Disclaimer: See Part One

Author's Notes: Sorry this didn't make its way out sooner. Just one more chapter after this one and the trilogy is complete.

Second Chance
Part Five: Ending What's Begun
By: stargazer1017

"It's too late," Astronema whispered. She shook her head. "You won't be able to stop them now."

Carlos shook his head. "There has to be a way to stop them. They were created, so there has to be a way to destroy them."

"You'll die trying," Astronema responded, emotionless. Everyone looked at her, speechless. Astronema sighed. "The Dark Ones are exact replicates of anything they choose. In this case, they chose the form of Rangers. Evil Rangers." She walked towards one of the side consoles. "I unleashed them into our dimension because I knew they would be a formidable enemy against the rangers. The Psychos are quick at everything. They pick up on patterns quickly, and their strength is unmatched by any other force in the universe."

As she turned back to everyone, Cassie spoke up. "We still have to do something. This Earth. It's our planet. We were born and raised there." She gave a quick glance at Andros and Zhane. "Or at least some of us were. . .but still. . ."

Andros nodded and took her hand. "We'll do all we can to save Earth," Andros replied, squeezing her hand.

"You'll fail," came the once-former Mistress of Evil's emotionless response. "They'll defeat you."

"We need a plan," Ashley spoke up. "I don't like this whole deal."

"They've already been unleashed," T.J. replied, pressing away at the console. "Our databases have nothing on them."

Brenan sighed. "We had to use up all of our strength to defeat them. Even so. . .you risk losing someone."

"I can try and reason with the Astronema of this dimension," Astronema said, her voice barely above a whisper. Andros opened his mouth to speak, but Astronema continued, "She was the one who unleashed their powers. She has the best chance of containing them."

A scream sounding through the screen made everyone turn. A woman was being hassled by the Black Psycho Ranger. "We can't stay here and watch--we've gotta go and help them!" Carlos said.

"I don't know if I want you going to the Dark Fortress by yourself," Andros replied, turning back to Astronema. "Something might happen."

"I'll go with her," Brenan spoke up. He nodded at his sister. Astronema gave a small smile and nodded back at him. "You guys should hold off the Psychos." Andros headed towards the door, and the others followed in suit. When Cassie passed him, Brenan whispered, "Be careful."

Cassie turned to him and gave a quick nod and smile. Slightly reassured, Brenan watched as Cassie turned back to follow her teammates out of the Command Post. "Any ideas?" Brenan asked, watching Cassie's retreating figure.

"We shock her," Astronema replied. She held up her locket. "I'm messed up, but I know she hasn't reached that point yet. She'll probably take the news better than I did."

"And if she doesn't?"

Astronema narrowed her eyes, but Brenan could read the worry in them. "We'll destroy that barrier if it gets there."

The woman screamed again as she tried to shield her body from the blows the Psycho Ranger in Black. Carlos' eyes widened and he moved his lance to intercept the hit intended for the woman. Carlos staggered slightly from the blow, but stood his ground. "Back off," he growled at the evil ranger.

"You finally decided to come and play," Psycho Black sneered at the Black Ranger.

Carlos moved between the woman and Psycho Black. "Are you okay," he asked the woman. The woman gave out a loud sob in response.

"Get her to safety, Carlos. We'll deal with them," Andros called out as he and the others rushed to him. Carlos nodded and helped the woman up. As Carlos and the woman scurried off, Andros looked back at Psycho Black. "Why don't you guys pick on someone your own size."

Psycho Black gave a meanacing laugh. "You Rangers? You think you can handle us?" Just as he finished speaking, flashes of color surrounded him. "We're the Psycho Rangers," Psycho Black scoffed, gesturing at the other Psycho Rangers, "Nothing can destroy us."

"Well see about that," Andros said, just as menacing. "There's only five of you, and six of us."

"Numbers don't mean anything!" Psycho red yelled out. Suddenly, the Psycho Rangers shot forward. Cassie couldn't contain her surprised gasp. She backflipped out of the way of Psycho Pink's jump kick.

Psycho Pink gave a shrill shriek as she moved towards Cassie with a punch, not missing a beat. She's fast! Cassie thought, as she fought to dodge all of the attacks the evil ranger was throwing at her. "Ah!" Cassie cried out as Psycho Pink made contact with the side of her helmet. Cassie started rolling away as soon as she hit the ground. I don't even have an opening to attack!

Several feet from Cassie, Ashley was taking on Psycho Yellow. She wasn't doing too much better. Ashley had her Star Slinger out, and had no luck in even hitting Psycho Yellow with so much as a blast. Suddenly, Psycho Yellow vanished. Ashley frowned behind her helmet. "Where did she go?" she wondered aloud.

"Ashley, behind you!" she heard Zhane yell. Ashley started to spin around when a hard kick landed on her back. As she hit the ground, she heard footsteps behind her. A yell caused Ashley to look up. Zhane was charging towards Psycho Yellow, but before he could even attack, Psycho Yellow threw a yellow energy blast at him.

"Zhane! Ow!" Ashley cried out as Psycho Yellow picked her up.

Psycho Yellow gave an evil laugh. "Now, to finish this." Ashley tried to throw punches, but they were futile attacks. She watched in horror as a black cloud formed between the two. Ashley was speechless.

"Guys!" she heard Zhane yell. Ashley could only assume this was happening to the others as well.

Now almost out of Ashley's line of sight, Cassie struggled with Psycho Pink. "Let me go!" Cassie yelled. Even though Psycho Pink had Cassie in her grasp, Cassie couldn't reach her. Extending her arms as far as she could, Cassie tried to reach for shoulders to try and shake her. Cassie grunted as she reached forward--and then gasped when she also saw a black cloud between her and Psycho Pink. Cassie shuddered when she felt the cloud on her.

Now you're mine.

Cassie tried to shake herself, but she knew she was physically motionless. No! Cassie screamed in her mind. It's like she's inside of my mind!

As quickly as it started, it had ended. Cassie felt her body hitting the ground. She groaned and tried to get up, but pain shot through her right arm, causing her to stay on the ground. What just happened? She shook her head to try and clear her thoughts. She looked up to see Psycho Pink standing above her.

"Finish them!" Cassie heard the faint call from Psycho Red. Just as Psycho Pink raised a black sword into the sky, Cassie shut her eyes.

Brenan took a step back, trying to balance himself. His sister had a look of amusement on her face as she gave a small chuckle. "Sorry, I guess it's kind of rough the first time around," she said lightly.

"I should've just jumped on the Galaxy Glider," Brenan muttered, shaking his head. "I've never done this. . .teleporting thing. . ."

Astronema gave another soft chuckle. "You don't have your powers. By teleporting, we enter here undetected by teleporting," Astronema explained. She walked forward, with Brenan in tow. Astronema focused on the only room lit. Suddenly, dark shadows blocked part of the light. "Hide!" Astronema hissed, moving behind a side panel on the hallway. She held her breath as Brenan moved behind her.

"What's going on?" Brenan asked.

Astronema frowned. "I'm not sure," she replied. She tried to listen. "I think she's talking to people."

"We need to get closer--"

"We're already close enough," Astronema cut him off. "If we get any closer, we're in danger of getting caught."

"But we can't even understand what she's saying. For all we know, she could be giving the Psychos an order to destroy the others."

Astronema growled. "Fine," she said. She slowly got up. "I'm going to go. She doesn't know that--" Astronema stopped as she searched for what to say. "--She doesn't know that I'm not on this side anymore." She turned back to Brenan. "I'll signal when it's okay."

Brenan nodded. Astronema turned back towards the room and walked forward. She could hear the other woman talking, but still couldn't understand what was going on. When she was a few feet away, she concentrated on what her counterpart was saying.

"I'm in charge of you," Astronema heard the other woman growl. "Don't question my orders!"

There was silence. "Yes, my queen," a male voice spoke. "We'll follow as told." Astronema narrowed her eyes as several bright flashes of light burst out. "We would like to know, Queen, why you would pull us back." The voice was now in the room. Astronema realized the voice came from a Psycho Ranger.

"Dark Specter wants the rangers alive--for now."

Astronema felt her heart pound. She remembered that happening in her dimension as well. I wonder if they made it through, Astronema thought as she listened. Maybe what happens next will help us.

"Dark Specter. . ." the male voice spoke again. There was another moment of silence. "As you wish." With that, the lights shone again. Astronema realized the Psycho Rangers has teleported out of the room. She quickly turned around and motioned for Brenan to approach.

When Brenan was by her side, Astronema said, "Wait here. I'm going to approach Astronema myself." Brenan looked uncertain, but he nodded. Astronema took a deep breath and stepped into the doorway. "Astronema."

The red-haired woman spun around. She gaved a relieved sigh when she saw who it was. "Oh, it's you. Where the hell have you been?" she demanded.

Astronema tilted her head to the left and smoothed out her black hair. "I've been busy," she said. The red-haired woman narrowed her eyes. "Is there something wrong?"

The other woman shook her head. "You just. . .you should different," she replied, narrowing her eyes. Astronema watched as she lifted her right hand and put her index finger on the locket around her neck. Astronema's eyes widened.

Here goes, Astronema thought as she took her own locket out of her pocket. "I see you have your locket," she said.

The red-haired Astronema looked at her in surprise as she moved her hand away from her locket. "Yes. . .and you have one too."

The black-haired woman held the locket up at her eye-level. "Of course I do." She walked forward. "Do you ever wonder what was in the locket?"

"I've seen what was in the locket," the red-haired woman narrowed her eyes.

"Really. What's in it?" came in innocent inquiry.

The red-haired woman stared at her black-haired counterpart in surprise. "It's--me," she stammered. "What the hell has this to do with--"

"And what else is in it?"

"Some man," the red-haired Astronema said, waving her hand dismissedly in the air. "It doesn't matter who the hell he is."

The black-haired Astronema gave weird laugh. "Funny how it doesn't mean anything to you, yet you still wear it." She started to walk even closer to the other woman. "Did Ecliptor ever tell you about it?" The other woman didn't respond, so she continued. "This is my locket. In my locket is a picture of me. . .and a picture of my brother."

"I know," the red-haired Astronema said, narrowing her eyes. "Yes, Ecliptor told me. It doesn't matter. My brother is dead."

"Wrong."

Both women turned around to see Brenan walking in. "He's very much alive," Brenan continued.

"You!" the red-haired woman spat. An energy bolt appeared in her hand.

Astronema's eyes widnened. "No!" she yelled. She quickly threw her own energy bolt to diffuse the one that had appeared in her counterpart. The red-haired woman gave her a confused glance. "Don't hurt him," Astronema said vehemently.

The confused look stayed on the red-haired woman's face. Then she gave a snort when realization struck her. "Oh, I get it. You sided with them now?"

"I sided with my brother," Astronema replied. She watched as something flashed in the red-haired woman's eyes. Astronema held up her locket again. Brenan came up beside Astronema, holding up his own locket. She watched as the other woman gasped.

The red-haired woman started blinking rapidly. "No. . ."

"He's my brother," Astronema whispered. "My family. The family I thought abandoned--"

"Bitch!" the red-haired woman yelled. Without warning, she flew an energy bolt at the two. Astronema's eyes widened.

"Look out!" she yelled, moving her brother out of the way. As she dodged the two of them out of the way, she looked at the other woman and saw the fear on her face.

"You're lying! I don't know what you're doing, but you're lying!" the other woman started screaming. "You were the one who wanted revenge on these rangers, and now you're telling me he's family?"

Astronema looked up at the girl. "I had wanted the destruction of the rangers. . ." she trailed off as Brenan helped her up. ". . .but I can't destroy my brother."

"He's tricked you. He's tricked you! He made you think that--"

"He didn't," Astronema whispered. "I know he's telling me the truth." She watched as emotions ran loose through the other woman's face.

Brenan nodded. "Karone. . ."

The other woman turned to him, slowly shaking her head. "What did you just call me?" she whispered.

Brenan gave him a gentle look. "You're my sister, Karone," he continued. "We finally found you."

The other woman started breathing heavily. She looked around, confused. "I'm not your family. . ." she whispered furiously. Then her voice rose to a scream. "I'm going to kill all of you!" She lurched forward, her fist drawn.

Astronema's eyes widened and she grabbed the other woman before she could make contact with Brenan. "Don't do this, Astronema," she whispered into the other woman's ear. "Stop all of this before you'll regret later. . .like I did. . ."

The other woman screamed and struggled away from her grasp. Then in a flash of purple light, the red-haired woman was gone. Astronema and Brenan stood in silence, still in shock over what had just happened.

"What do you think she's going to do?" Brenan asked quietly. "I don't know if we got through to her."

Astronema shook her head. "We got through to her, all right." She turned to look at her brother. "But I don't know if she'll join us or if she's finally hit that point." When Brenan looked at her questioningly, Astronema clarified, "If she got psycho like I am."

How can they even suggest something so stupid, the woman tilted her head, moving the red hair off her shoulders. Astronema sighed. My brother would never be a ranger. I have no brother.

She looked around her surroundings. KO-35 was even more deserted than the last time she visited. A vision of ordering the monster to kill the Red and Silver rangers flash through her mind. She could clearly see the Silver Ranger fall from the blow the monster gave.

"Zhane!" Astronema could also hear the Red Ranger call out to his comrade, just as if it was happening at the very moment.

"Don't do this, Astronema. Stop all of this before you'll regret later. . .like I did. . ."

Astronema shut her eyes, the voice of the older woman still ringing in her ears. She started running towards the small forest of trees. I don't know who to believe, she thought silently. Suddenly, she stopped running. She was in the middle of a clearing. Thin trees lined the clearing. The breath caught in Astronema's chest as a weird feeling washed over her.

She shut her eyes. Why am I here. . .she thought. Slowly opening her eyes, she tried to compose herself and looked around again. It's that place. It's the same place. She reached behind her neck and unclasped the locket.

With shaky fingers, she opened the locket and studied the faces. On the right was the image of her younger self. Taking a deep breath, Astronema looked at the picture on the left. She knew it had been her brother, but she didn't know much about him.

Looking up from the locket, Astronema took another look around her. "Karone!" Astronema could hear the voice and she closed her eyes. Taking a deep breath, she opened them again, this time seeing the facade of another past event.

A boy and a girl playing with a ball. The little girl was wearing yellow, while the little boy wore red. Her hair was tied up in a ponytail, half-up and half-down. The little boy's hair was tied behind his back.

A scream sounded in Astronema's ears. My screams. The vision of a yellow monster suddenly picking her up, flashed in front of Astronema. She swallowed and started breathing heavily. I can't do this.

She spun on her heel and started to run out of the woods. When she saw the edge of woods draw near, she sped up. She gasped for breath as she neared the last tree. Astronema leaned against the trunk of the tree, trying to catch her breath. The scream still rung in her ears. She shut her eyes, trying to drown the scream out.

"Stop!"

The voice brought Astronema out of her thoughts. She looked up and noticed a town was right in front of her. A man was running towards her, with a little girl in his arm. The little girl was screaming and crying.

Astronema's eyes widened. "Stop it!" This time, Astronema saw who was calling out. It was a little boy. He was on the ground, crying out to the man who had taken the girl. Before another thought crossed Astronema's mind, she leaped forward and ran towards the man.

"Get out of the way, girl," the man sneered. He lifted his hand up to hit Astronema.

As he lifted his hand, Astronema silently called her staff. The man stopped in place just as Astronema brought her staff to the man's neck. "I'm not just a girl," she growled at the man. As the man eyed the staff, the little girl cried in fear. "Now let the little one go." The man hesitated for a moment. "I said, let her go. Now."

The man swallowed and lowered the girl slowly. Not taking her eye off of the man, Astronema said, "Get out of here." The little girl stood shaking, rooted in the spot she stood in. "Go," she said, in a more gentler voice. When the girl took off running, Astronema narrowed her eyes at the man. "You make me sick. You--" she started moving the staff closer to the man's neck.

"--need--" the man started backing up.

"--to--" Astronema again moved the staff closer.

"--be--" The man stumbled and fell to the ground. Astronema moved the staff right onto his skin.

"--punished."

She brought the staff up and was about to bring it down when a voice called out to her to stop. Astronema looked up and saw the little boy with the little girl. Her expression softened slightly when she saw them and realized they were both terrified.

Another scream made Astronema look past the children. A woman and a uniformed man were running towards them. Astronema backed away from the man quickly. She looked back down at the children. "Take care of each other," she said to them. Then she disappeared in a flash.

She teleported behind a tree not too far away to watch the scene. The man was brought to his feet by what Astronema assumed as a police officer. The woman bent down to engulf the children in an embrace. Astronema felt her heart break at the sight. She didn't even realize she was crying until her vision started getting blurry. She blinked and a single tear rolled onto her cheek. I need to get out of here.

"Why would she call them back? Or more importantly, why would Dark Specter?" T.J. questioned, leaning against his console.

The black-haired Astronema sighed. "Dark Specter wants to kill you at his own hands," she explained. "At least, those were his words in my dimension. Unfortunately, he didn't get that chance." She gave a bitter laugh. "I guess that's one of the good things about my being evil and taking out the whole universe."

Andros frowned. Everything was winding down. . .almost like it had in Brenan's dimension. Andros was knocked out of his thoughts when D.E.C.A. spoke up. "Intruder on board."

Pressing a few buttons on the console, T.J. scanned the ship. He looked up. "Right in front--" he was interrupted by the opening of the doors. Everyone whirled around to look.

"Astronema," Ashley gasped.

Astronema looked down, the red hair falling to the sides of her face. "I didn't know where else to go," she said quietly. She looked back at the group. "I don't know. . ."

Everyone gaped at the woman in suprise. The black-haired Astronema slowly walked towards her. "I understand what you're going through," she said, moving to stand right in front of her. "We'll help you." The red-haired woman looked at her in surprise, and then turned to everyone else. She was surprised when she was met with reassuring glances from everyone. Even Cassie gave her a nod. The red-haired woman turned back to her counterpart and nodded.

"You summon me here for what reason?" Dark Specter growled. "You don't have the ranking to do so."

The Psycho Rangers stood on the platform right before him. "We just. . .wanted to talk," Psycho Blue responded lightly.

"Yeah. You pulling us back on destroying the rangers was a big no-no," Psycho Pink spoke up.

"We work for no one but ourselves," Psycho Black said. He gave a sinister laugh.

"The leader of evil doesn't follow to the likings of you five," Dark Specter said. "Now leave, before I order your destruction."

The Psycho Rangers laughed. "Sorry. Leaving here without completing our task isn't an option," Psycho Yellow said. Before Dark Specter could respond, the five formed themselves into balls of light. They joined as a large grey light and struck the large monster. They passed through him, and then turned around and passed him again. As they regrouped on the platform as the Psycho Rangers, Dark Specter started bursting into flames.

"You'll pay for your betrayal," Dark Specter vowed. Suddenly, his body shattered in a bright light that shot out in all directions. The shockwave of the blast followed not too far behind.

"Like we said," Psycho Red said, giving a sinister smile, "we work for no one but ourselves." He looked at his teammates. "The obstacle standing between us and destroying the rangers is out of the way. Now's our time to strike."

To be continued. . .