So I've come up with another competition for this chapter, just a small one. Details at the bottom of the chapter.

Hope you enjoy it, let me know what you think!

Chapter 22: Arise The Crystal Eyes

Ari was woken early by her phone ringing, and groaned as she reached for it, not opening her eyes.

"This better involve the fate of the world, or I am hanging up," Ari answered, not bothering to check who was calling.

"Hello to you too," her eyes opened and she sat up quickly.

"Doctor O? Hey, what's up?" she asked a little more politely, making him laugh.

"That's more like it," he chuckled. "I was talking to Adam, and he was filling me in on your latest adventures. Then I heard from Anton Mercer, and I figured I should give you a heads up," he told her. Ari yawned widely.

"Oh yeah? What's up?" she asked.

"He told me about an archaeologist, I've met her once before, Silvia Jennings. She's found these things called the Crystal Eyes," Doctor Oliver told her. Ari yawned again.

"Crystal Eyes? What are those?" she asked, wondering what it had to do with her and what she was doing in Ocean Bluff.

"Dr. Jennings has been searching for these Crystal Eyes for years, and her father did the same before her," Doctor O said. "There's a legend surrounding them, and while I'm not too clued in on the details, it involves creatures called Phantom Beasts, that once terrorised the lands," Doctor Oliver warned her.

"Oh man...how many has she found?" Ari asked.

"She's found four," Doctor O said. Ari sighed, throwing her covers off.

"Thanks for the heads up Doc, I'll take a look into it and let you know what's going on."

"So your old science teacher-"

"Also one of the greatest and well known Rangers on the planet," Ari included for Theo, who breathed out heavily. There really was nothing normal about their golden teammate.

"Called up about these Crystal Eyes? What are they?" the Blue Ranger asked.

"That's not good," Jenna spoke, looking to RJ with a worried expression.

"During the Beast War, 10,000 years ago, the Phantoms were the baddest beasts around," RJ explained, seeing that everyone besides him and Jenna had no clue what was going on. "But one by one, the Masters destroyed all eight of them, saving the human race," RJ told the group.

"When each beast was destroyed, all that remained was a Crystal Eye, about this big," Jenna made a shape with her hand. "Blue in colour with black in the middle, that look like the eye of the creature they were created from," she continued on for RJ.

"Tonight, the stars are in a very rare alignment," RJ spoke again. "If the starlight shines through the eye, bingo, bango, bongo, the Phantom Beasts are brought back to life," he finished, looking worried.

"If Dai Shi gets his hands on those Crystal Eyes..."

"We've got a whole army of Phantom Beasts to worry about," Theo spoke nervously.

"How many Phantom Beasts were there?" Ari asked quietly, her hand in Xander's as she thought about the looming threat.

"Eight," RJ repeated.

"Dr. Jennings has four," Ari's voice was very quiet.

"Then Dai Shi may already have four..." RJ said what they were all thinking.

"She probably has no idea what they are," Dom sighed.

"We have to make sure the Crystal Eyes are safe tonight," Casey said, shaking his head.

"Go ahead," Dai Shi's voice echoed through the chamber, and Grizzaka looked up, about to strike Jellica, who was on the ground. "Destroy Jellica. That's always been your problem Grizzaka. You destroy what you cannot have," Dai Shi smirked. Camille and Minos stood on either side of him. Minos was smirking, ready for a fight if necessary. "I'm here to take back my throne...before you destroy that too," Dai Shi smirked.

"You dare to lecture me?!" Grizzaka demanded furiously. "Your incompetence cost us the Great Beast War!" he roared, running at Dai Shi, who easily deflected his strike. With a roar, he sent Grizzaka flying. "What?!" the Overlord cried out.

"Do you recognise that power?" Dai Shi taunted arrogantly. "Yes...it's Zokado..." he whispered. Grizzaka let out a furious yell.

"You're wasting my energy! I have Power Rangers to destroy!" Grizzaka stormed off, and Jellica got to her feet.

"Oh please, sea-witch, try to fight us. I've been itching to use my own new power on someone with enough power to match me," Minos challenged her as she eyed them up. Jellica gulped, sensing the enhanced power from the bull. Without a word, she stormed off as well to catch up with Grizzaka.

"Oh, home sweet home," Camille smiled as Dai Shi sat on his throne. "Maybe we should redecorate now that we're back?" Camille turned to Dai Shi. Minos rolled his eyes.

"Don't get too comfortable," Dai Shi told her. "Grizzaka is gathering more strength. I need to get the upper hand before he returns. Before he destroys us all," he muttered.

"Maybe I have an idea," Camille suddenly smirked, and walked off. Intrigued, Dai Shi followed.

"This can't be good," Minos sighed, following the two.

"The scan didn't show any traces of a buffalo," Dr. Jennings said to another scientist as they looked over the latest readings.

"Bison," they looked around in surprise as another voice joined them.

"Pardon me?" the blonde archaeologist asked in surprise.

"The Eye you're trying to figure out," Ari smiled at her. "It's an Bison," she said. The woman stared at her visitors.

"I've been trying to determine that for a long time," she put her hands on her hips. "I'm Silvia Jennings," she introduced herself, holding out her hand.

"I'm Ari, this is Xander," Ari smiled as she shook her hand.

"How did you know?" Dr. Jennings asked as they took seats in front of her desk, and she sat down too.

"I've been studying animal spirits for a while, and a teacher I had once said that everyone has an animal spirit inside," Ari told her. Dr. Jennings' smile widened.

"Really? My father used to say 'live in harmony with your animal spirit, and you'll be in harmony with yourself'," she said.

"That's pretty smart," Ari chuckled. "Gentle, playful, and judging from this picture here," Ari pointed to the photo on the desk. "You're at home in water," she looked up with a knowing smile. "Your animal spirit is a Dolphin," she determined.

"Right again," Dr. Jennings laughed in amazement. "So how can I help you two?" she asked, and Ari's smile faded.

"Okay, I know this is going to sound really strange, but you, and the Crystal Eyes you've found, are in a lot of danger right now," Dr. Jenning's smile faded.

"Why?" she asked.

"Because the Eyes...they have powers. They're incredibly dangerous, and there are people out there who will do anything to get access to those powers," Ari warned her.

"What kinda powers?" Dr. Jennings asked curiously.

"I..." Ari hesitated. "I can't say," she muttered.

"Okay then...who's after them? Why not go to the police with this information?" she asked.

"We can't tell you that either," Xander shook his head. "We've come here to make a really, really big favour, and ask for you to let us hold onto the Crystal Eyes for 24 hours," Dr. Jennings' eyes widened, and she let out a laugh.

"You must be kidding!" she scoffed. "I've searched my entire life looking for them! So did my father! And now you're asking me to hand over my life's work?" she stared at them.

"I'm afraid they are very serious, Dr. Jennings," they all looked to the doorway, and Ari gave a small smile as she recognised the man.

"Dr. Mercer? What brings you here?" the archaeologist asked as she stood up.

"I've come here to ask that you heed their request. The Crystal Eyes are in great danger, which means that you are in great danger," Anton Mercer told her. However, the stubborn look only increased in her eyes.

"I am not handing my life's work over to a couple of strangers," she said forcefully. "Not after all the work that my father and I put into finding them. The answer is no," Dr. Jennings told them.

"Doctor Jennings, I must insist that you hand them over," Dr. Mercer told her.

"No offence, Dr. Mercer, but you are not my boss in regards to these. I will not hand them over to anyone," she told him harshly. "Now if you will please leave. I have other meetings," she said to the two still sitting. They sighed heavily, but stood, and left with Dr. Mercer.

"Miss. Raynes, I can have a word with those funding Dr. Jennings work, if you like?" Dr. Mercer suggested as they walked back down the stairs. "See if that will persuade her to hand them over?" he asked.

"Thanks, but I think that might be a bit too far," Ari smiled. "It was good of you to come and help, Dr. Mercer," she shook the man's hand.

"After you helped save my life, it's the least I can do," he smiled back at her. "If you need any more help, don't hesitate to call," he handed over a card, and walked off to speak with someone as Ari and Xander went over to RJ, who was waiting for them.

"There's not a chance she is going to hand the Crystal Eyes willingly," Ari reported to her Master. "Someone's going to get hurt if they come after them, so I'm gonna stay here," she decided.

"Okay, well there's trouble in town, so I have to go, but you know," RJ started as they walked to the exit. "If they do get the eyes, to put the eyes first, right?" he asked. Ari bristled, but nodded.

"Sure," she nodded. RJ hurried off, and Xander looked at her.

"You're not going to do that, are you?" he asked.

"Not a chance," Ari replied, and he took her hand, squeezing it gently.

"Right now we're digging for a Parasaurolophus in New Zealand, a Compsognathus in Germany and a Plesiosauria in Scotland," Dr. Jennings smiled as she spoke with two reporters, one with long black hair and a green shirt, and the other with blonde hair mostly hidden under a beanie and a long sleeved black shirt. "We've even had the opportunity to work with big names such as Andrew Hartford and Anton Mercer in regards to these digs," she said proudly. "Which project were you interested in photographing?" she asked.

"Dinosaurs are so...1993," the woman laughed. "My real passion lies in...the Crystal Eyes," she hissed, and suddenly transformed, calling on her green and purple armour. Minos revealed himself as well, calling on his brown armour lined with green. "Give them to me!" Camille demanded.

"I'm still mad that they never said anything before," Ari grumbled.

"Still mad that your parents kept your new brother and sister a secret?" Xander chuckled, and Ari slapped his arm.

"Did they not learn from the last time they kept a huge secret from me?" she grumbled.

"It'll be fine," Xander grinned. "Come here," he pulled her close, wrapping an arm around her. His hand brushed her stomach, and Ari tensed. "What's wrong?" his smile immediately fell. Ari looked away.

"Xander...I haven't told you the entire truth about what happened when RJ became a Ranger," she admitted. Before either could say anything, they heard screams. They ran towards the screams, and saw Camille leaving with the case they had seen in Dr. Jenning's office. Ari hurled an energy-ball that struck Camille in the face, and she dropped the case as she stumbled away.

"You're not getting the eyes so easily," Xander warned Camille, who gave a small laugh.

"Oh, I'm not?" she asked. "Coming from the boy without a spirit," she mocked, before a scream echoed out. Looking around, they found Minos holding Dr. Jennings, her arms pinned behind her back.

"What's it gonna be, little bird? The Eyes, or one little scientist?" Minos called. Ari's eyes narrowed, and she ran at him. Minos tossed the woman aside, and began to fight off Ari. As he pushed her back, Xander rammed him with his shoulder.

"I think you've got something that belongs to me," Xander challenged him.

"Good luck getting it back!" Minos taunted, kicking him aside and running off.

"Are you okay?" Ari helped Dr. Jennings up.

"I'm fine, but the Eyes..." she looked over to where Camille had run off with the case.

"Come on," Ari called to Xander, and the two ran off after Camille and Minos.

Morphed, the two ran through the forest, with Ari tracking the footprints.

"They went this way," Ari said as they ran along.

"Ari, what were you going to say before?" Xander asked as he kept up with her easily. "What haven't you told me?" he asked when she didn't answer straight away.

"There they are," Ari pulled him behind a tree, and they watched Camille and Minos walk over to a large rock, no longer in their armour.

"Show me," Dai Shi appeared, and Camille opened the case to reveal the four Crystal Eyes. "Yes...all eight," Dai Shi opened a bundle he held to reveal another four.

"Oh no..." Ari breathed in horror.

"They've got all of them? This just got worse," Xander breathed as Camille handed over the case. She and Minos walked off, and Xander moved, snapping a twig. Ari immediately cast a cloaking spell, hiding them just as Dai Shi looked around. He set down the case and bundle, just in time for Ari's Sparrow to slam into him. He let out a cry, flying through the air, and barely managed to land on his feet.

"Jungle Master Mode!" Ari summoned her greater power, and clashed with Dai Shi just as he called on his own armour.

"What brings you so far out into the woods, little Ranger?" Dai Shi grabbed her wrists.

"Oh you know, out for a little stroll," Ari shrugged, and Dai Shi cried out as he was hit from behind by Xander's axe.

"We're taking the Crystal Eyes back. Those Phantom Beasts aren't coming back," Xander told him as Dai Shi stood.

"Never say never, Green Mystic," Dai Shi laughed. "Do you really think you can beat me? You don't even have a Spirit to help you!" he taunted.

"I don't need one to take you down!" Xander yelled, holding up his staff. It shone green, and vines burst from the ground, wrapping around Dai Shi. However, their opponent easily broke through them. "What?! That's impossible!" the Green Ranger gasped. "My magic...it's weakened!" he realised.

"Of course it is!" Dai Shi laughed. "Without your Animal Spirit, you're no longer balanced! Of course your magic would be dwindling," he mocked.

"That's why Pai Zhuq and the Magical Realm are linked," Ari put her hands to her mouth in horror. "Of course our spirits are linked to our magic," she groaned.

"And the longer you go without your animal spirit, the more your magic will dwindle!" Dai Shi spoke gleefully. "Even if you do get your spirit back somehow, your magic will never return once it is gone completely!" he announced.

"Shut up!" Ari yelled, her Sparrow slamming him again. "We will get it back!" she said, before spotting Jellica running off, carrying both the cloth and the case. "No!" Ari gasped, and Dai Shi got up, blasting her. Jellica was thrown through the air, forced to drop what she carried.

"Jellica!" Dai Shi roared, and the Sea Overlord fled with the small bundle.

"No!" Ari grabbed Dai Shi as he made to follow.

"Your friends are being destroyed," Dai Shi warned her.

"My friends can handle themselves," Ari struggled to hold him back.

"Against my Rinshi, yes, but against Grizzaka? They don't stand a chance!" Dai Shi told her. Ari released him in her horror. "Zokado!" he roared suddenly, and Ari was blasted off her feet. "They're mine!" Dai Shi grabbed the case.

"No they're not!" Ari leapt up and streaked past, grabbing it and running over to Xander, taking his hand.

"No!" Dai Shi roared, but with a quick spell, the two disappeared in a shower of green and gold sparks.

The rest of the Jungle Fury Rangers were blasted off their feet, completely overwhelmed by Grizzaka.

"You've destroyed all of my warriors, my royal guards, and the great Overlord Carnisoar! Finally, I shall destroy you!" Grizzaka declared, firing a blast at them. However, a blur shot in the way and deflected it.

"Ari!" Theo gasped.

"You're about to get a dose of your own medicine!" Ari shouted at him. "Claw Booster!" using her jets, Ari slammed into Grizzaka, and threw him through a wall. "Hey Dom, can I borrow your Rhino Blade?" she asked.

"Uh...sure?" Dom tossed it over, and Ari combined it with her Claw Booster.

"Sparrow and Rhino Combine!" she called.

"Whoa! How'd you know that would work?" Dom asked in surprise.

"I didn't!" Ari laughed. Grizzaka then recovered from the attack, and the pair began to fight, with Ari gaining the upper hand quickly. Using the powerful weapon, she slashed him multiple times, blocking each of his counter attacks.

"Urgh! Finish this Grizzaka!" Jellica yelled angrily, watching from the sidelines.

"Firing jets!" Ari flew through the air and continued to attack him, leaving him weakened.

"Ari! That was amazing! How did you do it?" Lily asked with a wide smile.

"Grizzaka's far too powerful to take on single-handed. We needed to combine powers," Ari shrugged, handing Dom back his Morpher.

"It was an excellent idea," RJ praised her, putting a hand on her shoulder.

"Thanks," Ari blushed at the praise. "Now, you guys ready to end this?" she asked.

"Yeah!"

"You better be ready!" Grizzaka growled as he pushed himself to his feet.

"Firing Jets!"

"Claw Cannon!"

"Wolf Beam!"

"Rhino Blade!" with the three powerful moves, they blasted Grizzaka, making him scream and explode.

"Wait for it," Ari spoke, and Grizzaka returned.

"That was nothing!" he began to glow black and purple. "I won't let it happen again! I am the strongest fighter, there will ever be!" he declared as he grew.

"Jungle Spirits go!"

"Gorilla Spirit!"

"Penguin Spirit!"

"Antelope Spirit!"

"Squirrel Spirit!"

"Jungle Master Megazord!" the Rangers formed their Megazord as RJ called on his own Megazord.

"Defeat them Grizzaka! If you lose, Dai Shi will destroy me!" Jellica cried from the ground. Grizzaka fought the two Megazords, slowly overwhelming them.

"Could this be the greatest match of all time?" Flit asked as he buzzed around, before spotting Dai Shi. "Yikes! Fours a crowd, I'm outta here!" he flew off, leaving Camille, Dai Shi, and Minos to watch.

"I lost the Crystal Eyes," he admitted. Minos' eyes widened. After the hard work they put into getting the Eyes, Dai Shi had managed to lose them within minutes. His anger grew as he questioned why he insisted on following him.

"Zokado!" Grizzaka roared, flooring the two Megazords with his massive power, before looking around as he heard stomping.

"Rhino Power!" Dom yelled as he held out the Control Dagger. The horn of the Rhino Zord began to glow. "Rhino Zord, Warrior Mode!" he transformed it into its Megazord.

"Weak!" Grizzaka scoffed, and attacked Dom. The two seemed evenly matched as they grappled. "It is your turn to learn the same lesson all of your enemies have! There is no-one as powerful as Grizzaka!" he declared. "And never will be!" he laughed.

"Guys! You ready to end this?" Dom called. The other two Megazords grabbed his shoulders.

"Oh yeah!" Ari laughed.

"All at once! Come on!" RJ nodded. They all worked together, and began to glow golden. The greater strength knocked Grizzaka through multiple buildings.

"Animal spirits!" they called on all of their animal spirits. "Stampede! Jungle Master Spin Attack!" with the power of all their Animal Spirits, they struck Grizzaka and floored him.

"Impossible! I am invincible! No-one is stronger than Grizzaka!" he roared, before exploding.

"A new era has begun," Dai Shi smirked, turning and walking away. Minos frowned, watching the Rangers for a moment longer.

"I don't know how to thank you," Dr. Jennings had tears in her eyes as Ari revealed the four Crystal Eyes. "I never thought I'd see them again...I'm sorry I didn't listen to you before," she apologised.

"Hey, two complete strangers walk in and demand your life's work? I'd have thought you crazy to say yes," Dr. Jennings laughed as Xander grinned at her.

"Well you're not complete strangers anymore," Dr. Jennings smiled. "Keep them safe for me, please, just until the danger has passed," she handed the case back to Ari.

"Thanks. I was kinda hoping you would ask," Ari smiled at her.

"I do have to ask. You knew I had the Spirit of the Dolphin," Dr. Jennings asked as they made to leave. "What about you?" she asked curiously. Ari glanced to Xander, worry returning to her gaze as she remembered what Dai Shi had said.

"The Bull," Xander grinned. Dr. Jennings gave a small laugh.

"Makes sense. It suits you," she told him, before looking to Ari.

"The Sparrow," she admitted.

"Wow, that's a new one," Dr. Jennings looked surprised. "But it suits you too. Sparrows are resilient, and tough," she smiled again, and Ari blushed as Xander took her free hand and grinned.

"Thanks. We better get these somewhere safe. Thanks for everything," she told the archaeologist, who nodded.

"RJ," the Master looked up as Xander approached him later. "Ari told me about what happened. Back when you couldn't control your animal form," RJ's smile fell. Ari ran in, looking worried.

"Xander, it wasn't-"

"I know it wasn't his fault," Xander said as Jenna tried to come to RJ's defence.

"Look Xander, I'm not going to make excuses," RJ shook his head, reaching out and squeezing Jenna's hand as she looked worried. She knew he'd been riddled with guilt over what happened. "I know I could have killed Ari, and I'm living with that every day, and I will for the rest of my life," he told the Mystic. "But now that I have control over my Animal Form again, I'm never going to let that kinda thing happen again," he told him firmly.

"Okay," Xander nodded, taking the Master by surprise. Even Ari looked shocked.

"O...okay?" RJ repeated slowly.

"Don't get me wrong, I'm pretty pissed that it happened. I'm also annoyed that you kept it from me," he turned his head to glare at Ari, who went red. "But you're her Master and if she still trusts you as much as she does, then I guess I can't hold it against you," he rubbed the back of his neck awkwardly.

"Whoa, you sure you're Xander?" Ari walked over and poked him. "You haven't been taken over by a Vampire and going to start acting all weird?" she asked, poking him again. Xander grabbed her suddenly, making her squeal as he spun her through the air. As he carried her off with Ari yelling her complaints, RJ sighed heavily in relief.

"See? Everything will be fine," Jenna smiled, taking his hand. "I'd tell you to stop blaming yourself for what happened, but you're never going to listen. So, I'm here for you," she told him.

"Thanks J," RJ turned to her, and she reached up to kiss him. They ignored Ari's cheers as she saw them. "I wonder what happened to the other four Crystal Eyes. Ari said that Dai Shi didn't have them when she stole back the case," he spoke softly as he pulled away from Jenna. The case of Crystal Eyes from Dr. Jennings was locked away securely.

"Hopefully lost in the forest, away from the starlight. But we can't worry on what we can't control, so how about we go and watch one of those terrible reality shows you love so much?" Jenna asked with a smile.

"Oh Jenna, you know exactly how to cheer me up," RJ's usual grin returned, and he leaned in to kiss her again, all of them hoping that the remaining four Crystal Eyes were hidden away from the starlight.

Did you catch the the little Dino reference in there? I couldn't resist putting it in there!

Anyway, the competition is fairly easy. If I get over 200 reviews by the end of the weekend, I will give you the names of the future children of the Rangers, who will be important in future fics, and in which they'll be mostly featured! A few have already been briefly mentioned, but I'll give you a proper list. I may even reveal a couple of pairings if you want too!

Anyways, I hope you liked this chapter, we're onto the Phantom Beast arc now, and here's where everything goes nuts!

Let me know what you think!

Please review!