In Casey's dorm room, she was getting ready to go to bed while also typing on her computer. She sighed then looked down at her Spirit Changer, her memory of the day's events playing out in her mind. Casey sighed while also remembering the interaction she had with Ben.
Hours earlier
"Me? Oh I'm Benjamin Crane but I go by Ben. I'm the guy who's gonna answer your questions and help you all to become the best heroes you can be."The man now known as Ben said with a smirk while walking towards the group.
"Help us become the best heroes we can?",Axis questioned.
"That's what I said. Anyway, I assume you all have many questions.",Ben said, stopping three feet in front of the group.
"Hell yeah I do. First of all being why the heck did this Spirit Changer appear on my wrist and second being why was I dragged into this weird world?",Casey said while attempting to storm up to Ben, being held back by Paul B and Jason.
"You were chosen because you five have unique spirits that make you capable of fighting the Specters. Also you're all being targeted so it's a good idea for you to have some kind of defense."Ben said nonchalantly.
"Targeted? By who?",Jason asked.
"By some nasty Specters that are known as the Daemons."
"Why would these Daemons be targeting us when we don't know anything about them or in most of our cases, never heard of them till today.",Axis asked.
"Don't know that specifically but my guess is that they believe you all have the potential to be one of them, so they seek to turn you into Specters.",Ben explained, rather casually. The quintet gained worried expressions then Ben smiled before saying,"Don't worry though, since you guys can become Phantomrangers it'll be much harder for them to do so. Also I don't think they'd directly go after any of you because they are low in numbers."
Paul B stepped forward then said with a determined voice,"When can you start training us?"
Ben smiled then he said,"We can start tomorrow. I would do it today but you guys have fought a lot today so you need the rest. I'll come get you when I'm ready."
Present
Casey sighed then she said,"How is all this happening to me? I'm just a college student and not fit to be some kind of hero or Daemon."
Casey groaned in frustration then she looked at the Spirit Changer on her wrist,"Why did I get this stupid thing?" She took off her Spirit Changer and threw it into her trash can. Casey then laid down and closed her eyes to sleep.
{Intro song is Body Bag by Beartooth}
(One life, one decision) A light glides across a dark room before stopping on YellowPhantom and PinkPhantom.
(One life, one decision) A light glides across a dark room before stopping on BluePhantom and GreenPhantom.
(One life, one decision. Make sure it ends with you still living!) A light glides across a dark room before stopping on RedPhantom. RedPhantom then looked towards the screen before slashing it with his AgniBowblade.
(Music playing) The elements of the Phantomrangers dance around the screen while the Phantom Medals fall to the ground.
(1, 2, 1, 2, 3, go) The Phantom Medals hit the ground and revealed the words Spirit Sentai Phantomranger written in the elements and colors of each Phantomranger.
(How does it feel at the bottom of the barrel) Casey is in the library of her college with many papers scattered on the table in front of her. She then sighs and leans back in annoyance.
(All your friends don't care, no your friends don't care at all) Jason is at a skatepark failing to perform a trick and hurting himself. A group of people laughed at Jason and he hit the ground in frustration.
(How does it feel at the bottom of the barrel) Axis and Kizu are at their job finishing up cleaning when someone makes a big mess. Axis pinched the bridge of his nose while Kizu frowned.
(All your friends don't care, no your friends don't care at all) Paul B walked alone on the sidewalk, no one taking notice of him or acknowledging he was there.
(Rejected, rejected. You're never gonna be the one respected) Each Phantomranger is shown looking at their Spirit Changer with either sadness or unease.
(Infected, infected. This is the way that every life has ended) Each Phantomranger looked up to see Ben standing in front of them with a smirk.
(No, no! This life will swallow you whole!) Each Phantomranger gained determined looks before they all appeared side by side looking forward at three people.
(No, no! This life will swallow you whole!) The three people were revealed to be the androgynous woman, a man with black hair, and a woman with black hair with hot pink tips. The Phantomrangers readied themselves then put their Phantom medals into their Spirit Changers.
(If I could set the clocks back, I wouldn't be heading for a body bag) BluePhantom kicked two Husks then she shot three that were charging towards her. GreenPhantom flew around on his hoverboard, hitting several husks along the way.
(One life and one decision, make sure it ends with you still living) RedPhantom slashes two husks then shoots energy arrows at three husks that were about to attack both GreenPhantom and BluePhantom.
(Feel like I'm on the fast track to laying face down from a heart attack) YellowPhantom cut down several Husks then he punched one across the face. PinkPhantom kicked two Husks then he fell down and was about to be hit by a Husks. YellowPhantom moved to help PinkPhantom but couldn't due to having to fight another Husks
(One life and one decision, make sure it ends with you still living) RedPhantom slashed the Husks then helped PinkPhantom stand up. Yellow, Green, and BluePhantom regrouped with the two then the group looked forward.
(Make sure it ends with you still living) The androgynous woman and her companions stood in front of the group with an army of Husks behind them.
(Music plays) The Phantomrangers readied their weapons then charged at the army. The trio of villains charged at the Phantomrangers. RedPhantom then slashed at the trio.
(Make sure it ends with you still living!) The screen then shows the title Spirit Sentai Phantomranger in the Phantomrangers elements and colors.
In a different part of the city, the androgynous woman was walking on the sidewalk aimlessly. She then stopped and looked down an alley before walking down it. The woman stopped in the middle of the alley and said,"Jibun o akiraka ni suru." (Translation: Reveal yourself.)
A Caucasian man with short black hair then appeared leaning against the wall to the woman's right side. This man wore a red dress shirt with his sleeves rolled up to his elbows under a black vest, black slacks and black dress shoes. This man also had a cane in his hand that had a grip in the shape of a crow's head. The crow's head was silver with red jewels for eyes.
"Hello to you too, Kou. Lovely evening don't you think.",The man said while moving closer to the woman, now known as Kou. Kou scoffed then said,"Nande koko ni iru nda, kōbasu?" (Translation: Why are you here, Corvus?)
"Why I am here to help in our endeavor of course. Us Daemons need to bolster our ranks and the only way we can do that is by having more Specters be made and getting stronger. That's too much even for you to handle all alone.",Corvus said, his tone making Kou suspicious.
"Sore ga hontōda to shite mo, watashi wa anata ga anata ni rieki o motarasu koto o tomonawanai koto o suru koto o anata ni shinrai shimasen.",Kou said, crossing her arms. (Translation: Even if that's true, I don't trust you to do anything that doesn't involve you benefitting.)
Corvus chuckled, stopping two feet in front of Kou, revealing himself to be taller than her by half a head, then he said with a smirk and a rather ominous tone,"Well, at least you know me well."
It was then that another appeared behind Kou and Corvus, which caused both to turn around. The person that appeared was a beautiful woman that appeared mixed race . This woman had long pitched black hair that had streaks of hot pink in it and the iris of her eyes were hot pink in color. She wore a black t-shirt, blue skinny jeans, and black converse.
"Oh Xiya, nice of you to stop by.",Corvus said with a smile. The woman, now known as Xiya, looked at Corvus then said,"Hey Corvus, how are things in the land of sleazy business."
"They are wonderful, made four deals and all of them netted me great results.",Corvus said before having four different colored coins appear in his hand. Xiya nodded, then she looked at Kou,"What about you?"
"Watashi wa 3ttsu no supekutā o tsukuri, subete ga haiboku shimashita.",Kou said with some shame. (Translation: I made three Specters and all were defeated.)
"All of them were defeated? Was it that guy in red?",Xiya asked.
"Hai, demo kare wa hitoride wa arimasendeshita. Akai mono wa ima, kare ga kyō tassei shita chīmu o motte imasu.",Kou replied. (Translation: Yes, but he wasn't alone. The one in red now has a team, which attained today.)
"A team?! Now we have more pests to deal with?!",Xiya exclaimed with great annoyance.
"Now Xiya, let's not get too worked up over this. How many are on this team, Kou?",Corvus said calmly.
"Akai mono o fukumete itsutsu.",Kou replied. (Translation: Five including the red one.)
"Hmm, five people who are fighting Specters and I assume that they are using their own spirits to do so right?",Corvus said while gaining a look of intrigue. Kou nodded in response. Corvus smiled,"Then this can be advantageous if done correctly."
"What do you mean?",Xiya asked, crossing her arms.
"If we were to observe this team as they deal with any Specters we make, we could be looking at a Daemon to join our ranks. Though they'd need time to grow in strength.",Corvus said while walking towards a wall with a contemplative look.
"In that case, I'll go make a Specter to let this team start growing.",Xiya said before she disappeared from where she stood. Corvus smirked, then he looked at Kou and said,"Till we meet again." before opening a black and red portal behind himself and stepping into it. Kou simply put her hood over her head then walked out of the alley.
The next morning, Casey slowly awoke and she groggily looked at the clock on her bedside table to see that it was seven thirty in the morning. She grunted then laid her head back down before gaining a look of realization when she saw her Spirit Changer was back on her wrist. Casey raised an eyebrow then took off her Spirit Changer before throwing it in the trash once more. Casey's eyes then widened when the Spirit Changer appeared strapped to her wrist again.
Casey took off the Spirit Changer once more and threw it away again only to have it appear strapped to her wrist once again. Casey gasped then she groaned in annoyance.
Later on, Casey was finishing brushing her teeth when she heard a knock at her door. She gargled some mouthwash before spitting it out and walking to the door saying,"I'm coming."
Casey opened the door and she saw Paul B standing there with his usual smile. He waved while saying,"Yo."
"Paul, why are you at my door? Actually how do you know where my room is?"Casey asked.
"Because I also live here now.",Paul B said casually. Casey looked at Paul B inquisitively,"Did I hear you correctly?"
"Yeah, I live here with you now.",Paul B said with a smile while entering Casey's dorm, with Casey seeing him pulling a trunk behind him. Casey blinked with shock then she said while turning to Paul B,"How are you staying in my dorm? I thought you don't go to college?"
"I don't or more so I just live here but don't go to school.",Paul B said, placing his trunk near the bed that Casey never used.
"Then how are you permitted to live here?",Casey asked while walking over to Paul B. Paul B looked at Casey then said,"Because I work here now."
"You what?!"
"I work here. Mainly as a teacher's assistant but also just help out around campus. Already fixed two broken air conditioners and cleaned up three bathrooms.",Paul B said with his usual friendly tone. He then opened his trunk and began unpacking it. Casey just stared at the man with utter disbelief then she said,"Why the hell are you staying in my dorm if you work here?! Don't you have an apartment or somewhere else you could go?"
Paul B stopped to think then he nonchalantly said,"No not really?" while continuing what he was doing. Casey continued to stare at Paul B with stunned silence then she said,"Come with me."
"But I'm unpacking.",Paul B said. Casey, after putting on some sandals and a hoodie, grabbed Paul B by the wrist then she dragged him out of the room not even caring that she still wore her sleepwear (A brown tank top and black pajama pants that had pizza on them.)
Minutes later, Casey and Paul B sat outside an office with Casey having her fingers rubbing her temple as she said,"This can't be happening."
"What can't be happening?",Paul B asked.
"Everything you said is true. I have to share a dorm with you.",Casey replied. Paul B looked at Casey, raising his eyebrow but keeping his friendly manner,"I'm sensing that you don't like that I'm moving in with you."
"Of course I don't like that you're moving in with me. I live alone for a reason!",Casey said, her gaze immediately going to Paul B and causing the man to jump slightly.
"What's the reason?",Paul B asked. Casey glared at Paul B and he immediately said,"I'm going to stop asking questions."
"Thank you.",Casey said before sitting back in her seat and sighing. Paul B twiddled his fingers then he looked at Casey and said,"Ya know, having me as a roommate isn't all bad."
Casey turned her head to Paul B, raising an eyebrow with an uninterested expression.
"I say that because you and I now have the opportunity to become friends. Well more of an opportunity because ya know, we fight together as Phantomrangers.",Paul B explained.
"Ugh, don't remind me of that Phantomranger stuff.",Casey said while looking up at the ceiling.
"You sound like you're not too happy about being a Phantomranger.",Paul B said. Casey was about to reply but then she and Paul B disappeared from where they sat suddenly.
Casey and Paul B appeared in a backyard with both falling to the ground next to one another. They sat up then looked around, seeing Jason, Axis and Kizu sitting on the steps of a one story home that was fairly sized. Kizu looked at Paul B and Casey before saying,"Ā, pōru to kēshī wa koko ni imasu." (Translation: Oh, Paul and Casey are here.)
Paul B waved at the trio while saying,"Hey guys."
"How did we get here?",Casey asked. Ben walked into Casey and Paul B's sight then said,"That'd be my doing. Neat little trick isn't it?"
Paul B nodded while Casey just had a dumbfounded look. Ben smirked then he looked at the five youths before he said,"Now that everyone's here, we can start training."
"Training?",Casey questioned as she and Paul B stood up.
"I told you I'd make you all into heroes. Only way to do that is to train you.",Ben said. Casey grimaced while thinking,"Ugh, why is this happening to me?!"
To be continued…