Over in the Warstar ship, Vrak was busy working on his latest project when Metal Alice returned. He looked over to her as she arrived.
"Did it work?" He asked her. She just nodded.
"The upgrade worked perfectly." She informed him. "The Psycho Rangers have ascended to maximum power. I have left them as you commanded."
"Thank you Metal Alice." He responded.
"Master, there are some things I don't understand." She told him. "With this upgrade, you no longer have control over the Psycho Rangers."
"I doubt I ever really did." He chuckled. "It was only a matter of time before I lost control of them."
"So, why did you use them?" She asked him. He just turned to her and smiled.
"Because regardless of what happens now, they have served their purpose." He answered honestly, turning on his monitor. Metal Alice looked to it, seeing that it showed something happening deep beneath the sea, a few miles from the Harwood Harbour. Machines were busy building a massive structure on the ocean floor. "Within the hour, my new base of operations will be complete. I've been able to acquire the materials and build this completely under the Rangers' noses."
"But the Psycho Rangers could present..."
"You should have more faith in your own power." He told her. "I have faith that once you take your place in my new base and start to produce my new robot army, you will have enough power to deal with them."
"I do not have faith." Metal Alice replied. "I have only programming."
"Well, be that as it may, this is one play I cannot lose with." He told her. "At worst, the Rangers will destroy the Psychos, by which time my new base will be complete, and it'll be too late for them to do anything about it. Best case scenario, I won't even have to deal with them."
"Master, there is something else." She told him. "I believe you will find this most interesting."
She handed over her tablet, at which he started to read it.
"This...this...this is impossible!" He stammered, looking to her. "Where did you get this?"
"I got this reading from the Robo Knight." She informed him.
"The Robo...?" He started to say. "This...how can this be possible?"
"I can assure you my reading is not wrong." She told him. "I have already devised a strategy on how best to use this information to serve our purposes."
Vrak scrolled through the information on the tablet, finding that she had indeed already devised numerous tactical options for how to proceed with this information, how to best use it to their advantage.
"Personally, I recommend option Alpha." She told him. "It utilises the most basic weakness of any biological entity."
"I am impressed." He said with an evil smirk. "When I created you, I never suspected you to come up with something like this."
"I have already expanded my programming to better serve my function as your lieutenant." She told him. "The internet is a marvellous tool."
"Then proceed how you see fit." He told her. "Then head for the underwater base. I will call on you when I am ready."
"As you wish master!" She stated, before teleporting away.
In the Command Centre, Tensou could only watch helplessly as the Rangers and Jordan took on the Psycho Rangers' new, powered up monster form. Tensou was rushing around, trying to find something he could do.
"I'm shutting down every non-essential system and re-routing power to your suits." Tensou screamed into the communicator as he did what he could. "Gosei, their power levels are still falling, and the Psycho Rangers' powers are increasing as we speak!"
"How long do they have left?" Gosei asked him.
"At this rate, even with all the assistance I'm giving them, they have ten minutes, perhaps twelve before their powers completely give out." Tensou told him. "Though I can buy them a little more time."
"Tensou, don't..."
"I'm sorry Gosei, but there isn't any other choice." Tensou told him. He attached himself to the console, and then looked to the viewing screen.
"Tensou!"
"Use it well." Tensou stated, before sending a huge charge into the machine. Gosei just watched helplessly as he fell to the floor.
"Tensou!" Gosei called out, but it was too late. The light in his eyes dimmed and went black.
Over at the site of the battle, Xavier started to come to, stroking the side of his head as he realised where he was. He felt a hand on his arm, and looked up to see Oliver helping him up.
"My head..."
"Trust me, we're all feeling it." David assured him. "We need to..."
Xavier just looked over to where the Rangers were battling their monstrous opponents. He could see that the battle wasn't going well. Troy was doing everything he could, but the dragon monster that had, at one time possessed him was far too powerful.
"We need to do something." Xavier told them. "This is all down to us, we caused this!"
"Look, that freak Vrak took over our minds!" Felicity reminded him. "We didn't have a choice!"
"Well now we do!" Xavier told them. "So we can either run away and..."
"Listen, I appreciate the sentiment." Henrietta protested. "But the Rangers have the power. What do you expect us to do? We're actors! We're not cut out for this!"
"Yeah man, come on." Oliver told him.
"The Rangers...they're losing!" Xavier stated flatly. "If they lose, what do you really think will happen? Do you think these things will be happy with that? They'll hunt us down anyway!"
Just then, Xavier looked to his hand, finding a device appearing in it. He looked to the others and saw they were holding similar devices.
"Oh no, you're not thinking..."
"It took two teams to defeat the Psychos last time." Xavier told them. The powers that had possessed them had relayed all the knowledge of the Psycho Rangers. "Then let's give them a second team."
"Xavier, we're actors!" Henrietta yelled at him. He then looked to them.
"I always said I never wanted to be a fake." Xavier told them. "I'm going to help them. You can all do what you want."
With that, he ran towards the battle. Oliver looked to the others, and then followed suit.
"Well, I guess it'll be one hell of a final role at least." David stated as he, Henrietta and Felicity started running.
Troy was on the ground, his Ultra Sword smashed from his hand as he landed. The monster came over, looming over him.
"You know, we got so close last time, but this time, you Rangers just don't measure up." He told them. "I don't know whether to eat you raw, or cook you first."
As he was about to strike, he suddenly flew off him. Troy looked up as he saw an armoured hand extended towards him. He looked up, seeing Xavier standing over him, wearing the Psycho Red armour, this time without his helmet. He looked to Troy and nodded as he helped him up.
"Xavier?" He asked. "What...where...?"
"The wardrobe?" He asked. "I guess Gosei decided to give us another take."
"Whoa!" Jake called out as Oliver grabbed him by the scruff of the neck, lifting him bodily off the ground and dumping him back on his feet. "Dude, seriously, you need to be a little more gentle."
"So I guess you decided to take the role seriously?" Gia asked Felicity as she helped Emma up. Felicity just looked between them and sighed.
"I...I'm sorry." She told them. "Seeing the way you all go out of your way to help others, to help each other...I don't know how I lost it like I did."
"I guess when you get told how wonderful you are wherever you go all over the world; it might go to your head." Emma suggested. "I know I've had my moments where I thought I was better than I was."
"Alright guys, what do we say?" David replied. "Do we stick to our own colours?"
"Trust me, there's way too much pink out here." Felicity stated, lining up alongside Emma. "What do you say we rectify that?"
With that, they all rushed into battle.
Elsewhere in the city, General Edwards was in his house, researching the latest footage he'd managed to gather on the Rangers when he heard the doorbell. He got up from his chair, and started to make his way to the door.
"Bloody cold callers." He grumbled as he made his way to the door. He opened the door wide. "Look, I'm sorry but I'm busy..."
He couldn't believe his eyes as he saw Metal Alice on the doorstep before him. He started to back away as she strode in.
"General Edwards I presume." She stated, kicking him in the chest and sending him to the ground. As he started scrambling away, she followed him menacingly. He got to the coffee table, snatching up his glock and levelling it at her. She just looked at him sceptically. "Really?"
He squeezed the trigger, firing off a few rounds. They rebounded harmlessly off her armour. She got close enough to kick the gun out of his hand.
"What...what do you want with me?" He asked her.
"It isn't you I want." She told him. "However, you will serve a purpose."
"What...what purpose?" He asked her. She converted her tablet into sword mode and approached him, stabbing him through the stomach. As he screamed out in pain, she twisted the blade, tearing at the wound agonisingly, before pulling the blade out of the wound.
"Give the Robo Knight my regards." She told him as she took his cell phone off him, crushing it into oblivion to prevent him calling for help. With that, she teleported out of the house, leaving him bleeding on the floor.
Back at the site of the battle, things were finally turning in the Rangers' favour. Without having to worry about the innocent actors being destroyed, they could finally unleash with everything they had.
Oliver drove home his spear, pinning the rock monster to the ground as Jake took out a power card. He put a hand on Jake's shoulder.
"Rockfall!" Jake called out as he slammed home the card. With the combined power of both Rangers, the resulting boulder conjured in the air fell to the ground, shaking the entire stadium, and more importantly, destroying the Black Psycho Monster utterly. The muffled explosion underneath the rock confirmed his destruction.
"One less Psycho in the world." Jake announced. "Gia, need a hand?"
"I think we've got it!" She replied as she and Henrietta battered into the insectoid Yellow Psycho Monster. Gia tore through her wings with her Tiger Claw as she tried to take to the air, before doubling around behind Henrietta. She powered up her Ultra Sword, sending out a power blast to back up Henrietta's Psycho Slinger. The Yellow Psycho Monster burned up in the blast, and exploded, ending her threat for good.
"That makes three!" Noah called out as he held the Blue Psycho Monster in place, while David sliced off his head with the Psycho Axe. Noah picked up the head and looked to David.
"Alas..."
"Do the Hamlet speech, and I'll reconsider what side I'm on." David chuckled. Noah threw the head away as the monster's body exploded. "I'll teach you how to do it properly."
Meanwhile, Emma and Felicity finished off Psycho Pink. Felicity stood, with a proud smile on her face.
"It feels good doesn't it?" Emma asked. "Doing something for the benefit of someone else?"
"I've played a hero so many times...I guess it's good to finally play it for real." Felicity replied, shouldering her Psycho Bow.
"I'm just glad it didn't cost us a Ranger this time." Emma answered.
"I guess that just means we're awesome." Felicity answered. Emma just rolled her eyes. Felicity was making steps in the right direction, but she guessed she couldn't expect miracles overnight.
Meanwhile, Jordan, Troy and Xavier were taking on the powerful, and now dangerously enraged Red Psycho Monster. Jordan fell to the ground, calling out in pain as he took a hit.
"Jordan!" Troy called out as he got to his side. "Are you alright?"
"That Metal Alice chick got through my armour." He told him, showing Troy the bleeding wound in his side. "I'll be..."
"Damn it, stay there!" Troy told him. "Xavier, Jordan's out! It's down to us!"
"No problem." Xavier replied as he attacked the creature, fending off its claws. The creature looked to him as he ducked a ball of flame.
"You...you were always troublesome human." He commented. "You were strong..."
"Most of my exes would say stubborn." He answered as he was forced back. Troy was immediately on the monster, forcing him back.
"Xavier, I've got him on the ropes!" Troy told him. "Give it all you've got!"
Xavier powered up his Psycho Sword, leaping high into the air and spinning as he came down. Troy moved aside at the last second as he scythed down into him.
"It's not enough." Troy told him. "Guys, let's do this!"
All of the Megaforce Rangers assembled, preparing for the Ultra Strike. Jordan staggered over to them, his Vulcan Cannon at the ready.
"Jordan..."
"I'll manage." He told them. "Let's just finish this guy quick!"
The Red Psycho Monster took the blast full in the face, before falling to the ground and exploding. Xavier and his fellow actors crowded around them.
"Wow, that was...that was amazing." Xavier complimented them. "You guys were awesome!"
"You were all pretty good yourselves." Jake returned the compliment. "I mean, seriously, you're all legit!"
"Coming from the real-life Rangers, I'm taking that as a compliment." Felicity said with a smile.
"Rangers!" Gosei called over their communicators. Troy answered his communicator.
"What is it Gosei?" He asked.
"You are needed urgently at the Command Centre." He told them.
"OK, we need to take Xavier and the others..."
"Bring them with you." Gosei told them. "It is them I really need."
The Rangers just looked to the actors curiously, seeing them smiling.
"Wait...you're serious?" Oliver asked. "We're actually going to the real Ranger Command Centre?"
"It sounds like it." Emma replied as they teleported out.
Over at the Edwards house, General Edwards dragged himself through the house, leaving a trail of blood behind him. He didn't know how long it had been since he'd been attacked exactly, but he'd been in enough war zones to know it had been long enough to be concerned.
Alice had known exactly what she was doing, stabbing him in the stomach. It was a wound that would bleed profusely, but not be instantly fatal. To make matters worse, she had twisted the blade in the wound, meaning that it wouldn't close on its own.
He finally got to the hall, where the landline phone was. He couldn't bring himself to stand, struggling to even get to his knees, and grabbed the cable, pulling the phone off the table to the floor. He struggled to dial as he held a hand over his stomach, stemming the bleeding as much as he could.
"911, what is the nature of your emergency?" The voice on the other end stated.
"Ambulance..." He managed to say, before the phone slipped out of his hand and he passed out.
"Sir, where are you?" The voice asked. "Sir? Sir?"
Over at the Command Centre, the Rangers arrived to find Tensou lying on the floor. Emma was the first one over.
"Tensou!" She screamed, running to his side. She shook him, but couldn't seem to revive him. "Gosei, what happened to him?" Noah started to check him over, finding all his functions completely dead. He found his power cell, and saw its display blank.
"His power cell...it's completely drained." Noah stated, looking to the others. "He must have used his own power cell to increase our own energy."
"But...he's going to be OK right?" Gia asked him. "I mean...we can just recharge him can't we?"
"He shut down all non-essential systems; it'll take hours for the Command Centre to have enough juice to be able to spare some to charge him up." Noah told them. "It might...it might not matter anyway."
"What do you mean?" Jake asked him.
"His memory bank runs on reserve power even when he's offline, but he's drained that too." Noah told them. "The longer he's offline, the more his memory is going to degrade. By the time we can recharge him, there's no telling how much he'll have lost."
"You mean...?"
"Tensou sacrificed himself for us." Noah confirmed sadly. "Without being able to power him back up soon, there's no way to save him."
"Can't we give him some of our power?" Jake asked. Noah shook his head.
"That last battle really took it out of us." Noah informed him. "I doubt we'd have the power to charge him."
"So...that's it?" Emma asked, looking to him a little tearfully. "There's nothing we can do?"
"I don't think so." Noah told her.
"Poor little guy." Gia lamented sadly. "He's...he's always been there for us."
Xavier got a thought as he saw the team gathered around their fallen friend.
"Wait...we got these morphers after he did that right?" Xavier told them. "Maybe he didn't give that power to you. Maybe he gave it to us!"
"Xavier..."
"Look, you guys were chosen for this, you're real heroes." Xavier interrupted Troy. He placed his hand, holding his morpher on Tensou's chest plate. "This little guy...he did something incredible. If this is what we can do for him, please let us."
"It's better to be a real hero for one day than to pretend for a lifetime." Oliver agreed as he placed his hand on Tensou's chest plate. "He gave us this, now it's time to give it back."
"I haven't done too much for others." Felicity admitted as she joined them. "Tensou hasn't even met me, and he gave me this chance. He deserves this second chance."
As David and Henrietta joined them, Gosei's voice reverberated around the room.
"There is no guarantee this will work." Gosei warned them. "If you do this now, your power will be gone for good."
"We're willing to risk it." Henrietta told him. With that, they all channelled their energy into Tensou. Their morphers disappeared, leaving them all drained and a little woozy. For a few tense moments, the Rangers just watched. Finally, Noah saw a faint flicker of light in Tensou's eyes.
"Guys, check it out!" He rushed out, going to Tensou's side. "Tensou, Tensou speak to me!"
"N...N...Noah?" He squeaked out weakly. "What...what happened?"
The other Rangers all gathered around him, crowding around the newly revived Tensou. They knew that at least some of his memory would likely have been affected, but it seemed he had retained most of his memory, since he at least seemed to know who they were. Troy went to Xavier and offered him a hand.
"Thank you." He stated. "We've been doing this a while. It's quite something to give up."
"Well, we've done something not many ever will." Xavier told him. "Even if we only got one shot, we're glad to have helped."
Just then, Gosei sounded an alert.
"Rangers, a 911 call has been placed within the city." He informed them. "Jordan, it came from your house."
Jordan just looked to the others, before grabbing his morpher and teleporting out of the Command Centre.