Chapter 27: Tigers Fall, Lions Rise

The six Rangers, as well as Jenna and Minos, walked through the forest for their latest training match. RJ had decided to change it up a little, as it got a little stale training in the loft all the time, and with Ari huffing – though she denied it vehemently – about Xander leaving for Briarwood again to return to work, he knew some time in the forest would boost all their Spirits.

Minos trailed along at the back, wondering why he was there. RJ had dragged him along, refusing to let him mope in the Loft. Theo, Casey and Dom shot him wary looks occasionally, still not completely on board with him joining their team, while Lily was still a little nervous but chose to hide it. However, Ari and RJ trusted him, as did Jenna, so he stayed.

"So, Casey, how's teaching the Kung Fu class coming along?" RJ asked as he glanced to the leader.

"Yeah, it's coming along. The kids remind me of when I first started, and Rocky's been a great boss. No offence RJ," he grinned to the Violet Ranger.

"None taken," RJ grinned back.

"It's so cool that Rocky set up shop in town," Ari smiled. The ex-Red and Blue Ranger had bought a local dojo, and hired Casey as a teacher at Ari's suggestion.

"I'm sure you're a great teacher," Lily smiled as she caught up to him. Theo glowered near the back as Ari and Dom exchanged smirks. Jenna rolled her eyes as she noticed their exchange. Both were very childish when together, and loved to tease Jenna and RJ.

"Hey, maybe we could sign up Theo?" Dom smirked. "His moves are getting a little rusty," he taunted the Blue Ranger, making Casey laugh.

"I hear that, Rhino-boy!" Theo called from the back.

"At least his hearing's okay," Dom whispered to Ari. Hearing him, the Jaguar student ran at him and attacked, and the two began to spar.

"Come on guys, save it for the Phantom Beasts," Casey rolled his eyes as Theo tackled Dom to the ground, making Ari and Jenna laugh. Lily giggled, and even Minos smiled very slightly. "Break it up!" Casey called.

"Whoa, you really got that teacher thing down cold," RJ nodded to his student, impressed.

"He reminds me of Doctor O, all 'behave yourselves in my class' and 'no skateboarding in the classroom' and 'don't call me dude', and 'I so didn't have a thing for Randall when she was evil'," Ari impersonated her science teacher.

"Doctor O?" Minos raised an eyebrow.

"My science teacher, mentor, team-mate and also the original Green and White Power Rangers," Ari nodded to him with a bright smile.

"Casey was right. Do you know anyone who hasn't been a Ranger before?" Lily smiled in amusement.

"Uh...Fran?" Ari offered, making the others grin.

"So, what's the first lesson, sir?" RJ asked Casey, laughing slightly.

"The element...of surprise," Casey suddenly threw a punch at him, and RJ easily deflected it. He countered, throwing Casey into the bushes.

"I guess I learn fast," RJ smiled innocently.

"I'm guessing the surprise was on Casey," Ari giggled to Jenna. There was a sudden flash of red, and Casey leapt from the bushes Morphed.

"Lesson's not over!" Casey smirked as he landed, falling into a fighting stance. The others grabbed their Morphers as Dom summoned his Rhino Morpher and RJ flipped his Morpher open.

"Ready?" RJ called.

"Ready!"

"JUNGLE BEAST, SPIRIT UNLEASHED!" they Morphed and ran at Casey, all of them sparring against each other in a free for all as Minos and Jenna watched. Hearing the snap of a twig, Minos glanced around, and his eyes widened.

"We got company," he whispered to Jenna, indicating to a boy walking towards the noise. "Should we warn them?" he asked, but Jenna shook her head.

"No, it'll be fine," Jenna shook her head. "They're disguised. Come on," she and Minos moved into a hidden spot, leaving the boy to watch in awe as the group sparred.

"Why do you want me to tag along?" Ari asked as she and Casey walked through the dojo to Casey's class.

"I was kind of hoping you'd give me some pointers on my class, make sure I'm doing the best job I can," Casey admitted as he tightened his belt.

"Dude, you're already doing the best job you can," Ari gave him an incredulous look. "You put your heart into everything you do, and I can tell this isn't any different," she told him, making the Tiger smile.

"Thanks Ari," he nodded.

"No problem, now get out there and kick butt!" she cheered.

"I'm teaching the class, not fighting them," Casey told her with a laugh, but walked out to the class. As he walked in and clapped his hands, the class of children lined up. Ari watched from the doorway, smiling.

"Hey Rocky," she greeted without looking around.

"That's creepy that you heard me coming," the man commented as he stepped inside. "Like Tommy level aware," he grinned, and Ari giggled.

"Nah, Doctor O hasn't got anything on my senses," she smirked at him. "How's he been doing?" she asked as Casey bowed to his class, who bowed back.

"He's been doing great," Rocky commented as Casey began to teach the class. "He could probably use a little more confidence in himself, but he's doing a great job. Thanks for the recommendation," he said to the girl, who he had met a few times since the summer after the Mystic Force Rangers had defeated the Master.

The two spoke quietly while watching the class, who were then sorted into pairs to practice the moves that Casey had taught them. Their attention was drawn to a boy who was thrown to the floor, and approached by the largest boy in the class. He made a comment, and the rest of the class laughed.

"Oh great, there's always one," Ari muttered.

"Yeah, Todd's not exactly the most friendly student," Rocky sighed. Both he and Ari wanted to step in, but they knew it wasn't up to them. Casey approached the boy and spoke quietly, making Todd back off.

"I hope it doesn't go any further than that," Ari watched Todd, who then spoke quietly with some of the other students, smirking. He reminded her of her own childhood bully, Josh, who had tormented her for years. Casey glanced over to the pair, and Ari smiled, giving him a thumbs up. "Hey so," Ari started as they continued to watch.

"Yeah?" Rocky glanced to her.

"Adam said you guys trained with your Animal Spirits too," she looked up at him curiously. "What's yours?" Ari asked. Rocky gave a small chuckle.

"I hadn't thought about that in a while," he admitted. "My Animal Spirit is the Ape," he told her. Ari's smile widened.

"Like Master Rilla!" she thought of the older Master in the Spirit World. "That's awesome," Ari said aloud.

"Yeah," Rocky nodded in agreement.

"He said there was an Ape...a Crane..." Ari tried to remember what Adam had told her.

"Ape, Crane, Falcon, Frog, Wolf and Bear," Rocky listed off his team's spirits. "Oh and Kat's was a Cat, obviously," he added, making Ari giggle.

"Awesome! Who was who?" Ari asked curiously. Rocky smiled as they began to talk about his old team, and the days back when he was still a Ranger.

"You're quiet today, my friend," RJ commented to Casey as they, plus Minos, jogged through the forest. "Something on your mind?" the younger of the two Masters asked.

"Yeah...there's this bully in my class picking on another kid," Casey admitted.

"There's always one," Minos rolled his eyes.

"I'm afraid if I step in too much, it'll just escalate the situation," Casey continued. "But if I don't step in, the weaker kid is gonna get hurt," he sighed.

"But which one is the weaker kid?" Casey looked at Minos in surprise. "The kid who doesn't do as well and is picked on, or the other one, who has to make someone else feel inadequate to make himself feel better?" he asked.

"He's right," RJ nodded. "Bullies usually aren't the stronger of the two. Think of you and Jarrod, for example," he reminded Casey, who couldn't help but smile.

"Anyone ever tell you two that you're smart?" he asked.

"I tell myself that every day," RJ smiled back. "Race you to the cliff," he challenged Casey, and the Tiger shot off, thinking the other two were right behind him. "Too easy," RJ laughed. "So how are you finding being back with Pai Zhuq?" he glanced to Minos.

"It's strange," Minos admitted as they continued to jog. "You, the other Masters, and Ari, you've been very welcoming, considering everything I've done. I wouldn't have been surprised if you were as suspicious as the others," he told RJ.

"Nah, we know you're on our side. The others just need a little more time to trust you. They'll warm up eventually," RJ told him.

"If you say so," Minos spoke doubtfully, before hearing a noise and stopping.

"What's wrong?" RJ asked as he stopped as well, before sensing it as well. They looked around, before Minos cursed and sprinted towards the top of the cliff, where Casey had been waiting. He found Casey on the ground, with Whiger pinning him down.

"Give me your Tiger Spirit!" Whiger snarled.

"No!" Minos called on his armour as Casey screamed and red light moved from him into Whiger. The Phantom Beast began to glow white, growling, until Minos' hammer slammed into him. Whiger cried out as he was tossed over the cliff, and RJ reached them, Morphed. He and Minos leapt down from the cliff, ready to fight.

"Spirit of the White Tiger!" Whiger announced as he stood before them.

"Whoa! He has the Spirit of the Tiger!" RJ stared at him in alarm.

"Be careful, this is no regular warrior, he's a Phantom Beast General," Minos warned him. RJ nodded, and the three began to fight, with Whiger dominating the fight, slashing RJ with his sharp claws before turning and doing the same to Minos. When they looked up, they found that Whiger was gone.

"Where'd he go?" they jumped up, looking around, but there was no sign of the General. "Oh man, Casey!" RJ realised as he demorphed, and the two ran back up to the top of the cliff where Casey was still sitting. They ran over, helping the fallen Red Ranger back to his feet. "It's a Phantom Beast with a Tiger Spirit like yours..." RJ commented slowly. "Are you okay?" he asked.

"Yeah but...I've felt better," Casey admitted.

"I can't believe you were attacked by a Phantom Beast out of nowhere," Dom commented as Casey fell into RJ's chair, putting a hand to his ribs.

"I can't believe he has a Tiger Spirit, just like yours," Lily watched worriedly as Ari walked over and began to glow as she put her hands to his chest.

"I can't believe RJ's letting you sit in his chair!" Theo exclaimed, looking up at the Wolf Master. Jenna bit her lip to hid her smile.

"Don't get used to it," RJ replied quickly. "I'm having a moment of weakness," he shrugged.

"Any better?" Ari asked softly, but a bad feeling was settling in her stomach.

"Fine...but a little-" Casey winced at the pain, and Ari frowned, recognising it.

"I have a suspicion what Whiger has done," they glanced over to Minos as he approached. "Try releasing your Tiger Spirit," he suggested. Casey frowned, but got to his feet and fell into his usual stance.

"Spirit of the Tiger!" he summoned, but nothing happened. "Spirit...of the...Tiger!" Casey growled, but his spirit still didn't return.

"I knew it. Whiger stole your Animal Spirit," Minos sighed heavily.

"What do I do?" Casey asked nervously.

"We get your Spirit back, that's what we do," Dom growled.

"It's not going to be that easy," Ari said as she stood up properly. The injuries she had sustained in her test had almost completely healed, and for some reason would not be healed by her powers.

"She's right. Whiger is one of the Phantom Beast Generals, like Scorch, Snapper and Talon," Jenna nodded, remembering the four with a shiver. She still had nightmares.

"And you didn't think to tell us that one had the same Spirit as Casey?" Theo glared at Minos.

"I didn't consider the idea that Dai Shi would have him steal his Spirit. Dai Shi does little to boost the power of anyone but himself," Minos shrugged.

"Lay off Theo," Casey groaned. "Minos saved my life back there from that guy," he told the Blue Ranger, whose scowl dropped in surprise. Casey managed a faint smile to the surprised Master, who nodded back.

"Just who are these guys?" Dom asked. Minos sighed, running a hand through his hair.

"10,000 years ago, during the Ancient Beast War between Pai Zhuq and Dai Shi, there were eight Phantom Beast Generals, but Whiger, Scorch, Snapper and Talon, they decided that Dai Shi wasn't strong enough to win the war, so they tried to overthrow him and take control of Dai Shi's army," Minos explained, thinking of the fierce battles that had waged between the four Generals and Dai Shi. "Before they could, the Order of the Claw destroyed them," he explained.

"But if they join forces with Dai Shi..." Ari started, folding her arms.

"He could become unstoppable," RJ finished for her.

"At the moment, Dai Shi doesn't trust them as far as he can throw them," Minos continued on. "That's why they kidnapped the Masters," Minos glanced to Jenna, who shivered. RJ took her hand. "To prove their allegiance. But since they failed, and worse, Talon was destroyed, they're going to have to try something else. That may be why Whiger took your Tiger Spirit," Minos suggested.

"Ari defeated one easily, I'm sure they won't be that difficult to defeat if we work together," Theo shook his head.

"Think again dude," Ari sighed, making him look over at her. "The only reason I defeated Talon was because I called on the powers of the Legendary Golden Warrior. It was unrestrained, raw power. We're lucky all I did was destroy a Phantom Beast and trash the room," Ari shuddered at the thought that she could have hurt someone else. "And now I have to start from scratch on training that power and making sure it doesn't do that again," she added. The Rangers exchanged worried glances. Things just kept getting worse.

Casey had gone to his class for his lesson the next day, leaving the others to work in Jungle Karma Pizza.

"Hey Minos, you don't happen to know any way to get Casey's Spirit back without Whiger, you know, handing it over?" Ari asked as she flipped a chair and put it onto the table. Minos looked up from cleaning the counter, having been roped into helping out.

"The only other way I know of, is to destroy him," Minos answered with a shake of his head. "And he's going to be even more powerful now," he warned. Ari sighed, having hoped for some sort of solution that wasn't next to impossible. When Minos had taken Xander's Animal Spirit, he had been incredibly powerful. Whiger was even more powerful than Minos before he have taken a trained Tiger Spirit.

"We'll figure it out," Lily smiled, seeing Ari's worry. She put a hand on the taller girl's arm. "We'll stop them all," she vowed, and Ari smiled back, but it faded slightly as she saw Lily's own worry.

"Yeah, we will. And we'll get Casey's Tiger back," she nodded. Lily brightened slightly at the determination in Ari's voice, not noticing Theo's frustrated sigh. Dom just patted his shoulder, moving past him. Fran walked past with the last of the plates, only to trip over Theo's foot as the distracted Jaguar didn't notice her coming. She gave a startled shriek, but instead of meeting the ground like she normally did, someone caught her, catching the plates in his other hand as an arm wrapped around Fran's waist.

"You alright?" Minos asked as he helped her stand properly.

"Oh...yeah," Fran blushed furiously as he released her. "Thanks," she smiled at him. Minos tilted his head slightly, and nodded, before turning and carrying the plates into the kitchen. "He's nice," she turned to the Rangers. "You shouldn't be so mean to him," she scolded, looking to Dom and Theo in particular.

"Forgive me for not being welcoming to the guy who's been trying to kill us all year," Theo grumbled.

"He didn't know any better," Fran told him as she frowned at the Blue Ranger. Jenna smiled from where she was cleaning tables. She liked Fran, who despite her usual mild-mannered attitude, always came to the defence of those she believed were good. "He lost his entire family, you wouldn't be yourself either," she scolded.

"Fran's right," Lily nodded. Theo just huffed, and Dom shrugged. RJ turned the sign on the door, moments before Casey walked in.

"Oh, perfect timing," RJ commented as Casey walked past. "We're almost done," the Master told him. Ari grinned slightly at the obvious irritation hidden behind RJ's bright tone.

"How are you feeling?" Lily walked up to the Red Ranger.

"I'm feeling okay..." Casey went to take a seat, but before he could, he suddenly let out a cry of pain, making them all look around. He breathed heavily, staring into space.

"What's wrong?" RJ asked as they gathered around the student.

"I uh..." Casey tried to catch his breath as Lily touched his arm gently. "I heard Whiger's voice, calling me, I could see him too. He's at the Quarry! I gotta go, I've gotta get my Spirit back!" he pushed himself up.

"No way dude," Ari pulled him down into the seat. "No offence, but you're not going to be at full power, which we'll need to take this guy on," Casey frowned.

"But-"

"Ari's right," RJ nodded. "We'll check it out," he nodded to the rest of the team, who hurried out, leaving Casey with Fran and Jenna.

"Where is the Red Ranger?!" Whiger snarled as the five Rangers, and Minos, approached the waiting General.

"You want one of us, you get all of us," RJ told him. They rushed at Whiger, who overpowered Lily and Theo, tossing them to the ground. RJ and Dom attacked him next, but Whiger easily intercepted their moves and knocked them to the ground as well. Ari and Minos got in close, able to dodge some of his attacks, before he caught Ari's wrist and hurled her through the air with a cry. As he released her, she landed on her feet briefly, before stumbling backwards from the force and falling too. Whiger then kicked Minos hard enough to knock him backwards into Lily and Theo as they got back up.

"You're weak!" Whiger taunted as they glared at him from the ground. "And you, betrayed our King for the losing side!" he mocked Minos, before looking around as four figures approached from above. "Dai Shi?" Whiger was surprised by his appearance.

"This can't be good," Ari groaned, getting to her feet and helping Dom up. The group of six pushed themselves back up, wincing at their injuries, before Whiger leapt over to land beside his own team. Dai Shi and Camille smirked at them, before calling on their armour, revealing that it was completely different.

"No, they've got Rinzin Power!" Minos groaned.

"The Phantom Beast King has arisen!" Scorch announced grandly. "Soon, he shall rule the world!" he declared.

"Phantom Beast General Camille, with the Spirit of the Phoenix!"

"Camille's a General now..." Theo looked to the others in horror. Minos didn't take his eyes off his sister, his blue eyes wide in his horror.

"Phantom Beast General Snapper, with the Spirit of the Snapping Turtle!"

"Phantom Beast General Whiger, with the Spirit of the Tiger!"

"Phantom Beast General Scorch, with the Spirit of the Dragon!"

"There is no point resisting!" Dai Shi declared as he stood over them. "Our power exceeds anything you can imagine! All bow before me!" he roared.

"Yeah...I don't bow to anyone," Ari muttered, folding her arms. "Especially not the bad guys," she added.

"Since we weren't invited to this party...I suggest we crash it," RJ nodded to his team. Activating their Morphers, the Rangers ran in, and Minos called on his armour. RJ took on Whiger with Ari, while Theo and Dom took on Snapper, Lily faced Scorch, and Minos fought Camille.

"Jungle Master Mode!" Ari called on her Claw Booster, swinging at Whiger who dodged the strike, and slashed at her. Ari cried out as he caught her across the chest, and she stumbled back. RJ leapt in, kicking out at the Tiger General, who blocked. He knocked RJ back, and the Wolf Master barely managed to stay on his feet.

"Wolf Beam!" RJ fired a powerful violet blast, but Whiger leapt into the air. It exploded behind him, propelling him forwards, and he hit RJ, knocking him to the ground beside Ari.

"After all this time, how could you betray Dai Shi? Betray me?" Camille shrieked as she struck Minos, making him cry out and stumble backwards.

"He killed my family! Why won't you believe me?" Minos yelled back, swinging his hammer. Camille dodged it and struck him down his back, and Minos dropped his weapon in pain. "Do you think he isn't capable of it?" Minos groaned as he turned and blocked her punch.

"You swore your loyalty to him, and the moment someone tells you something different, you turn your back on us!" Camille shouted, not listening to him. Minos let out a frustrated yell, swinging a punch that she blocked. With her Phoenix power, she was now much more powerful than him.

"Camille please...you're my sister," Minos pleaded with her.

"Not anymore," she hissed back, slashing across his front. The Bull Master cried out as he fell to the ground, and the four Generals, all with equal victories, returned to their King.

"Rangers! You will submit to the power of the Phantom Beasts! Or you will be destroyed resisting us!" Dai Shi fired a powerful blast that threw them all through the air. As they landed, they demorphed, and the five laughed, walking off and leaving them lying on the ground.

"I should have been there to help," Casey said in a low voice as Jenna tended to their wounds, wiping blood from a cut across Dom's forehead. He flinched, and she rolled her eyes.

"It wouldn't have made a difference," RJ shook his head.

"They threw us around like ragdolls," Theo nodded.

"They've got incredible power. Against one, we might stand a chance if we're all at full strength," Ari started, and Casey put his hands to his head. "We outnumber them...but they definitely outmatch us," she sighed, and winced as Jenna began to clean her own cuts.

"I'm useless without my Tiger Spirit..." Casey muttered. "I gotta go...my class is waiting for me," he got to his feet.

"Whoa, wait a minute," RJ stopped him with a frown. "You got it all wrong," he said bluntly. Casey stared at him, confused. "Your Spirit doesn't make you stronger. You make your Spirit stronger," RJ explained. Casey didn't speak.

"He's right. Master Mao told me exactly the same thing when I started Pai Zhuq," the others looked at Ari in surprise. She gave a wry smile. "Oh come on guys, think about it. You all have big powerful Spirits, and I have a common garden bird about this big," she demonstrated with her fingers. "You don't think I didn't have a crisis of confidence when I found out?" Ari chuckled, but yelped when Jenna cleaned a small cut on her cheek.

"The mighty Gold Ranger can't handle a little antiseptic?" she teased, and Ari went red.

"Think about it," RJ advised quietly, and Casey nodded, leaving for his class.

"Hey," Minos looked away from the window as Lily approached him with a plate of pizza. "You alright?" she asked as she set it down beside him.

"Fine, why wouldn't I be?" Minos asked in a quiet voice as he frowned at her. Lily smiled softly as she took a seat.

"Oh I don't know, maybe because we had to fight your former boss and your sister today, and they trashed us?" she asked with a knowing smile. Minos huffed and looked back out the window.

"The moment I sided with Pai Zhuq, I knew it was inevitable," he shrugged.

"That doesn't make it any easier. Especially not against family," Lily continued. Minos looked at her suspiciously.

"Why are you being kind to me?" he asked suddenly. "You've never been outright hostile to me, but you've never hidden your suspicion about me," Minos accused. Lily blushed, and shrugged as she looked down at the pizza between them.

"I don't think I could have fought against my family like you did-"

"Badly?"

"And you saved Casey from Whiger as well," Lily continued on with a roll of her eyes. "There's goodness in you, I can tell," Minos snorted at her matter-of-fact tone, thinking about how she had said exactly the same thing about Camille. "Okay, yes, I said the same about Camille," the Yellow Ranger continued on as if reading his mind. "But I know it's there, in both of you. Camille just cares too much about Dai Shi to want to find it," Lily said. Minos' frown deepened. She had a point there.

"You care an awful lot for your Red Ranger, don't you?" Minos asked suddenly, making Lily's eyes widen as she blushed.

"Of-of course I do! I care about everyone on this team," she stammered. For the first time since he had joined the team, Minos smirked.

"Uhuh...and they say I'm the bad liar here," he chuckled, and lifted a piece of pizza. "Thanks," Minos said before taking a bite. Despite her blush, Lily smiled back widely, seeing that her words had gotten through to him. And even though it was in mockery to her, he still smiled.

The moment was interrupted when there was a beeping, and Lily grabbed her Morpher.

"Guys, Whiger's back!" Casey told them quickly.

"I guess pizza will have to wait," Minos muttered.

Whiger approached Casey, who had been unable to Morph, but before he could find him, he was hit from above by Theo.

"Well well!" Whiger chuckled, before he was attacked by the others. They began to fight him off, but Whiger held his own against the group, knocking them all down.

"This guy is tough," Ari groaned, lighting up an energy-ball and throwing it at him. Whiger dodged it, slashing across her chest. She cried out, and stumbled backwards, breathing heavily through the pain. When he leapt at her again, she raised a shield that forced him backwards, before he turned and knocked Lily and Theo down.

"Whiger!" he looked around as Casey leapt over the railings onto the stairs. "It's me you want!" he challenged. He leapt down, using his jets, and slashed Whiger as the Phantom Beast was too startled to react.

"Casey, are you alright?" Lily asked as she, Theo and Ari ran over to him.

"I think so," Casey nodded.

"Claw Cannon!" they summoned the powerful weapon and aimed it at Whiger, but it beeped loudly, not responding.

"What?!"

"It's not charging!" Lily cried.

"It's me...I don't have enough Tiger Spirit..." Casey groaned in realisation.

"We need to think of something, and quick!" Ari groaned as Dom, Minos and RJ were thrown aside.

"It's your turn, Red Ranger!" Whiger laughed. Ari lit up another energy-ball and threw it at him, but Whiger easily batted it aside.

"Okay, that's getting annoying," Ari muttered, before looking around as someone ran over.

"I have a Tiger Spirit!" Jimmy, the boy from Casey's class, told them quickly.

"Get outta here kid!" Theo shouted at him.

"No, he might be right," Ari nodded.

"Yeah, maybe he can help," Casey suggested. "Put your hand on mine," he instructed, and Ari moved so Jimmy could stand beside him. He put his hand on the Claw Cannon, and it immediately began to charge. He began to concentrate, closing his eyes.

"You're mine!" Whiger laughed as he approached, before a Red Tiger appeared over them, and went into the Claw Cannon. It began to glow, and the eyes of the Cannon flashed.

"Oh come on!" Lily prayed.

"It's working!" Theo realised.

"Ready?" Ari called.

"Fire!" Casey yelled, and he, Jimmy and Ari fired the cannon, blasting Whiger, who was thrown backwards. The others managed to get up and run over to them, and Casey turned to the boy. "Thanks," he clapped his hand to his, and Jimmy smiled widely.

"Now you better get outta here, before this dude takes a liking to you as well," Ari warned, and he nodded, running off. Whiger let out a roar, and began to grow.

"And he grows!" RJ groaned. "Wolf Pride Megazord!" the Wolf Ranger called on his Megazord.

"Jungle Master Megazord!"

"Tiger Attack!" Whiger ran at the two Megazords, striking them until the Wolf Pride Megazord grabbed his arm.

"We're here to take the Tiger Spirit back!" RJ yelled as he restrained him, only to be flipped. "I could use a hand here!" he called to the others, and Whiger laughed until he was knocked back by the Rhino Zord.

"Someone call for help?" Dom laughed. "Rhino Warrior Mode!" he transformed his Zord.

"Careful Dom!" RJ warned his friend as Whiger caught his blade. "He has the power of two Tigers!" he reminded the White Ranger. Whiger knocked his blade aside and kicked the Megazord backwards, and blasted them with Rinzin Power. As they were forced back, he was hit from behind by a large Bull.

"The benefit to remembering my past, I know how to do this again!" Minos smirked as the Bull snorted, pawing the ground.

"Oh, I think it's about time for a real Stampede!" Ari cheered.

"Yeah!" Lily smiled, before Casey cried out in pain.

"Casey, your Spirit is drained. Come on buddy, focus your energy," Theo encouraged their leader. Lily and Ari nodded with smiles, and Casey pushed himself back up.

"I can do this!" he yelled. Their Megazord split apart and the Gorilla and Squirrel Zords landed on the Rhino as the Wolf did too, and the Penguin flew alongside as the Antelope and Bull ran with them.

"Calling on Animal Spirits! Fury Fist!" they struck Whiger hard, and he lost enough power to shrink back down and hit the ground hard. The Rangers cheered loudly, and Casey sank to the ground, exhausted.

Lily sat alone on the sofa on the higher level of the loft, staring at a book but not actually reading it.

"You missed dinner," she jumped and looked up as Minos awkwardly offered her a plate with food leftover from dinner.

"I'm not really hungry," she shrugged, but Minos just sighed and set it down beside her.

"You Rangers have a very annoying habit of refusing to eat when you're worried. If you want to keep your strength up to defeat Whiger for good and get Casey's Spirit back, you're going to need to eat," he told her. Lily looked as if she wanted to argue, but then lifted the plate and began to eat.

"You've really got that Master wisdom down," she commented.

"It's kinda like riding a bike," Minos shrugged, and she managed a small smile. "You're still worried about Casey," he summed up as Lily took a bite. She nodded, her gaze saddening. "Hey, you'll get his Tiger back. We defeated Whiger today, we can do it again, and next time, we'll get that Spirit back," he told her. Lily nodded as tears pooled in her eyes.

"I'm just worried that Casey will get really hurt before we do that," she muttered after managing to swallow. "I really care about him, and I don't want to see him hurt even more," Lily admitted.

"He'll be fine. If he's got someone like you watching out for him, how could he not?" Minos asked her gently, and Lily found herself smiling.

"Thanks," she continued to eat, and Minos patted her shoulder, getting up and leaving her to eat. Theo, who had been watching nearby with a jealous glower, jumped when a hand touched his shoulder.

"Eavesdropping isn't really good dude," Ari advised him softly. Theo sighed.

"I know," he looked over at Lily, who seemed to be feeling a little better as she ate. The Blue Ranger had been about to approach her, when Minos had beaten him to it. "I don't stand a chance, do I?" he asked aloud, looking back at Ari. She offered a sad smile back.

"If it's meant to be, it'll happen. But if you try to force it, you'll lose them both. Do you really want to risk it?" Ari asked him.

"No," Theo shook his head, and looked back at Lily.

"She'll still be your best friend you know, even if she and Casey are meant to be together," Ari told him.

"Easy for you to say," Theo muttered. "You and your best friend love each other," he pointed out.

"Yeah, and don't you think that scared the hell out of me?" he looked at Ari in surprise. "I never expected to fall in love with Xander, it just happened, and it scared me so much, the thought that it could ruin our friendship. I almost cost us both by running away," Ari gave a small laugh as she thought back to it. "You need to let whatever happens, just happen. Fighting it or running away doesn't help anyone. And if she isn't meant for you, then it means that someone else out there is," she advised Theo, who nodded.

"Hey Ari...thanks," he gave a small smile back, and Ari patted his shoulder before walking off. "I hope you're right," Theo mumbled.

I hope you liked it! Minos is kinda becoming the wise character, falling back into his Master role!

Let me know what you think!

Please review!