Thanks to everyone who reviewed, you guys are absolutely amazing! As promised, the list is at the bottom of this chapter.

I hope you enjoy it! Let me know what you think!

Chapter 23: Fear and The Phantoms

Walking up to his sister, Minos shook his head. They walked into the main chamber, where Dai Shi sat on his throne; his back to a small army of Rinshi.

"They've searched the entire temple," Camille reported to Dai Shi. "Jellica must be gone," she told him. Dai Shi shook his head. His smirk had not faded since Grizzaka had been destroyed.

"No, she's hiding," he told them, turning away. "Continue searching, she's lurking around here somewhere," Dai Shi instructed.

"If she has the Eyes, then she may attempt to revive them," Minos spoke, trying to keep the bitterness out of his voice. He was still annoyed that Dai Shi had managed to lose them. Camille barked an order to the Rinshi, and they hopped out to continue their search.

Minos looked down at his hands as silence fell in the chamber. He couldn't stop thinking about what the Gold Ranger had said to him about honour. He'd stolen the Green Mystic's Animal Spirit, and while she was trying to get it back, she was also trying to talk him down from his power trip. Minos just didn't understand it. He wondered if she was right. Was there a part of him that was still honourable? Even after all this time?

He was snapped from his thoughts as they heard stomping, and Dai Shi turned as well.

"What is that?" Camille asked softly. Dai Shi didn't answer, and both Camille called on her armour and Sai as Dai Shi stood and walked forwards. The doors suddenly opened, revealing four figures. The four creatures walked in, and Minos' eyes widened as he recognised them.

"The Phantom Beasts..." Dai Shi growled.

"Correction: my Phantom Beasts," Jellica smirked as she followed the four in. "I have been loyal to you for centuries, taught you all I know! My training made you stronger," Jellica stood before Dai Shi. Minos rolled his eyes at her words. She'd betrayed Dai Shi the moment Grizzaka had returned. "And how do you repay me? By hunting me down, determined to destroy me!" Jellica walked around her former leader, who glared at her. "Well, mighty Dai Shi, it is you who is finished!" she declared. The four Phantom Beasts snarled. "Destroy him!" Jellica ordered them. "Oh, and the lizard too. Spare the cow, he might be useful in the future," she decided. Minos called on his armour and hammer, ready to fight. A smirk tugged at his lips at the prospect of a tough fight.

"Get her!" Scorch, the Avalon Dragon Phantom Beast roared, and the four leapt up.

"What?!" Jellica cried out as they landed around her. "Traitors!" she screamed, and all four struck her. Jellica screamed again as she turned to ice and shattered. Dai Shi, Camille and Minos stared at them.

"We are the Phantom Beast Generals, served by eight Phantom Beast Warriors!" Scorch declared, throwing out his hand. Eight monsters appeared in the doorway.

"Sonimax!"

"Dynamere!"

"Unidoom!"

"Rammer!"

"Badrat!"

"Grinder!"

"Osiris!"

"Leapus!" the eight announced their names, before falling to one knee in a low bow.

"Our ancient power of Rinzin is even greater than Zokado!" Talon, a female Phantom Beast with the spirit of a Sparrowhawk, announced.

"It is our lifeblood," Whiger, the Phantom Beast with the spirit of the White Tiger, continued.

"We ask that you, Great Dai Shi, become our Phantom Beast King," Snapper, with the spirit of the Snapping Turtle, requested.

"Me? Your king?" Dai Shi blinked in surprise. "For years, you tried to destroy me. Why should I trust you now?" he demanded.

"In the Ancient War, we would have won, if we'd followed you, Dai Shi," Scorch told him. Dai Shi walked down in front of the eight warriors who remained kneeling, and smirked. Minos frowned, wondering just what he had planned.

"You want my trust? You'll have to earn it," Dai Shi decided, turning to the three.

"Together, with our warrior Sonimax," Scorch snapped his fingers, and the warrior in question shot up. "We shall prove our loyalty!" he declared. "Tell us what to do," he requested.

"Bring me the four Masters," Dai Shi ordered.

"You're unusually quiet," Xander commented as he and Ari walked through town. "What's on your mind?" he asked.

"What Dai Shi said," she admitted quietly. Xander's smile fell as he was reminded of when he and Ari had battled Dai Shi in the forest. His magic, which had only been increasing in power since he had become a Ranger, was as weak as when he had first started.

"Hey, Udonna said that we've still got time before my magic disappears completely," Xander squeezed her hand.

"Even the Mystic Mother doesn't know how long," Ari muttered

"Ari," Xander sighed. Before he could try and reassure her any more, her Morpher beeped.

"What's up?" Ari answered as she slid them on.

"Better get back to base. We might have a problem," RJ warned her.

"What's wrong?" Xander asked as the communication ended.

"I don't know...but I don't like the sound of it," Ari muttered.

"What's going on?" Ari called as they hurried into the kitchen. Casey and Lily hurried down the stairs, where Theo was pacing nervously.

"Master Swoop is missing," he told them, holding up a fan, which had been broken and burnt. "Looks like he ran into trouble," Theo looked to the others.

"RJ and Jenna went to check on his dad," Dom told them.

"I'll check on Master Phant," Lily decided, running off.

"If they're after the Masters, then RJ and Master Swift will be in danger too," Ari frowned.

"They'll be fine," Dom soothed. "RJ's a Ranger, and they're Masters, they'll be fine," he told her.

"Yeah, well, Master Swoop is a Master too, and check that out," Ari pointed to the Fan in Theo's hand. They all fell silent, worried about what could be happening.

Reaching the beach, the two Masters found RJ's father working on a boat.

"RJ, Jenna, what brings you two here?" Master Finn spoke without looking up.

"Theo thinks Master Swoop might be in trouble," RJ warned as he put his hand on his dad's shoulder. Despite the worry of the missing Master, Jenna couldn't help but smile at the sight. After several years tension, followed by multiple years of no talking, it was good to see them getting close again. "Have you seen him?" RJ asked.

"No," Master Finn shook his head.

"So, was the legend right?" RJ asked him. "Did the stars align last night?"

"Perfectly," Master Finn nodded.

"Then if Dai Shi got the missing four Crystal Eyes, then there'll be trouble," Jenna frowned as they walked over to a hand crafted telescope.

"Don't open it!" Master Finn spoke quickly, stopping his son from opening the cover.

"Why? What's in there?" RJ asked, a curious gleam in his eyes.

"Let's just say...it's a little light in case things get dark," Master Finn smiled mysteriously. RJ's Morpher began to beep, and he raised his arm, flipping it open.

"We've got trouble," Theo warned him.

"I'm on my way," RJ nodded. "Dad, I gotta go," he turned to his father.

"RJ, those Crystal Eyes," Master Finn called as RJ made to run off. "They have more power than anyone knows," he warned. "If Dai Shi has them, they must be destroyed," he warned.

"Got it," RJ nodded.

"I'll see you back at the loft," Jenna smiled to him. RJ smiled back, and ran off.

"It's good to see my son is fixing all of his relationships to how they should be," Master Finn smiled, and Jenna turned to him.

"What do you mean?" she asked, confused. Master Finn's smile just grew knowingly, and Jenna felt her face start to burn. He turned back to the boat he was crafting, and Jenna sighed, before hearing footprints.

"Master Finn, and Master Swift!" they spun around to see a strange creature with tiger markings standing in the doorway, before he blasted them with yellow light.

The Rangers, minus Lily, who had gone to the Cimmerian Forest to see Master Phant, ran through town as people ran screaming.

"He looks more powerful than Dai Shi's warriors!" Casey yelled as they stood in front of Sonimax.

"He has the spirit of the boar!" Dom realised.

"Aim for the soft underbelly?" Ari suggested weakly.

"If he's not Dai Shi's warrior, then where did he come from?" Theo asked nervously.

"I am Sonimax! With powers you've never seen before!" the Boar monster declared loudly. "Behold the strength of a Phantom Beast Warrior!" he laughed.

"Phantom Beast?" Ari put her hands to her mouth in horror.

"Oh no!" RJ groaned. It seemed Dai Shi had managed to free at least some of the Phantom Beasts. Sonimax crouched low to the ground.

"Sonic Attack!" he blasted the Rangers with sonic waves, and they put their hands to their heads as they cried out in pain. They were then blasted by the warrior, and floored.

"I guess we don't have to wonder about the Phantom Beasts any more," RJ frowned.

"That was almost as bad as Kira's Ptera-cries," Ari complained, her ears still ringing.

"Let's give Sonimax a lesson!" Casey pushed himself back to his feet. They all got back up and rushed at Sonimax, trying to fight him off, but the warrior was powerful and easily knocked them aside.

"Now you'll see what real power is!" he declared.

"Real power...yeah, sure!" Ari scoffed, pushing herself back to her feet. She tossed another energy ball at him, and he began to blast more sonic waves. Ari cried out, struggling to stay on her feet as the waves easily destroyed her attacks. "You're not as loud...as Kira!" she yelled. "Call to the Beast inside! Uncage the Sparrow!" her golden bird spirit flew from her and slammed into Sonimax.

"Wow, that was awesome!" Dominic called as the others ran over to her.

"What?" Ari shouted, her ears ringing loudly. They continued fighting Sonimax, but he was powerful, and easily knocked them about.

"Look out!" Casey yelled, using his jets to fly out of the way of another attack as he pushed Theo aside. Even Dom's Rhino Blade bounced off him.

"Your power does not compare to mine!" Sonimax taunted, before crying out in alarm as Lily slammed into him.

"With the Speed of a Cheetah! Jungle Fury Yellow Ranger!" Lily stood in front of him.

"Lily!" Casey smiled as they ran over, all of them wincing from the blows they had taken.

"Guys, a Phantom Beast grabbed Master Phant!" Lily warned them.

"They must have taken Master Swoop too," Theo realised.

"I hope dad and Jenna are okay..." RJ muttered quietly.

"Come on!" Lily turned to them. "Let's finish this fight so we can find out Masters!" Lily called to them.

"Yeah!" Casey nodded. The six stood together as Sonimax got back to his feet.

"Who are you?!" the boar warrior demanded angrily.

"I'm the Ranger that you're going to wish you'd never met!" Lily growled. Sonimax growled and ran at them, but this time, with the extra fighter, the odds changed and each blow threw Sonimax to the next person. Ari struck him with an uppercut, throwing him straight into Lily. "Cheetah Jabs!" Lily punched him multiple times, making him cry out in pain. After more hits, Sonimax stumbled and rolled along the ground. "Come on guys, let's finish this!" Lily cheered.

"Sonic Attack!" Sonimax blasted them. But using their jets, they broke through it and leapt into the air.

"Spirits Unite!" they fired a powerful blast that broke him apart, but Sonimax quickly reformed and grew much larger.

"We've seen that trick before!" Lily scoffed.

"Animal Spirits Unite!"

"Jungle Master Megazord!"

"Wolf Pride Megazord!"

"Rhino Steel Zord, Warrior Mode!" they formed the three Megazords. The three Megazords fought him off, but Sonimax was even more powerful, flooring the Rangers.

"Man, this guy is too tough!" Casey groaned.

"He hits harder than Grizzaka did! That's a scary thought," Ari muttered, her ears still ringing.

"It's time for a little help!" Lily called, pushing herself back up. "I call on the Spirit of the Elephant!" they merged the Elephant Spirit with their Megazord, and wrapped the Mace around Sonimax. They then tossed him into the sky, and the monster cried out as he was slammed down.

"Let's see you handle this!" Dom called as his Megazord's sword began to glow. "Rhino Steel Zord! Super Blade!" he made to attack, only to be hit from the side.

"Rangers! Feel the power that trumps yours!" another voice called out, and another monster appeared, laughing.

"Oh great! Who's this?" Casey groaned.

"I don't know but I'm getting major creeps," Ari shivered.

"Behold, the Ancient Might! Rinzin Power!" Talon yelled as she began to glow.

"Rinzin Power?" Theo repeated nervously. "I don't like the sound of that," he muttered as he fell back into a fighting stance.

"Rinzin is the power of a Phantom Beast! It will destroy you and make this world ours!" Talon declared, blasting them with the power. "You have no chance of stopping us" she turned away from the battle.

"Yeah right, we've stopped a lot worse than you buddy!" Ari yelled as they got back up.

"You're not getting out of here that fast!" RJ called, standing beside them. Talon looked around as they ran at her. She gave a laugh, and flung out her long wings before glowing again, and they were blasted off as Dom's Megazord lay motionless on the ground.

Masters Phant, Swoop, Finn and Swift struggled against their bindings as the Rinshi ensure they were chained to the wall. Dai Shi, Camille and Minos watched as four of the stands that had held the Crystal Eyes were placed in front of the Masters. The Crystal Eyes were placed down, and Minos watched curiously.

"What are you doing?" Finn groaned.

"Oh..." Phant breathed, staring at the one in front of him. The four Phantoms then stood in front of them.

"Jarrod!" Master Swoop called to the young man. "Resist the evil Dai Shi that possesses you!" he yelled in a desperate plea. Dai Shi simply laughed.

"Jarrod cannot resist my evil anymore than you can resist the Rinzin power," he laughed mockingly.

"You'll never get away with this!" Jenna shouted up at him. "The Rangers will stop you," she vowed.

"I'd love to see them try, when they're too busy with you!" Dai Shi mocked. Before the Masters could even think to question it, the four Generals began glow, and poured the Rinzin power into the Crystal Eyes. Light flowed from the Eyes, into the four Masters, who cried out as they attempted to resist it.

RJ staggered as he hurried back from his father's beach shack, and almost fell.

"Whoa, RJ, are you okay?" Ari caught her Master, helping him stand.

"They've taken my dad, and Jenna," he put his hand to his face. "I shouldn't have left them there alone," the Wolf Master muttered, terrified for both of them.

"Don't blame yourself RJ, these Phantom Beasts are powerful. They trashed us in that last battle," Ari told him quickly. "They'd have either taken you with them, or destroyed you to get to them," she pointed out. The others ran over, and Ari shook her head.

"Looks like they took all four Masters," Ari told them.

"I say we go to Dai Shi's temple," Theo decided.

"And fight Dai Shi and the Phantom Beasts? That's crazy!" Casey shook his head.

"Casey's right, they're way too powerful," Ari backed up the Red Ranger.

"We don't even know if the Masters are there," Dom shook his head.

"Well the bigger question is why?" RJ asked as he shook his head. "Why would they take the Masters in the first place?" he wondered aloud.

He didn't have to wait long for his answer as thunder boomed and lightning flashed, striking the ground in front of them. They cried out, flung to the ground. Hearing laughter, they looked up to see four figures emerging from the smoke.

"No...not again!" Ari groaned, putting her hands to her head.

"They look like...Power Rangers!" Casey gaped, staring at the four new Rangers, wearing Green, light Blue, Black and Silver suits.

The Phantom Beast/Spirit Ranger arc was probably my favourite to write, so I hope you're enjoying it!

Anyway, here's the list of future characters as promised:

Spencer - SPD Gold Ranger - Sun Ninja/Sun Mystic/Bull Spirit
Annie - SPD Silver Ranger - Thunder Ninja
Kayden - Thunder Ninja - Tori and Blake's son who is going to feature heavily in SPD
Ryan - Kira and Trent's son who is going to be in Dino Charge and RPM
Teddie - Dino Charge and RPM White Ranger - Earth Ninja/Earth Mystic/ Nightingale Spirit
Jeremy - Jenna and RJ's son who will be in Dino Charge and RPM
Arianna - RPM Mercury Ranger - Tyzonn and Vella's daughter who will also feature heavily in Dino Charge

As a warning, this list may change by the time I get around to writing these stories. This list has already been heavily changed from original plans, so other characters may make it in, other characters may not show up or be the same kinda characters. Seriously, I've changed it so many times (Originally Teddie was to be the Violet/Purple Ranger, and Cam and Melody's daughter was to be the Amber RPM Ranger with her, but I've since scrapped those ideas and changed them up) so I can see myself changing some more things.

I hope you liked the chapter anyway!

Please review!