The Rangers were more than a little dejected as they got back to the Command Centre. They had been very fortunate up until now, all things considered. They'd suffered some losses on their journey, they'd suffered some injuries, they'd been knocked down and pummelled more times than they cared to admit. They had even once or twice come back with less members of the team than they had left with. But this time just felt different.

Even when Devon had been taken captive. They had watched Cruise being…well…the most accurate way to describe it was…

"Eaten." Jax whispered in disbelief as the Rangers relayed their report. Commander Shaw, Joanne and the Beastbots were there to hear their report following the battle. It was pretty hard to miss the mood in the room as they came back…and it was even harder to notice that Cruise was not with them. Zoey nodded sadly as she held her faithful Beastbot closely.

"That's what it looks like." She responded sadly. "That thing, it just…"

"It has the ability to absorb any form of technology that it can get a hold of." Nate interrupted, seeing that Zoey was struggling to get the words out. "Any time it absorbs technology, it gets more powerful. And if what he said is to be believed…along with what I observed, it seems like the more advanced the technology is, the more pronounced the effect on his power."

"He's already managed to get one of our swords, the new Wheel Blasters and…" Steel murmured. "…and Cruise."

"He was fighting so well. I thought he was up to this." Devon replied as he stood by the wall. He lunged out, slamming the side of his fist into it in frustration. "He was so nervous, I pushed him into this!"

"Devon, stop." Zoey begged him.

"It's all my fault!" Devon yelled. "Nate tried to warn me, Cruise was trying to tell me he wasn't ready, but I was just so…I just wouldn't listen!"

"Devon, Cruise chose to go." Ravi reminded him.

"He's my Beastbot!" Devon shot back. "What was he going to do? Say no?"

"Yes!" Ravi called out. He then looked to Smash. "Smash, pick up that hammer and smash all these computers with it!"

"What?" Smash yelled. "I could never do that!"

"Nate didn't program the Beastbots to obey, he programmed them with free will remember?" Ravi continued, while Smash continued to stare at the hammer in horror, wondering why Ravi would ever ask him to do something like that. "You could no more make him put himself or anyone else in danger than you could any one of us. If you asked Zoey or Nate or I to do something dangerous, but necessary, of course we'd do it. But if you asked us to do something, we knew we just couldn't do that would put us or the team needlessly in danger, we'd tell you outright and refuse."

"He's right." Zoey agreed. "Cruise has his own mind. If he didn't think he could do it, he wouldn't have."

"But I was the one who talked him into it." Devon reiterated. "He'd never have done it if I didn't push him into it."

"That Robotron was after tech. Any tech." Zoey pointed out. "If it wasn't Cruise, it would have been Steel."

"That's true." Steel said with a rather strange sense of pride for someone listening to people talking about people wanting to attack him. "When it comes to tech, I'm the ultimate prize."

They looked aside as the door opened. Commander Shaw glared as an officer came into the room.

"We're in the middle of…"

"Darren?" Joanne asked, recognising the man. With her working during the day, she needed to work out a schedule to ensure someone was with her dog Bruno while she was working. Darren was the one that was looking after him that day.

"I'm sorry Commander Shaw, but could I have a word with Joanne?" He asked. "It's kind of important."

Joanne looked a little worried. She looked to Commander Shaw who just nodded, before heading out of the room. Commander Shaw locked the door this time.

"Look, guys, I know you're just trying to make me feel better, but that won't happen until we get Cruise back." Devon stated. "Or until we avenge him."

"But how are we going to do that?" Ravi asked him. "That Robotron's more powerful now that he's absorbed Cruise's tech."

"Wait…combining with tech…" Devon said, before looking to Nate. "Nate, I've got a pretty wild idea."

Meanwhile, out in the corridor, Darren pulled Joanne aside.

"Darren, what is it?" She asked him.

"Joanne, I…I know you're busy, but I didn't think I should wait." He told her. "It's Bruno."

"What's happened?" She asked him, looking alarmed.

"I was walking him and he just…he fell." He told her. "It's like his legs gave out under him, and he just couldn't get up. I tried to help but he just couldn't. I took him to the vet."

"He's been sick for a while, but I never knew it was that serious." She sighed. "I've been waiting on some tests, thanks for telling me…"

"Joanne, the reason I told you is because the vet was pretty…" Darren said, trying to think how best to say it. "It looked pretty bad. The vet said you should probably get there as soon as possible."

Just then, the door opened and Commander Shaw came out.

"Joanne, we're going to need you in the Command Centre." Commander Shaw told her as the Rangers all headed for the lab. Joanne looked between Commander Shaw and Darren, being pulled between the two, before taking a deep breath.

"I'll be right there, Commander Shaw." She told her, heading inside. "Darren, thanks for telling me."

Back in the Crystal Dimension, Digitron had returned from his first attack, being recalled to allow Scrozzle to take stock of the fruits of his attack. That, and if he was honest, a little time to gloat too. Roxy was smiling as she observed the Robotron.

"Digitron's power is unmatched now that he's absorbed a Beastbot's power." She stated, before looking aside to where a couple of tankers were now sitting. "And in all the confusion, your Tronics managed to steal two whole tankers full of Morph-X without so much as a hint of resistance."

Blaze walked around Digitron, stroking his chin thoughtfully.

"Not bad, Scrozzle." He stated. "Credit where it's due, this thing has really done a number on the Rangers."

"Indeed. I just wish Master Evox was here to tell me how much better I am than you two!" He said with no attempt to disguise his gloating. Blaze and Roxy were not happy at all with his assertion, but he didn't care. They were his creations, and while they were some of his most powerful creations, he always knew that it was important that his creations knew where they stood. They might have sentient thought, but he created them. They existed because of him. They needed to know he was their superior.

"Don't get too cocky, the job's not done yet." Blaze reminded him. "The Rangers are still out there. They still have most of their weapons, and they still have two more Beastbots."

"Party pooper." Scrozzle replied sharply. Blaze ignored him though, instead going to the Robotron.

"Find more tech. Power up so much that the Rangers will never be able to stand against you." Blaze instructed him. "Then crush the life from every last one of them."

"It might not take him too long to draw them out." Scrozzle stated, looking at his computer screen. "Look here, the Rangers are just wandering around in the manufacturing district."

"Well, well, looks like they're thinking strategically." Roxy commented. "They're heading around places there's a lot of tech, hoping we show up, trying to get the drop on us."

"Well, I say we turn the tables." Blaze answered, looking to the Digitron. "You know what to do!"

The Rangers were wandering around, hoping for signs of Digitron. There was a lot of technology in the city, and with so much research and development being done, it wasn't as though there was a shortage of targets. Digitron had been going after soft targets up until now, but with Cruise's energy now inside him, he could afford to be a little more direct in going after more heavily guarded targets.

They had started a search pattern, checking each of the streets, and meeting back up every couple of blocks to try and limit the chances of anyone being ambushed. As they came together, they all felt the frustration building.

"Nothing in this sector." Devon commented bitterly.

"There's not much more we can do." Ravi commented. "Maybe we need to wait on him…"

"We're not just waiting on him deciding to come to us!" Devon put down flatly. "Every minute Cruise is inside him is a minute too long."

"Look, we all agree, but if he's not here, then what else can we do?" Zoey asked. Just then, Steel shoved them all aside, before rolling clear as Digitron dropped down on them from above, sending asphalt flying as he impacted with the street.

"You're quick, I'll give you that!" Digitron taunted them. "But that won't save you for long!"

"Digitron, you've got two choices, you can give us back our friend, or we can MAKE you give him back!" Devon called out. Digitron just started laughing.

"And what makes you think you have the power to do that?" He asked him.

"Because you're not the only one that can combine with your tech anymore!" Ravi answered as he and Zoey pulled out devices that looked like visors. They attached them to their morphers, before pulling out new Ranger keys. They looked to each other and nodded, before inserting the keys into the morphers. "Beast-X mode, activate!"

Digitron tried to run to attack them, seeing new tech to absorb, but before he got there an energy pulse, the runoff from their power up, knocked him flat onto his back. Zoey and Ravi stood before him, with new armour formed around their Ranger suits.

"This feels…strange." Smash's voice sounded inside Ravi's head. "How are you feeling Ravi?"

"Tough as nails." He said with a smile.

"What do you say we kick this guy's butt and get our friend back?" Jax's voice sounded inside Zoey's head. She just nodded in agreement.

"The buffet's closed, time to settle the bill!" She called out as she and Ravi ran towards Digitron. The Robotron got back to his feet, preparing to counter the first attack, but Zoey darted past him, ducking under his attack, far faster than he could possibly have imagined. She kicked him in his exposed back, driving him towards Ravi.

The Blue Ranger lunged forward, swinging his arm at chest level, colliding with the Robotron and taking him down hard. He and Zoey both swung around, just as the Robotron got back up.

"You got some power-ups? Good, I'll be looking forward to a good snack after this!" He stated.

"Sorry, but with our friends on our side, you don't have a chance!" Zoey answered.

"Maybe I just need a few friends?" He suggested. "TRONICS!"

"Don't worry about them, we'll take care of them!" Nate called out as he and Steel moved to intercept them. "Soften him up a little more, you know what to do!"

"Jackrabbit Spin Strike!" Zoey yelled, leaping high into the air and coming down in a corkscrew attack that smashed into Digitron, knocking him to the ground. He struggled to get up, but ended up coming face to face with Ravi, who rushed towards him. As he did so, a massive metal gauntlet, like one of Smash's massive fists, enveloped his hand. He slammed it straight into the Robotron's face, denting it badly and causing it to falter.

"Quick, do it now!" Ravi yelled as he grabbed one of Digitron's arms. Zoey grabbed the other, holding him fast. Devon rushed up to him, pressing his own key into the robot's chest. He pulled it out, at which Cruise started to appear, before turning into electronic data and becoming absorbed into his key. Devon spun away, attaching his Beast-X Visor to the morpher.

"Just hold him a second longer, guys." He instructed them. "Fancy getting a little payback Cruise? BEAST-X MODE, ACTIVATE!"

There as a bright light around Devon as he powered up into his Beast-X mode. Digitron renewed his struggle, but with Devon appeared, with his brand-new armour formed up around him. He started to get into position, while energy flared around him.

"You ready Cruise?" He asked.

"Give him a fatal case of indigestion!" Cruise answered.

"Beat-X CHEETAH CHARGE!" He called out as he rushed towards him. Energy flared all around him, until he was almost on top of Digitron, then he seemed to form up into a glowing version of his Cheetah Zord. Zoey and Ravi let go and moved aside just in time for Devon to rush straight through Digitron, obliterating him completely. Skidding to a stop on the other side, Devon just turned to watch as Digitron exploded.

"The Beastbots are more than just tech, they're our friends!" He called out. "And if you harm our friends, you're going down hard! Virus, eliminated!"

Over in the Crystal Dimension, Scrozzle was watching on the screen as his latest creation was destroyed.

He saw a green flash and turned around in time to see Evox, disguised as Mayor Daniels, appearing in the base. He could see that he wasn't happy. He ran to intercept him.

"Master Evox, how are things going fooling those humans into thinking you're one of them?" He rushed out. "Have they built any more Morph-X towers? How's…"

"Quiet, Scrozzle!" He snapped. "Do you think your inane prattling would distract me from your failure?"

"Failure?" Scrozzle asked. "But how would you…?"

"OOPS!" Blaze said with a knowing smirk.

"Oh, were we not meant to tell?" Roxy asked, feigning innocence. Scrozzle immediately fell to his knees.

"But your evilness, this was only a small part of a grander plan. Look at all the Morph-X my Tronics managed to steal…"

"Well, it's not a TOTAL loss." Evox stated. "Besides, I've managed to secure a valuable ally."

"New ally?" Blaze asked. "Who?"

"You'll see soon enough!" Evox growled. "As for the Rangers, I already have a plan of my own underway."

He walked over to Roxy, handing her a dart. She just looked to it in confusion.

"A dart?" She asked, looking utterly confused.

"Let's just say, the Mayor is giving the Rangers a little gift from an old friend." He chuckled. "And they're going to get a LOT more than they bargained for."

Back in the Command Centre, Commander Shaw was listening to the Rangers' report of their battle. A lot had happened in a relatively short period of time. The Beastbots were all with them, pleased to have Cruise returned to them.

"Thanks for the blasters, Nate." Cruise stated as he handed them back. "But I think from now on I'd prefer to help out Devon as part of Beast-X mode."

"Yeah, that whole thing was pretty sick." Zoey stated. "I've never felt power like that!"

"Well, we're all just happy to have you back." Commander Shaw stated. "Today has, unfortunately, been one of mixed blessings. We've gotten Cruise back, and your new Beast-X Mode is a powerful new weapon in our fight against Evox, but it was not without losses."

"Losses?" Devon asked, dreading to ask. Commander Shaw just pulled up a report.

"Five tankers of Morph-X were stolen while you were battling Digitron." She revealed. "It seems like Scrozzle was using this as a distraction."

"That's a whole lot of Morph-X." Zoey commented. "I don't want to think how long that can keep the new Blaze and Roxy going."

"He could cause a whole lot of damage with that, that's for sure." Nate agreed.

"So, maybe we should be looking at upping our arsenal." Ravi suggested. "Nate, you all saw what the Beast-X mode can do for us, and you did say that Steel was based on Beastbot technology, could you make something like that for yourself?"

"It's a little more complicated than that." Nate answered. "Unfortunately, the human DNA in Steel makes it a lot more complex. The thought of having the power of a Beastbot and two Rangers in one is definitely appealing, but until I can be sure I can do it safely without harming Steel…"

"We get it, really we do." Devon answered. "Is that everything Commander?"

"You are dismissed." She replied, getting up from her chair. As they all started to go their separate ways, Joanne headed over to Devon.

"Devon, can I ask you something?" She asked him.

"Sure, anything." He told her. She took a deep breath.

"Devon, it's about Bruno." She told him. This got an obvious reaction from him. He was trying hard to work on his phobia, but it was slow going. "Look, there's something…Darren came to me earlier and said that he collapsed."

"Collapsed?" Devon asked her. She just nodded.

"He took him to the vet, he said it looks really bad." She told him. "Would you…would you come with me?"

"Sure." He answered. "No problem."

Sitting in the vet's office was not a fun time. People were there with their pets, going to appointments and waiting to see their results.

Devon's chest felt tight as he saw people there with their dogs. A whole lot of them were there, sick and hurt, something that only made them grouchy. Devon's trigger was teeth and barking. When dogs flashed their teeth at him, when they started barking, it filled him with dread, making his fight or flight instinct kick in. Animals were more likely to become defensive when they were sick or hurt, and that meant there was a lot of noise, but he wasn't there for them.

He squeezed Joanne's hand as she stared into space, while waiting for the call. A moment later, a woman appeared at the door.

"Joanne?" She asked. Joanne looked up.

"That's me." She responded.

"Dr Anthony is ready for you now." She told her. Devon got up, helping her up as she went with the receptionist, heading for the surgery.

Devon still felt jumpy as he walked along the corridors, hearing various whines and barks from several of the rooms, but seeing Joanne, he could only think of her. He put his arm around her as they got to the door, being let in.

"Dr Anthony." She greeted him.

"Joanne, thank you for coming in." He told her.

"Darren told me that Bruno was here." She told him. "I was waiting on some results, but…"

"Yes, well today's incident allowed us to get Bruno's test bumped up in the queue a little bit." He answered. "I'm afraid it's not good news."

This wasn't really too much of a surprise, she doubted he was calling her in to tell her that it was just a case of the sniffles.

"How bad is it?" She asked him. "I don't have much, but I can get my hands on whatever I need…"

"I'm afraid that it's not that simple." He interrupted her. "Bruno had a tumour in his stomach."

"A tumour?" She asked. "Well, what are we talking, surgery or…"

"Joanne, I'm afraid it's already spread." Dr Anthony told her. "It's spread to his kidneys and also to his spine. His collapse was caused by the tumours interrupting signals in his spine."

He could see the look on her face. She had some idea of how serious what he was telling her was, but just like with humans, people loved their pets as loved ones. Sometimes, they needed to have the horrible truth spelled out for him.

"I'm afraid it's already spread too far. Anything we do would at best be a stall." Dr Anthony continued. "Sadly, it is my recommendation that at this point, the kindest thing would be to put Bruno to sleep."