Zhane looked down at the girl in his grip, seeing the hope shine in her eyes. He tried getting his voice to work, to tell her he was fighting against what control was holding him. He felt his grasp tighten on her arms, a pang of guilt hitting him as he watched her flinch. He wanted so badly to apologize but he still couldn't speak.
A sharp jolt of electricity raced through his skull, causing him to cringe and bring a hand to his head.
"Zhane?" Rina's voice whispered, concern flitting across her face.
As quickly as the jolt happened, it vanished and Zhane felt that familiar numbness across his body. /Damn it! Not now!/ He mentally exclaimed, watching as he roughly shoved the girl to the ground.
Rina yelped as she hit the ground, the elbow of her already sore arm slamming against a stone embedded in the ground. On reflex, she pulled her arm to her chest and gingerly cradled it while checking to see if she might be bleeding.
"Rina!" Ashley cried out. Before she could run to her defense, though, Psycho Yellow had blocked her path. Neither she nor the others could get to their friend as they were forced to face off against their evil counterparts with Cassie trying to help fend off their opponents.
"Don't just stand there, you idiot!" Blue snapped at the silver ranger. "Kill the bitch!"
Unable to stop himself, Zhane reached down and yanked the dark haired girl to her feet and slammed her against the trunk of a tree. He could hear her cry out in pain and fear and mentally struggled to stop himself.
Rina ignored the throbbing pain in her arm and back as she squirmed to get out of Zhane's grip. "Zhane, fight them," She pleaded, feeling his arm press against her chest to pin her in place and hold her arms down as his free hand closed around her throat. Tears stung her eyes as she struggled in vain, unable to breathe.
The feeling of helplessness and anger washed over himself as Zhane watched what he did in horror. /No!/
A psychokinetic burst shot from his body followed by a searing pain at his temple. The silver ranger stumbled back, clutching at his head as a pain and fear filled screamed tore from his throat.
The sound had the effect of causing the Psychos to halt in their attack and watch as their weapon collapsed to his knees.
"What the hell is he doing?" Black demanded, looking over at Blue and Yellow.
Yellow started over towards the fallen 'Psycho'. As she reached down to pull him to his feet, she was struck by an invisible force and sent flying back, crashing into her comrades.
Andros watched as his friend writhed in pain, feeling helpless and not knowing what to do. Seeing the Psychos didn't appear able to get through, he decided to take a chance and rushed over to block him from possible attack. The other rangers followed his lead, forming a kind of living wall between their attackers and fellow ranger, shielding him and their friend.
Sitting on the ground, Rina gingerly touched her neck as she coughed and regained her breath. Seeing Zhane in so much pain caused an ache in her chest and she wanted so badly to help him. "Zhane?" She softly called.
/Damn it! Make it stop!/ Zhane mentally cried out. His fingers scraped at the sides of his helmet, searching for the clasps. If he could just get the damned thing off, then maybe the pain would stop and he'd finally be free. Feeling gentle hands on his, he recoiled on instinct.
"It's okay, Zhane," Rina whispered to him, pulling her hands away for a moment. When he bowed his head, she reached up and carefully removed the helmet from his head. There was a distinct popping sound, as if a fuse was blowing. The sound was quickly followed by the silver ranger collapsing completely to the ground, not moving.
Zhane felt one last jolt of electricity as the helmet came away. Before he finally lost consciousness, he heard the sound of friends calling his name while the Psychos chose that moment to flee.