So not far to go now! It's kinda crept up on me, I'll admit!

Chapter 30: Path of the Righteous

Pulling a face as she bounced Annie on her knee, Ari was rewarded by a loud laugh. Her god-daughter, who was now 10 months old, giggled as Ari entertained her.

"Who'd have thought the baby of the team would be so good with her?" Zoe grinned as she watched the two.

"Excuse you, I'm not the baby any more," Ari replied, insulted.

"You'll always be the baby of our team Ari," Zoe smirked at her. Ari just stuck out her tongue, which made Annie squeal with laughter.

"Oh? You like it when I sass your mum?" Ari asked her with a laugh. "Then you're going to love it when I visit," she tickled Annie's sides, and the little girl's feet kicked as she laughed loudly.

"Just don't teach her bad habits," Zoe rolled her eyes.

"She's already going to get all of those from you," Ari smirked. "The way you and Hunter are, she's never going to take either of you seriously. Are you?" she turned her attention back to Annie, who reached out and grabbed a lock of Ari's hair. Hearing footsteps, they looked around as Minos walked into view and froze.

"Oh uh...excuse me."

"Hold up," Minos stopped at Zoe's firm voice. He looked at her reluctantly as Zoe got to her feet and walked over to him. Despite her being smaller than him, Minos found himself very unnerved by Zoe. "Ari told me you were good now," Zoe said as she stood in front of him, her arms folded as she studied him. Ari was watching with glee, trying not to laugh as Minos shot her a look, pleading for help.

"Uh, yeah, I uh, I am," Minos stammered, internally berating himself. He was a Pai Zhuq Master. He shouldn't be fumbling over his words.

"I also remember when your sister tried to kidnap my daughter. You helped convince her to take Ari instead. And while I'm still mad at her for doing such a thing that could have gotten her killed," Zoe tilted her head to glare at Ari, who held Annie up as a defence. "I'm also grateful that she didn't take Annie," she turned back to Minos. "But you better make damn sure that Ari doesn't get herself killed," Zoe poked his chest, and Minos flinched. "Am I clear?" she demanded.

"Yes ma'am," Minos answered instantly. Ari couldn't stop her giggle as Zoe smirked.

"Good," with that, she turned and walked back to Ari, and took Annie from her. She then punched Ari, who yelped, before cuddling her daughter. Minos watched as a sadness welled up inside him, before he was taken by surprise when Annie was dumped into his arms. He moved instinctively, holding her in a way that was comfortable for both him and her. Annie stared at him with wide eyes, before breaking into a wide smile.

"She likes you," Ari grinned as she walked over. "She doesn't even smile like that for Hunter," she smirked to Zoe, and yelped as Zoe slapped the back of her head. "Mean!" Ari darted out of reach, rubbing the back of her head.

"It's been a long time..." Minos muttered, staring at the little girl who had a mess of blonde curls. "Not since my own son was this little," he couldn't help but chuckle.

"Her name's Annie," Zoe smiled back at him.

"Thank you," Minos spoke softly, and Zoe's smile softened.

"You don't think I was too harsh on Casey, do you?" RJ asked Jenna as they returned to the Loft.

"What's this? The great RJ, questioning his teaching methods?" she teased, her hand linked with his. "I don't," Jenna then said as he frowned at her. "You've taught Casey everything he needs to know. The rest he needs to figure out himself. He can't become a Master with you, or any of us, holding his hand," she told him.

"Oh Jenna, where would I be without you?" RJ grinned at her, releasing her hand to catch her around the waist. Jenna laughed in surprise as he spun her around.

"I wouldn't dare imagine it," Jenna smiled at him, and he leaned in, kissing her.

"Excuse me, there are people eating," they broke apart, going red as Ari called out, and they looked up to see her smirking at them.

"And children present," Zoe grinned.

"And family members, who could live without seeing that," Minos added, holding Annie as Ari made a point of covering the giggling child's eyes.

"My Loft, my rules," RJ rolled his eyes. "You have a problem with it, take your food elsewhere," he told them, only for Jenna to pull out of his grip.

"Oh my gosh, she is so cute!" she exclaimed, going up to join them. "What's her name? How old is she?" Jenna asked Zoe. Ari's smirk widened as RJ frowned at her.

"What were you saying?" she asked him.

"Ari, did anyone ever tell you that you're a brat?" the Wolf Master asked as he joined them.

"We never really stop," Zoe grinned.

"You and Hunter would probably get on," Ari nodded as Zoe passed Annie to Jenna, and RJ took a seat beside them. Annie looked up Jenna, before noticing RJ and reaching out to him. He grinned to her, letting her take his hand. They looked up to see Ari taking a picture on her phone of the pair. "Oh, I am so showing this to Master Finn," she smirked.

"Ari, don't you dare," RJ felt himself going red. Ari smirked deviously, and jumped up, laughing loudly as he chased after her.

"Five years later, she's graduated from the Celestial Ninja Academy, graduated high school two years early, become a legendary Mystic, helped locate five magical Jewels known throughout the universe, and become a Master of the Pai Zhuq Order of the Claw, and Ari Raynes is still a brat," Zoe shook her head, smiling fondly.

"Hey Ari?" the Gold Ranger looked up from where she and Zoe were talking as Annie slept on the sofa between them. "Have you seen Casey?" Lily asked as she approached. "I haven't seen him all day, I'm getting worried," she admitted.

"Nope, sorry, haven't seen him," Ari shook her head, but frowned as she thought back to their conversation the previous day. "I really hope he hasn't..." she stood, careful not to wake Annie, and went down to the monitors.

"Hasn't what?" Lily asked.

"What's wrong?" Zoe frowned as Ari lifted the remote and flicked through the satellites, and cursed.

"Better get the others Lil," she told the Yellow Ranger, who nodded and ran off.

"Ari, what's going on?" Zoe called down, making sure Annie was secure before hurrying down to the monitors.

"We've got a problem," Ari sighed, gesturing to the screen. Zoe frowned.

"Is that...?"

"Yep," Ari nodded grimly. "And here we thought I was the reckless one," she muttered.

"Ari, you are the reckless one," Zoe rolled her eyes and Ari blushed.

"What's the problem?" Lily brought Theo, Dom and Minos up with him. "Where's Casey?" Lily asked as they ran over to the monitors.

"That's the problem," Ari told them grimly. "He's decided to take a little stroll to Dai Shi's Temple," she announced.

"What?" Lily shouted in alarm.

"Satellites picked this up," Ari gestured to the image of Casey walking through the gates alone.

"What's he doing?!" Dom groaned.

"Whatever it is, we have to help him," Theo told the others. "Come on," they nodded, but their path was suddenly blocked by RJ.

"No. Not yet," they all frowned in confusion at the Master. "This is Casey's destiny," he told them with a heavy sigh. The others frowned, not understanding.

Casey felt himself being pushed back against the force of Dai Shi's power. Now, not only had he split from Jarrod, but had taken his Rinzin Power, and Camille's. Casey's Tiger Spirit fought fiercely against him, but Dai Shi was still powerful. Jarrod and Camille stared fearfully on the ground, afraid that it was finally the end.

"Your Tiger Spirit is nothing compared to my power!" Dai Shi roared as Casey groaned.

"Then try this! With the power of the sun, Shining Sun Attack!"" bright golden light slammed into Dai Shi, making him cry out in pain. They looked around to see Ari in golden armour lined with silver, with a sun on the chest plate.

"Ari!" Casey stared at the Gold Ranger.

"Come on! I can't hold him forever! Run!" she yelled to the three as she stepped forwards. Casey nodded and helped the two on the ground to their feet, and they ran. Finally the magic dissipated and Ari stumbled.

"Even the Legendary Golden Warrior is weak compared to me!" Dai Shi laughed arrogantly. Biting back a retort, Ari turned and ran, joining the other three as they ran out of the temple.

"Why did you come after me?" Casey called to Ari as they ran as fast as they could. "You didn't even believe I was right!" he reminded her.

"I never said that!" Ari replied as her armour faded. "But when I realised that you'd gone off to follow what you believed in, despite everyone else refusing to back you up, it reminded me of when I ran off to do something alone, which is a lot. Seriously, Zoe's going to kill me if Dai Shi doesn't get there first," Ari grumbled as Casey grinned. "Every time I ran off, someone else came to help me, even if they didn't entirely believe that I was right, they came to help. So, that's what I'm here for," Ari smiled at him.

"Thanks Ari," Casey grinned back at her. "I knew you were in there somewhere," Casey grinned as he caught up to Jarrod and Camille.

"Thanks Casey," Jarrod smiled weakly at him as they all caught their breath. "I owe you one," he nodded. He then glanced to Camille, who smiled back, and Ari raised an eyebrow. So it wasn't Dai Shi she cared for. The four were suddenly blasted off their feet, and cried out as they were thrown about.

"Touching moment," Scorch mocked as he and Snapper approached. "Pity, it will be your last," he laughed. "It ends here," he declared. "We will finally avenge our fallen General, who was defeated by a mere Sparrow, of all creatures," Scorch shook his head.

"Trust me, the irony of me taking out a Sparrowhawk was not lost on me," Ari rolled her eyes. Snapper suddenly cried out, looking over their heads as Lily and Theo leapt at them, kicking the two Phantom Beasts back. They, and the other Rangers ran over to help the fallen four up.

"I thought I told you not to go after Casey?" RJ raised an eyebrow at Ari.

"Yeah well, sometimes even those with destinies need a little help," She replied, making him smile slightly under his helmet.

"Tell that to Zoe when you get back," Ari groaned.

"You okay?" Lily asked Casey as she helped him up.

"Never better," Casey grinned at her. He then turned to Jarrod. "You up for this?" he asked the Lion student.

"Absolutely," he nodded with a grin. They looked around as Scorch and Snapper recovered, ready to fight. Casey and Ari walked forwards with Jarrod and Camille.

"JUNGLE BEAST, SPIRIT UNLEASHED!" they Morphed as the other two called on their armour.

"We're gonna settle this now, Snapper," Camille challenged.

"Now witness the full Lion spirit, Scorch!" Jarrod yelled to the other General, who growled angrily.

"Rangers! Let's give them a hand!" Casey yelled. "With the Strength of a Tiger! Jungle Fury Red Ranger!"

"With the Speed of a Cheetah! Jungle Fury Yellow Ranger!"

"With the Stealth of a Jaguar! Jungle Fury Blue Ranger!"

"With the Agility of a Sparrow! Jungle Fury Gold Ranger!"

"With the Courage of a Wolf! Jungle Fury Wolf Ranger!"

"With the Power of a Rhino! Jungle Fury Rhino Ranger!"

"With the Defiance of a Bull!"

"With the Spirit of the Mighty Lion!"

"With the Cunning of a Chameleon!"

The fight started with Casey and Jarrod fighting Scorch, and the others facing Snapper. The General was powerful, brushing off each of their moves. When he made to blast Lily, Camille knocked his move aside and attacked, but her attacks bounced harmlessly off. Snapper laughed and lashed out at her, only for a blow from behind to knock him down with a cry. Camille looked to Minos in surprise, and he nodded to her.

"Come on!" Ari called, and she, Lily and Theo shot at Snapper with their jets, grabbing him and restraining him. RJ and Dom blasted him, and the three holding him leapt out of the way. Snapper cried out as they hit, followed by Camille's own power slamming him. RJ then leapt in and kicked him into the sky.

"Rhino Blade!" Dom knocked him out of the sky, where he was hit by Lily and Theo. Snapper stumbled backwards, directly into Minos' hammer. It slammed into the General, throwing him towards Ari, who slashed down with her Claw Booster. Camille then leapt into the air and spun as she flew towards Snapper, striking him and finishing him off.

"Good riddance!"

Nearby, Scorch was badly defeated by Casey and Jarrod alone, and the others ran over to congratulate them.

"Are you alright?" Camille asked Jarrod, who didn't speak.

"Jarrod, what's wrong?" Casey asked him, but before the Lion could say anything, thunder boomed overhead.

"You thought it would be that easy?! Think again!" Scorch suddenly reappeared, much larger as he towered over them.

"This isn't over yet!" Casey yelled.

"Wouldn't be a battle without them going big," Ari smirked.

"Lion Spirit!"

"Chameleon Spirit!"

"Bull Spirit!"

"Animal Spirits Unite!" they called on each of the Zords, and the Lion combined with the Tiger and Sparrow on top of the Rhino as the Chameleon landed on his arm.

"Hah! You're no match for a Phantom Beast General!" Scorch mocked, unafraid of the combination. He fired blasts that knocked the Rangers back, crying in pain. "So you think you can defeat me now?" he laughed.

"We can do better than that!" Casey yelled. "Come on guys!" he cheered on his team.

"Tiger Power!"

"Lion Power!"

"Chameleon Power!" the three blasted Scorch, leaving him open to the rest of the attacks. He cried out as each move slammed into him, destroying him.

Everyone regrouped on the ground, demorphed and congratulating each other on defeating the last of the Phantom Beasts.

"Minos..." Camille turned to her brother. "I'm-" before she could get the apology out, he hugged her. "I'm sorry, I never should have trusted Dai Shi over you," Camille hugged him back with tears in her eyes.

"I don't blame you. He manipulated us both," Minos sighed, glad that she had finally turned against him.

"I can't believe you went there alone!" Casey flinched as Lily punched his arm. She then hugged him tightly. "I was really worried about you," she scolded. Casey laughed lightly, and hugged her back. Ari patted Theo on the shoulder lightly as she saw his expression, and he smiled softly back at her. Jarrod then shook Casey's hand, and bright light shone from inside Casey's sleeve.

"Look! I'm a Master, I got my Stripes!" he held up his arm in excitement. Lily, Theo and Ari cheered for him happily, glad that he had finally proven himself. "Why now?" he asked, looking to RJ in confusion. "Why not before?"

"A Master cannot be a follower. When you chose to defy Master Mao and believe in your own convictions, your path to Masterhood became...your destiny," RJ smiled at him.

"Master Mao told you, didn't he?" Ari accused the Wolf Master. "That's why you said for us to stay back," she realised. RJ just smiled mysteriously, and Ari rolled her eyes.

"Tiger Master," they looked around as Jarrod knelt on one knee in front of Casey. "I am prepared for whatever punishment you have deemed appropriate," he said, not looking up at Casey.

"No punishment necessary, okay? We're going to need you guys to help save humanity," the Red Ranger told the two. Theo, Ari and Lily nodded in agreement as Jarrod got to his feet, looking scared.

"I think we've done enough," he muttered, walking away. Camille followed him, and the group stared after them, confused. Casey made to try and stop them, but Ari caught his arm, shaking her head as they watched the two leave.

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