A Shattered Destiny

Rescue's Cost

"You'll never control me again!" I spat at Venjix, my voice shaking but carrying a new fire amidst the fear and panic that gnawed at my insides. My heart raced, the adrenaline making it easier to push back against the terror that threatened to overwhelm me.

Venjix's metallic eyes narrowed, his voice dripping with malice. "You've always belonged to me. You can deny it, but deep down, you know it's true. And you always will." His words were laced with venom, each one a reminder of the torment he had inflicted on me before. He took a step closer, his presence oppressive, like a dark cloud that threatened to suffocate me.

I could feel my resolve wavering, his words cutting deep. But before Venjix could close the distance between us, the base's alarms blared, shattering the tense silence. The piercing sound echoed through the cold, sterile room, a sign that something—or someone—had breached the fortress. Drakkon's face twisted in irritation, his moment of triumph interrupted. "Blaze and Roxy, put Kali back in her cell, then come find me. Scrozzle, stay here with Venjix and make sure his new robot body is handling well," he ordered, his voice sharp and commanding. He shot me one last look of contempt before turning on his heel and rushing out of the room, leaving me to the mercy of his minions.

Robo-Blaze and Robo-Roxy moved toward me with mechanical precision, their glowing eyes cold and devoid of empathy. I barely had time to react before they unbound me from the chair, their metal hands like iron clamps around my arms. I winced as they gripped me, fresh pain shooting through my right arm where the wound had barely begun to clot. Blood seeped through my fingers as I clutched my arm to my body, desperately trying to slow the bleeding. But in the back of my mind, I knew it was futile. The damage had been done.

"Get up," Robo-Blaze commanded, his voice void of any emotion. He yanked me to my feet with little regard for my injuries, and I stumbled, barely managing to stay upright. My legs felt like jelly beneath me, weakened by the torture and blood loss.

Robo-Roxy smirked as she watched me struggle, a twisted sense of satisfaction in her eyes. "Still trying to fight, even when you know it's hopeless. How... predictable," she mocked, her tone dripping with condescension.

"Shut up," I muttered weakly, glaring at her through the haze of pain. "You're just another pawn in Drakkon's sick game. Neither of you are any better than the monsters you serve."

Robo-Roxy's smirk widened, clearly enjoying my defiance. "Keep telling yourself that, Ranger. But we both know how this ends."

They didn't give me a chance to respond. With a swift, almost robotic motion, they dragged me out of the room and down the dimly lit corridors. The cold metal walls seemed to close in on me as they pulled me along, each step sending sharp jolts of pain through my body. I fought to keep my head up, but the weight of exhaustion was becoming unbearable. As we neared the cell, I could feel my strength slipping away. My vision blurred, and the pain in my arm was a constant, throbbing agony. I wanted to fight back, to lash out, but my body wouldn't listen. I was too weak, too broken.

When we reached the cell, Robo-Blaze unceremoniously shoved me inside. I hit the cold, hard floor with a grunt, the impact sending fresh waves of pain through my already battered body. Robo-Roxy stood over me for a moment, her expression unreadable, before she stepped back and the door slammed shut with a resounding clang.

I lay there, gasping for breath, my vision swimming as I fought to stay conscious. The room was spinning, and the edges of my vision darkened. But even in my weakened state, I could still hear Venjix's voice echoing in my mind, his final words a cruel reminder of the hell I was trapped in. I squeezed my eyes shut, trying to block out his voice, but it was no use. After a few minutes, I heard the lock on the cell door being fidgeted before finally coming off and a figure stepped inside. I braced myself, tensing up expecting Venjix or Scrozzle when I heard a familiar, comforting voice.