"So Cyrax, tell me," Gideon sneered as he paced around his kneeling servant. "Where was it in the plan, exactly, where you take a group of Byte-Bots and attack the Rangers without my permission?"
"Humblest my lord, I had thought by taking the initia-"
"You thought?" Gideon scoffed. "At last, I think I'm beginning to see where the error was made. I did not create you to think, Cyrax. I created you to do my bidding, to obey my commands. I would sooner ask Kelgar to think before asking you."
Beneath his helm, Cyrax was scowling, stolen teeth gritting as he held back the tongue and endure the slights against his honor. But still, he said nothing, knowing the true consequence of incurring his master's wrath. And for all his humiliation, it was Gideon's bidding that he existed to serve.
"Perhaps I was wrong, after all," Gideon sighed. "Perhaps there's too much human in you still."
"My lord!" Cyrax replied. "I am nothing, if not dedicated to your will. I only wish to remove the obstacle that the Power Rangers pose so I could assist you with your plans."
"Then why did you hesitate to destroy Julian Benson when you had the chance?"
Even as he heard the question, Cyrax was well aware Gideon already knew the answer. He merely wished to revel in his minion's stammering silence, knowing that no response would be adequate. He had hesitated. He had thought that Mason was under control. He had grown overconfident. Human traits, ones that he thought had been long purged.
"I was caught off guard," Cyrax insisted. "I had not expected Benson to leave the sanctuary of his firewall. It will not happen again."
"Are you sure there is no… other reason, Cyrax?" Gideon pressed. "No desire for a stronger fight. Such wishes are not what I created you for."
"No, my lord," said the warrior. "Of course not."
"Glad to hear it," his master replied, circling back and lounging into his throne. "Now go make a virus and go back into the city. Finish what you started."
Cyrax snapped upright, bowing appreciatively before his master. "It will be done, my master."
Gideon watched with a finger pressed against his temple as the armored knight spun on his heels and excitedly. Cyrax was powerful but was becoming difficult to control. Perhaps it was time to seek other means…
Having been watching from the doorway, Kelgar slunk into the room before standing before the throne.
"Kelgar?" Gideon asked. "Do you remember, long ago, before Cyrax, that plan that we had concocted?"
The smile split across the lips of the sniveling reptile. "Of course, master. We shelved it because of the opportunity presented with Cyrax. But if you feel it may still be necessary…"
"We will see," Gideon decided, lazily turning to the viewscreen to watch the next engagement. "All I can say is that it helps to have a contingency..."
Ray had to admit, he was amazed at how quickly Bulk and Skull had cleaned up the Shak after the day's earlier events. Already the tables had been cleaned up, and any mess that had been tossed to the ground in the crowd's panicked flight had been swept up and cleared.
Ben had stayed behind in the warehouse, deciding that, even if he couldn't help with the calculations, an extra set of hands may be useful, leaving Jake and Johnny to accompany Ray for what he knew would be a difficult conversation.
Bulk and Skull were by the counter, a chess board laid out in front of them, and Skull focused so intently on the pieces that he looked like he was going to pass out. The rest of the place was deserted; unusual for Friday evening, but unsurprising after Cyrax's attack.
At last, the thinner man made his move, aggressively moving his white knight and passing back to Bulk before looking at and waving at the Rangers with a way-too-excited grin on his face. Taking advantage of the distraction, Bulk swapped over three of Skull's pieces before declaring check and also giving the three boys his attention.
"Hey guys," said Skull. "We would have thought you'd be staying away from here like everyone else."
"Look like everyone decided on a night in," Ray commented.
"Yeah, well," Bulk conceded. "Monster attacks tend to do that."
"Gee, Bulky," said Skull. "It sure was lucky that the Power Rangers showed up when they did."
"You said it Skull," Bulk agreed, looking equally ponderous. "It sure was lucky…"
In unison their heads turned to look the boys, eyes wide and expectant.
Okay, so it was going to be one of these conversations.
"When you said we were probably needed elsewhere," said Ray. "What did you mean by that?"
"Yeah," added Jake. "Shouldn't you have convinced us to run or stay inside like responsible adults?"
Bulk and Skull looked at each other, then back at the three teens. "You mean you guys haven't figured that out yet?"
Dammit, these two? The ones who couldn't hold a single drink without spilling it over themselves. Even looking at the chessboard, Skull had somehow managed to have both his bishops on matching squares. And despite Bulk's cheating and declaring check, he was somehow still losing.
And yet these bozos had figured out their identities?
"You mean you…?" Ray stammered.
"Know?" Bulked grinned. "Yup. I know, I know. It's surprising we took so long, given the titans of intellectual deduction you see before you."
"Yeah," agreed Skull. "You guys really had us going for a while. You're pretty good at keeping it a secret."
The three boys could only stand there with jaws hanging open.
"H…" Johnny tried to muster the syllables through his disbelief and only just managed. "How?"
"We're from Angel Grove, remember?" said Bulk as if that explained everything. "Skull, how many different Ranger teams have we seen?"
"Three!" Skull announced proudly before checking the math on his fingers. "No, four! Honestly, it's hard to tell sometimes because sometimes the suits changed but the people didn't.! Only then sometimes they did! It was a whole thing. Bulk here's seen five, but that's because I slept in when he went into space!"
"Okay sure, but there has to have been something that tipped you off…" Jake started before trailing off, picking up on the last thing Skull had said. "Hang on, did you just say Space?"
The two café managers grinned and nodded. "That's not even the craziest story," Bulk insisted before pointing between himself and Skull. "We used to be chimpanzees."
"You don't say…?" said Ray. To be honest with himself, that one was significantly less difficult to believe.
"So, I think it's safe to say, that your secret is safe with us," Bulk told them proudly. "What you see before you are the two sharpest minds in the entire galaxy!"
"Checkmate!" Skull announced behind him.
Bulk spun around, eyes nearly popping from of his head as realized the pieces he'd swapped had actually caused his loss.
But boys were saved from witnessing the squabble as their Morphers beeped in their pockets.
"Well go on," encouraged Bulk, who was still examining the chessboard in confusion. "Duty calls after all."
Seeing no point in hiding it, Ray pulled out his Morpher and opened up the line. "Hey, Doc, what have you got?"
To his surprise, it was Hilary that answered.
"Looks like Cyrax hasn't had enough for one day," she told him. "He's taken his goon squad back to the quarry. He might be trying to dig up more of that asteroid."
"All right, we'll meet you there." He closed the line and looked back at Bulk and Skull. "Well guys, it's been… enlightening." It was as diplomatic as he could think of. "But we've got to run."
"Morphin' time already, huh?" Bulk chuckled.
"Go, go!" Skull encouraged. "Power Rangers."
At first, they backed away slowly, only then to turn and bolt out the back of the Shak.
"Should we be worried about those two?" asked Jake as they stepped outside.
"I mean, even if they do tell people," Johnny pointed out. "Who's going to believe them?"
"A problem for later," Ray agreed. "Right now, we've got Cyrax problems."
And he just had to hope that Ben and Hilary had the shield work by now.
He snapped up his Morpher. "Ready?"
"Ready!" Jake and Johnny replied.
"Data Squad! Digitize!"
As the light consumed them and summoned their powers, the trio leaped into action, Data Cycles racing down the road to reach the quarry. They reached the spot in what felt like moments, tires skidding in the dirt as they pulled to a halt.
To their surprise, Cyrax and his minions weren't doing anything. They were waiting Beside him was a large canine, standing on its hind legs.
"Good afternoon, Rangers," Cyrax greeted. Already Ray didn't like it. Usually, there was venom in his voice, an eagerness to start the fight. But now he was unnervingly calm. He was up to something.
"Come to add more to your jewelry collection?" Ray asked him.
"I'd rather add your helmets as trophies," Cyrax snarled. "Byte Bots, attack!"
The boys were ready, Modem Blades out and primed as the robots set upon them. The first came in close, parried by Ray's sword as he kicked back and charged at the second. He swung low, sweeping the leg before slashing out. Then he flipped it into pistol mode and opened fire on the rest.
But as they were ready to celebrate, Cyrax whipped out his blasters, unleashing a torrent of laser fire that hurled the boys backward. They flipped in the air and landed on their feet as Cyrax kept the smoking barrels trained on them.
"Well, that was a cheap shot!" Jake at him.
"Whatever gets the job done."
"KINDA LIKE THIS!" roared a sudden voice.
The revving of engines filled the air as suddenly blue and yellow motorbikes burst into view. Ben and Hilary opened fire, bolts of energy searing through the darkened sky as they exploded across the ground. The Byte-Bots flailed as the explosions sent them scattering, clattering to the ground as the tires gripped the dirt and the two Rangers dismounted by their comrades.
"Sorry we're late," said Hilary. "Had to pick up a few things."
Having seen the reinforcements, Cyrax straightened up and turned to the virus at his side.
"You go onto the city;" he commanded. "They haven't got a hope of getting past me!"
"Woof! Woof!" the virus replied. "Don't screw the pooch!"
Then it vanished in a flash of green, leaving the five Rangers to stand opposite Cyrax. The wind rustled between them, neither side moving as they stared each other down.
"Hilary's got the device," Doc explained. "But you're only going to get one shot at it."
Ray's only reply was a nod before he pointed purposefully at their opponent.
"It ends tonight, Cyrax."
"Funny," he growled back. "I was going to say the same to you."
"So, you want your butt kicked again, do you?" taunted Ben.
"One trick does not make you a worthy opponent," said Cyrax. "I have seen all of your capabilities, whereas you have only begun to see mine."
Weapons were drawn; the Rangers shifted into defensive stances. Still, the two sides stared at each other, carefully watching, waiting for the other side to blink.
Then Cyrax snapped up his pistols.
"Scramble!" Ray ordered.
The pistols boomed, the five darting in all directions as the shots exploded beneath them. Ray landed first and closed in, Power Sword swinging into an unrelenting assault. Blow after blow, he refused to give Cyrax an inch, every strike taking ground as his enemy was forced to relent it.
But the warrior was just as fast, sparks flying between their connecting blades Cyrax battered every strike. Until last Ray overcommitted. So focused on his strength, every swing grew wider and wider, giving Cyrax the perfect opening to drive his boot into the Ranger's chest. But as Ray flew backward, Ben flew in, hammer held high and swinging.
Cyrax ducked beneath the blow, slashing the sword across the Blue Ranger while rocketing out a foot to kick Johnny mid-charge. With the rangers stumbling, he leaped into a backflip gaining some distance as Jake and Hilary closed in. The move gained him seconds at the most, but ones that were precious and vital. Hilary hit him first, keeping him busy with a flurry of lightning blows while Jake readied his axe for a strike.
But Cyrax merely ducked, the axe blade sheering past as his leg snapped upwards to kick Hilary's helmet and readying for the Green Ranger's next onslaught. Tossing aside his sword, his arms snapped up and clapped, catching the flat of the axe between his palms and yanking it free of its wielder.
"Try again."
Flipping it around, he slashed the axe against Jake's body. The Green Ranger cried in pain as sparks burst from his suit and he soared backward. He hit the ground skidding, rolling along the dirt, and barely stopping short of plummeting into the pit of the quarry.
The two felled groaned as Cyrax stood above them, chuckling at his victory.
"This is all you could muster," he laughed. "All our battles, and it appears you have learned nothing!"
But while was the warrior occupied with the Yellow and Green Rangers, Ray, Ben, and Johnny seized the chance to take a position. And ready their counter.
"Triple Finish!" Ray commanded as Ben vaulted into the air. But whereas before they'd built the perfect strategy, now Cyrax seemed far from impressed.
"Fool me once," he sneered, casting aside Jake's axe and whipping out his pistols. One snapped up, the energy ripping through sky-hit the soaring Ben square and chest. He leveled the other without even looking, training the barrel on Johnny and firing time with the other. Thinking Cyrax distracted, Johnny was charging full pelt, and with no room nor time to dodge. The lasers seared against their suits, whiplashing their assault to send them tumbling across the dirt. Leaving Ray to face him alone.
But he wasn't giving up so easily.
Already committed to the charge, the Red Ranger picked up speed, raising the Power Sword into a mighty sweep that he hoped would knock Cyrax's balance. The reality was anything but.
Without any distractions, Cyrax had full freedom of movement and was more than ready for the assault. The blade swung wide, Cyrax diving to one side and rolling as Ray pivoted to give chase. Big mistake. In his haste, he hadn't watched where Cyrax had dived to. In leaping to his feet, Cyrax had snatched his discarded sword, and now Ray had nowhere to turn. In charging off the strike his enemy, he'd defense wide open, and now he was ripe for the picking. Purple energy hummed around the blade, blurring in a trail as Cyrax's arm snapped into a graceful upward slice, blitzing right up Ray's uniform.
His whole chest burned, searing light bursting from the suit as Ray was flung from his feet. He hit the ground meters away, thudding into the gravel as his aching body rolled the rest of the distance. Having recovered, albeit only somewhere, the other Rangers dashed his side, helping him to his feet as Cyrax watched them and laughed.
"I warned you that earlier was a fluke," he scoffed. "You should know well enough by now that pride comes before the fall."
Ray's eyes quickly scanned the team as he desperately tried to reformulate a plan. So much for that strategy and was still the only one they'd had to have any remote success. And the longer the fight went on, the more exhausted they'd get. The better it would be Cyrax.
He knew the choices, keep fighting and hope for a break, or pull back to fight another day. Which translated to getting their butts kicked or leaving Kyle Mason still under the control of a psychotic program.
But at least things couldn't get worse.
"Guys, I don't want to rush you," Doc warned through the com, Ray swearing at himself for even thinking it. "But that virus has skipped the opening act and moved straight to the bombastic encore. He's already big and stomping his way downtown."
Ray's mind was racing, desperate for any plan as he ran through their options. They could retreat, form the Megazord and try to take down the dog. But he doubted that Cyrax would let them get away so easily. It was likely what the warrior was banking on. That they'd either expose themselves in retreat or else be so distracted by the plight of the city that wouldn't be able to fight properly.
Not that they were doing so crash-hot right now.
That they'd want to rush, and it would make them sloppy.
They needed to change the game, which meant holding one front at bay while accelerating the other.
"Hilary?" Ray asked. "How long do we need to hold him for you to get the device online?"
"However long you can get me."
"All right," Ray decided. New plan; divide and conquer. "Doc, can operate the Bison Zord remotely?"
"I can, but don't know how long it'll last on its own."
"Copy that." He turned to Ben and Jake. "You two have the fastest Zords. Take them now and hold that virus off, we'll be right behind you."
Neither was happy with that plan, both actively protesting before Ray cut them off,
"We'll be fine, I've got an idea." And it was terrible. With the command to Blue and Green Rangers issued he turned to Hilary and Johnny. "Hilary, be ready with the device. Johnny, follow my lead and get ready to back me up."
Both nodded, stances shifting in readiness. Ben and Jake nodded too, more reluctant but still willing. Then, taking a deep breath to calm his screaming nerves, Ray took a bold step forward and began striding toward Cyrax.
"Facing your doom head-on," the warrior scoffed. "Finally, something I can respect."
"Ray?" Jake demanded, "What are you doing?"
Ray didn't look back as yelled the order. "GO!"
Moments later, he straight after he heard the sound of running footsteps, followed by a bellowing cry.
"Zord Powers! Digitize!"
The corner of his vision caught remnants of the blue and green light as Jake and Ben finally acquiesced to their instructions and raced to fight the virus, leaving Hilary and Johnny to watch anxiously as Ray continued his stride of defiance.
One plan left, stop fighting the body, fight the mind. For all his pride in being a digital creation, Cyrax was plenty human. And the best hope Ray had was exploiting it.
At last, he finished crossing the distance, and the two warriors stood across each other staring.
His heart was pounding, half his instincts screaming at him to bolt, the other demanding he lunge in and strike first. But neither was the right option. Cyrax was an unstoppable force, and it was Ray stopped trying to meet him as an equal one.
Neither warrior moved, standing at the edge of the quarry, and staring each other down. Helmet to helmet, man to man. Then, without even looking where it was landing, Ray tossed his sword aside. He remained locked on his enemy, a challenge that dared Cyrax to do the same.
"Let's finish this."
His heart was hammering, muscles locking to hide the shaking. But still, Ray stood strong, determined not to blink before Cyrax moved.
Refusing to budge before his enemy.
He breathed in deeply, letting the cool air grip the walls of his airways in a final bid to calm. To quell the screaming fear, and focus. He could do this. He had to do this. He didn't need to win, he just needed to keep him busy.
To be the immovable object.
For a moment, Cyrax did nothing, watching as Red Ranger shifted into an inviting stance. Then, with the message loud and clear, he nodded even hesitate.
"As you wish."
He too cast aside his weapon and raised his fists for battle.
It was like time had stilled, nothing moving but a swirl of the wind kicking dust into the air. The grains leaped before dropping, bouncing between them like a patter of heavy rain.
And then Cyrax struck.
He crossed the gap with blinding speed, two quick steps with his first poised for striking. But Ray was ready, hands flashing to block before recovering with a punch of his own. A punch that Cyrax deflected. Ray shifted with every blow, snapping back to defense in readiness for the bout. A tiny sliver of time as Cyrax rewound. And calling a sliver was generous.
His eyes snapped beneath him, catching something move.
A kick!
Ray snapped back, smacking away the strike before spinning to launch his foot. His boot smacked dead on with his full force cracking into the breastplate. Cyrax stumbled back, but only for a moment. Then he surged back to begin the onslaught anew.
The dirt scattered beneath their feet with every step, each of Cyrax's blows growing harder, stronger, and faster. Fury rising with every punch. It was all Ray could manage just to keep up, his matching pace was only adding to Cyrax's roaring frustration. Frustrations that were making him slop.
With a mighty scream, the warrior surged toward his enemy, punching down with all his strength as Ray's hands snapped up and caught it. It was like trying to stop a freight train, his arms straining immediately as his feet skidded beneath the weight and dug into the soil to brace. But much to Cyrax's anger, Ray didn't fold. He held.
"Brave of you to discard your weapon," Cyrax sneered, pulling himself closer to the struggling Red Ranger. "But foolish of you to fight alone."
And at that, Ray couldn't help but smirk beneath his helmet. "That's where you're wrong. I never said I was fighting you alone."
Cyrax had no time query before Johnny's boot crashed into his helmet. Having caught onto Ray's plan, the Black Ranger had wound around the signs, using the distraction to prepare a runup and launch himself into the fray.
"What was it you said earlier?" Johnny chuckled. "About fooling you once?"
The kick had sent Cyrax spinning, crumbling across the dirt as the boys launched to give chase. The warrior had barely landed, fist slamming into the earth as the Rangers pounced him. His hands snapped to block, swatting them away from his kneeling position just as the next kick swung in. And now it was Cyrax's turn to barely keep up, every blow covering the other as the duo persisted in their coordinated assault.
Off balance, Cyrax scrambled to his feet, so desperate to stay ahead of blows, for what was coming. He was prepared for a punch, and Johnny had launched for a grab.
The cyborg swung wide, flailing blow almost falling into Johnny's open palms as the Ranger snapped his hand to the shoulder and pressed hard on the limb. With an angry roar of defiance, Cyrax lurched, struggling as Johnny stepped behind him to keep the arm locked in place. In desperation, Cyrax's spare hand lashed only, only for Ray to snap in and grab just as Johnny had done. Then they stepped together, squeezing the arms closer and giving Cyrax no room to move.
They had him.
"Fools!" Cyrax roared, struggling desperately against their lock. "This will not be enough. You will never be strong enough to defeat me!"
"Wrong again," Ray retorted. "Beating you was never the point. Hilary, now!"
Because Johnny hadn't been the only one taking the time to gain position.
Both boys flipped backward, the sudden relinquish throwing Cyrax off balance as the Yellow Ranger launched into the air and hurled the device at his feet. It activated on impact, the orange bubble bursting to life and encasing the warrior within the ball of arcing energy. Now upright, Cyrax snarled as he bounced his hand against the wall of his prison.
"This trick again?" he noted. "What exactly do you think this would achieve?"
"Only one way to find out," said Hilary replied as the boys snapped to her side and readied for any escape. Then, with all of them wishing a silent prayer that it work, Hilary's finger snapped to her Morpher and hit the button.
Then the bubble burst to life. Cyrax screamed, the entire sphere flashing into a golden glow, tendrils of lightning crackling the walls and arcing around Cyrax's body leaving scorches in their wake. Smoke sizzled off his armor, chunks stripping off and disintegrating as the warrior screamed and sunk to his knees. His hands clasped his head, back arcing as he writhed.
From outside, Ray didn't drop his guard, shooting Hilary a nervous like with the desperate hope it was working. "Is it meant to be doing that?"
"I sure hope so," Hilary admitted, her unknown uncertainty betrayed by her voice. "Or else we've just made him a lot madder."
The electricity was ripping through him, Cyrax screaming as his armor slowly disintegrated and more and more the arcs whipped into his form. The glowing inside was growing with every burst, energy intensifying with every passing second. Within his cries of agony, Cyrax's voice was changing too. No longer deep and filtered, it was almost melting into a sound higher pitched. More natural.
More human.
But as this visor peeled away, stripped by the electric arcs and shattering into tiny cubes of data, a face began to peer through the shattered helm. Eyes that were glowing green, seething at the rangers with nothing but pure hatred.
His fist, now stripped of armor slammed in desperation against the prison wall, skin sizzling as the energy started to burn him.
"It's hurting him!" Ray realized.
"Just on hold a little longer!" Hilary pleaded. "It's almost there!"
Her tone wasn't insisting it was working, just warning their fifteen seconds were nearly up. All they had was hoping it would be enough.
By now the light was blinding, Cyrax now barely more than a fading, flickering shadow with the all-engulfing globe. The machine within was whirring, pitching sharpening with every moment, shuddering with the strain of its power.
Like it was going to blow.
And then it did. The bubble burst apart in a blast of light, tiny beads of energy shattering in all directions as the Ranger dived for cover.
But nothing else happened. No explosion, no raging scream of fury.
Only silence.
Slowing, Ray looked up and cautiously rose to his feet. Beside him, Hilary and Johnny did the same, and all three tentatively approached the sight of the experiment. The device lay on the ground, sundered across the dirt in a scattered mess of steaming pieces.
The rain of remnant energy was already fading, dissipating in the air like drizzle on a summer's day. All that remained at the site was a man.
Buckled to his knees, he was dressed in torn, khaki fatigues. Slowly looking up, his face was tired and weathered, red hair and stubble shaggy from months without attention. But he was unmistakably the man they'd seen in the video. Hilary gasped in recognition, moving to race to his side but Ray put his in front to stop her. Not until they were sure it was safe. Not until they were sure that man the knelt before was Kyle Mason and Cyrax.
They watched him cautiously, hands ready to snap to their weapons in the event of a surprising lunge. Slowly, the man rose to his feet, swaying as he did, and took a stumbling step. Then he lifted his head and looked at them with a smile that was as grateful as it was weary.
"Thank you."
He sunk to his knees, hands clutching his face in disbelief that he was touching it with his bare hands. That his body was his own once more. Only then did Ray relent and allow Hilary to rush to his side. He collapsed into her arms, head burying into her shoulder as he began to cry blabbering tears of desperate relief. Relief that at last, his nightmare was over.
"You're welcome," Hilary said warmly as she looked up at Ray and Johnny. Even though her face was concealed beneath her helmet, he could tell she was smiling. Her grin was likely as wide as his own.
"Guys?" came Doc's panicked reply. "Guys, what's happening? All my sensors on the shield unit just went dark."
"Doc?" Ray announced proudly, "We did it."
"You did it? Do you mean it worked? It actually worked?"
"You bet!" cheered Johnny, "Rangers eight, Gideon zero!"
But their cries of victory were short-lived, as Doc very quickly brought them back to reality.
"Don'tcountyourchickensjustyet," he warned. "There's still that virus stomping around the city. Get Kyle on a Data Cycle I'll steer him back to base while you worry about the big thing."
"We're on it!" said Ray before turning to the others.
With Hilary taking one side and Ray taking the other, they carefully lifted Kyle Mason and carried him toward their parked cycles. Easing him into the saddle, Hilary guided his grip to the handles and told him to hold on tight. The bikes began moving on their own, the four unoccupied vehicles forming an honor guard around Kyle's. Then, as their rides vanished down the road, the three rangers rushed to the edge of the quarry and held their Morphers high.
"Zord Powers! Digitize!"
With a burst of light the lion, the tiger, and the elephant flashed into the canyon, materializing from the Morphers before the feet quaked the ground on landing. Without wasting a second, the Rangers leaped into the controls, hitting full throttle and gunning toward the city.
"Jake, Ben, we're coming your way," said Ray. "Is our friend being a good boy?"
"He needs a little house training," Jake replied.
Ray could already make out the green glow of Jake's eagle as it dive-bombed down to the main square. He steered a hard left, his lion weaving between the buildings as it raced to the scene of battle. Moments later, the three remaining Rangers burst out into the central district. And Ray wasn't willing to waste a second.
"Begin Megazord docking sequence!"
He slammed the controls, watching as the other vehicles began to converge. As the three new arrivals closed in, the eagle wolf retreated, racing to join the others as the Bison too rumbled toward them. The bodies began to unfold, shifting into convergence as the cockpit was filled with the familiar thunks and whirring. Launching into position, the mechas rearranged, locking with the other animals as Ray's seat zoomed into the shared cockpit with his team.
Primed and ready, the newly formed Megazord took a thundering step forward, a daring challenge to the towering monster.
"Server Patrol Megazord, Bison Cannon!" they announced with pride. "Online!"
The slobbering jaw of the canine widened as the Megazord stepped toward them. "Hey, no fair!" it screeched. "So rude to interrupt my walkies!"
Ray turned to the others. "What do you say, guys?"
"He's all bark and no bite," Ben explained. "Time to put him down!"
The giant canine bounded toward them, front paws slapping the road before launching into the air. Its jaw opened wide, rows of razor teeth glinting in the evening light as they bared down on the Megazord.
"Bad Dog!"
Ray yanked the controls as Ben and Hilary steered them back, giant foot stomping the ground as the Server Patrol stepped from harm and swing. The mighty fist pummeled through, bullying the air as collided with the virus' head in a devastating haymaker. The blow sent it spinning, crashing across the asphalt before scampering back in a whimper.
"We should have brought a rolled-up newspaper," Jake chuckled.
"I think it's time to send this boy to the kennel," Ray decided. "You guys ready on the cannons?"
"Ready!"
As the giant dog recovered, Ray amped up the power, watching the levels shift across the screen as the guns on their back began to rumble. A heavy crunch sounded below them, clamps deploying on the Megazord's feet as the entire machine braced to fire.
"Here we go, boy," Ray taunted. "Fetch!"
"Bison Cannon! Fire!"
The night sky ignited as the giant energy blasts cannonaded from the cannons, searing across through the air toward their target. Having barely scrambled to their feet and seeing the engulfing wave of energy approaching, all the virus could do was gulp down in resignation.
"Oh no!" they howled. "This plan really went to the dogs!"
The energy bombardment rained down upon them, blasting against their form as the rounds expanded into glorious balls of fire. The flames towered upwards, spiraling into columns of burning light as the canine vanished among the ashes.
As the smoke cleared, any remaining traces were gone, leaving only the Megazord to stand tall in the city's lights.
Back at the warehouse, they all reveled in celebration. Kyle had been whisked into a chair the moment he arrived, Doc hovering around running scans of his vitals. As the Rangers returned, they began to lend a hand, wrapping the escapee in a blanket and warming a fresh cup of cocoa as Doc began to maniacally race around the warehouse, scrambling supplies to allow a second person to occupy it.
Very shortly, the Rangers had eased his concerns by deciding they'd return the next day with items scrounged from their own homes. Kyle himself was quiet, mostly sitting in awe as he experienced the touch of air against his skin. Ray could only assume that it was the first time in a very long while.
And taking a step back, leaning against the desk as Hilary and Johnny excitedly retold the battle to Ben and Jake, he couldn't help be feel a beaming sense of pride. Not with the fight, although in hindsight he was pretty impressed with himself, but what they'd managed to achieve.
They'd saved a life, they'd made someone's existence better. And Ray would happily trade all of the monster fights and explosions to do that over and over again. Sure, until now they'd blown up plenty of Gideon's viruses. But right now, more than ever before, it felt like they'd truly accomplished something as Rangers.
Like they'd made a difference.
"Thanks again guys," said Kyle Mason for what must have been the millionth time, now settled in his chair with the team attentively gathered around him.
"Well, we couldn't just leave you trapped in there now, could we?" Ray replied.
"That, and we were getting really sick Cyrax kicking our butts every day," Jake agreed.
Kyle laughed, a chuckle that was more of gratitude than appreciation of any joke. When he looked up at them again, there was a shimmer at the rim of his eyes. "Seriously though," he insisted. "If there's anything I can do for you, and I mean anything at all, let me know."
"You are going to take it easy," Doc interjected, appearing behind him to swap out the empty mug with a fresh one. "I think you've had more than enough adventure for a while."
But as Kyle conceded that his old friend may be right, Ray looked over at the others. As much as they wanted to give Kyle time to rest, they knew it was a luxury they didn't have. There was no way Gideon would be taking the loss of Cyrax lightly, and from everything, they'd scene there was a larger scheme at play. They had this chance, they needed to take it.
Otherwise, they'd be caught off guard yet again.
"Kyle," Ray asked quietly. "Do you have any idea what Gideon's planning?"
As he asked, Kyle's face sunk, shamefully bowing his head before shaking it. shook his head.
"No," he admitted, "whatever he was up to, he never shared the full details with Cyrax. It was always where to go and who to hit, but never why. And Cyrax was an all-too-loyal attack dog that never questioned his orders. But I know Gideon wasn't happy when Cyrax attacked you today. It was like he was worried he might alert you to something else going on. But otherwise, all I can tell you is that it's big. He got plenty more of those rocks from the quarry, and he's somehow combining it with Murphy's research."
Sharing a nervous look with Hilary, Ray nodded in confirmation of his worst suspicions. They'd wondered if Gideon was being too cavalier with the energy source he'd found after expending so much effort extracting it. Now they knew why Kelgar had been so willing to insert some into Porkchop.
"Whatever he's plotting," Hilary decided, "He hasn't carried out yet. And in taking out Cyrax we're bound to have put some wrinkles into his plans."
"You're right," Ray agreed. "When it comes, we'll be ready."
"Boy will we," said Ben cheerfully, "after what we just pulled, Gideon better be shaking in his boots. Besides, we just took out his second in command! How much could he possibly throw at us now?"
Gideon sat on his throne, sharp fingers trilling on the armrest as he watched the Ranger's device tear his general apart. As the light vanished and a newly freed Kyle Mason dropped to the ground, he rolled his eyes and turned his attention to the battle in the city. Although now that Cyrax was neutralized and the team already racing to reunite, he knew that battle too was now a foregone conclusion.
No matter, both had served their purpose.
An unfortunate setback, but not completely unexpected; frustrating, but not insurmountable. In truth, ever since Mason first broke free he'd expected that Benson would eventually attempt some form of rescue. And Gideon knew the Doctor all too well to assume his eventual likelihood of success. It had only been a matter of time.
Which was why other arrangements had been made.
"My lord," Kelgar said delicately, bouncing two claws against each other as he began to break the news. "The Rangers have destroyed the virus Cyrax sent into the city."
"I assumed as much," Gideon said lazily. "The only reason I wished for Cyrax to send one was to give the Rangers something to chase. I had a vain hope that perhaps they would believe it to be the reason behind Cyrax's earlier misguided attack."
"But my lord," Kelgar reasoned. "Now that they have Mason, is it possible that-"
"I did not tell him anything of note," Gideon replied. "Nor am I concerned about losing my general. Not so long as you prepared that contingency we discussed."
And at that, Kelgar's reptilian snout widened into a gleeful grin. It figured, the sniveling sycophant never was happy to share the spotlight with anyone else, let alone another outsider like Cyrax. When offered the chance to use a virus to occupy their prisoner's body, Kelgar had first been elated. But jealousy had quickly crept in.
Gideon merely found it amusing, the petulant envy that overtook his chief scientist so quickly. He wondered how long it would take him to start bickering with their new addition.
"Of course, my lord," Kelgar announced. "She is waiting just outside the door."
"Then bring her in."
Kelgar rose and walked to the entrance, pistons hissing as he hit the button and the partitions slid apart. Steam wisped into the room, enveloping the threshold as a shadowy silhouette emerged within. As they stepped into the room, Gideon's lips split into a pleased smile as he gazed upon Kelgar's handiwork. He had outdone himself this time. No hideous virus, born of the Digitizer's random filling of gaps, the warrior stood before him now stood upright and proud.
A tall female with brown hair braided behind her head, her armor was similar to Cyrax's, minus the helmet that had concealed his face and plated a dulled chrome instead of muted khaki-green. She stood at attention, her expression void of emotion and awaiting his command.
"May I present, Mileena!" said Kelgar proudly. "She's smarter, stronger, and faster than Cyrax ever was. And most importantly, she's entirely artificial. She's the perfect warrior, with not a single hint of humanity."
Looking up, the female caught Gideon's eye before kneeling before the throne.
Then, at last, she spoke.
"What would you have me do, Master?"
To be Continued…
NEXT TIME-
As the Rangers celebrate Cyrax's defeat and Kyle Mason's rescue, Gideon, at last, puts his grand plan into motion. But as the Rangers are forced to face down the master of evil himself, Kyle Mason must face a choice. Stuck on the sidelines as the Rangers confront Gideon's ultimate plan, as well as his new minion Mileena, he is forced to choose between passive safety and dangerous action. Can he sit helplessly on the bench and watch them crumble, or will he dive into the fray to help? Even at the risk of becoming Cyrax once more?
Find out next time on:
POWER RANGER- DATA SQUAD
The Rescue- Part 3.
A/N:
Power Rangers: Data Squad is a fan-made team of Rangers that is not explicitly based on any other existing Rangers or Sentai property and updates twice weekly on Tuesdays and Thursdays. If you like what you read, you can always drop a comment to let me know, and don't forget to subscribe, follow or bookmark to get updated the second I post.
So, until next time, may the power protect you all.
