Sorry that this is going so slowly, but I've hit some pretty big blocks and I just can't face writing it right now. I will work on getting back to it when my life calms down a little bit, but at the moment I'm not sure when the next update will be.

That being said, thank you all so much for your awesome reviews so far! You're amazing, and it really does help encourage me to keep going!

I hope you enjoy this chapter!

Chapter 4: Wrath of the Elements

Ari watched Minos until he disappeared into the distance, and sighed, still leaning against the window. It had been a long time since she had been held captive, completely helpless. At least when she had been captured as a Jungle Fury Ranger, it hadn't been difficult to escape. Even without help, she'd have gotten away; her friends just sped up her escape. Not that she didn't appreciate the help.

"So, you know Minos then," Ari finally turned away from the window and looked to the Elf standing in the room with her. She wore silver and purple armour, which made her look a lot more threatening than the three guards that Ari had initially met.

"Yes, he is friends with my Queen," Alena confirmed. She seemed slightly nervous now that Minos was away. "How do you know him?" she asked, unable to hide her curiosity.

"We fought together, when I was the Jungle Fury Gold Power Ranger," Ari explained with a slight shrug. The Elf's eyes grew wide.

"You were a Power Ranger other than as a Mystic?" she asked in awe. "They have always fascinated me, as such powerful warriors able to keep the human world safe from harm," Alena admitted.

"It's not easy, but we manage it," Ari chuckled. "Minos joined our team when he remembered who he really was, and he was a big help. We probably wouldn't be here now if it wasn't for him," she admitted softly.

"Minos is a good man. One of the kindest humans I've ever met," Alena told her. Ari nodded in agreement. Once she got past his awkward exterior that had come from remembering who he had been long ago, Ari had found that he was a kind man. Stubborn and a little hard-headed, but kind.

"Why are you now willing to help me?" Ari asked as she took a seat, wincing when the baby kicked her again. "Easy in there little buddy," she soothed quietly.

"If I am honest, I did not agree with the idea to begin with. Unfortunately, the King's word is law. I cannot be seen to go against him, or..."

"He'll kill Seph. That's what you said before," Ari remembered what she'd said to Minos. Alena's cheeks coloured pink, and she nodded silently. "But now, you're willing to help?" she tilted her head slightly.

"My Queen did not agree to it either. You see, we were initially from another tribe, one who helped during the Great War," Ari's eyes widened slightly. "We appreciated the help the Mystics gave once the war ended. I believe we would not have survived if not for them. And your words reminded us of that, and I am glad to know that not all Elves are held in a cowardly regard," Alena admitted. "We cannot be seen to help you, but with outside help, my Queen will be more than happy to help," Alena told Ari.

"That I will be," Alena jumped, and Ari glanced around to the woman who walked into the room. "Alena, you talk quite a lot," the Queen smiled in amusement as she approached them.

"I'm very sorry, my lady," Alena bowed low.

"It's fine, I'm just teasing you," Zora chuckled. "I thought I sensed Minos' presence in here," she commented, looking around.

"You can sense him?" Ari asked her in surprise. Zora turned her pale blue eyes on her, studying her with a curiosity she had lacked in the throne room.

"It is not difficult to sense the Spirit of a Master. I could sense you just as easily," Zora told her with a gentle smile. Ari watched her curiously. "You know Minos?" she asked.

"She was one of the Power Rangers who fought alongside Minos," Alena explained as she rose from her bow. Ari just gave a nod of confirmation.

"I see," Zora looked mildly impressed by this. "Then you would be one of the ones who also fought against him. The 'little bird', he mentioned," Zora commented. Ari sighed, shaking her head.

"I told him to stop calling me that," she muttered. Zora gave a small laugh.

"I must apologise, Golden - Ari, right?" Zora corrected herself, and Ari nodded. "I must apologise for my husband's actions. He has always been rather power hungry, but now there has been pressure on him from the kingdom about the economy, food, agriculture, everything," Zora sighed lightly and took a seat by Ari. "When he heard that your child is the one who would help, he jumped at the chance," she explained sadly.

"Why not, you know, put the work in himself?" Ari asked, frowning at the Elf.

"Why put the work in when someone else can?" Zora asked her in a voice that told Ari that she had already tried to argue the case.

"Well he's going to learn that that doesn't fly with me," Ari growled, and winced again.

"What is wrong?" Zora asked, noticing her reaction.

"The baby...it's decided that I'm a football right now," Ari muttered.

"It probably does not care for the amount of stress you are under," Zora spoke softly, inching towards her. Ari scowled. Like that was her fault. "May I?" she asked.

"Uh..." Ari hesitated, watching the Elf warily. "Sure...I guess if Minos trusts you..." she shrugged.

"Thank you," Zora smiled, and her hands began to glow with a silver aura. She hoved them over Ari's swollen stomach, not touching her. "Ah yes, he isn't appreciating the stress," Zora commented softly.

"He..." Ari muttered, and Zora looked up at her.

"You didn't know?" she asked in surprise.

"Nah, I had my suspicions," Ari gave a small chuckle. "Just wasn't quite ready to accept it," she shrugged.

"I see," Zora cast her eyes back down, her expression saying that she was a little confused by Ari's words, but chose not to say. "There, he should be a little more settled now," she smiled.

"Thanks," Ari nodded. "I gotta ask, why are you married to that crazy king?" she asked her curiously.

"You shouldn't-"

"It's fine, Alena," Zora raised a hand when the warrior protested against Ari's blunt question. The Queen just gave a small chuckle, not offended. "The truth is, it was arranged. He believed that our tribe would help to make the kingdom prosper again, and our elders believed that the unity would help bring peace. It has done neither, I'm afraid," Zora explained. "But I must hold onto the belief that one day it will. That this marriage means something, so that I..." she trailed off, and Ari frowned, before her eyes widened in realisation.

"You love someone else," she accused. Zora's eyes went wide in alarm, and her cheeks went even redder. "Whoa, I hit the mark there," Ari started to laugh at her shocked reaction.

"I really must protest, you shouldn't-"

"I said it's fine," Zora told her softly, recovering from her surprise. The wine-haired Elf looked worried, but fell quiet again. "Yes, I suppose I do," Zora confirmed.

"Minos," her face went even redder, and with a soft sigh again, Zora nodded. Ari giggled. "Sorry, this is when my friends call me a brat," she commented, although didn't sound very apologetic. Ari's giggles then faded, and she sighed, looking away. "I just want to go home," she admitted in a quiet voice, tears stinging at her eyes again.

"And you will," Zora said softly.

"Not without my kid, I won't. And no offence, but if your husband gets in the way, I won't be held responsible for my actions," Ari warned her as she looked up. Her eyes blazed, and Zora blinked, skirting away slightly in her alarm.

"Minos will be back soon with help," Alena told her gently.

"I know, he just...better hurry up," Ari muttered.

Not long after Zora left, Alena returned to her post, and Ari had been left to wait, bored and restless. She didn't have to wait long, however, when the doors opened and Dorian strode in, accompanied by Seph and Maeron. All three looked a little worse for wear, much to Ari's satisfaction.

"Can I help you gentlemen?" she asked, not looking away from the window she had been looking out.

"Enjoying the view?" Dorian asked. His tone was shorter now, not welcoming as it had been earlier. Ari suspected it had something to do with the blossoming bruise across his cheek.

"It's nice. Prefer it from Rootcore, but what can you do?" Ari shrugged. "What brings you to my humble prison?" she asked with a pleasant smile. Behind the three, Alena peered in, looking worried, and Seph glanced to her, shaking his head.

"The King has requested your presence," Dorian told her.

"Oh, calmed down from his little temper tantrum has he?" Ari asked with a pleasant smile. Dorian's expression darkened, and he indicated to Maeron, who strode toward Ari.

"I can guide her there," Alena offered quickly, walking in and over to Ari. "Saves you any hassle," she smiled to Dorian.

"How sweet of you, little flower," Dorian's smirk returned, and he reached out to brush her cheek. Seph stiffened, and Alena easily swatted his hand away.

"I've warned you before Dorian, don't touch me," Alena told him, keeping a pleasant smile and tone. Ari smirked. "Or I'll have to give you a matching bruise," her tone was light, which seemed to make her threat even more menacing.

"One day you'll not be such a tease," Dorian sighed.

"Maybe the day you're less of a creep," Ari muttered, and Alena put a hand to her mouth to hide her growing smile. Even Seph had to turn his head to hide his smirk as Dorian went red.

"I thought you were 'guiding' her to the King?" Dorian snapped at Alena. Without a word, she glanced to Ari, and the pair began to walk, with the three male Elves behind them keeping quiet. As they walked through the corridor, Ari winced, a hand on her stomach.

"Are you alright?" Alena asked her, noticing.

"I guess whatever the Queen did has worn off, this kid is getting real grumpy in there again," Ari muttered, and almost doubled over in pain suddenly. "Don't you even think about it, little guy, I swear," she hissed, and forced herself to stand properly. Seeing Alena's expression, she shook her head. "Come on, don't want to keep the King waiting," Ari said cheerfully, and they kept walking.

When they reached the throne room, the King was standing, waiting for them.

"I trust you feel a little better now?" he asked with a smile.

"I could say the same for you," Ari replied, and his smile turned a little more forced. "What do you want now?" she asked as the four Elves around her bowed before him. Ari remained standing, still feeling the pain from earlier.

"I was hoping you'd have changed your mind, about helping our Kingdom-"

"By letting you take my kid, you mean. Not a chance," Ari replied, more calmly than she really felt. "I'm going to ask one more time. Let me go," she told the King, who sighed and slumped down into his throne. The Queen's expression was once again blank as she watched them.

"I really had hoped you'd be reasonable about this," the King sighed.

"Dude, what part of you kidnapping me to steal my baby because you believe he'll help your kingdom reasonable?" Ari stared at him. "You know, all you needed to do was ask for help. But I suppose that's too difficult for the guy who won't do anything himself," she said. The King stared at her for a moment, before getting to his feet.

"I have really had enough of your disrespect, child. You are in no position to insult anyone, you realise that?" he stood in front of her, towering over her. Ari didn't even blink, not intimidated in the slightest.

"I have stared down scarier people than you, dude. So get out of my face," Ari warned him in a low voice.

"Or you'll do what?" the King sneered.

"It's like you didn't see me take down those three idiots," Ari rolled her eyes. "You're as dumb as a post. How you've ruled a kingdom this far is beyond me. But then again, it would explain why it's gone to hell," she told him. There was an audible gasp from the others in the room, and the King went red in the face.

"You little-" he went to strike her, but Ari caught his wrist easily.

"I'm a Ninja, a Mystic, and a Pai Zhuq Master, you really think you're going to be able to hit me?" Ari asked as he tried to tug his arm free, but Ari held tight. "You really think you can threaten to steal my baby? You realise who I am, right? The Legendary Golden Warrior, chosen by Merlin himself," a powerful wind picked up around her as she lost her temper, calling on powers she'd unlocked during the battle with Dai Shi.

"Let me go!" the King's voice rose in pitch, before they heard a loud explosion nearby. Ari's foot slammed into his stomach and he went flying, just as the doors to the throne room burst open.

"My lord, we're under attack!" one of the soldiers cried out. He then froze as he saw Ari standing in the middle of the room, with all but the Queen lying on the ground. The four guards had been knocked away by the powerful winds caused by her powers, and were trying to get back up when he had interrupted.

"Damn straight you are," Ari began to glow golden, and there was a loud whistling as her Sparrow flew from her body. The soldier cried out as the Spirit slammed into him, and knocked him out of the way. The Spirit then went flying off, and Ari sighed. "Took them long enough," she mused, and turned to the King as he groaned, getting to his feet. The winds had died down as Ari regained focus, and she watched him, expressionless.

"You aren't getting out of here," he warned her. Ari rolled her eyes.

"Who's going to stop me?" she asked, and he swallowed nervously. However, his eyes widened as he noticed her fist suddenly clench, and her expressionless face become strained.

"Oh?" he stood taller, a smile starting to show on his face again. "Looks like you're in trouble," he commented as Ari's breath came out in uneven pants. The pain was getting worse now. Something was wrong. "I think your bravado just ran out," the King approached her again, only to hear a bellow. Looking up as Ari glanced around and smiled, the King's eyes widened again.

"What on earth-" he then let out a shriek as the large Bull, cloaked in a brown aura, charged at him, followed by Ari's Sparrow Spirit.

"I thought I told you to hang tight," Minos frowned as he walked in.

"You!" the King snarled. "What are you doing back here?!" he demanded from the ground. Seph, Maeron and Dorian stood in front of him, ready to attack if necessary. Alena stood by the Queen, who was smiling softly at the Master.

"I'm here for her, obviously," Minos rolled his eyes as he indicated to Ari.

"You think you can take her away, yourself? You're as bold, and as stupid, as ever," the King growled. "Get him!" he ordered his men, but as they launched at Minos, vines exploded from the ground and wrapped around them. The three Elves shrieked as they were suspended in the air.

"Ari!" she turned and smiled as Xander rushed up and hugged her, Morphed with his axe ready. "Are you okay? They didn't hurt you did they?" he asked, touching a hand to her face. She just shook her head, not trusting herself to speak, and buried her face in his chest. "The others are keeping the guards away, but we gotta go," Xander glanced to Minos, who nodded.

"I agree," Minos turned to leave.

"Alena, stop them!" the King ordered angrily.

"I don't think so," Zora shook her head, leaning her elbow on the arm of her chair as she rested her head in her hand, watching the King with mild amusement. "I told you from the start that I would have nothing to do with this foolish idea of yours. I warned you that it would bring more trouble to the kingdom," she commented as the King gaped at her in alarm. "Let us see how well the citizens view you trying to steal an infant to do what you should have been doing from the start," she said with mild amusement in her expression.

"You mean to...usurp me?!" he shrieked.

"Not really, but now that you mention it, this kingdom would probably prosper much greater without you," she smiled at him. He stammered, but couldn't find anything to say.

"I like her," Ari commented as she looked around to the Queen. Minos just gave a small chuckle, but it faded as Ari smirked at him knowingly. He felt his face start to get very warm at her expression. However, Ari's smirk died quickly as she winced again.

"What's wrong?" Xander asked immediately, feeling her tense up.

"Something's wrong..." she mumbled, and gasped when he scooped her up into his arms.

"Let's go," he said to Minos, who nodded. The two began to sprint out of the throne room and down the corridor, with Minos leading the way.

"Stop!" more Elves burst from another room, but as they went to pursue, a huge wave of fire cut them off and sent them scurrying back.

"What took you so long?" Nick called as he and Maddie ran into view. When Elves followed them, Maddie turned and slammed a jet of water into them from her Magi Staff.

"This is a big place in case you hadn't realised!" Minos snorted.

"Can we just leave? I'm over this place!" Ari groaned. The group began running again, using magic and Minos' animal spirits to clear the way.

"Where's the others?" Xander called as they finally reached the exit.

"Distracting the other soldiers!" Nick shouted as he waved a hand and sent another pillar of flames across the hall, making the Elves chasing them cry out in fear and jump back.

"Thankfully there isn't much of an army, when the economy went, so did most of the soldiers," Minos explained as he kicked the doors open. They froze when they came face-to-face with a group of Elves, who turned to them with glares. "There's no chance of you letting us just pass, is there?" Minos sighed.

"You've attacked our King, we will stop you!" one Elf declared, and they prepared to fight. The group just sighed, and Xander set Ari down, keeping one arm around her.

"I doubt that," Minos rolled his eyes, and a brown aura surrounded him. "Spirit of the Bull!" there was a bellow, and his Bull Spirit rose from him, charging at the Elves, who cried out in alarm.

"Let's go guys!" Nick called, and the four Mystics cast spells, their hands glowing their respective colours. Fire shot from Nick's hands and narrowly avoided more Elves, who were then hit by the torrent of water that Maddie threw at them. Those who managed to avoid the water were blasted by the sunlight that slammed down on them, slashing at them before they were wrapped in vines and hurled out of the way.

"Stop!" more Elves arrived, aiming bows at them, but before anyone could react, powerful winds slammed into them, knocking most away, and leaving the rest to be blasted off their feet by lightning.

"This way!" Chip yelled over to them, and Ari let out a cry of pain, almost doubled over as her hands went to her stomach.

"Ari! What's wrong?" Xander asked as he caught her before she could fall.

"So you know how I have really, really good timing?" she spoke weakly, looking up at him.

"Please tell me you're joking," he stared at her. Ari let out another whimper, her eyes clamping shut in pain.

"Wish I was..." she mumbled. Lifting her carefully, Xander cradled her against his chest and looked to the others.

"Let's go," he said, and they nodded, rushing away as quickly as possible.

"Come on!" Vida yelled, leading the way with Chip. They heard the whistle of a train, and before long, spotted the golden train that was the Solar Streak. "Dammit! Magi Staff!" Vida lifted her Magi Staff, and it flashed pink. Another gust of wind knocked the arrows flying towards them away.

"Magi Staff, crossbow mode!" Chip then blasted the attackers with a well-aimed shot of magic.

"Stop now!" Dorian yelled as he and Maeron sprinted towards them, dodging the attack. When the group went to attack again, a silver whip struck Maeron in the face, making him reel backwards.

"Jenji's Shining Attack!" the golden light flew over their heads, and hit the two Elves, blasting them off their feet and throwing them aside. "Come on!" Daggeron yelled as he and Althea ran past the fallen Elves and over to the group.

"Oh god not the flying train again," Minos groaned, but followed them inside as it whirred to life. Dorian and Maeron looked up in time to see the train shoot off, and Dorian swore loudly, furious as Maeron sighed.

This won't be the last we see of the Elves, all of whom have changed drastically from when I first created them.

I hope you enjoyed it!

Please review!