MASTER MAO
Master Mao - Nathaniel Lees
We are the vision in your dreams. We do not exist, yet we have been here since the beginning. We are the Pai Zhug, the Order of the Claw. We train only the best. both physically and mentally, swearing them to secrecy. All Master of their skills. Never knowing their true purpose until now.
Master Mao is in charge of the Pai Zhug, the Order of the Claw. He has train students for several years. Master Mao had six students mediate overnight. The following day, Master Mao was ready. He came forward and the six students, which included Lily, Theo, and Jarrod, all stood up and bowed. Master Mao: You are the six finalists. I'm looking for three. The six students were pair off to battle each other. Master Mao watched all three matches intently, not missing a thing. Lily defeated her opponent with the help of her animal spirit the cheetah. Theo won his match as well with his animal spirit the jaguar. Jarrod and his opponent were still battling. Jarrod had knocked his opponent to the ground. Jarrod's opponent had given the signal that he had surrender. Jarrod laughed and not needing to, but went ahead and used his lion spirit to hurt his opponent more. Jarrod was going to continue until he heard Master Mao's voice. Master Mao: Jarrod! Lily! Theo! Join us in the great hall this evening. Lily and Theo were thrilled. Lily: Yes! Master Mao started to walk away, but kept an eye on the students even so. Jarrod was pleased as well, but quickly became irritated when he didn't get his towel. Jarrod: Where's my towel cub? The cub was a young boy and clearly frighten of the angry Jarrod. Jarrod continue to berate the cub until an apprentice, Casey, step forward and offered Jarrod a towel. Jarrod glared at him. Casey quickly told Jarrod that he didn't want to cause any trouble. Jarrod remarked that it was too late and pushed Casey to the ground. Jarrod taunted Casey until Casey became angry. Casey, to his surprise, release his animal spirit the tiger. It was fierce enough to send Jarrod flying and he landed on the ground hard. Jarrod was extremely angry as he stood up and was ready to battle Casey. Master Mao gave a single clap. Jarrod stopped, faced his master and gave him a small bow. Master Mao knew what he had to do. Later, Theo, Casey, and Lily were all waiting when Master Mao arrived. He told the three students to follow him. They all entered a room. Master Mao told them it was the forbidden room. Master Mao told the three students that Jarrod had been dismissed, in their hearts they know why. Master Mao told Casey that he had the heart to stand up for others and believe he would be a great tiger master, which is why he had chosen Casey in place of Jarrod. Master Mao then gave them the history of the Order of the Claw. Master Mao told them over ten thousand years ago, there was a great evil called Dai Shi. Dai Shi believed that animals should rule the planet and humans should be erase. Brave warriors channeled their animal spirits and after a great battle, they captured Dai Shi in a ornate box, that Master Mao now held in his hands. Master Mao raised his arm and showed the mark that was of the Order of the Claw. Master Mao continued by telling them that Pai Zhug was formed to train students in kung fu and to serve as protectors in case the evil escapes. Casey immediately stated that since no evil had escape, there was no need for them. Just then Jarrod storm down the stairs. Jarrod was very angry, he had spent ten years training. Jarrod yelled at Master Mao that he could not dismiss him without reason. Master Mao told him he had a reason. Master Mao had turned his back when Jarrod began his attack. Master Mao easily defeated the young man and told him to go. Jarrod made as if he was going to leave, but then turned around and release his lion spirit. Master Mao was knocked to the ground and he dropped the box. The box opened. At first nothing happened, but that quickly changed. Dai Shi emerged from the box, knocking all of them to the floor. Dai Shi faced Master Mao. Dai Shi was eager to destroy Master Mao and he figure the best way was to first destroy what he cared about, his students. Jarrod had slipped away, but Theo, Casey, and Lily faced the menacing Dai Shi. Master Mao quickly stood up and battled Dai Shi, instead of letting harm come to his students. The Dai Shi defeated Master Mao. Master Mao landed hard on a stone table. Dai Shi decided the three students were not worth his time and left. Casey, Lily, and Theo gathered around Master Mo. Master Mao told them his time in this form had ended and tells them to shed no tears. There are important things to do. The evil that is Dai Shi will return to where he was captured, you must destroy him. Master Mao gives them an envelop and tells them they must go to Ocean Bluff, that is where their new Master is. Lily doesn't' want a new Master. Master Mao gently tells Lily to remember the first rule, don't be attached to the Master, but to the lesson. Casey protests that he is not ready. He hasn't even learned how to deal with towels. Master Mao becomes a little angry and tells them they are the world's only chance. Master Mao then turns into streams of lights and heads upward.
Master Mao kept an eye on the teens. The Rangers were battling Mantor, and Mantor had grown to giant size. The Rangers had no idea what to do and ran for it. Mantor came after them. Master Mao struck Mantor and sent him flying. Master Mao then surrounded the Rangers with light and transported them out of danger. They landed in another part of the city. The three Rangers demorph and they were happy to see Master Mao, although a little confused. Master Mao tells them the spirit of the Pai Zhug can never be destroyed and he will be watching over them. Casey remarks that answers his first question. Casey wants to know how Mantor grew to giant size. Master Mao tells them it's an advance level battle technique. They must battle at that level. Lily tells Master Mao they would love to, but he has never taught them that technique. Master Mao reminds them they have a new master now, he must teach them the technique. Master Mao then vanishes in a stream of light. The teens are surprised, especially Theo. Master Mao had been the one to teach Theo how to use the tonfa, and Theo was now an expert at it.
Master Mao appeared in the Forbidden Room. Theo, Lily, and Casey were there and they were thrilled to see him. The teens tells him what had happened to RJ, which Master Mao already knew. (RJ had been taken by Dai Shi in exchange for his students.) Earlier the teens had noticed the stone cravings of three additional Master and asks about them. Master Mao tells them they reside in the spirit realm. The teens want to go there. Master Mao feels it is too dangerous. No one has ever returned from the spirit realm. The teens insist, it's the only way to help RJ. Reluctantly, Master Mao finally agrees. Master Mao uses his power and a portal to the spirit realm is opened. The teens enter and they all vanish.
Dai Shi had been trying to harness the Zocato power, and had failed. Dai Shi was in the woods. Master Mao started calling out to Jarrod. Dai Shi looked around and Master Mao appeared. Master Mao spoke to Jarrod, telling him to get off the path of evil. Dai Shi told him there was no Jarrod, and that he was Dai Shi. Master Mao step closer to Dai Shi. Master Mao tells him the bond between the human and his animal spirit is a strong bond that no one can break. Not even Dai Shi can break such a nexus. Master Mao then vanishes.
Dominic was having a dream/memory about his last day at Pai Zhug and involved Master Mao. Master Mao and Dominic stood facing each other. Master Mao gave a dagger to Dominic. Master Mao: Take this on your journey. This is a control dagger. Someday, it will help guide you on the path to your destiny. Keep it safe.
Casey was determined to help save Jarrod from Dai Shi. Master Mao was aware of what Casey was trying to do. Casey was racing through the woods to reach the temple. Master Mao appeared in front of him. Master Mao told Casey he need what he was attempting to do, but it was too late. Jarrod on been lead on the dark path for too long. Casey insisted there was some good still left in Jarrod, that he hadn't always been bad. Master Mao agreed this was true, but even he could not reach him. Master Mao told Casey that he had the spirit of the tiger, but his heart was leading him astray. Master Mao also told Casey that he knew Jarrod's heart was not pure. Casey remark that maybe Jarrod had been too lonely and there had been nothing to fill in. Master Mao also wondered if Casey was doing this because he felt guilty. Casey admitted that if he hadn't come to the academy, than he and Jarrod wouldn't have fault, Jarrod wouldn't have been kicked out and Jarrod wouldn't have released Dai Shi. Casey thanked Master Mao for all that he had done, but he was still determined, even when Master Mao reminded him that he would most likely be destroyed. Casey walked through Master Mao. Master Mao became angry and yelled at Casey whether he was doing this to save Jarrod or redeem himself. Casey didn't answer, but couldn't on his path. Master Mao vanished. Casey would be successful in helping Jarrod to separate from Dai Shi.
Dai Shi and Jarrod had separated. Dai Shi had sent his last General, General Scorch into the city with numerous Rinshi to stir up fear. Despite the Rangers and Masters Phant, Swoop, and Finn trying to stop him. Dai Shi had enough fear to open the portal to the spirit world. Now all of his former warriors, The Five Fingers of Poison, Jellica, Grizzaka, Carnisoar, General Scorch, General Snapper, the Phantom Beast Warriors, numerous Rinshi, and the two Stone Warriors are back. The Rangers and the three Masters battle, but it is not enough. Suddenly several of the villains are knocked off their feet. Masters Mao, Guin, Rilla, and Lope have arrive. When Dai Shi opened the portal, it allowed them to enter as well. The Rangers race over to greet them. Master Mao tells them they wouldn't have miss this battle for the world. The Rangers stand aside as Master Mao and the rest of the Masters battle together against Dai Shi's warriors. Master Mao battles several Rinshi. Master Lope battles Dynamir. Master Guin battles Lepus. Masters Mao, Lope, Phant, Guin, Rilla, Swoop, and Finn go into the highest level animal spirits. Having achieved this, the seven Masters destroy Dai Shi's warriors. Dai Shi then takes their spirits from them and turns into his final form - a dragon. The Rangers race over to make sure the Masters are okay. When the Rangers look up they see Dai Shi's new form. Dai Shi laughs at the frighten group. The Masters and the Rangers have a tough time against Dai Shi, as he easily blasts them off their feet. Dai Shi decides he will take his revenge on Red Ranger first and goes after him. Blue Ranger and Yellow Ranger race forward to help their friend. They are about to blasted by Dai Shi, when suddenly Dai Shi's blows are deflected. It is Camille, in her chameleon armor. Camille tells them she wants to help. Wolf Ranger and Rhino Ranger form two of the Megazords and they battle Dai Shi with the Megazords. Despite their best efforts, Dai Shi defeats them. Wolf Ranger and Rhino Ranger are ejected from their Megazords, hit the ground and demorph. The Rangers need to weaken Dai Shi. Jarrod arrives and is ready to weaken Dai Shi. Jarrod dons his armor and confronts Dai Shi. Dai Shi swallows him and it does make Dai Shi weaker. Master Mao tells them only the chosen protectors can destroy Dai Shi. Blue Ranger, Yellow Ranger, and Red Ranger demorph. Theo, Lily, and Casey use their energy to summon a higher level than ever achieve by student or Master. A powerful ball of energy is directed towards Dai Shi and Dai Shi is destroyed. With Dai Shi's destruction, the animal spirits are return to Master Mao and the rest of the Masters. Everyone is joyful and there is a lot of hugging. In the midst of the celebration, Jarrod, still in his armor, hits the ground. Jarrod loses his armor. Camille is concern and races over and asks him if he is okay. Jarrod, with a smile, tells Camille that he is better than okay, he is good. Casey becomes a Master at the Pai Zhug academy. Master Mao watches Casey teaching a class of beginners the tiger technique. Master Mao is unseen, but he is very pleased. Jarrod and Camille are in Casey's beginner's class. A younger kid asks Jarrod and Camille if they aren't a little too old to be in a beginner's class. Jarrod smiles and tells him it's never too late to start over. Camille adds so true. Casey has to leave and asks Jarrod to continue teaching the class. Jarrod gets Casey a towel, which brings another smile to Master Mao. Jarrod begins teaching the students the lion technique, telling them the lion has a big heart. Master Mao knows the Pai Zhug academy is in good hands and vanishes quietly.
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