Chapter 31: Now The Final Fury

The battle with Scorch and Snapper was over, and all that remained was to face Dai Shi. The group of seven practised their stances, moving occasionally as they went over the basics. When RJ had suggested it, Casey, Lily and Theo had found it amusing, thinking back to the last time he had suggested such a thing.

"Eat up guys, you've been in a tough fight, you need to recharge!" they looked around as Fran walked down with pizza.

"Oh Fran, what would we do without you?" Dom lifted a piece before kissing her cheek. Fran went bright red, and quickly walked away as RJ watched with a raised eyebrow. Ari giggled, and Jenna, who had been watching from the rafters, rolled her eyes. Fran's crush on the Rhino Ranger was obvious to everyone, except Dom.

"Wish we knew what Dai Shi's plan was..." Theo muttered through a mouthful of pizza.

"He's been gathering fear and growing stronger," RJ pointed out. "If he gets enough power..." he trailed off as something came to mind. "He could raise the Spirits of all of his fallen army," he realised.

"Oh dude, not again!" Ari whined. "It's gonna be like the Abyss of Evil all over again," she grumbled, thinking back to the final battle with Lothor.

"He could start a new Beast War!" Dom looked at them.

"Great. We barely made it through the last battle," Lily groaned.

"Right...if it weren't for Jarrod," Casey agreed. "That's it! We don't have a chance if we don't have his Lion Spirit on our side again. We've gotta convince him to help us," he decided.

"You're going to need all the help you can get," they looked up to where Zoe was standing, holding Annie in her arms.

"Not a chance, you've got her to look after," Ari warned her, noticing the look on her face. "This is our fight," she said stubbornly.

"Says the one who lost her Overdrive Powers and went back to her Mystic Force ones to keep fighting," Zoe rolled her eyes.

"That was different! It was still my fight!" Ari argued. Before they could continue to argue, the alarm blared.

"I'll find Jarrod and Camille," Minos decided.

"Good thinking. The rest of us will check this out," RJ nodded.

"This should send the Rangers my way," Scorch smirked as he watched the Rinshi terrorise people around town. As if on cue, the six Rangers arrived, fighting off the Rinshi.

"Oh boy, there is a lot of them," Lily whistled as they found themselves surrounded by what seemed like the entirety of Dai Shi's Rinshi warriors.

"We can handle it!" Ari cheered, lighting up an energy-ball and throwing it at one.

"Ari's right! Let's do this!" Casey yelled.

"We'll stop Scorch!" RJ called as he noticed Scorch walking off. He and Dom ran after the Dragon General, and the four new Masters attacked the Rinshi around them. Dropping to the ground, Ari used her foot to knock the Rinshi off balance, before leaping into the air. With powerful kicks, she sent the Rinshi flying.

Hearing yells, they looked around to see Dom and RJ being thrown to the ground, demorphing as Scorch laughed.

"No!" Casey yelled as they tried to run to help, only for more Rinshi to block their path.

"On your feet!" Scorch yanked the two to their feet, and hit them again. As they hit the ground again, Scorch laughed. "I will enjoy this!" he declared, before letting out a startled yell as he leapt into the air. A blast of blue energy narrowly missed him, hitting an abandoned car instead.

"Stop! Leave them alone!" he landed, looking up at the four figures who approached. RJ and Dom looked around in surprise as Masters Phant, Finn, Swoop and Swift approached, wielding their weapons.

"Am I supposed to be afraid of three old men, and a little girl?" Scorch taunted.

"Let's show him what these old men and little girl can do," Master Phant smirked. Raising their weapons, the four went on the attack.

"I told you!" Jarrod shook his head as Camille pleaded with him. "It's too late for me," Jarrod told her.

"It's never too late for anyone to change," they looked around as Minos walked down the stairs into the Forbidden Room of the Pai Zhuq temple. "Take a look at me for example," he pointed out. Jarrod watched him warily. "Right now the Rangers are fighting against Scorch and every Rinshi in Dai Shi's army. Sooner or later, Dai Shi is going to gain enough fear to open the gates to the Spirit World," Minos warned them.

"He'll be able to start a new Beast War," Jarrod realised in a whisper.

"Exactly. We need all the help we can get if we're to defeat Dai Shi and save humanity," Minos told him, and looked to Camille. She looked like she wanted to help, but when she glanced to Jarrod, he sighed. She would only go if he did. "Dai Shi did a lot of evil when he possessed you Jarrod, but you can start making up for that, if you just help us. With your Lion Spirit, we can defeat these guys for good," Minos pleaded.

"No," Jarrod shook his head and turned away. "I'm never using my Lion again...not after all the harm he caused," he said firmly. Minos looked to Camille again.

"The Yellow Ranger once said there was goodness in you. Do you want to prove her right, or not?" he asked. She didn't answer, and he sighed heavily. "Fine," Minos then turned on his heel and ran up the stairs.

"Minos..." Camille whispered, watching her brother leave. She then looked to Jarrod, who immediately looked away, guilt settling in his stomach.

The four Masters fought Scorch, but he was powerful, and before long overwhelmed them. Grabbing Master Swoop by the front of his robes, he hurled him into a building. The Bat Master cried out, sinking to the ground.

"Master Swoop!" Theo ran to his fallen Master. Scorch then kicked Master Phant into scattered crates. He broke through them, landing heavily as blood ran from a cut on his chin. Knocking more Rinshi aside, Lily ran to him. With narrowed eyes, Master Finn combined his sabres and swung down, but Scorch caught his wrist and twisted hard. The Shark Master cried out in pain as the strain grew worse, before Scorch slammed him in the chest with a punch. He flew back several metres, before lying still.

"Stop!" Jenna swung her whip and caught Scorch by the arm as he went to approach the fallen Shark Master. He looked up weakly as Scorch was pulled away, only to laugh.

"Pathetic!" he roared, grabbing the whip. He pulled Jenna towards him and slashed at her before throwing her to the ground.

"No!" RJ pushed himself up and ran over to the two. Ari demorphed, and looked to the other three Rangers still Morphed.

"Can you guys handle him?" she called to them, and they nodded. She ran over to Jenna, beginning to heal the fallen Master.

"You are Masters of failure!" Scorch mocked as he witnessed the group of fallen Masters. "The Pai Zhuq way is over!" he announced.

"Not yet!" Casey yelled, and the three leapt at him.

"So you'll protect them, but who will protect the city for the rest of the Rinshi invasion?" Scorch taunted.

"See? I told you that you'd need some help," they all looked up in surprise to see Zoe standing on a roof, Morphed in her Silver Ninja Ranger suit. Beside her, stood the rest of the Ninja Rangers, and Melody.

"Luckily we weren't too far away," Kira smiled, also Morphed as she ran into view.

"I happened to be visiting Rocky with Tommy. They're evacuating as many people as they can," Adam rested his axe over his shoulder.

"Like we'd miss this for the world!" Chip grinned as he and the rest of the Mystic Rangers stood together beside Kira and Adam.

"I have to say, I'm a little insulted that we weren't invited to the party any earlier!" Ronny grinned. "But it was fun driving the SHARC again," she laughed.

"I'm still feeling nauseas..." Dax muttered.

"So many Rangers?! What are you doing here?!" Scorch demanded.

"You see, we may be different teams," Zoe said as she summoned her bow.

"And different communities," Cam nodded.

"But we all want one thing. To protect the world from freaks like you," Shane smirked. "So while you guys take on this freak, we'll protect the rest of the city," he told them.

"Thanks!" Casey nodded to the Air Ninja.

"Alright guys, it's go time!" Shane told his team, who all streaked off.

"Same for us," Adam glanced to Kira, and they ran off with the Mystic Rangers.

"Ari, next time, don't wait so long to call us!" Mack grinned, and turned to his team. "Let's go!" they nodded and ran off as well, and Ari finished healing Jenna.

"I have to say, I don't know what's stranger," Master Finn groaned as Ari healed his injured wrist. "The glowing, or the large amount of Rangers who've come to help," he told the Gold Ranger, who grinned.

"Hey, Once a Ranger, Always a Ranger," she told them. "You can always count on a past Ranger for help. We just don't ask that often since they've done their bit already," Ari said as she finished. Master Finn moved his hand, finding it good as new.

"Thank you," he nodded. Ari smiled, and got up, running over to Master Phant to help him next. "She is a strange one," Master Finn turned to RJ as he helped Jenna sit.

"Yeah...yeah she is," the Wolf Master agreed with a nod. "But it's a good thing she is," he grinned. Nearby, Casey, Theo and Lily were keeping up with Scorch, but unable to gain the upper hand. Scorch laughed as he dodged them and kicked Theo backwards. As he went to strike the Blue Ranger again, Minos intercepted and punched him hard, throwing the General back.

"Minos!"

"Thanks," Theo nodded to the Master.

"Hey, I'm here to help," Minos nodded. Scorch gave a snarl as he recovered, and kicked Minos out of the way, but the blow had slowed him down.

"Guys!" Ari leapt in at the last minute, kicking Scorch across the head.

"Ready!" Theo yelled as the four surrounded Scorch.

"Animal Spirits!"

"Combine strength!" they went to attack, only for Scorch to leap into the air and dodge their powerful attack.

"Guys, stay focused!" Casey yelled.

"You want more?" Scorch taunted, and went to attack Casey.

"Casey, watch out!" Lily shot past, her hand glowing yellow as she slashed Scorch down his back. He roared in pain and stumbled. Casey took advantage of this and ran at Scorch, striking him with his own hand as it glowed red.

"Take this!" Ari spun, and kicked him into the air with her leg, glowing golden. He cried out again, and Theo's leg began to glow blue as he leapt into the air, and kicked Scorch back to the ground. He crashed to the ground, groaning in pain, but got up and fired a blast of Rinzin power. They dodged it, and Minos got in close, grabbing his arms.

"Hold him!" Lily yelled, getting in close with Theo and Ari.

"Quadruple Claw Attack!" Casey joined them, and their hands began to glow.

"I'm a Phantom Beast General! You can't defeat me!" Scorch yelled angrily.

"We're Pai Zhuq Masters!"

"There's nothing we can't do!"

"Right! And now you'll feel our power!"

"And it'll be the last thing you ever feel!" their combined power slashed down across him, and he was blasted aside as Minos released him. He crashed to the ground, and exploded.

People ran screaming through the streets, safe from the Rinshi as Rangers from past teams ran through the city, taking out any Rinshi they could find.

"We've got to calm this crowd down, this is exactly what Dai Shi wants," RJ groaned.

"Even with more Rangers here, the people are terrified," Minos shook his head. "There's never been such a large attack force here," he commented as Ari lit up an energy-ball and tossed it at a Rinshi straggler.

"How'd it go with Jarrod?" Casey asked. Minos just shook his head. They groaned, before loud laughter echoed overhead.

"I have harvested your fear! Now I have power enough for my final stand!" Dai Shi appeared in the sky above them. "The portal to the Spirit World has opened! The time for the final Beast War is here!" more lights appeared, before a huge crowd of monsters appeared from it.

"Yep...exactly like the Abyss of Evil...lame," Ari gulped.

"The worst of the worst..." Theo groaned as they spotted everyone from the Five Fingers of Poison, to the Overlords, to the General who they had only just destroyed.

"Come on team! Let's show them who we are!" RJ yelled. Everyone raised their arms.

"Pai Zhuq! Order of the Claw!" they yelled.

"Ready?"

"Ready!"

"JUNGLE BEAST, SPIRIT UNLEASHED!"

"With the Strength of a Tiger! Jungle Fury Red Ranger!"

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

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

The Spirit Rangers were summoned, standing beside their Masters, and the monsters roared, running to fight.

"Man, I really didn't expect this again," Ari groaned as she blocked Buffalord's attack. The force shoved her back, and she spun, kicking him aside before turning to Talon. Leaping backwards, she landed on a car.

"Sparrow versus Sparrowhawk, who do you really think is going to win?" Talon taunted as she leapt up after her.

"I seem to recall me winning the last time!" Ari rolled her eyes, and leapt over to another car as Talon lashed out at her.

"Let's see if it stays that way!" Talon followed her, and Ari kicked her into the air. Talon cried out, before vines burst from the ground and wrapped around the General, slamming her into a wall.

"Hope you don't mind the extra help," Xander landed beside Ari.

"I can tolerate it this once," she smiled back. They jumped off the car, and struck Buffalord with their weapons, making him roar as he went down. Hearing a loud explosion, they looked around to see five familiar figures rising from smoke.

"Master Guinn!"

"Master Rilla!"

"Master Rel!"

"Master Lope!"

"And Master Mao!" the four Rangers who had been their students ran to the Spirits.

"When Dai Shi opened the portal, we came through it as well," Master Rilla nodded.

"I wouldn't miss this battle for the world," Master Mao smiled slightly. They ran to join in the battle, and as Minos was forced back by Carden and Bai Lai, they were struck by a black and red blur that shot past, knocking them away from Minos.

"I'm so glad you're back on the right side daddy," Master Rel smiled to her father.

"Me too," Minos nodded to her, spinning his hammer as they turned back to the two birds.

"I remember this jellyfish!" Maddie commented as the Mystic Force Rangers surrounded Jellica.

"You again?" she groaned, raising her staff. She blasted them with water, but it turned to ice with a wave of Udonna's Snow Staff. With powerful blows, Nick and Léanbow shattered it with their swords, and turned to Jellica. They struck her, only for her to turn to jelly again, laughing loudly.

"That laugh really gets on my nerves!" Vida growled. "Magi Staff! Wind Power!" she held up her staff, and it shone pink. Jellica's laughter stopped as the winds buffeted her, knocking her backwards.

"Magi Staff! Crossbow Mode!" Chip then blasted her with a shot of lightning magic.

As Dai Shi's army began to rapidly decline, the Masters, other than the Rangers, stood together.

"We must reach the highest level of our Animal Spirits!" Master Mao yelled as they channelled their energy. They transformed into their Animal Forms, much like RJ's Wolf form, and fired powerful blasts that destroyed a large group of the monsters. "Good riddance, evil beasts!" Master Mao nodded.

"I'll take those Animal Spirits!" Dai Shi suddenly reappeared, and the Masters cried out as their Spirits were pulled from them. They fell to their knees, reverting back to normal as the Rangers ran towards them. Dai Shi laughed loudly, taking on a corporeal form. "Look at you!" he roared as they cried out in horror.

"Whoa, that's nasty!" Dustin yelled as he and the other Ninja Rangers finished off Monkiwi. Dai Shi blasted the Jungle Fury Rangers and their Masters off their feet.

Landing in the outskirts of town, away from where the other Ranger teams were finishing off the last of the monsters, the Jungle Fury Rangers and the Masters were tossed to the ground with cries.

"For too long, the Pai Zhuq school has stopped my plans for ultimate rule! Today, I will get my revenge!" Dai Shi declared. "Starting with the Red Ranger!" Casey looked up and leapt out of the way just in time as one of Dai Shi's heads slammed the ground where he had been lying.

"Casey!" Lily cried out, grabbing his arm and pulling him aside. Ari and Theo joined them, and the four dodged the attacks.

"There's nowhere to run!" Dai Shi roared, and blasted the four off the cliff. "Now for the final strike!" he made to finish them off, only for Camille to leap in the way.

"No!" she yelled, lashing out at Dai Shi and knocking his head back. "Please, I'd like to fight with you now," she requested, turning to the four Rangers.

"Of course!" Lily nodded with a wide smile.

"Dom! Let's get in there!" RJ told the Rhino Ranger. "Wolf Pride Megazord!"

"Rhino Warrior Mode!"

"Spirit of the Bull!" the two Megazords and Minos' Zord attacked Dai Shi, and RJ landed on Dai Shi's back. Dom attacked with a powerful slash, but it did nothing. Minos ran in, only for Dai Shi to bat him aside with a swipe of his paw. Rearing up on his hind legs, Dai Shi blasted them, and the Zords disappeared. RJ, Minos and Dom were ejected, demorphing as they hit the ground.

"Nothing we do can even weaken him!" Theo groaned.

"I can," they looked around in surprise as Jarrod approached.

"Jarrod!" Camille smiled widely.

"We Pai Zhuq have to stick together," Jarrod nodded.

"About time he figured that out," Ari muttered, and Theo elbowed her.

"Spirit of the Mighty Lion!" Jarrod summoned his black and gold armour. "I'm here Dai Shi!" he called as he walked towards the giant dragon.

"What's he doing?" Ari wondered. The other Masters ran to help RJ, Dom and Minos to their feet, all of them watching. Jarrod stood on the edge of the cliff, looking up at Dai Shi.

"The Lion has returned!" Dai Shi laughed as he saw him. "Have you finally come to your senses?" he asked.

"Yes!" Jarrod nodded. "You told me I had the strength of a Lion, but not the heart!" the Lion student reminded the spirit who had used him as a vessel. "But I'm here to show you, that you're wrong! The heart of the Lion is noble and good! And I can be too!" he called on his Zokado Power, and leapt at Dai Shi.

"What are you doing?!" Ari cried in horror as Jarrod blasted his way into Dai Shi.

"He's weakening! Hit him now!" Jarrod yelled to those below. Dai Shi roared as Zokado Power exploded from inside him.

"Only the four chosen protectors can destroy Dai Shi forever," Master Mao looked to the four Rangers still Morphed.

"It's up to us," Casey nodded. The four demorphed and pulled off their Morphers, before closing their eyes. "A Pai Zhuq Master doesn't ask. He knows," the Tiger Master whispered.

"There is a higher level of our Animal Spirits."

"One that has never been reached before. By student, or Master."

"It's time to push beyond the possible, to our highest potential," the four moved in sync, following their Animal Spirits as they called upon a power deep inside. They began to glow, feeling the power unlock, and yelled, throwing it out. It slammed into Dai Shi, who screamed as he was destroyed, releasing the stolen power belonging to the Masters. The four stumbled, before laughing.

"Incredible!" Casey grinned, and the four laughed, hugging each other tightly.

"We did it!" Ari cheered, before RJ and Dom ran over to hug them as well, all of them laughing. It faded quickly as they heard a yell, and looked around as Jarrod slammed to the ground. His armour faded and he groaned, lying still as burns and cuts lined the parts of his body that could be seen.

"Jarrod!" Camille screamed, her own armour faded as she ran over to him.

"Man, I'm a Ranger, not a damn medic. Stupid Mr. Hartford giving me this power," Ari grumbled, running over as well. As Camille cradled the young man in her arms, Ari kneeled beside them, starting to glow.

"Will he be alright?" Camille asked as the other Rangers walked over.

"Have any of you guys ever seen Star Trek?" Ari asked randomly as she touched Jarrod's face.

"Bits and pieces, why?" RJ nodded.

"Well you know how there's that line, when Doctor McCoy says 'Dammit Jim, I'm a doctor, not a miracle worker'?" Ari asked.

"What? Are you telling us that you can't work miracles?" Theo asked with a frown, before Jarrod groaned and slowly opened his eyes.

"Course not. I'm telling you I'm not a doctor," Ari smirked as she got to her feet, and swayed. The other Rangers caught her as she stumbled. "But damn miracles take a lot outta you," she chuckled weakly.

"Are you alright?" Camille asked Jarrod as he blinked up at her.

"I'm better than okay, I'm good," Jarrod grinned up at her, and Camille smiled in relief as everyone else relaxed.

The party to say goodbye to Dom was in full swing as the Rangers, plus a few others, prepared to say goodbye to Dom. Now that they had finished their mission to defeat Dai Shi, Dom had decided to continue wandering the world.

"I'm telling you, Switzerland is the best place to snowboard," Zoe was telling Dom as the Rhino bounced Annie in his arms. She was laughing happily as Dom argued with Zoe. The two had found it hilarious that their paths had crossed years before.

"No way. Austria, hands down," he insisted.

"Just try Davos, Rhino-Boy," Zoe rolled her eyes. "And give me my baby back," she held out her arms, only for Hunter to intercept and take Annie, who clung to her father happily. "Hey! No stealing!" Zoe whined.

"She's my daughter too!" Hunter rolled his eyes, dodging Zoe as she tried to take Annie from him.

"Casey!" Lily smiled as she and Theo walked from the kitchen and joined the party. She hugged the young man who had joined the Pai Zhuq temple as a teacher. Minos walked in behind Casey and he stretched. He had also rejoined the temple as a teacher, finding it strange but familiar to be back. Especially since Jarrod and Camille had joined as students. That was definitely weird.

"Hey guys," Casey smiled. "Where's Ari?" he noticed that they were missing the final member of their team.

"She was here a minute ago," RJ frowned, looking around.

"She better be here to say goodbye," Lily commented, and Theo walked back to the kitchen. He pushed open the door, and immediately stepped back with a groan.

"Found her," he sighed, and Zoe stopped chasing Hunter around to walk in.

"Ahah! Finally the tables have turned!" the Silver Ninja Ranger pointed accusingly at Ari and Xander as they went red. "Finally I can mock you for..." Zoe stopped, frowning as she saw the ring on Ari's hand, lined with emeralds and yellow topaz stones. "No..." her jaw fell open. "You asked her to..."

"I don't think I've ever seen Zoe this speechless," Ari glanced to Xander with a smile as the others peered in, curious as to what was going on.

"You asked Ari to marry you without my permission!" Zoe yelled, and Xander went pale. He released Ari and made a break for it as Zoe chased after him.

"I should probably be worried about that," Ari mused as Xander sprinted up the stairs, before she was almost tackled off her feet.

"Congratulations!" Lily squealed as she hugged Ari tightly. The others joined in the hug as Ari laughed, going red.

"I was wondering when he was finally going to do it," Hunter commented as he grinned to her. "Congrats brat," Ari stuck out her tongue at him. "I guess I should stop my wife from killing him," he handed Annie to Jenna, who was a little surprised, but easily balanced the baby in her arms.

"Hey Dom, wanna see this?" Ari suddenly smirked, pulling out her phone.

"Show that to Master Finn and I'll kick your butt Ari, I swear," Jenna warned as she and RJ went red, but Ari just smirked and held out her phone. Dom looked at it, and chuckled.

"I've known you two idiots were going to get together for years. I'm just glad that there's someone else here to tease you about it," he smirked.

"Here to serve buddy," Ari bumped fists with him.

"I'm ignoring your childish behaviour," RJ decided, leaning in and kissing Jenna's cheek.

"Not in front of the child!" Ari cried out, horrified.

"She's going to be scarred!" Dom wailed.

"Oh shut up," RJ rolled his eyes.

"So what have you got planned when you're not teaching now Casey? Not going to be working here, are you?" Lily asked as they all left the kitchen.

"Oh, I dunno," Casey shrugged, before Theo elbowed him. He gave the Tiger a look, and Casey frowned at him. The Jaguar indicated to Lily, and Casey stared at Theo, who walked away. "Uh, Lily...I was wondering..." Casey led Lily away from the others, and Ari stood beside Theo.

"Out of everything to happen this year, I think that was the bravest thing I've seen," Ari smiled at Theo, who sighed.

"Thanks," he muttered.

"The right girl for you is out there, don't you worry," Ari told him, patting his shoulder.

"Hey, so what are you going to do now?" Theo asked her, taking his attention off Lily and Casey.

"Well Mr. Hartford has asked me to do a tour with Truth Trucks," Ari grinned with excitement at the idea.

"Really? That's amazing! Congratulations!" Theo grinned, high-fiving her.

"Thanks," Ari smiled back. "Then after that I'm gonna move back to Briarwood, and hang up my Morpher for good," she decided, twisting the silver ring, which felt strange around her finger.

"I wouldn't say for good," Minos smirked as he walked over. "After all, you're the Legendary Golden Warrior," he reminded her. Ari sighed.

"True, but I am not joining another team. I'm passing my Gold Ranger title on," Ari decided.

"If you find them worthy," Theo smirked.

"Duh," Ari grinned back.

"Alright guys," Dom called as Lily and Casey walked back over, both smiling and blushing a little. "I gotta go. Goodbye everyone," he smiled, and Jenna hugged him.

"Take care, and keep in touch," she told him firmly.

"For you Jenna, anything," Dom smiled. She kissed his cheek, and Dom winked to RJ, who rolled his eyes.

"See ya Dom," Lily hugged him next.

"RJ," Dom grinned to his friend.

"Take care my friend," RJ shook his hand.

"Ari, I trust you to continue tormenting them in my place?" Dom turned to Ari, who saluted him.

"You can certainly trust me on that," she smiled as Jenna slapped her arm.

"Theo," Dom grinned as he turned to the shorter boy and shook his hand.

"Stay outta trouble," Theo told him, making them laugh.

"Have an awesome time!" everyone called out goodbye as Dom walked out, but Ari's eyes were on Fran as the young woman waved awkwardly from the booth she had been sitting in.

"What a farewell," Lily smiled.

"What? We missed saying goodbye to Dom?" Zoe asked in horror as she, Hunter and Xander walked down the stairs. "This is your fault, beanstalk," she glared at Xander.

"Hey, you're the one who tried to beat me senseless!" he protested.

"Don't make me finish what I started," Zoe glowered at him.

"You know what?" they all looked around as Dom suddenly walked back in. "I forgot something," their smiles fell in confusion.

"Dom, you packed your backpack like five times. How the hell did you forget something?" Jenna frowned as Zoe took Annie back, and RJ put his arm around her waist.

"What did you forget?" RJ asked.

"That I got Fran a ticket too," Dom grinned as he held up his ticket, revealing a second one. Fran dropped her book in alarm as the Rangers all looked at her in surprise. Jenna smiled widely, glad that Dom had taken notice of the shy bookworm. "Fran?" Dom approached her, and Fran stumbled as she stood up. "How would you like to backpack through Europe with me?" he asked. Ari bit back a squeal of delight as Xander took her hand, grinning at her.

"Yes!" Fran finally found her voice. Dom smiled widely back at her. "I would love to," Fran nodded, before her eyes widened. "Oh, but first I've gotta go home and get my backpack...and my camera...and my journal and some extra socks in case it's cold and-"

"Breathe Fran," the Rangers all chorused together, laughing loudly.

So I wanna say a massive thank you to all of you for reviewing, favouriting, following, and most importantly reading this series! Thank you for putting up with my sporadic at best updating. You guys make it worth continuing writing, and keep me enjoying it. I hope you all have enjoyed reading this as much as I've enjoyed writing it.

This is the end of Ari's time as a Ranger, and after a oneshot (which should be posted in the next few days) and one more story, we'll be onto the second arc; when her children assume the mantle.

I hope you enjoyed the final chapter of Jungle Fury!

Please review!