"She's back!"
"And she got the Jungle Mace!" Ari laughed.
"It wouldn't be a party without me!" Lily declared, swinging the chain and throwing Camille to the ground. "Let's dance!" Lily used the Jungle Mace to easily overwhelm both Camille and Minos, who were unused to the new weapon. "Give it up you two!" she warned them.
"You're too late! My plan is already in action!" Camille attacked again, only for Theo to block her strike. Camille then ran at them with her Sai, but Casey intercepted her strike with his Jungle Chucks.
"Lil, you need to take on the Pangolin, you're the only one who can stop him now!" Ari shouted to the Yellow Ranger as she caught Minos' hammer with her swords. "He went down that big hole there!" she called over her shoulder.
"Don't worry, I'll take care of him," Lily smirked. As she went after Pangolin, Ari faced against Minos.
"It's my lucky day. Two unusual fighters in one day," Minos laughed as he swung his hammer again.
"Two?" Ari repeated in confusion as she sidestepped. His hammer hit the ground hard enough to cause a small quake around him, and Ari leapt up to kick his side.
"Yep, a mysterious Green Ranger," Minos laughed as he stumbled backwards. "Had strange powers like you. You aren't connected in any way, are you?" he asked with amusement in his voice. Ari didn't reply, her grip on her swords tightening as she attacked again. "I thought so! That makes things even more interesting!" Minos laughed, blocking Ari's next strike.
"How so?" Ari's voice was controlled as she stepped back.
"Because I can report to Dai Shi that you're not only a thorn in his side, but one of the Great Mystics of the Magical Realm," Ari grew cold.
"How do you know of the Mystics?!" she demanded.
"I know a lot more than you think, little bird, but we're here to fight, not talk!" Minos suddenly went on the offensive, and Ari ducked under his swing. She slashed up, and leapt into the air, planting her feet in his chest and throwing him back. He hit the ground with a groan, and Ari ran to join her team as Lily destroyed the Pangolin.
"Nice on Lil!" Casey cheered, putting a hand on her shoulder as she smiled.
"You got the Jungle Mace! No way!" Theo laughed in disbelief, looking down at the Mace in her hands.
"Even though Master Phant gave up on himself, I didn't!" Lily nodded, and they looked around just in time to see Pangolin get back to his feet and grow much larger.
"Looks like this isn't over yet. Ready guys?" Ari called to the other three, who nodded.
"Animal Spirits unite as one! Jungle Pride Megazord!" the Rangers summoned their animal spirits and combined them to form their Megazord.
"Yeah! I'm ready for this!" Lily cheered.
"A rematch! This is gonna be good!" Flit declared as he buzzed around Camille and Minos as their armour disappeared.
"Get lost before I put you in a jar," Camille told him coldly.
"Or I squash you like I should have done a long time ago," Minos added. Above, Pangolin rolled up and slammed into the Megazord, knocking them to the ground.
"Looks like it isn't going to be as easy as it was with the Jungle Mace!" Ari groaned as they pushed themselves back up.
"I hear you Master Phant!" Lily suddenly called, making the other three look at her in surprise. "Yes Master, I'll try! Come on guys, we're gonna use the Elephant technique!" she shouted to her friends, who nodded. They began to glow in their respective colours, summoning the Elephant spirit. It cried out, and landed in front of them.
"They have a new animal spirit!" Camille cried out in horror. "That's not fair!" she whined.
"Looks like the old man is as good as ever!" Minos laughed.
"It looks like the Rangers are back in business!" Flit declared.
"Elephant attack!" the Rangers sent the Elephant to attack Pangolin, who cried out as it rammed him with a large ball. "Spirit of the Elephant! Combine!" they called, and the Elephant broke apart, combining with the Megazord as armour and a large Jungle Mace. Swinging it, they slammed Pangolin hard.
"You can't defeat me! Pangolin Rolling Attack!" the Rinshi curled up again and rolled towards them at a rapid speed.
"Follow my lead guys!" Lily called.
"Jungle Mace, Spin Attack!" the Megazord began spinning, and landed a hard blow against Pangolin, breaking the attack and throwing him backwards as his armour shattered.
"You destroyed my shining armour! Oh, the shame!" Pangolin screeched, turning to stone and exploding as the Rangers cheered.
"Thanks Master Phant! You're the greatest!" Lily smiled brightly.
"Now this is a place fit for a Pai Zhuq Master!" Theo declared as he finished painting the windows.
"Yeah, I think we did a pretty good job," Casey nodded with a smile.
"We have to have done, otherwise Master Phant is not gonna be happy that we made Phineas drag him about for nothing," Ari laughed as she jumped off the roof.
"Nothing makes up for that," Xander grinned as he caught her. Ari giggled, kissing him as she put her arms around his neck. Theo made a disgusted noise, turning away.
"Guys, here he comes!" Lily called, and the five quickly stood together as Master Phant approached with Phineas.
"What is this? Is this why this wretched Troblin dragged me away from my peace?" Master Phant asked.
"Aw, it was nothing," Phineas smiled bashfully.
"It's a little thank you present," Lily explained. "Wait till you see the inside," she caught his arm and pulled him along. Master Phant walked inside, staring in awe at the remade home. "Well Master, what do you think?" Lily asked nervously.
"It seems in this case, the Master has learned from the student," Master Phant bowed his head to her, and Lily smiled back.
"It was an honour," she told him. "And we may need your help again sometime, so don't forget to keep in touch," Lily added, and Master Phant smiled back.
"I have the Spirit of the Elephant, I remember everything," he told her, making them all laugh lightly. "Green Mystic," Xander's smile fell in surprise. "I thank you for the help earlier, but I warn you to be cautious of the one you fought," Master Phant warned.
"Minos," Ari nodded, folding her arms. "He knows of the Mystics," she added.
"Not only that, but he knows of your animal spirit," Master Phant warned.
"But I don't-"
"You may not be Pai Zhuq, but everyone has an animal spirit," Master Phant smiled slightly.
"Like latent magic," Xander nodded in understanding.
"Correct. Minos knows you share the same animal spirit, and he may seek to use that to his advantage," Master Phant warned him.
"Not going to happen," Ari spoke up confidently, her expression determined. Master Phant studied her for a moment, before nodding.
"Master Mao chose well in you four guardians. I trust the world will be in safe hands," he told them, making the four students smile back, happy that a legendary Master believed in them too.
Having a slight block with the chapter I'm writing, but I will aim to update as soon as I can!
Hope you liked it!
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