Back at the lab, the Rangers had a running comm feed coming from the battle and they heard Joel's protests. Carter turned to Tommy.
"Is there any way to transfer my energy to him? He needs it more than I do right now."
"Yes. Give me your morpher." Tommy turned to his computer and held his hand out to Carter.
"No. Take mine." Chad said, handing over his morpher. "He can meld his Battle Armor with mine for more power."
Carter nodded and Tommy jacked Chad's morpher into the computer. Blue sparks flew out of the morpher and into the screen.
"More power coming to you, Joel!" Tommy called into the communicator.
* * *
Joel knew that Damon couldn't beat Ugly on his own just as he hadn't been able to do it alone either. So as soon as he got Chad's energy, he jumped into action.
"Lightspeed Rescue!" he shouted and morphed. "Mega Battle Armor, combine!" he ordered, hoping his gamble would pay off and he would be able to use Chad's energy to utilize both sets of Mega Battle Armor. Moments later, he held a water cannon in his left hand and his saw in his right. Then he waded into the battle, ready to do his worst.
* * *
"Bring me the yellow Space Ranger and the other girl we caught—the one who wore the Pink Galaxy Ranger uniform for a while. These boys need a lesson in pain." The Overlord ordered and his minions rushed to do his bidding.
When Ashley and Karone were brought in moments later, both were struggling to get free.
"Why are you doing this?" Ashley cried. "What do you want with us?"
"Because I can, my dear. Your beloved male Rangers are fighting a losing battle just outside my fortress but they will never breach the doors. However, I am going to offer you your freedom for one of them. Give me a name and I will get him here. He will die but both of you will live. You have one minute to decide on a name."
Karone turned to Ashley. "We can get out of here, Ash! You know those guys would sacrifice themselves for us a hundred times over! Just one name, Ashley."
Ashley gaped at her. "You would sell out a fellow Ranger for your life? What are you thinking? How about Zhane, huh? You'd trade his life for yours? No, Karone. We are not doing this."
Karone nodded slowly. "Yes, I see. You're right, of course. I was just…I'm sorry." She turned to the Overlord. "You'll have to kill us."
The Overlord grinned and raised a gun. "Oh, I will. But first, you fight." He pulled the trigger and two tiny darts shot out and hit the girls, knocking them out and to the ground.
When they woke up, they were in a large room. "What's going on?" Karone asked. Ashley shrugged.
"This is a fight to the death. You two will face two of mine. If you win, I let you go. If you lose…well, you lose. Ready? Fight!" the Overlord commanded.
Karone and Ashley stood back to back as a door opened and two figures stepped in. They were the ugliest monsters Ashley had ever seen. One looked like a green pig with large pink ears. The other was like hardened lava and his arms looked like saws.
"Should we go on the offensive?" Karone whispered.
"Yeah." Ashley replied and backflipped away, bounding towards Piggy. She back-handspringed over the monster's head and landed on her feet, already spinning into a high kick.
Karone's opponent met her head-on with a headbutt and the fight was on.
* * *
The computer dinged and Dillon groaned. "Ok. Even I know that's a bad sound. What's going on now?"
"Another video." Tommy said quietly.
Carter clenched his fists. "Play it."
The screen flickered to life and Andros slumped back in his seat. Zhane covered his face with his hands. "Ah, no. Not Ashley." Andros whispered. Sure enough, there were Karone and Ashley standing in a large arena.
Suddenly, the Overlord's voice could be heard. "-you lose…well, you lose. Ready? Fight!"
Then, the Rangers amazement grew. Stepping now into the arena were Kendrix and Dana. Both looked confused; their eyes narrowed as they caught sight of Karone and Ashley.
"Should we go on the offensive?" Karone asked.
Andros watched, mouth open, as Ashley responded "Yes" and launched into an attack against Kendrix. He was even more surprised when Kendrix rolled under the attack, came up in a crouch and leapt at Ashley, driving her to the ground with a flying tackle.
"What is she doing?" Leo shouted, leaping to his feet. "Why are they fighting each other?"
"I don't know. But they're fighting to the death." Ryan groaned as Karone snapped a kick into Dana's gut, causing the Lightspeed Ranger to double over, at which point Karone slammed her fist into Dana's neck.
"Dana!" Carter yelled, tears spilling from his eyes, sure he was watching his beloved die right before his eyes.
"We have to do something!" Eric shouted.
Dana was back on her feet now and pushing Karone onto the defensive. Kendrix was slowing, a long gash marring her face and her left leg dragging behind her. She backed towards Dana and the two pink Rangers stood back-to-back, waiting for their opponents to make a move.
"Ashley…Karone…" Andros whispered.
Author's Note: Read and Review please!!!