The Hellhound's Demon

Once Last Second Chance, Part II

RJ stared at Leanbow. "What do you mean she isn't here?" he asked. "She left a message with Rylie to have me meet her here. Where did she go?"

"I do not know," said Leanbow. "If Kali left a message for you to meet her here, then she will be here. As for where she is now, I'm sure wherever it is, or whatever she is doing, is particularly important. She would not just up and leave without telling anyone."

RJ sighed and run a hand through his hair. He didn't have time for Kali's games. He needed to figure out a way to save the other master's before it was too late. He had already lost his father, but he refused to take Master Swoop and Master Phant away from their families, too.

The Dragon's mouth opened and Leanbow smiled, indicating to something over RJ's shoulder. "Ah," he said. "Kali, you're here. Oh, and you've brought company."

Turning, RJ froze as he saw his father enter Root Core. "Dad?" he breathed, pushing away from the table, and approaching the older man. The pair embraced, and Kali smiled as she stood off to the side.

"RJ!" Master Finn beamed, hugging his son tightly.

Pulling away, RJ held his father at arm's length. "But... I don't..." he glanced at Kali. "I don't understand. How did you -?"

"Your father wasn't destroyed. He was trapped in the Crystal Eye," said Kali. "Didn't Rylie tell you?"

"She tried," said RJ sheepishly. "But I wouldn't listen. It didn't sound plausible, so I'm ashamed to say I stormed out."

Kali groaned and pinched the bridge of her nose. "Oh, RJ," she whined.

"I know. I know, I'm sorry," said RJ. "I'll apologise to Rylie later. But, first, tell me how you did this. If dad was in the Crystal Eye, how did you get him out? The Starlight has passed."

"I have a friend," said Kali. "Her abilities consist of Celestial powers, and she was able to recreate the starlight and bring your father back."

RJ smiled and pulled Kali into a hug. "Thank you!" he said. "I don't know how..."

"You don't have to repay me," said Kali, shaking her head and smiling. "We friends, RJ. Practically family."

RJ nodded. "Where are the others?" he asked. "They weren't at the loft."

"There was an attack on the city," said Kali. "Casey requested I stay behind and explain everything to you when you returned, and he's taken the others to, well, try and slow down the trouble."

"We should get out there."

Kali caught RJ's arm as he started for the Dragon's mouth. "We can't," she said. "We're still at a disadvantage. We can't fight two Spirit Rangers and a Phantom Beast alone. We need to help."

"What kind of help?" RJ asked.

"The Spirit kind," said Kali. "If we can save Master Swoop and Phant, we'd have three Spirit Rangers on our side. Our odds would triple, and we'd be able to stop whatever threat is terrorising Ocean Bluff."

RJ frowned. "But Phant and Swoop are at Dai Shi's temple, we can't get to them," he said, shaking his head.

"Not alone," said Kali. "But we can with help."

RJ looked from Kali to his father and back again. "No," he said, shaking his head. "No. He's been through enough. He should rest."

"RJ," said Finn, taking his son's arm. "Kali is right. Together, we can save the others. We know the way to the temple."

"But there are only three of us," said RJ, still unsure.

Kali raised an eyebrow and nodded at someone behind RJ. "I think you've miscounted," she said.