Chapter 7: Love Hurts

The Phantom Ranger and his team crept through the halls of the palace, looking every which way for enemy soldiers. The Phantom Ranger lead the way, followed by Hayley and Calvin, with Sarah guarding the back. As they approached the entrance, The Phantom Ranger saw a familiar face.

"Cassie! She made it out!"

"Phantom, wait it might be-"

The Phantom Ranger ignored Calvin's warning, sprinting towards Cassie.

"Cassie, how-"

He was surprised when "Cassie" roundhouse kicked him in the stomach. Although his armor protected him, he stumbled back in shock.

"You-your not Cassie!"

"Gee, you think? What gave it away?"

The Ninja Steel Rangers ran up to him.

"Phantom, are you okay?"

"I'm fine, Hayley. That's not Cassie. Draven used a robotic doppleganger to trick me."

The robot smirked, eyeing her enemies as they raised their fists.

"Cute. You think you can stop me. Try this on for size!"

With a wave of her hand, dozens of robotic rangers appeared, weapons raised as she morphed into the Pink Space Ranger.

"Lets show these fools some girl power! Attack!"

"You heard them!"

"Right! Its Morphin Time! Ninja Spin!"

The four rangers charged, weapons clashing with their enemies.

The Phantom Ranger took on the Pink Space Ranger Robot, locked in hand to hand combat and equally matched.

"I don't know what that girl sees in you, honestly. All I see is a suit of armor."

"Shut up."

"I mean really, what kind of pleasure can you offer her? Has she even seen you unmorphed?"

"I am warning you."

"Face it, she's embarrassed by you. And who can blame her? All that's under your suit is a bag of lies and secrets."

"Stop talking."

"I hear Lord Draven is looking for a queen. Perhaps she'll find in him what you can't provide."

"I SAID SHUT UP!"

"Make me."

The robot attempted a roundhouse kick, only for The Phantom Ranger to block it, causing her to become unbalanced.

"As you wish."

He flipped her and released, causing the robot to spin to the ground before being pinned down.

Calvin, Hayley, and Sarah weren't fairing as well. Although their ninja training and abilities helped, The number of Ranger clones was becoming overwhelming. Calvin slashed a White Aquitar Ranger robot, only to be hit by an eagle sword from a Yellow Wild Force Ranger, falling to the ground.

"Calvin!"

This momentary distraction allowed a Blue Wind Ranger to get a surprise attack on Hayley, hitting with her sword multiple times at high speed and sending her to the ground, Sarah following soon after.

"These guys are tough. Time to bring in the big guns. Sarah, Hayley, cover me."

"You got it, Calvin! Metal Ninja Star, Lock In!"

"Water Power Star, Lock In!"

Before their enemies could charge, they were trapped within metal chains, struggling to move. While Sarah incapacitated their enemies, Sarah used her sword to send large waves of water at them, causing them to short circuit.

"Ninja Fusion Star, Locked in!"

With a swipe of the swords, the ranger robots were further ensnared by three energy blades, causing them pain when they tried to escape. With speed unsee, Calvin rushed his enemies, slashing and tearing at them with the five blades until they all exploded.

"Way to go Calvin!"

"Come on guys, we better go help Phantom."

When they found him, however, he was in a fit of rage. His opponent was already dead, but he didn't care. He continued to shoot its mangled body with his Phantom Laser, jolting it and sending chunks of metal and wires everywhere.

"Phantom, cool it! Its over, she's gone."

The Phantom Ranger snapped out of his rage and looked at his fallen opponent, or what was left of it. With a sigh, he put away his weapon.

"Sorry guys. I just... I just snapped."

Calvin placed a hand on his shoulder reassuringly.

"Its okay, man. We'll get her back, I promise."

"Right. Lets get moving."

With that, the four move forward into the fortress, keeping an eye out for reinforcements.