To the guest who left a review in regards to me neglecting this story, please don't assume that sort of thing. I work full time which has, from this week, meant I need to be awake from half 4 in the morning, which has left me exhausted. I only had Christmas Day and Boxing Day scheduled off as holidays, and had to take several days off before that thanks to a severe migraine, and Christmas Day and Boxing Day was spent with my family, including my nephew who I only got to meet on Christmas Day. I try to update as often and as frequently as I can, but if I work on one fic for too long, then I start to get bored, so I like to alternate occasionally so I don't lose interest.

I'm also trying to come up with another way to hold a competition that wouldn't only be for reviewers with accounts, and when I come up with something, then I'll have another.

Anyway, moving on from that, I hope that you all enjoy this chapter.

Let me know what you think!

Chapter 15: Ghost of a Chance Part 2

RJ looked around as the door to his cell opened suddenly, and he smiled at Minos.

"So, Mr. Wolf, you ready?" he asked, folding his arms.

"Listen, the hospitality has been great, I'm going to recommend it to all my friends but is there an express checkout?" RJ asked him with a smile.

"Yes, there is," Minos nodded, and RJ's smile grew. "With Dai Shi when he rips you and your Wolf Spirit to pieces," RJ's smile dropped and Minos grabbed his arm. "Let's get going," he pulled him along.

"You know, you're different," Minos looked to the Master as they walked along the corridor. "You're not enjoying this like your scaly sister, or Dai Shi," RJ told him.

"Just shut up and save your stupid words for Dai Shi," Minos growled, shoving him along.

"Look, we know we shouldn't have come here," Ari started as she pushed herself back to her feet. "But we had no choice. Our Master is in trouble, and we need help," she told them firmly.

"Ah, these must be our new students," the old man who faced them nodded.

"This is Master Rilla," the older woman introduced the man with white hair. "Master Lope," she nodded to the man with the goatee. "Master Rel," the younger woman waved. "And I am Master Guinn," she introduced herself with a smile.

"With all due respect, we don't have much time," Casey told them.

"Patience," Master Rilla told him. "You must prove yourself worthy before you can be rewarded," he explained, and the four exchanged confused looks.

"Then let's get to it!" Casey nodded. "What kind of test do we need to pass?" he asked.

"Monsters, ghouls, demons? We're not afraid of anything you through in front of us," Theo told them confidently. Ari put a hand to her face.

"You're an idiot," she muttered. Master Rel giggled as Theo scowled at his team-mate.

"I like her," she told the other three Masters.

"Of course you do," Master Lope muttered back.

"Everyone is afraid of something. True courage comes from being able to face those fears," Master Guinn explained, and she looked to Lily. "You will be the first to be tested," she decided. Lily glanced at her friends, before stepping forwards.

"What do you want me to do?" she asked.

"Close your eyes," Master Guinn instructed. Lily nodded, and did as she was told. Master Guinn bowed to her, and Lily disappeared, taking the others by surprise.

"What did you do with Lily?" Theo asked.

"She has gone on her journey," Master Lope explained. "And now it is time for you to go on yours," he told the Blue Ranger.

"Better do as he says Theo," Casey muttered to him. Theo swallowed, and looked to Master Lope, who bowed to him. Theo disappeared next.

"You're next," Master Rel smiled at Ari, who nodded and took a step forwards. Instead of bowing, like her fellow Masters had done, Master Rel walked up to her. "Boop!" she pressed Ari's nose, and as Ari stared at her in confusion, she disappeared as well.

The arena was filled with Rinshi shouting in their unintelligible language as Dai Shi stood in the centre. Jellica and Carnisoar stood on a raised platform, watching as Minos shoved RJ in. He opened the cage door, and shoved him inside, slamming the door after him.

"At last! I will be tested by someone worthy!" Dai Shi declared as Minos stood beside Camille, folding his arms. "A Pai Zhuq Master," he smirked as RJ smiled.

"I'm not gonna fight you," RJ told him simply. Minos frowned, tilting his head slightly as RJ's words angered Dai Shi.

"Yes, you will!" he snarled. "And when I defeat you, the Spirit of the Wolf will be mine!" he declared. Camille smirked, relishing in Dai Shi's confidence as Minos frowned. Taking someone else's Animal Spirit that didn't match their own was unnatural, forbidden magic that was a higher crime than taking a matching Spirit to empower themselves. It didn't make much sense, considering it did little to boost their power. It was a trophy of a victory, more than anything else.

"Now we'll see how our lessons paid off," Jellica cackled.

"Begin," Carnisoar ordered. The two began circling each other, before Dai Shi called on his greater power. RJ stared at him, and braced himself for the hit. The Lion spirit flew from Dai Shi, and slammed into RJ, throwing him into the side of the cage. Dai Shi laughed as RJ looked up from the ground.

Ari blinked, her surroundings changing from the forest surrounded by fog, to another forest that seemed to be somewhere during the night. There was barely any light around her as clouds covered the sky.

"Ok...this is different," Ari commented, and no sooner had she spoken, did the rain start to pour, soaking her almost instantly. Lightning illuminated the trees around her, and thunder boomed overhead, making her jump. "I know this place," Ari frowned. A figure ran through the forest, lit up by the lightning, seeming to be carrying something, and was running straight towards her.

A blast suddenly threw the figure off his feet, and he crashed to the ground, the bundles he carried landed nearby, and began to cry. Ari stiffened.

"No...oh please no," she whispered, her hands flying to her mouth as she stumbled backwards. She bumped into something, and spun around as lightning lit up the figure she had run into. The figure was wearing pale gold armour, with a twisted face. He began to laugh loudly. "Calindor..." Ari whimpered, tears welling up in her eyes.

RJ got back to his feet, and defended himself against Dai Shi's strikes, but was still thrown around.

"Get up and fight me!" Dai Shi roared as he tossed RJ to the ground again. "Unleash your Wolf Spirit!" he ordered.

"Not gonna happen," RJ growled. "I'll never give you my Animal Spirit," he told him furiously. With a growl, Dai Shi created energy in his hand and leapt at RJ, slamming it into his shoulder. RJ screamed in pain and Minos' eyes widened. He took a step towards the arena as RJ's Wolf Spirit appeared briefly, howling in pain. Both then fell to their knees as the Wolf disappeared, and RJ collapsed, crying out in pain. Dai Shi got back to his feet, and Camille opened the door with a smirk.

"It was a waste of time to bring him here!" Jellica complained. Minos turned and walked away, disgusted by the sight. "But he still can be of use!" she suddenly spoke.

"We can use him to lure out the Rangers," Carnisoar suggested.

"This battle will be their last!" Jellica declared.

Ari stumbled backwards as Calindor approached her, and she stumbled over a log, falling to the ground.

"You're not real, you're not real," Ari put her hands to her head as tears ran down her face, mixing with the rain.

"Oh, but I am very real Meraki," Calindor laughed as he approached. "I planned on destroying you once before, and I will succeed!" he declared, standing in front of her. "What's the matter? Not so tough when you're on your own, are you?" Calindor mocked.

"Sensei...Sensei said...it's ok to be scared...as long as you don't let that fear rule you..." Ari whimpered, and she looked up. A choked sob escaped, and she cowered again. "I can't...it still rules me," she sobbed.

"It's amusing; even after my death, I'm still your greatest fear. I'm what will always hold you back," he commented. Ari clamped her eyes shut, furiously trying to will herself to calm down. "I tore apart your family, I caused you such loneliness for so long," Calindor commented. "I think that may have been better than outright killing you," he mused. Ari's eyes shot open at his words. He reached down to touch her, only for Ari's hand to wrap around his wrist.

"Loneliness?" she repeated as she got to her feet. "Maybe, but not anymore," Ari kept her grip on Calindor's wrist as he struggled. "Because you're dead, I found Althea and Daggeron, and I'm not alone. When I'm scared, there's always someone there who'll protect me," she smiled. Another hand wrapped around Calindor's wrist, and she looked up as Xander grinned confidently at her. "My friends will help me if I need them. I'm never alone, even when I'm on my own, they're in here," she touched her chest with one hand. "You may scare me, Calindor, but you can never hurt me," she told him, and suddenly Calindor relaxed. The next thing Ari knew, it was Master Rel she was holding onto.

"That was amazing!" Master Rel exclaimed as Ari let go of her in surprise. "I wasn't sure you'd make it at first. Your fear is pretty daunting compared to the others, but you made it," she smiled brightly.

"How did you know about Calindor?" Ari asked her curiously.

"Because you know about him. I took your greatest fear from you, and you've learned to overcome it," Master Rel smiled. "Because you finally realised that you don't have to do it all yourself. You can rely on your friends, on your family, and even when you're not with them, they're there with you," Master Rel smiled at her, and their surroundings suddenly changed, returning them to the Spirit World.

The students stood in front of their four Masters, who smiled, impressed.

"You have all passed our challenges," Master Rilla announced. The Rangers grinned to each other widely.

"Our Animal Spirits will be with you now," Master Lope told them. Master Rel nodded with a bright smile. "But we have much more to teach you students," he said, and their smiles dropped.

"No, we can't stay," Lily said quickly. "We have to get back and help our Master RJ," she explained.

"That is impossible," Master Guinn shook her head. "You must remain here for eternity," she announced.

"Yeah...that's a little too long for my liking. Besides, I'm destined for a Ninja Spirit World, not a Pai Zhuq one. No offence," Ari winked. The four Masters jolted, staring at her in alarm.

"You're a ninja?" Master Rel gasped.

"It's not just our Master who we need to help," Theo explained slowly. "We are Pai Zhuq guardians, the chosen four. We have to protect the world from Dai Shi," he told them.

"Dai Shi has escaped?!" Master Guinn's eyes widened as she took a step back. Master Rel sank to the ground, and Master Lope put a hand on her shoulder sympathetically.

"This is not good. We must find a way for you to return to your world," Master Lope decided. They looked up when they heard a strange noise echo through the forest, and Ari grinned.

"Was that a...train?" Casey frowned.

"I knew he'd get here!" Ari cheered, and the trees behind them seemed to warp, before clearing out of the way as a train came to a stop beside them.

"What on earth..." Master Guinn frowned, baffled by the sight of the golden train.

"Meraki, how many ridiculous situations are you going to get yourself into?" the man who emerged from the train demanded, followed by a woman and a cat genie.

"Meraki?" everyone chorused, including the Spirit Masters.

"In my defence..." Ari started, and paused. "I got nothing," she shrugged. Daggeron sighed.

"So this is the Spirit World..." Joe popped his head out the window. "Nice," he commented.

"You didn't need to come along Joe!" Ari groaned.

"Are you kidding? You get your teacher to call me, telling me that you've gone to another realm, and you need help getting back, and you don't expect me to tag along when I get your parents?" Joe laughed. "You clearly don't know me very well," he teased. Ari sighed heavily.

"Well, this is our ride back to our realm," she told the others, who looked thoroughly baffled.

"Very well...go back," Master Rilla smiled. "Knowing that your Animal Spirits will be stronger than you ever imagined," he told the four.

"Thank you for the help," the four bowed, and ran towards the train.

"Oh, and one more thing," Master Rel called, and they looked around. "This world is for Pai Zhuq and Ninjas alike, so you're destined for here as well," she explained with a smile.

"Ninjas too?" Ari smiled.

"That's right," she looked around as two figures wearing white cloaks approached her. Underneath the cloaks, they wore Ninja gear, and the symbols on them made her frown. They were Thunder Ninjas. "You've grown since we last saw you," the woman smiled.

"We've met before?" Ari asked, confused.

"I suppose you wouldn't remember us too well, you were only semi-conscious when we were able to get our message across," the man chuckled. Ari's frown grew, before she managed to connect the pieces.

"You're Hunter and Blake's parents!" she realised.

"That's right," the woman smiled. "We wouldn't normally interrupt the Pai Zhuq Masters, but..." she glanced to them, and they nodded with smiles of their own. "We wanted to know if you'd pass on a message. Tell our sons..."

"Tell them we're very proud of them," Mr. Bradley finished for his wife. Ari grinned.

"Tell them they're buttheads. Got it," she winked, making them laugh.

"And could you thank Zoe and Tori for keeping them in check as well?" Mrs. Bradley requested.

"I'll make sure they get your messages. Don't worry. Now, I really have to go save my Master," Ari smiled at them.

"Of course. Good luck," they called after her as Ari ran to join those gathered by the Solar Streak, and was instantly hugged by her mother.

"You really need to explain everything," Lily told her friend, who grinned.

"I concur," Daggeron spoke with a frown. As they shot off, the group of spirits watched.

"So...do I get supreme bragging rights for helping the legendary-"

"Don't even start," Master Lope sighed. "She may not be who you think she is," he told her. Master Rel pouted.

"But she's a Ninja and a Pai Zhuq student, and her parents were quite clearly the legendary Lunar and Solaris Knights!" Master Rel complained. Master Lope put a hand to his face and walked away, with Master Rel following, chattering excitedly.

"Rangers!" Dai Shi yelled as RJ struggled against the bonds that tied him to a post. The two Shadow Guards stood on either side of him as Camille looked around. Minos looked bored. "Hear me! Finish what we started or lose your beloved Master forever!" he ordered. Hearing footsteps, he looked around to see the four Rangers running towards them.

"We're ready for you!" Casey grinned.

"But this time, things are gonna be a little different," Lily told them. Camille scoffed and Minos grinned in amusement.

"Let's show them why they don't mess with our Master," Ari grinned.

"Ready?" Casey called as they put on their Solar Morphers.

"Ready!"

"JUNGLE BEAST, SPIRIT UNLEASHED!" they Morphed, and Dai Shi smirked.

"I see you didn't learn the last time," Dai Shi scoffed, and leapt through the air. He landed in front of them, and pulled off his cloak, calling on his own armour. "It ends here Rangers," he told them. The Rangers ran at him, and the five began to fight, but Dai Shi still had the upper hand, tossing them to the ground.

"We're still not strong enough!" Theo groaned.

"Hey! Remember what Master Rilla said!" Casey shouted to his friends. "We've got more power than ever before! Well, I'm here to see just how much we've got!" he pushed himself back to his feet, taking everyone by surprise. "Jungle Master Mode!" Casey yelled, and his suit began to glow. A small weapon appeared in his hand. "Claw Booster!" he held it in the air, and pressed the button. His suit began to change, turning mostly white with red. "Yeah! We do have more power!" he cheered.

"Incredible!" Theo laughed.

"No!" Camille shrieked as RJ grinned.

"Impossible!" Dai Shi snarled.

"Guards! Help him!" Camille snapped to the two guards. They leapt into the air, and landed by Dai Shi.

"What do you guys think?" Theo looked to Lily and Ari as they got back to their feet. "Are you feeling it?" he asked with a grin.

"Oh yeah!" they cheered.

"Jungle Master Mode!" they called on the same power as Casey, and their suits changed to match Casey's.

"Whoa, now that is a major upgrade," RJ grinned.

"Spirit of the Tiger, Full Fury! Jungle Master, Red Ranger!"

"Spirit of the Sparrow, Full Fury! Jungle Master, Gold Ranger!"

"Spirit of the Cheetah, Full Fury! Jungle Master, Yellow Ranger!"

"Spirit of the Jaguar, Full Fury! Jungle Master, Blue Ranger!"

"We summon the Animal Spirits from within! Power Rangers Jungle Fury!"

"I don't like where this is going..." Camille muttered.

"This is going to be very interesting," Minos chuckled. His sister shot him a dirty look.

"Go for it!" Casey yelled to the others. Lily and Theo shot forwards, slamming into the two guards.

"I'll handle those two," Ari told Casey, who nodded and ran at Dai Shi. Ari then ran towards the raised part of the cliff, and leapt up, firing a blast. When the smoke cleared, Camille and Minos had called on their armour and were rushing at her.

"Honestly RJ, you're just going to chill out here while your students do all the hard work?" the Master looked around in surprise as Master Swift appeared behind him.

"In my defence Jenna, they're making it look very easy," RJ told her with a proud smile. Master Swift rolled her eyes and removed the bindings around him, allowing RJ to move. However, they were also holding him up, and he staggered. She caught him easily.

"Whoa, you've had a rough time. Take it easy," she smiled as she helped him to stand. RJ nodded, hoping his face wasn't as red as it felt as he rubbed his shoulder. Nearby, Ari knocked Camille and Minos aside, and Casey defeated Dai Shi, causing his armour to shatter.

"Master!" Camille gasped, running over to him as Minos shook his head. The Rangers ran over to RJ and Master Swift to ensure he was ok, before the ground shook. Looking around, they saw the black and white guards return.

"Whoa...shocking," RJ rolled his eyes.

"Let's show them our new technique guys!" Casey grinned.

"Yeah!"

"Spirit of the Gorilla!"

"Spirit of the Penguin!"

"Spirit of the Squirrel!"

"Spirit of the Antelope!" the four Rangers called on their new Zords, which they used to easily overpower the two monsters on their own. Bouncing around and dodging each move the white guard threw at her, Ari laughed.

"Now I see why Master Rel was always laughing! You guys gotta be faster than that!" she taunted, slamming into the white guard. Lily, in her new Penguin Zord, flew overhead on a board. "Nice moves Lil, you ever think about taking up skateboarding?" Ari laughed.

"Lily! I'll give you a push!" Theo called. Lily flew down to him, and with a powerful kick, he sent her flying towards the monsters.

"Right behind ya!" Casey called, beating his chest and causing enough sonic waves to help blast the two monsters. However, the white one got back up, absorbing the power from the fallen monster. "Now what?" Casey gulped.

"Combine all of your animal spirits!" RJ yelled to them as Master Swift grinned. "You'll be outta control!"

"Of course!" Casey laughed.

"Animal spirits, unite!" the four combined their Zords to form the Jungle Master Megazord, and Camille helped Dai Shi to his feet as they watched the Megazord easily overpower the guard, and blasted him, turning him to stone and destroying him.

"I knew they could do it!" RJ smiled, and winced, rubbing his shoulder as Master Swift glanced at him. Her smile faded slightly as she saw the pain in his expression.

"You guys, that was unbelievable," RJ praised the four students as they returned to the loft. "You really saved my hide," he thanked them gratefully.

"You would have done the same for us," Lily smiled at him.

"Yeah, besides, you saved our butts first, we needed to return the favour," Ari grinned, nudging him.

"You think we'd really leave you to those crazies?" Master Swift smiled at him. He grinned back at her, and Ari nudged Lily, who giggled. Master Swift shot them a glare.

"Ah...loft, sweet loft," RJ smiled as he returned to his monitors. "It's great to be home," RJ sighed happily, before frowning. He lifted a chip from the bowl that was almost empty, and licked it. "Somebody's been eating my chips," he realised. Their smiles faded.

"Not me," Ari said instantly. RJ walked over to the monitors, and put his hands on one.

"Somebody's been watching my TV..." he muttered, and his eyes widened in horror.

"Oh no..." Ari bit her lip to hide her giggle. She knew what he was thinking. RJ turned and rushed over to his chair, sitting down quickly. His horrified look grew.

"Somebody's been sitting in my chair," he told them. Someone cleared their throat, and they looked around quickly to see Fran sitting in the kitchenette on the higher level.

"Hello Rangers," she greeted with a bright smile. "Power Rangers," she smirked as they stared at her, frozen with not a clue of what to do.

Uh oh! Fran knows all now!

I'll update at some point during next week, hopefully early enough, since I'm getting back into a flow of writing here!

Please review!