POWER RANGERS MYTHIC KNIGHTS
EPISODE 26: Epiphany
WRITTEN BY ZAK KAYES
EDITED BY JOEY TURNER AND JULIE WELCH

(KNIGHT RANGER BASE. 11:32 AM.)

(Sleep. Sleep was what Alexis truly needed. Every night it seemed to escape her as she skimmed through her spell books, spending hours trying to perfect her usual spells. Perfect what can be perfected she would often say to herself. But to her surprise, she didn't wake up early this time…she woke up at least two hours later than usual. But why? For the first time in nearly 4 months, she had gotten the correct amount of hours of sleep. She cursed herself as she shifted under the covers…noting the absence of clothes. Her eyes, adjusting to the dim light in the room, made her sit up. When her eyes did adjust, they widened.)

ALEXIS: …this isn't my room. Why am I in JT's room?

(She looked around and her mind began racing to put together the events that had lead up to this point. Spotting her clothes, she reached for them and stopped, noticing they were in a neatly folded pile…next to JT's. She quickly turned but found she was the only one in the bed.)

ALEXIS: …strange, JT is usually not awake until 1. I'm always awake before him.

(She quickly got out of bed and grabbed her clothes, slipping them back on and putting her wand in her skirt pocket. )

ALEXIS: Now let's see…there was the tour of Kherick Industries, punching Drake in the face… (She smirked inwardly at that.) JT and I in the woods…

(She began to blush and giggled lightly but her giggling soon stopped when she sniffed something…unusual. She walked over to the trashcan by JT's nightstand and spotted something that nearly made her blood turn cold.)

ALEXIS: …that's not what I think is it. PLEASE don't let it be… (She peered in further and stepped back.) …it is….and we did. We…oh… (Then the events began to flood back into her mind, every sweet caress, every gentle kiss, every movement.) …we did.

(Her face was brighter than ever and she was about ready to go downstairs and find JT but she couldn't move. For months, the two of them had gone from allies to friends to close friends. She was certain that she was just as close to JT as Vance was and that he genuinely wanted to be with her. It was no secret JT was attracted to her but only until recently had she opened herself up to him that things became much more heated, like a shield had been lowered. She had lowered her shield to JT and in doing so…they shared their first time together. She finally found enough strength to go to the door and open it lightly but she paused. What if she bumped into JT again? What would she say? What would happen between them? What would the others say? All of this, she knew, was overwhelming but she smirked. She had handled much tougher situations so this would be a piece of cake, right?)

ALEXIS: …okay maybe not. (She poked her head out and she raised an eyebrow when she heard music coming from downstairs.) …since when do they play music this early?

(Fixing her vest over her tank top, she stretched and went down the hallway to find the source of the noise. When she reached the railing by the stairs, what she saw she wasn't expecting. She was fine with Curtis installing the flat screen TV in the living room, along with the few video game consoles. She didn't really play with the others, she preferred to watch. She was more of an observer anyway, especially with JT when she read some of his comics or…ugh, she needed to stop thinking about this. What she saw made both her eyebrows go up: Vance, JT, Gale, and Curtis were…dancing? And JT was wearing a disco afro?)

ALEXIS: Why on earth are they dancing? (She looked to the screen and then to the case lying on the table: Just Dance 4.) Ah so that must be the new game they got.

SONDRE: You're awake too?

(Alexis nearly jumped and turned her head to see Sondre beside her, leaning over watching the four of them dance to Moves Like Jagger by Maroon 5.)

ALEXIS: Yeah.

SONDRE: …I don't see bags under your eyes anymore.

ALEXIS: Really?

SONDRE: I'm guessing you finally got some sleep last night.

ALEXIS: It would seem so. Do you sleep?

SONDRE: …sometimes. (He watched the four of them and smirked) They look like they're having fun.

ALEXIS: Yeah… (She smiled)

SONDRE (He chuckled): It's rare to see you smile Alexis.

ALEXIS: Come on I'm not that ice cold all the time, that's your job. No offense.

SONDRE: None taken.

(The four finished their dance off in the game and waited for the results. Vance and JT looked spent and looked like they were about to fall over, except for Gale who was holding onto Curtis.)

CURTIS: Oh come on, you guys are spent already?

VANCE: This is like what, best 3 out of 5? I was spent on the second dance!

JT: Too….much…. dancing... heart…. exploding from funk!

VANCE (He eyed JT's afro wig): ….we didn't even do disco songs, take that wig off, boy.

JT: NEVER! (Vance just swiped the wig and tossed it away) …wig hater.

GALE: Well let's see who got the best score now. That's…Curtis with 16,321, first place baby!

CURTIS: But of course. (He smirked.)

GALE: Me with 15,331 points…JT with 14,868 points…

VANCE: What!?

GALE: And Vancey with 14,764 points!

JT: Woahwoahwoah! You mean…I got more points than Vance? HA! Looks like the FIRE has been doused by….

VANCE (He grumbled under his breath): I swear to god if he says it I'm gonna….

JT: DA THUNDA! (Vance just groaned)

CURTIS: Well that's a first. And guess who has to pay for milkshakes AND a movie?

VANCE (he grumbled): How is it that Jack has more rhythm then me?

JT: Uhh…if you haven't forgotten, my grandma's a fitness nut so how else does one get so incredibly limber, and have such physically fit butt cheeks?

VANCE: Well back in middle school, you would have given up after the first song.

JT: S-…shut up! I beat ya by 122 points.

VANCE: And who destroyed you at Guitar Hero last night?

JT: Oye, you cheated! You gave me the derpy controller!

VANCE: Aww you're just mad because we're even now!

(He pat JT's head but JT grabbed his hand and tried to flip him. Vance was quicker and caught himself in the flip, flipping back and getting JT in an arm lock on the couch.)

CURTIS: Alright you two, knock it off.

VANCE: Come on, who's got the moves?

JT: I ain't sayin nothing!

VANCE (He began to noogie JT): Who can easily kick your ass in a fight?

JT: Alright, alright! Vance is the ultimate ass kicker!

VANCE: Aaaaand?

JT: And Vance is wise and all knowing and does NOT have a stupid haircut!

VANCE: Aaaaaaand?

JT: …AND JT LIKES THE USE OF HIS ARMS AND HIS HEAD TO NOT BE NOOGIED UPON!

VANCE: You forgot about me being awesome at the guitar.

JT (Normally): Eh, well I wouldn't say you're AWESOME at it it's more of a… (Vance pulled JT's arm even harder.) OK, YOU IS THE ULTIMATE GUITAR LORD!

ALEXIS (She rolled her eyes and chuckled.): WelI better stop before things get out of hand.

TERRETTO: Ahem.

(The four turned to see Terretto walking out of his room with Sondre and Alexis walking down the steps. JT looked up to see Alexis and both of their eyes met, both smiling in return.)

TERRETTO: Would you kindly explain why there is such loud…pop culture music this early in the morning? On a Friday morning no less?

CURTIS: If I may, I can argue that is a great tool for physical exercise.

TERRETTO: …explain?

CURTIS: Well as you can see with Vance and JT, dancing is a great source of exercise. You have to keep your body constantly moving and that helps keep the blood pumping. Plus it helps build up a sweat, burns a few calories, it's fun to do, and it's amusing to watch people who have no rhythm try to dance.

(Both Vance and JT stuck their tongues at Curtis.)

TERRETTO: …I see. You make valid points.

SONDRE: We have training to do, don't forget.

CURTIS: We didn't. But maybe we might do it right now if you say—

SONDRE: No.

CURTIS: You didn't even hear what I had to say.

SONDRE: I didn't need to.

GALE: Aww come on. Please?

SONDRE: …I'll pass.

JT: Oh come on mister shadow man, be a good sport!

(He clutched onto Sondre's cheeks and tried to form them into a smile, but Sondre just slapped his hands away. Sondre began heading to the door but paused. A second later, Gale suddenly put her hand on her head, letting out a grunt.)

VANCE: You alright Gale?

SONDRE: You felt that too, yes?

GALE: Y-yeah it was very strong.

ALEXIS: What was?

TERRETTO: You both sensed a disturbance? Where?

(Before Sondre or Gale could speak, they heard a loud sound in the distance, very similar to an explosion. Vance was about to speak until the whole base began to rumble, the aftermaths of the explosion being felt through the area. Thankfully, no one had fallen over but a loose ceiling tile had fallen on JT's head. Terretto walked over to the crystal ball, trying to find the source of the explosion.)

CURTIS: What the hell just happened?!

ALEXIS: That must have been an explosion. Judging by the force, it's nearby.

TERRETTO: Yes. It's in West Meadowbrough. There is too much fog to tell what's happened.

VANCE: Let's go then. We'll morph on the way there.

(The others nodded and quickly followed Vance to the garage. Terretto looked into the crystal ball and as the fog began to disperse, his eyes widened.)

TERRETTO: …no…

(WEST MEADOWBROUGH)

(6 Jet Streamers soared through the sky and landed in front of the mysterious fog that had enveloped an area of the town.)

GALE: Well, here's the source.

JT: You're sure?

SONDRE: Positive.

VANCE: I can't see anything past this fog.

ALEXIS: Leave it to me.

(She raised her Master Wand and pointed it at the fog and made the tip glow ice blue, slowly dispersing the fog. When the fog was gone, everyone stared in disbelief. Whatever was in the fog was gone. The explosion had consumed almost everything in its path…more importantly it had obliterated a building: The West Meadowbrough High School.)

CURTIS: No…

ALEXIS: This is an illusion. This has to be.

(Vance stepped forward, looking around cautiously.)

VANCE: It's gone.

SONDRE: …unfortunately…

JT: Okay, I know summer is a time for pranksters…. BUT COME ON! This is 12 types of extreme!

(The six slowly approached the ruins and Vance nearly jumped when small red orbs began to rise from the ground.)

ALEXIS: What the-!?

GALE: …souls.

JT (He noticed one of the souls): Hey isn't that… Peter?

CURTIS: Somebody did this for a reason.

VANCE: And whoever they are, THEY BETTER SHOW THEMSELVES NOW! NO ONE GETS AWAY WITH DOING THIS!

(There was silence until an eerie laughter began to fill the air. The Knights quickly regrouped and summoned their weapons. Slashing sounds were heard as dark red lines began to draw themselves into the ground. The Knights raced to the parking lot, watching this all happen as hundreds of souls rose up from the ground and began swirling by the middle of the circle.)

SONDRE: …no. That's impossible!

VANCE (He turned to look at Sondre): …you don't think?

SONDRE: …he's returned.

(The laughter from before picked up as dark red thunder struck the circle, causing a mini explosion in the ground and there, in the middle of the circle, rising up like a demon from hell…was a man in a black and red open hooded robe, carrying a very familiar sword. His hair had grown out down to his neck and he wore an amulet around it that pulsated with dark red energy. He wore a dark tunic, his pants were of dark leather, and his dark boots pulsating with energy, this figure was familiar yet not familiar at the same time. Kneeled before the Knights, he slowly stood with his head down at first. The Knights stood in silence, feeling fear course through their blood as the man pulled back the hood, staring down the Knights.)

ARCANA: Hello Mythic Knights…have you missed me?

(OPENING CREDITS)

(The Knights stared in silence but both Vance and Sondre were the first to step up.)

SONDRE: You cannot possibly be here. Last I saw you; you were trapped in your little sword in a rock on a cliff.

ARCANA (he chuckled lightly): And you really believed that I would bow down to you because you asked me? Come now Sondre, what do you take me for?

SONDRE: A manipulative, heartless, maniacal, opportunistic, mastermind that I should have killed when I had the chance!

ARCANA (He gasped): Such words, do you hope to hurt me with them? (He smirked.) And yet you didn't finish me. You thought you could just cast me away and pray never to see me again? I'm sorry to say dear boy that your assumptions have led to- (He turned around for a moment) -this: my latest masterpiece. Well…technically not ALL mine.

GALE: What are you talking about?

ALEXIS: Of course…your new Black Knight. You won't find someone as powerful as Sondre to control the Cursed Blade!

ARCANA: Exactly.

ALEXIS: …wait what?

ARCANA: It's true. Sondre is perhaps the finest Black Knight I ever trained but alas, all good things must come to an end.

SONDRE: And it ended for the better.

ARCANA: So much for your checkmate. This game will continue as written but I think you will be intrigued to see who I have found now. He's…so young and full of anger and within him lays untamed rage and frustration that can be channeled to create a powerful destroyer.

VANCE: Well then, where is he?

ARCANA: In due time, Red Knight…and at last we meet. I believe you're the only one I haven't met. The Blue, Yellow, and White…certainly know how to entertain.

JT: …why thank you! You see that's the thing about this guy, he's got good manners for a psychotic killing machine and…WAIT A MINUTE; I'm still pissed at you!

ARCANA: Aww, what a shame. The Green one, oh I remember her very well. My apprentice trained you well Freya.

GALE: Be thankful you didn't say her name…I don't give a damn about Ziara.

ARCANA: And…I'm sure the feeling is mutual.

VANCE: Enough talk. My friends beat you once; we can all beat you again.

ARCANA: You think so? I would not advise it. This Blade has absorbed the souls of everyone in this building and with the…extensive training between the Black Knight and I; I'd rather not destroy you all. Not yet. THAT is for my newest apprentice.

(Arcana raised his hand and snapped his finger, summoning a portal that a figure walked through in Arcana's old outfit, hood up and head down. The others were curious as to the Black Knight's identity and Vance, JT, Alexis, and Curtis nearly had a heart attack when the hood was pulled back…revealing QUINTIN WEST!)

ARCANA: You know what to do, my apprentice. Don't destroy them, not yet. Show them the power of the Black Knight.

QUINTIN: Yes, my master.

JT (Completely frozen): ….no.

(Arcana summoned a portal and smirked.)

ARCANA: Until we meet again, Knights.

(Arcana stepped through the portal leaving the Knights with Quintin. Alexis looked to see JT frozen and quickly snapped him out of it.)

QUINTIN: Now…to take care of the pest problem.

GALE: Who are you?

QUINTIN: It doesn't matter. Nothing does. The old me died in that explosion. You're looking at the new Quintin West, the new Black Knight!

SONDRE: Whatever Arcana has promised you, do not believe him. That Blade changes people, messes up their psyche…it becomes an addiction that you can't get rid of.

QUINTIN: And you think because I look so young, act so young, that' I'd be scared of the darkness? Hell no. I embrace what it can offer me…and whoever stands in my way I'll slaughter just like how I slaughtered every liar, every bastard, and every faker in that school. Oh and I know all about you Sondre. My master told me not to be like you. (He slowly began to pace.) See, I used to be afraid of the dark. I hated it but when everything was lost, I found what I needed: comfort and understanding. You wouldn't accept him into your soul. You saw only fit to fulfill your debt and rid him of you to live a normal life. Normality is for weaklings, Sondre. Which is what makes you and I so similar. We both want retribution and to put things back to the way they were. But alas, we can't. So we make a new life…which is exactly what I'm doing here.

CURTIS: Normal!? You wanna talk normal? Blowing up a school is NOT normal!

ALEXIS: You couldn't have killed them all. NO ONE is that messed up! (She shyly glanced at JT, who's been disturbingly quiet.) Not even anyone I know personally.

QUINTIN: Then you haven't met me.

GALE: But…why!? There were innocent people in there!

QUINTIN: Innocent? (He laughed.) There is NO such thing as innocent people. Especially not in there. And why you ask? They laughed at me, treated me like shit, I was nothing but their clown to play with and mock. Every day, I'd hear their laughter, their ridicules; you wonder what that does to a person? Granted I was a bastard but in order to survive, I did what I could to save myself and once I was exposed, I saw the truth. I saw what that school truly was: …a breeding ground of evil. It's a prison of deceit, hate, and lies. That prison changes people so believe me, I am doing the world a favor by wiping this stain off the face of the Earth! And that's just the start…vengeance was served but my true mission lies with two certain individuals. I searched and searched through that hellhole but it seemed that I get the pleasure of finding them one by one. (He raised his blade.) So I'd advise you stay the hell out of my way, Knights! This is my mission: to destroy those who have betrayed me! I WILL find them and their souls will belong to me!

VANCE: Then know this. (He glared through his visor, making his voice much more menacing) By doing this, there is NO turning back. You've made powerful enemies out of ALL of us today.

QUINTIN: (Mockingly) What are you gonna do? You can't possibly hurt me!

ALEXIS: We can sure as hell try!

(Alexis drew her bow and shut out an ice arrow but Quintin, to everyone's surprise, caught it and crushed it in his hand.)

QUINTIN: You can… (He raised his blade and in doing so, he gained his Black Knight armor.) …and you will fail!

JT: OH JUST SHUT THE HELL UP!

(The Knights were nearly knocked over as JT charged with his axe raised high. He leapt and slashed several times into Quintin but none of the attacks even made a scratch. Quintin suddenly grabbed JT by the neck and brought him up to his visor.)

QUINTIN: Pitiful…you remind me of a miserable pup trying to climb up the stairs!

JT (In pain, but keeping a cool head): Your breath smells like sulfur mixed with Snookie's ass sweat!

(With one swift slice, JT almost screamed out in pain as Quintin tossed him and jumped up, driving his foot into JT's abdomen, sending him crash through one of the walls. Quintin turned his attention to see that the other 5 had quickly surrounded him.)

ALEXIS: We don't want to have to destroy you.

SONDRE: You might not, but I will.

VANCE: Sondre, don't.

SONDRE: If I have to pry that blade from your cold, dead hands I WILL!

QUINTIN (He chuckled): Is that supposed to intimidate me? I don't think so.

(Sondre rushed in with Curtis. Quintin stepped back and skillfully blocked both their attacks, moving gracefully before stopping Sondre's attack and kicking Curtis away. Gale rushed in and used her Halberd as a pole vault, driving both her feet into the back of Quintin's head. Quintin turned and blasted him with a few shots from the Sparrow Blaster. Gale charged and hit a spinning roundhouse kick that made Quintin stumble back. Alexis and Vance front flipped and Vance landed a slice while one of Alexis' arrows hit Quintin in the chest. Curtis looked at his energy meter and Quintin's energy meter had not even budged.)

CURTIS: What!?

QUINTIN: Your attacks can't even hurt me! (He laughed) Is that all you got!? Come and face me, Knights!

(Curtis rushed in and clashed with Quintin before kicking Quintin in the gut and hitting an upward slash that made Quintin stumble back.)

CURTIS: Think again!

(Quintin growled as he lunged at Curtis, disarming him before he could react. Quintin dealt two consecutive slashes on Curtis and kneed him in the gut, making him keel over. Gale rushed in but he threw his Blade which connected, stunning Gale. Curtis looked up at this and Quintin picked Curtis up by the gut, throwing him straight into Gale. JT had slowly gotten back to his feet, watching this. Vance leaped over and worked to counter each of Quintin's strikes but once again, they seemed to not even phase Quintin. Quintin was quick with his attacks but Vance was able to out maneuver him until he got caught with a series of punches that knocked him back against a wall. He looked to Curtis who was ready to charge in and then to JT who had his axe ready.)

VANCE: You can't beat us all, Black Knight.

QUINTIN: I won't need to.

(Quintin suddenly stepped back and extended both his hands, dark electricity shooting out from his palms. JT and Curtis were in midair when the thunder hit but instead of knocking them away, it drew them in and they both ended up striking one another.)

ALEXIS: You've gotta be kidding…

QUINTIN: No more toying.

(Vance stepped back and wielded his blade as Quintin charged. Vance leapt and sliced at his back, landing on the ground. Quintin was just a bit faster, turning around, and speared Vance straight through a wall. Vance held his ribs, trying to get back up. Quintin was about to finish Vance off before Alexis struck him in the back with an ice beam, now in her Battalizer mode. Quintin froze in place and Vance quickly rolled away. The six summoned the Black Dragon Cannon and aimed it.)

ALL 6: FULL POWER! FIRE!

(Quintin had freed himself and saw the blast rocket out from the Cannon. He brought his hands up and caught the blast, digging his feet into the ground as it slowly pushed him. He looked up to see JT in the air with his axe and shield. Quintin watched this but back stepped and caught JT, using him and his shield as his own shield. The shield absorbed the blast and sent it right back at the Knights, causing an explosion that knocked them back. They looked up to see Quintin once more holding JT by the neck.)

CURTIS: Oh come on!

ALEXIS (Drawing her bow): DON'T YOU DARE HURT HIM!

QUINTIN: Arcana was right…you six ARE resilient. But you can't defeat me and for that, you will be punished. (He looked right into JT's visor) …starting with him.

JT (He choked up): I-is it too late for sorry?

QUINTIN: WAY too late…. moron!

(The others stared as Quintin made his palm glow dark purple and placed it right on JT's face. JT's entire body began to twitch as he tried to grab at Quintin, groaning in pain. Vance was about to make a move until Sondre stopped him. Quintin chucked JT back at the others as the glowing stopped.)

GALE: What did you do to him, you freak!?

QUINTIN: If I wanted to kill him, I could of. I've just given him a…well…I'll let you figure it out. (He smirked.) I'm sure one of you colorful losers know what it is. Might even be you…Sondre?

SONDRE: If you think you're going to keep parading around with that sword, you are sorely mistaken. You have no part in this battle between Arcana and I.

QUINTIN: My part in this may be bigger then you realize, Shadow Knight. You can try and look for me all you want…but I'll know exactly where to find you.

(He laughed as he opened a portal, stepping through. Sondre sprinted but the portal closed and he stopped. He stared at where the portal was and growled.)

SONDRE: Damn it!

CURTIS: We have to get back to base, now.

(Vance noticed Sondre summon his Jet Streamer and he walked right over.)

VANCE: And where the hell are you going?

SONDRE: Finding Arcana.

VANCE: And just abandoning everyone? We need you!

SONDRE (he looked at Vance.): I don't know who this Quintin guy or is why Arcana chose him but this is my responsibility. Whatever that amulet is that he has on his neck, I think it's given him enough strength to maintain an actual physical form. This game between him and I is only going to get more people involved and personally, the fewer people the better.

VANCE: This isn't just your fight anymore, Sondre. And I don't know Arcana as well as you do either. (He looked back to see the others leaving to go back to base with JT, leaving just him and Sondre) You may think we're getting in your way or that we're just casualties waiting to happen but we have been through MUCH worse, right?

SONDRE: …correct.

(Vance went over and drove his Streamer by Sondre.)

VANCE: You may be the only one who can figure out what Quintin did to JT and if you do, we NEED you. After that, you can spend all night looking for Arcana.

SONDRE: Since when do I take orders from you?

VANCE: Because you know I'm right.

(Sondre said nothing, looked away for a moment then sighed, heading back to base on his Jet Streamer with Vance quickly following.)

(KNIGHT RANGER BASE)

(JT lay on the sofa in a comatose safe. Alexis hadn't left his side as Sondre examined him. Curtis stood by Gale and Terretto while Vance paced lightly. Alexis looked to Sondre after he moved back.)

ALEXIS: So? Anything?

SONDRE: He's stable, for now.

CURTIS: What's that supposed to mean?

SONDRE: …I've only seen Arcana do this once and this was when I was the Black Knight. It's called Psycheraser.

VANCE: Psycheraser?

ALEXIS: He's going to be alright? Right?

SONDRE: JT's heart rate and vital signs are fine…but Quintin has poisoned JT's mind.

GALE: Poisoned? How do you poison someone's mind?

TERRETTO: You'd be surprised what you can do with dark magic.

ALEXIS: Jack would have made a joke there…but I don't think jokes are going to help him. I bet it would've been something like "I'm sorry Mr. Jack, but you're going to be a vegetable and…." (She started tearing up.)

VANCE: What exactly is going on in his head?

SONDRE: Well…the Psycheraser is slowly eating away at JT's brain. It's like a computer virus and once it finishes, he won't wake up. He'll be brain dead but his heart will still be pumping. He'll be alive…yet not at the same time.

(Alexis lowered her head and Vance went to her, putting a hand on her shoulder.)

VANCE: …so…how much time do we have?

SONDRE: JT is fighting back best he can. His mind is strong, unusual for someone so…unusual.

VANCE: Any estimate?

SONDRE: …40 minutes. Maximum.

CURTIS: There has to be something we can do. There has to be some kind of magic that can fix this.

ALEXIS: Not in magic but…

VANCE: But? Come on, you're the magic expert. I've seen you do the impossible hundreds of times!

ALEXIS (Thinking, still worried): Maybe I can buy us some time. I know a spell or two to weaken the virus' effects but… (She thought for a moment and suddenly rushed upstairs.)

TERRETTO: I'm afraid though that won't be enough.

VANCE: I figured there was more…

TERRETTO: Tell me, when a friend traverses into a cave and they don't return, what is it you do?

GALE: Go in there to f-…

CURTIS: You aren't suggesting that we…?

TERRETTO: What do you think I'm suggesting Curtis?

CURTIS: Going into JT's head?

(Alexis had come downstairs carrying a few books.)

ALEXIS: …I'm sorry, what?

SONDRE: So you're saying, essentially, someone needs to go into JT's mind and…what?

TERRETTO: This sort of magic implants a virus inside of the mind so if you were to go inside and destroy the source of this Psycheraser, JT would awaken.

VANCE: But what would the damage be?

TERRETTO: Once the virus is destroyed, I can fix the damage. He'll just have a headache for a few hours though.

ALEXIS: Then if anyone's going in, it should be me.

TERRETTO: Your skills are needed here, Alexis. I need you to help me with the potion brewing.

GALE: So then, who's going in?

VANCE: I will.

SONDRE: Are you coming, Gale?

GALE: Well—

CURTIS: If she's going, so am I.

SONDRE: Very well then.

(Vance was about to say something until the group heard the sound of a cellphone ringtone. Everyone looked to Vance as he dug into his pocket and gave the others a solemn look. He answered and took in a breath.)

VANCE: Hello?

QUINTIN: Hello Vance. Did you miss me?

VANCE: Quintin…

QUINTIN: With all the voicemails you left me, I'm surprised you did. I've been away for a while. Did a little soul searching and I have to say, I feel like a new man.

VANCE: Where are you?

QUINTIN: I'm around.

VANCE: That isn't helping.

QUINTIN: Well I'm certainly not nearby Meadowborough. Are the rumors true though? About the school?

VANCE: …yes.

QUINTIN: To think, this all could have been avoided had they just shut their mouths. You know what they say though? He who laughs last laughs longest. Well I'm pretty sure I got the last laugh this time. I saw them there Vance. Peter and his little posse. They just wanted to talk you know? I warned him but he just wouldn't listen. So I slit his throat.

(Vance's expression changed to shock as Vance put Quintin on speaker.)

QUINTIN: Their reactions were priceless. And it felt amazing; it's a thrill bigger than winning a little football game, Vance. They weren't laughing. They were just staring at me. Some were smart enough to run but they didn't have much time. You always said that school was full of vermin. You always said one day, we'd be free of bullies, free of ridicule, and we could feel safe. And with this…new power that I have, I did exactly that. I began to purge the school of its filth, coating the walls red with their disgusting blood, letting one's closest friends die right in front of them before sending them to properly see them.

VANCE: You didn't…

QUINTIN: I'll admit it made me lose my breath but creating an explosion like that, that was fuelled by pure anger and hatred for that school. And then…boom. It's a shame that it was over so quickly, I would have loved to have them all trap and scream while they all died at the same time.

VANCE: Do you even realize what you're saying!? You KILLED people and you're making it sound like you just threw out the trash.

QUINTIN: Well, that's one way to think of it. And I'm just getting started.

VANCE: Look, we can talk about this. We'll meet somewhere. Private. Just you and me, alright?

QUINTIN: Thanks but no thanks, I only want to talk with one person. See I know that you're very close friends with the Red Knight.

VANCE: How do you—

QUINTIN: it doesn't matter. You're going to do something for me, Vancey. I'd like to have a little talk with the Red Knight. Tell him to meet me in the clearing by the lake on the east side of the Meadowborough Woods.

VANCE: And if I don't?

QUINTIN: …then I'm sure no one will miss the hospital. 30 minutes. If he isn't there, boom.

VANCE: …he'll be there.

(Quintin hung up and Vance stood there with the phone, looking away, taking in a big breath and going to the couch to grab his jacket.)

GALE: Woah, you're not ACTUALLY going to listen to that nutball are you?

VANCE: Yes.

CURTIS: Then one of us is coming with you.

VANCE: No. I'm doing this alone.

ALEXIS: ALONE!? Did you not see what he did to us today?! He's going to kill you!

VANCE: All I want is an explanation. If I can at least get some answers, I may be able to reason with him. And if worse comes to worse, I'll be ready.

SONDRE: You're insane.

VANCE (Slipping on his jacket, he went to the garage entrance): I know. But I don't have a choice.

(Sondre watched Vance leave before looking back to the others.)

SONDRE: Then it looks like I'll be coming with you two then.

CURTIS: Seems pretty ironic huh?

SONDRE: I suppose. (He turned to Terretto) Father, will you be able to spiritually project us in there?

TERRETTO: Since the incident with Praxis, I can safely say yes.

GALE: I know JT's mind is already messed up but I don't know if I can imagine how messed up it will be with a virus twisting it around.

SONDRE: That is why we'll have to be careful. We don't know how much the virus has affected hm. Is it safe to morph inside and use our weapons?

TERRETTO: Yes.

CURTIS: Then let's not waste any more time. (He stood by Gale and gripped her hand.)

(Terretto nodded as Alexis used her wand to create cushions for Curtis, Sondre, and Gale. The three sat down and Terretto walked over, raising his scepter lightly. Chanting a few words, the three got comfortable and closed their eyes, each glowed their respective colors. Waves of energy emitted from them and the waves went right into JT's mind, the three staying still while this happened. Alexis couldn't seem to stand still, turning to go into the basement.)

(INSIDE JT'S MIND)

(Darkness surrounded the three falling Knights as they fell through the nearly endless abyss. The three opened their eyes as they saw nothing but darkness. Looking to their left and right, they noticed one another and nodded)

CURTIS/GALE: MYTHIC KNIGHTS, UNITE!

SONDRE: SHADOW KNIGHT, ACCESS!

(The three morphed and summoned their Jet Streamers, keeping them floating in the air.)

CURTIS: Can you two see anything?

(Sondre narrowed his eyes as did Gale, trying to make sense of the area before the darkness withered away and became a dark purple tunnel, long and wide with no end in sight.)

GALE: Yep: that one long ass tunnel from Alice and Wonderland.

CURTIS: Then let's go down the rabbit hole.

(The two chuckled but Sondre revved up his Jet Streamer and dashed forward. Curtis and Gale nodded, zipping right beside him. For a few moments, there was silence until they heard the sound of giggling all around them. It was feminine and heavily distorted. The three looked around and something flew past them, a big box with colorful bloody designs and disturbing graffiti.)

GALE: Oh no…

CURTIS: Look familiar?

(The Streamers stopped as the box stopped moving and the crank began turning, a distorted jingle coming from it before a creature sprung from it, its upper torso connected by barbwire. This creature looked like a very disturbing Jack in the Box, in all-black and white attire, its face of a disfigured woman with black face paint: Jackie.)

SONDRE: Be on your guard. If we beat this, we're in.

CURTIS/GALE: On it! EXCELSIOR, POWER UP!

(Jackie raised both her hands and began to shoot dark fire from them. With the limited space the three had, they split up and fired lasers best they could at Jackie. Sondre targeted the box but was distracted when it came to the flying Demonites. Revving the engine, he zipped around and fired lasers upon them, also destroying them with his Sparrow Blade. Once the Demonites were dispatched, he went to attacking the giant bolts holding the thing together. Gale and Curtis focused their attacks on the chest, dodging fireballs as best they could.)

GALE: Yeesh, she has crappy aim!

(Jackie brought both her hands up and began to charge them with static. Curtis saw this as a chance and nodded at Gale. Both of them began shooting at both of Jackie's palms. After a few seconds, the hands exploded and Jackie growled, making her eyes turn red to shoot lasers out. Curtis and Gale evaded this and Gale summoned her Halberd, attacking Jackie's head with swift slices. Spotting a jewel covered by Jackie's hat, Gale stabbed it with the tip of her halberd and Jackie let out a screech, hunching her body over.)

CURTIS: Nice!

GALE: Get him while he's down!

(Curtis nodded and went to attack Jackie's torso with the Ivory Crusader, hacking away at the armor before one final strike burst open her chest. Jackie had regained her strength and roared, using her energy to push Curtis, Gale, and Sondre back. However she hadn't pushed Sondre away before he destroyed the last bolt, making the box drop and leaving Jackie defenseless except for the barbwire below her torso. Sondre watched this and looked at his energy meter, seeing the weak spot identified on Jackie's body.)

SONDRE: Aim for the heart.

CURTIS (He nodded, drawing the Griffin Gauntlets with the ring, charging up the Ivory Crusader): Watch and learn.

(Gale watched as Curtis revved the engine and began to drive towards Jackie, dodging laser blasts as he zipped upwards and around. On the descent, he actually stood on top of his Jet Streamer, balancing as he aimed straight for the exposed hole in Jackie's chest with the heart. With enough speed, Curtis leapt off the Jet Streamer towards the heart.)

CURTIS: COURAGE SLASH!

(With one swift flying slice, Curtis cut the heart right in half and landed on his Jet Streamer on the other side while Jackie began to glow and then exploded into pieces. Gale and Sondre regrouped and Gale gave him a high five. The three looked ahead to see that the dark purple tunnel had vanished and they found themselves in the dark orange skies above what looked like a copy of the West Meadowbrough High School. The three drove down and landed their Jet Streamers in the parking lot.)

GALE: This is way too surreal…

CURTIS: Is this what his mind looks like? For some reason I always pictured it with more Power Rangers, or pizza growing on trees…I guess there really is more to him than I thought.

SONDRE: Who knows? (He began walking towards the school.) More time we waste, the more the virus will ruin him.

(Curtis nodded though Gale was visibly upset under her visor.)

(THE JUNDAI MOUNTAINS: YURANZO'S HIDEOUT.)

(Yuranzo sat in his makeshift throne with a mirror in the wall. The Red Psycho Sword sat on his lap as he watched the mirror, seeing the fight between the Black Knight and the other Knights. He wasn't the only one watching however. From left to right were Hexor, Accelarazor, and Braygo.)

HEXOR: So…the Black Knight is human? A teenager no less? (He scoffed) PURE human no less! The Black Knight should be a demon general!

BRAYGO: How comes he gets to put that cloud on the Yellow Knight's face and I can't?! I wanna be the one to ruin him! Stupid humans…

ACCELARAZOR: Get over yourself. I have my own beef with the Red Knight but obsessing will lead to nothing.

HEXOR: The question is, where do we attack?

BRAYGO: I wanna attack now! Please? (He began jumping up and down.)

YURANZO: In due time, you two. In due time. (He looked to the to the other 3 remaining soul cards.) What I do know is that they are weakened and distracted so now is the time to strike. Where you ask Hexor? I say…crush their petty little mall. There will be plenty of people and plenty of souls.

BRAYGO: Can I go!?

YURANZO: Yes, yes, alright you can.

ARCANA: Isn't this charming?

(Yuranzo froze and turned to his right to see that a portal had opened with Arcana stepping through, removing his hood to look at Yuranzo.)

YURANZO: …leave us. (He said, making a dismissing sign with his hand. The three exited through portals as Yuranzo turned his attention to Arcana.)

ARCANA: You seem surprised to see me.

YURANZO: More amused than surprised, actually. You've done something that very few Demons can do… (He pointed to the amulet around his neck.) And I personally killed the demon who wore that to escape. Where did you get that?

ARCANA: You never seem to notice the things right under your nose. Tell me, how do you think Accelarazor got tipped off on the location of the Psycho Ranger cards? Or with a portal right into Grieger's castle undetected. Or, perhaps the most impressive, the fact he just so happened to have 5 Soul Cards delivered straight to you? Sorry to say but Accelazrazor has been working for me this entire time.

YURANZO: …so it was you that broke into the castle.

ARCANA: I only saw fit to lay a message to the King, letting him know that he and I will be meeting very soon. This amulet was lying right in his treasure room. I only borrowed this and a few more items that would help in the Black Knight's training. I took my time in the Nether to train Quintin. I made him into the warrior he is in just a short amount of time…with a little help from a certain vixen.

YURANZO: ZIARA!? She can't possibly be alive…

ARCANA: Her regeneration process ran into some bumps. Something rests within her mind that altered her regeneration.

YURANZO: Well why don't you bring her to me? I'd "love" to see what's happened.

ARCANA: And do what, I wonder? Use that stolen knife upon her? She reported to me the events of your latest failure. Good show, I will admit. But like always you fail to get the job done. You win every battle except the ones that count.

YURANZO: You could apply that to Ziara too, you know.

ARCANA: Perhaps. But sometimes failure is necessary to study your opponent.

YURANZO: I've heard enough of that. I'm more for strength in numbers.

ARCANA: I see.

YURANZO: …what's the real reason you came here, Arcana?

ARCANA: To give you something.

(With a wave of his hand, a portal suddenly opened up.)

YURANZO: And this is…?

ARCANA: With the Psycheraser damaging the outer defenses of the Yellow Knight's mind, I figured you'd want to go inside for yourself and help speed up the process.

YURANZO: That doesn't seem like you.

ARCANA: I could always send Zia—

YURANZO: Alright, alright. But uhh…what's in it for me?

ARCANA: Unicorn blood baths. (He reached into his robe and pulled out a dark purple card with a strange mosquito creature on it) And this.

YURANZO (He looked at the card and took it): …you know just what I like, partner.

ARCANA: You and I are not and never will be partners. My motives only so happen to cross with yours.

YURANZO: Whatever you say…. BFF!

(Yuranzo snickered and stepped through the portal, letting it close behind him. Arcana looked to the portal and then to the throne, noticing the three soul cards. Walking over, he picked them up and examined them. His eyes caught the one on the right and he took it, putting in his pocket before opening a portal and walking away.)

(INSIDE JT'S MIND)

(Curtis, Gale, and Sondre made their way down the twisting hallways of the school, checking each door.)

CURTIS: I swear, this is exactly like Sondre's mind.

(Gale kicked open one of the doors, looking around before sighing.)

GALE: Big surprise, nothing on this floor either. How many floors up are we?!

CURTIS: Umm…4?

GALE: Come on! (She groaned, kicking one of the lockers.)

(Curtis looked to Gale and tilted his head, swearing he could see a few tears coming from her eyes.)

CURTIS: …Gale?

GALE: I'm fine, Curtis.

(Before she could say anything else, Curtis was already there to grab a hold of her. She made no sound except for a sigh and held him back.)

SONDRE: You too done? We have another floor to cover.

CURTIS: Do you even care?

(Sondre stopped in mid step and kept his focus straight, his back to them.)

CURTIS: Answer me. Do you even care about JT or he just another pawn in your game with Arcana? For that matter, is that what we all are to you?

SONDRE: Curtis.

CURTIS: I'm sure if it was Gale, you'd be ALL over that.

(Sondre suddenly summoned his blaster and pointed it at Curtis.)

SONDRE: That discussion is for another time. But make one more remark like that and I WON'T miss.

CURTIS: So, what's your answer then?

SONDRE: …I'd rather have this discussion some other time, Curtis. Please. I don't want anyone else getting hurt in this. It wasn't my intention for any of you to get involved, and as hard you made this to believe, I'm sorry. I'm sorry for a lot of things.

CURTIS: …okay then. (He walked past him towards the steps with Gale following. When they reached the next floor, there was a big door in front of them.) I know I'm gonna regret this, but I found another door we haven't tried yet, let's see where this one leads.

GALE: It could be a trap.

(The three held their weapons at the ready and then Curtis hastily opened the door. They winced in anticipation, expecting something to attack them at any moment. But when they looked inside the door they saw a school cafeteria filled with many different students. Everything went eerily quiet, the only sound to be heard were the Knights' nervous footsteps as they cautiously crept inside, the eyes of the students staring at them.)

GALE: The cafeteria? Why did we end up here?

CURTIS: You think maybe this…somehow symbolizes JT's love for pizza?

SONDRE: Somehow I don't think so. If that were so, then how would you explain this?

(Sondre addressed a giant glass box, the three knights cautiously looked inside the box, but all they could see was a terrified looking JT)

CURTIS: JT? (Shouted out) Jack! Jack can you hear me buddy!? Jack!

SONDRE: It's no use, he can't see or hear us.

(Suddenly, creepy black ooze appeared next to JT, who only stared at it in blind terror. The ooze wiggled and jiggled, and then separated into fractions. The fractions then morphed into black, oozey tarantulas. The tarantulas then began to crawl all over JT, as he screamed in total fear)

JT: SPIDERS! (He ran around the box in fear.) GET THEM OFF ME! GET THEM OFF ME!

GALE (Terrified): Jack?!

(Suddenly, the spiders crawled off of JT, and morphed back into the ooze again, which shifted into a large, drooling, snarling, yellow-eyed bulldog. JT screamed even harder.)

JT: NOO! BAD DOGGIE! I'M NOT A CHEW TOY! I DON'T HAVE A BEGGIN' STRIP! And I tried one once, IT DOESN'T TASTE LIKE BACON!

(Before the monster dog could try to eat JT, it shifted again, this time into a brown silhouette of a familiar looking pop star. The figure than began to sing a rather annoyingly catchy song that Curtis and Gale unfortunately recognized. As the figure sung and danced, little chunks of the brown goo splattered on JT. He screamed even harder)

JT: NOOO! NOT KE$HA MADE OF PEANUT BUTTER SINGING TIK TOK! OH THE HUMANITY! (He then took a piece of the peanut butter into his fingers and tasted it, then screamed even harder.) AND I HATE CHUNKY!

(While Curtis and Gale looked genuinely worried, Sondre couldn't help but look annoyed)

SONDRE: Seriously? He's afraid of some overexposed icon singing some pop-cultured trash?

CURTIS: You don't know the half of it, when he first heard the song, he nearly cried.

(Then the figure shifted yet again. This time part of it slithered behind JT, morphing into a chair. The chair then grabbed hold of JT and pulled him into the seat, then wrapped around him binding him to the chair. The other half of the ooze shifted into a projector screen. And on the screen playing over and over was a most disturbing vision, the vision of a car with a loving couple driving along the road, narrowly avoiding a stranger in the middle of the road, and driving straight off the cliff. JT wasn't screaming anymore, what he now did was far worse…he started to cry.)

JT: Mom! Dad! Look out for the guy! No! Watch out for the cliff! …wait, come back! MOM! DAD!

(Curtis and Gale looked on, completely terrified at what they were seeing. Even Sondre found himself feeling a little sorry for JT… but the worst was yet to come. For the ooze once again slithered away from JT. This time it separated into five familiar looking shapes, five shapes that JT had spent almost a year fighting alongside, five lifeless human shapes…the shapes of his friends. Dead)

JT (Tears flowing freely down his face, as he mourned over the shape of Alexis): Guys? GUYS?! Guys come on! Don't do this to me! ….DON'T LEAVE ME!

(Curtis, Gale, and Sondre at this point were all equally terrified. Even if it wasn't real, the crazy, over-the-top, fourth wall breaking little goofball they all know and loved had been broken, reduced to a crying, frightened little boy, all alone with nothing left to lose. Then they heard a cold and familiar laugh of glee coming from behind them. They turned around and saw the laughing, gloating shape of Yuranzo, only he was in color so they realized it was the real him, and for some reason he was surrounded by an army of football jocks, staring emotionless at the knights. Yuranzo laughed in glee at JT's expense, with a small pizza box in his lap.)

YURANZO (He cackled): This is even better than cable and cheaper too! (He then pulled a slice from the box and proceeded to eat it.) Mmm, no wonder that idiot loves this stuff so much.

CURTIS (Coldly): You! You loathsome, disgusting, pathetic little dwarf!

YURANZO: Oye, don't get personal, Curtis.

CURTIS: W-…how do you know my name!?

YURANZO: Oops, did I say that out loud?

GALE: What are you doing to JT!?

YURANZO: Ahh…Jackson Trace Collins. Finally I learn the name of the bane of my existence. He's just playing with my newest pet. (He made a whistle and the ooze escaped through the box, appearing beside Yuranzo. The ooze materialized into a giant mosquito like demon made out of toxic sludge. Curtis and Gale almost stepped back.)

GALE: Ughh, he smells worse then you after your workout, Curtis!

CURTIS: You smell just as bad sometimes.

YURANZO: The clock is ticking for you, Knights. Curtis Wilson, Gale "Freya" Collete, and Sondre Terretto…you won't be able to save him and he's gonna watch you die FOR REAL this time!

(DEEP IN THE MEADOWBROUGH WOODS)

(Right by the lake, Quintin stood looking out across the lake up to the sky. He wasn't morphed; he was still in Arcana's old clothes. He had stopped pacing to think for a moment, the sword hanging loosely by his side. He heard something in the air and turned to see a Jet Streamer approaching. Once it landed, Vance got off and made it vanish. The two stared down one another as Quintin smirked.)

QUINTIN: So…you actually did show up.

VANCE: I'm only here for one reason: defusing this situation before it gets any worse.

QUINTIN: You really think you'll be able to stop me on your own?

VANCE: Yes.

QUINTIN: Don't make me laugh. I took you and your friends and crushed them! (He raised his blade and slowly stalked him.)

VANCE: Don't do this Quintin.

QUINTIN: I don't have to listen to you!

(Vance suddenly raised his wrist.)

VANCE: Power down.

(Quintin was about to raise his blade up until he stopped a few feet away from Vance, staring at him as he demorphed.)

QUINTIN: …w-what!?

VANCE: Please. I don't want to have to fight you.

QUINTIN: YOU'RE the Red Knight!?

VANCE: …yes.

QUINTIN: You gotta be kidding me! What the hell is this, some kind of sick joke!?

VANCE: No. I couldn't have told you; otherwise I would have broken my Oath. Even though I've broken it now, I don't care. But now that I've gotten you out of your demented alter ego, you owe me some answers.

QUINTIN: Why would I owe you ANYTHING, Archer?

VANCE: Gee, let's see, YOU BLEW UP THE SCHOOL AND KILLED EVERYONE IN THERE! You're insane! What could you possibly have to achieve from killing me and JT?! You may have ruined JT's chances of finishing school but you not only ruined mine, you ruined Alexis' as well.

QUINTIN: Collateral damage. You act like you can even understand me, but you can't. You weren't there to see what they did to me.

VANCE: Oh give me a break, you could have said no.

QUINTIN: I-I panicked. He kept joking that he had some sort of "proof" he was gonna upload on the internet! Everybody was staring at me and I didn't know what to do.

VANCE: Then I'm sorry; you have no one to blame but yourself.

QUINTIN: He humiliated me!

VANCE: No, YOU humiliated YOURSELF. You know how JT is.

QUINTIN: How was I supposed to know he was lying!? Then again, you ALWAYS protect him like he's your child. You wanna know what happened Vance? Do you really wanna know what happened? Not what happened in the school but it's why I had to leave middle school that I never told you.

VANCE: …tell me then.

QUINTIN: You always wondered why you only saw me with my dad, my mom was a bitch. She kept fighting over and over with my dad till he couldn't take it. So they divorced and my dad got custody rights.

VANCE: You never liked your mom, I knew that.

QUINTIN: You talk about one bad thing happening after the other, you were the only one who kept in contact with me. Curtis, I don't know where he was, he didn't bother to stay in contact with me. When I was at my new apartment, with my Dad, he told me that while he was walking my dog, he saw it chasing something from the park into the street and well…you get where that goes.

VANCE: And you think telling me a sob story will make me pity you? I get that your life was messed up Quintin but you know what, so was everyone else's. And if I have to take the fall for this to stop you, I-

QUINTIN: Well that's typical of you to take a fall for JT's actions. You're such an obedient little bodyguard aren't you? Maybe in the end that's all you really are.

VANCE: I made his parents a promise!

QUINTIN: And how long do you intend to keep that promise? Forever? Give me a break. He's USING you as a doormat to get away with whatever he wants! He could get into all this trouble and hide behind you, expecting you to clean up his little mess. How petty.

VANCE: I'm not going to let you continue what you're doing. That blade is corrupting you and making you into something you're not.

QUINTIN: Don't you understand, Vance!? I HAVE to do this! There is NOTHING left of my life. My relatives want nothing to do with me and I don't know what's happened to my dad. So you know what? I'm erasing my old life and I'm starting a new one with Arcana. And I'm gonna do that by erasing you, JT, Alexis, Curtis, and ANYONE else who gets in my way!

VANCE: …please. I don't want to fight you. I can help you.

QUINTIN: Help me? You haven't got a choice. Or are you gonna be a doormat for me too?

VANCE: I'm NO ONE'S doormat!

QUINTIN: THEN FIGHT ME! You want to fix this so badly? FIGHT. ME. Prove you're not the coward you've made yourself out to be. Or do you have to go report to your little daddy for permission? Better yet, I should go and pay him a visit. I'm sure he'll lo-

(Vance threw a fireball at Quintin that he blocked with his sword.)

VANCE: GOD DAMN IT QUINTIN! ENOUGH! I don't want to fight you! Please! I can help you!

(Quintin raised his blade and it created a flash of light. Vance covered his eyes and when he opened them, he and Quintin were on a giant floating platform in the middle of the Nether.)

QUINTIN: It's already too late for me…you had your chance, now it's time for you to pay!

(Looking down at his morpher, Vance sighed then looked at Quintin.)

VANCE: Mythic Knights, Unite. (He quickly morphed and summoned his Rapier) Whatever that's blade done to you, that's not the Quintin I know and I have to beat some sense into you…I'm willing to pay the price.