A Shattered Destiny

Defeat

Joel, despite his injuries, managed to help as well, using whatever strength he had left to fend off the guards. "Thanks," he panted, looking at me with a mixture of gratitude and determination.

"We're Rangers, which means we're a team," I replied, smiling briefly before focusing on the fight.

Drakkon watched us with a mixture of rage and disbelief. "You think you can escape? You're fools!"

"We'll never give up," Jason shot back, his voice filled with unwavering conviction. With a final, coordinated effort, we managed to take down the last of the guards.

"Now, let's get out of here," I said, helping Joel to his feet. As we made our way towards the exit, more guards suddenly appeared, swarming us. They overwhelmed Jason and me, their sheer numbers proving too much to handle. I struggled against the onslaught, but there were too many.

Drakkon strode through the chaos, his presence commanding and terrifying. He grabbed Joel by the throat, lifting him off the ground effortlessly. "You've made a grave mistake," he said coldly. "And now you'll pay for it."

"Let him go!" I screamed, trying to break free from the guards holding me. Drakkon ignored me, his eyes locked on Joel.

"This is your fault, Kali," he said, his voice dripping with venom. "You chose to betray me, and now you will watch your friend die."

"No! Please!" I pleaded, my heart pounding in my chest. "Don't do this!"

Drakkon's smile was cruel as he drew the Dragon Dagger. "Goodbye, Ranger."

In a swift, brutal motion, he plunged the dagger into Joel's chest. Joel's eyes widened in shock and pain, a strangled cry escaping his lips. Drakkon twisted the dagger mercilessly, blood pouring from the wound. Joel's body convulsed, his breaths becoming ragged gasps.

"Stop! Please stop!" I screamed, tears streaming down my face. Drakkon didn't relent. He withdrew the dagger only to stab Joel again, and again, each strike more savage than the last. Joel's body jerked with each blow, his blood splattering across the floor. His eyes, once full of defiance, grew dim, the light fading from them as life ebbed away.

"NO!" Jason roared, struggling against the guards with renewed fury, but it was too late. Joel's body went limp, hanging lifelessly from Drakkon's grasp. Drakkon released Joel, letting his body crumple to the ground.

He looked at me with a twisted satisfaction. "This is your doing, Kali. Remember that."

I fell to my knees, my entire body trembling with grief and rage. "I'll kill you," I whispered, my voice broken. "I'll kill you for this."

Drakkon only laughed, the sound echoing through the fortress. "You're welcome to try, daughter. But you'll fail, just like your friend."

"Fine, if that's how it's gotta be," I replied, anger surging through me as I clenched my fists. "It's Morphin' Time! Activate Wolf Power!"

Drakkon had one advantage against me—he wasn't hurt. His movements were fluid and powerful, a stark contrast to my own, which were hindered by lingering cuts and bruises from earlier. Despite my injuries, I fought as hard as I could, my body and spirit fueled by the need to avenge Joel and stop this madman. Jason was by my side, and together, we managed to hold our ground, our strikes and counters perfectly synchronized.

But Drakkon was relentless. His blows were powerful and precise, each one pushing us closer to the edge. With a brutal strike, he sent Jason crashing into a wall. "Jason!" I screamed, my voice breaking with worry. There was no response, only a painful silence.

"Your reign of terror ends now, Drakkon!" I yelled, charging at him with everything I had. The fight was brutal, every moment a desperate struggle. Drakkon had the upper hand, his strength and endurance outmatching mine. Exhaustion and pain were beginning to take their toll. With a swift move, Drakkon grabbed me by the throat and tossed me to the ground, my body hitting the floor with a sickening thud. I demorphed, the energy leaving my body in a painful rush.