Whatever reason Mileena had for leaving, the Rangers knew it wouldn't be for long, and with their suits recharging the clock was already ticking down to their next engagement. Quick as they could, they hurried back to the warehouse, eager to regroup and strategize before Gideon could resume the assault. Looking for something, anything, that could tip the odds back in their favor.

Doc's assessment didn't fill them with hope.

"This monster's definitely designed to take a hit," he conceded. "I guess we should have expected that Gideon would have adapted to the Battlizier. I just didn't think that it would be this quick."

"So," said Hilary, turning her attention from the monitors to the Red Ranger, "Plan B?"

Ray slumped in the chair, squeezing his eyes as he pressed his brain for an answer. "I'm working on it."

But while the team stood in the huddle, nervously debating their next move, Kyle could only sit in silence. Off to the side, he was all too aware of his role in their defeat. And if it happened once, it could happen again.

It wasn't like he hadn't fought Mileena before and held his own plenty of times. But instead, this time, she'd read him like a book, she'd led him to easily expose himself to her attacks. And all the while he'd been so distracted that his team had been piled on by everything else.

And still, another doubt lingered in the dark recess of his mind, a concern that had echoed whenever thought it was gone. When Cyrax had been in control, he'd been a powerhouse, an unstoppable juggernaut that shattered his enemies like they were water on rock.

But now, back in control and in command of the power, it felt like he could barely keep up. Cyrax had long decried the human part that had remained, how Kyle had clung on. The program had insisted that it was holding him back. For so long Kyle had insisted that his humanity was his greatest strength, but now…?

Clearly, he wasn't the only one with this on his mind.

"What happened with Mileena?" Jake asked, as suddenly Kyle felt all six heads slowly turning to look at him.

"Yeah man," Johnny agreed, "You've never had a problem with her before, what changed?"

All Kyle wanted to do was shrink deeper into the chair, or better yet disappear entirely as he felt all attention in the room focus in. Their looks were mixed; confusion, concern… pity. Still, it was better than the alternative, the looks they gave him when he nearly…

…when he nearly…

they all stared up at him, huddled together, holding each other as they braced. They knew what was coming next. Cyrax raised his blasters, ready to fire and…

"Kyle?"

Ray's voice snapped him back as he realized the others were still waiting for an answer.

"I don't know," Kyle lied. "I guess I just got distracted."

"By what?" Hilary asked.

"It was nothing," Kyle insisted. "Mileena just got into my head; it's not going to happen again."

"Kyle," said Ray. "If Mileena's found an edge against you, we need to know what it is. It's the only way we'll be sure to stop it."

"It's nothing, it's just some stupid-."

"He's been having dreams."

Benson's voice cut through the others, a clenching silence following as all of them turned to the revelation's source. Kyle could only stare at his friend, stammering as he realized what he'd just unveiled.

"You said you didn't want to tell them," Benson shrugged. "But I never said I wouldn't."

"Dreams?" Ray asked cautiously. "What kind of dreams?"

Benson shot Kyle a look, an offer to explain on his own terms. A look that gave a simple message. Tell them, or else he would instead. And while Kyle wanted to be angry, furious about the betrayal of confidence, he knew he had no leg to stand on.

Because the team had just as equal a right to be angry at his secrecy, and yet instead of fury and judgment they instead were sitting in patience for an explanation. To try and understand, just as Benson said they would. He was right, they'd already gone above and beyond to help him. And he'd repaid it by leaving them out in the cold.

"I lose control," said Kyle, the words at last escaping, released into the world as if saying them made it real. "Cyrax reemerges, he takes over my suits, and then he destroys you."

Suddenly all eyes shot to Benson; panicked looks at the realization of a possibility they hadn't considered.

"But that can't happen, right?" Hilary asked, shooting a pointed look at Benson. "You said Cyrax was gone for good."

Benson nodded. "We've already scanned the Morpher. There's no trace of the program left."

"And there's definitely no way Gideon could try to hack in and take control by remote?"

Again, the programmer shook his head, and one by one, each of the Rangers looked over at Kyle.

"Why didn't you tell us any of this?" Ray asked.

"I don't know," Kyle admitted. "I guess because it was my burden to bear. I know that I'm in control of my powers, but I just can't help but think about what would have happened if you guys hadn't saved me. Besides, you all have enough to worry about with adding my sleeping problems to the list."

He braced himself for what was coming; the anger, the rebuttal, the wondering of whether he could even be trusted at all. But just as before, none of that emerged. Instead, it was tender silence, accompanied by the soft nodding of understanding.

"Kyle, dude," said Jake. "We want to know about it because we want you to be okay."

"Those dreams sound awful," Hilary agreed. "We're sorry that you have to go through that every night."

Kyle's eyes widened as realized the shared expression between the rest of the team, concern.

"I can't imagine what I must have been like, Ray admitted. "Watching Cyrax do those things in control of your body. But he was the one to do that. Not you. And we wouldn't be happy to fight your side if we had any doubt about that."

"You're in control," Johnny agreed, "We know you've got our backs."

"And we've got yours," finished Ben.

He could feel his eyes quivering, vision starting to blur. After that had happened, they still were so willing to stand by him? After all that he'd done?

No, he told himself, all that Cyrax is done.

"What Cyrax did, it wasn't your fault," said Ray. "And no one here blames you for any of it. But I know first-hand how bad an idea it is to make decisions for the team without consulting them. We're strongest when we're together. Let's not break that by keeping secrets, okay?"

At last, Kyle looked up to the young Red Ranger and nodded.

"Yeah," he smiled. "I guess it's about time I got my head around that."

"Awesome," Ray grinned. "Now let's put our heads together and figure out a way to beat this turtle thing."

Resolve restored, the Rangers gathered around the terminal as Benson began typing like mad. The screen flashed as a diagnostic of the Sheldon appeared before them.

"It's built for defense," Doc concluded before pointing closer to the screen. "But look at the cracks on the shell. It must have some kind of limit."

"Good to know it's not invincible," Hilary conceded.

"It's not backing too strong a punch either," Ray noted. "At least not enough to get through my Battlizer armor."

"It's a distraction," Kyle realized. "Something for us to focus on while they pick us off at the edges."

"Do you think that's what Mileena was trying to do with you?" asked Ben.

"Must have been."

"Okay, so we know that the Battlizer isn't enough" Jake conceded. "But what if we hit it with the Data Blaster at the same time?"

Hilary shook her head.

"Even if we transferred usage of Ray's sword to someone else, there'd still be way too much of a strain on his powers," she explained. "Trying to kick out that much firepower would more likely just fry out his Morpher."

"Yeah," Jake admitted, "that does sound bad…"

Kyle narrowed his eyes. There had to be something, some manner of cracking that shell. But if they couldn't use Ray's sword…

"Hilary," he said suddenly. "Do you think you can reconfigure to the Data Blaster to work with my sword instead of Ray's?"

The blonde snapped up, like a lightbulb dinging in her head as she spun around to look at Benson. Then the two of them started frantically typing, and the other Rangers watched a render of the blaster appear on the screen.

"The base form fits in but…" began Hilary.

"It's got a stronger core power," Benson said without looking away, "do you think you could…"

"…compensate for the knockback by redistributing power flow from the other weapons?"

"Exactly!"

Again, the two went back to frantically typing, the rest of the team watching as the dynamic duo worked in near-perfect synch to enact Kyle's suggestion. A few pushes later, a render of Kyle's curved energy sword had been inserted into the Data Blaster.

"Should work like a treat," Hilary grinned as she looked back at her team.

"I don't want to be the party pooper here," said Johnny. "But for us to use the armor and the cannon, won't we need all six of us?"

"Yeah, Johnny's right," Ben agreed. "I don't think Mileena and Gideon will plan on giving us a chance to do that."

"So, we beat them at their own game," Kyle decided. "Ray, you said that shell-boy couldn't do much to your armor right?"

"I'd probably run out of power before he broke through it," Ray agreed.

"It might even be what Gideon was planning on," Hilary admitted.

"It won't come to that," said Kyle. "If your armor's tough enough to take the hit, then it means the rest of you guys are free to fight elsewhere. If Ray can keep the virus busy, then that means we can be the ones to pick off the edges. Let us clear the way to hit the big boy with both weapons."

"Everything else includes Mileena," Jake pointed out. "How do you know she won't get the better of you again."

But Kyle just looked at his teammates, his face narrowing in affirmation of his new resolve. "She won't."

Just in time for the alarm to sound.

"Looks like our friend's gone back to the park," Ray noted as Benson pulled up the display.

"And picked up a few upgrades," Hilary agreed.

Sheldon was again thrashing through the greenery, but now was sporting metal plating over his softer parts and reinforcing his shell.

"Think the new configuration will be enough?" Johnny asked.

"It'll have to be," Ray replied. "Let's just hope that armor slows it down."

Out of time, all six of them rushed to exit with their Morphers at the out and primed. And this time, Kyle stood among them; all six Rangers together and ready to get back to action.

"You guys ready?" Ray called as the other five stepped forward to confirm.

"Ready!"

"Data Squad! Digitize!"

They were already moving as the light flared around them, armor and suits forming around as the power imbued their bodies and they rushed toward the scene. When they arrived, they wasted no time at all, diving into the center of the horde to begin clearing the Byte-Bot infestation.

Kyle lashed out with his sword, purple blade twirling as it carved through their numbers and cleared out a path. Something moved in his peripheral, a momentary flicker as one of them lunged into the air. Kyle stepped back, sticking out his foot to trip up as it landed. Then, as the robot crumbled to the ground, he plunged the sword downwards, sparks flying as the engorge pierced the breastplate and the robot ceased to move.

His finisher was met by the sound of slow, sarcastic clapping behind him. Kyle didn't need three guesses to know who it was.

"Impressive," Mileena laughed as the warrior glared over his shoulder.

"I've been practicing," Kyle snarled back.

"Then let's see if it's paid off."

Kyle turned slowly, flourishing his blade as he leaned back into a defensive stance. All around them blasters fired, balls of fire bursting as the Byte-Bots clashed with the Rangers in a chaotic melee. But both warriors just stood there, staring each other down, oblivious to the pandemonium around them.

To each of them, they were the only ones that mattered.

Then Mileena lunged.

Kyle didn't flinch, holding strong as she surged forward, blade raised and eager. He stepped, waiting for the final second to let her barrel past. But she was ready.

She planted her foot into the ground, spinning her blade in a pirouette as Kyle raised his own to block. The weapons collided, each so resolved to push forward that they unleashed a shockwave on impact.

And it didn't slow either of them down.

Now it was his turn, dropping his guard to throw her balance and spin into a powerful kick. She swiped against his boot with her forearm, the metal of her vambrace cracking against the blow.

Perfect.

With her guard locked in place, he lifted his other foot, leaping into the air and burying it hard into her chest. The blow knocked her backward, and her head snapped up with a seething hiss.

"Not bad," she admitted, "The offer to join us is still there."

"How come?" Kyle sneered. "Your position already vacant?"

Two could play at that game.

She lunged again, faster than before, and this time Kyle could barely keep up. Moving to a full defense, he'd barely blocked one blow before she was surging on to the next. He saw an opening, spinning around the blade to take the chance. But Mileena was ready. Cracking it back with her own before kicking him backward.

"You forget, I do exactly what you do," she snarled. "But better."

Her blade began to glow, energy crackling as it began converging on the edge. Off balance, Kyle had nowhere to dodge, Mileena unleashing a blade of power that seared across the distance and sliced against his armor. Sparks flew as the attack exploded, hurling the Security Ranger from his feet to send him backward.

He rolled on the ground with a groan, struggling to scamper up as the seething Mileena stepped slowly towards him.

"You could have had everything, Cyrax!" she roared. "But instead, you have nothing. Which has led you here; beaten, weak, and alone."

"He's not alone!"

A volley of laser fire burst through the air, scattering at Mileena's feet as she leaped from harm. Johnny and Hilary somersaulted in front of her, the yellow Ranger kneeling to help Kyle to his feet.

"Ray's keeping the turtle guy busy," she explained. "And Jake and Ben have got the Byte-Bots covered."

"Thought we'd lend a hand," Johnny agreed, and Kyle could just tell the Black Ranger was grinning eagerly at Mileena.

He looked at his comrades, both now staring down his adversary. Willing to stand, willing to fight.

For him.

With him.

They were right, he wasn't alone. And he didn't have to be.

"Let's do this," he agreed, lifting his sword and preparing for another round.

"Fools," Mileena decided. "Stand together, fall together."

She lunged forward, and the Rangers leaped to meet her. Hilary came in first, launching into a flurry of strikes that pushed Mileena on the defensive. Every blow was dodged or parried, but they'd already down their job. They'd distracted her just enough for Johnny to get behind.

He soared above her head, bringing the staff low as he landed to sweep in the legs. She kicked Hilary away, flipping over the weapon to bring her sword around and strike the Black Ranger. But Johnny was already moving, stepping backward as the sword glided past and forced her to further commit. Leaving her nice and vulnerable.

Kyle lunged, taking the opening given and swinging the sword upward. The energy blade sheered across her armor, blooming into a burst of sparks as the force of the strike barreled into her and hurled her across the park. As she hit the ground, she tumbled into a crouch, his fist carving up the earth as it slowed her landing. But by then Kyle had already switched to his blasters. And Johnny and Hilary were right beside him with their own.

"What do you say?" he suggested. "Time to lighten up the mood?"

"You said it!"

The three opened fire, lasers blasting as the rounds exploded all around the Mileena. Their combined might merged into a single ball of flames, the shockwave rocketing through the trees as it tossed an exposed Mileena into the air.

The warrior slammed hard to the ground, armor steaming as she snapped back up to the Rangers with gnashing teeth.

"This isn't over!" she roared.

"Oh, this?" Kyle asked, gesturing to the two Rangers beside him, "I think it is."

Then Mileena vanished in her usual flash of light. Before they could celebrate their victory. An explosion rocked the woods behind them. Not done yet.

They rushed to the scene, Jake and Ben joining at their side having handled the last of the Byte-Bots.

Ray and Sheldon were still engaged in their battle, blades unsheathed from the crimson armor as they sheered against the virus' shell. Not to much avail, it seemed.

"Think we should give him a hand?" Kyle suggested.

"Good idea," decided Johnny. "Let's put it together!"

They moved in fluid motion, the pieces locking together as Kyle joined them, slotting his energy blade in place of Ray's sword. Then he stood in the middle, teammates by his side, knees bent to brace as he saw his weapon glowing between the barrels.

"Data Blaster!" they called, "Security Mode!"

Ahead of them, Ray saw what they were up to.

"Well, it's been fun," he jeered. "Time to make this a real blast. Jet pack, activate!"

He soared upwards as jets flung from the back, twin trails of smoke twirling beneath him as he reached his peak and hovered into position. The armor clicked and whirred as the blades sheathed and the blasters formed on his wrist.

Sheldon looked to the Rangers, primed and ready, and then up at the Red Ranger hovering above him.

"Not good," he gulped.

"Data Blaster!" they roared together. "Fire!"

"Power Cannons! Fire!"

The ball of energy burst from the barrel, rocketing towards the monster as Ray unleashed his blue beams from above. The two attacks converged, growing into a ball of blinding light. Sheldon snapped into his shell, dropping to the ground in a desperate brace for impact.

But it wasn't enough. The twin attacks exploded into a dazzling flash that left barely more than a crater in their wake, small chunks of smoking carapace dropping to the ground in blackened pieces.

Triumphant, Ray landed beside them, patting Kyle on the shoulder.

"I think we can call that plan a success," he grinned.

"Thank me when it's over"." Kyle replied, nodding to the smoldering remains that were already glowing with green. "It looks like Gideon's already gearing up for Round Two."

The beam shot down from the sky, enveloping Sheldon completely before rejuvenating him at his new, towering height. But the monster had barely called out their defiant cry of return when all six of them held out their Morphers.

"Zord Powers Digitize!"

Technicolor bursts filled the sky as the mechanical animals materialized from their Morphers. As the animals raced through the streets, the Rangers leaped into the air, landing in their cockpits to immediately begin the merge. Moments later, the twin machines stepped forward, the ground quaking beneath their feet as they stood ready and defiant before the monster.

"Server Patrol Megazord! Online!"

"Firewall Megazord! Online!"

"You can't defeat me with those hunks of junk!" taunted Sheldon.

"Guys, be careful," Benson warned. "If he could tank against the battlizer when he was small then you can bet that he's ready for you Megazords."

"We'll see about that!" replied Kyle before opening the com. "Ray, I've got an idea. I'll send him to you, and then I need you to send him back."

"Right!"

The mighty mecha lumbered forward, thundering into a run that boomed with every footstep. The first strike went wide, strong but slow, and Sheldon easily battered it away in gleeful ignorance of the feint. With the guard open, Kyle rammed the lever, a heavy fist cracking upwards to pummel into the soft underside of Sheldon's jaw.

The monster stumbled back, the ground rumbling as he stepped. Taking the chance, Kyle steered behind it before summoning his main weapon.

"Ray, get ready!"

Sheldon's eyes widened as he realized just how close the Firewall was.

"What?"

"Data Blade!"

On instinct, the virus withdrew, snapping into the shell as the Blade crashed into it. Just as Kyle had hoped.

The sword crashed into the defense, full force focusing on a single point and rocketing the shell across the park.

"Already guys!" Kyle instructed. "I got him all teed up for you. Send him high!"

"Batter up!" Ray called from the Server Patrol.

The mighty sword flashed into the Megazord's hands as the team brought it around in a powerful crescent blow.

"Terabyte Saber!" they called. The broadsword cracked upward, swinging in the perfect strike into the curled-up virus. Like booming thunder, the sword struck against the shell, blasting it into the air.

"Homerun!"

Then it was Kyle's turn to bring it home.

"Bison Cannon!"

The rows of guns cracked open around the Firewall's wrists, erupting in beams of light that pummeled into the shell.

"Let's send you sky-high!"

With nothing to stop the momentum, Sheldon soared, climbing and climbing with every second. Then, when the virus had reached its peak, Kyle stopped the barrage, ending the upward propulsion.

"Get ready!" he warned.

With all upward momentum vanishing, there was nowhere for the monster to go. For a moment, just one, it looked like the shell was hovering, and in equal surprise, the turtle reemerged from their carapace to look. But then gravity took its hold and snatched him back to earth. All Sheldon could do was flail his arms as he fell, the ground rapidly soaring towards him as the Megazords stood together and readied their weapons beneath.

There was nothing left for the monster to do but wail, "That'll teach me to come out of my shell!"

"Terabyte Saber!"

"Data Blade!"

The two swords swung upwards, cracking against terminal velocity before flashing on impact. With the collision of great forces and the might of the energy unfurling from their weapons, Sheldon's entire form exploded, and the monster screamed as weapons tore him apart. The flames seared outwards, stretching across the sky in an impressive display as the blast disintegrated every atom of his body.

As the smoke cleared and the Megazords turned away, Kyle could only chuckle, "Talk about a case of shell shock!"

With the monster gone, the two Megazords stood side by side, confident that the city was safe, once again.


"Okay," Jake explained as he leaned over the booth and pointed out all the controls, "so it's just like driving a car. Steering isn't as realistic but it's the same idea."

Behind them, the rest of the Rangers were eagerly watching.

"Oh," Ben delighted, rubbing his hands together with glee, "this is going to be good."

"Yeah, go get him, Kyle!" Hilary cheered. "Make him pay."

Jake looked up from the simulator to look at his confusion. "What with all the hate?"

"You beat Ben at a car thing and me at a video game," Hilary pointed out.

"And then you decided to gloat about it," Johnny added.

"Sorry buddy," Ray conceded. "You've dug your own grave on this one."

Rolling his eyes, Jake climbed over into the second booth and set up the race.

"There are so many buttons," Kyle gasped beside him. "How am I meant to know what they're all meant to do?"

"I'll start us on an easy track," Jake decided as he selected the course. "Give you a chance to get used to the controls. You should probably start on an automatic transmission, gives you one less thing to worry about."

But as the screens loaded the starting line, Kyle looked over at the Green Ranger and grinned. And then his hand snapped the gear stick in a perfect sequence.

"Don't worry," he replied. "I think I got it."

"Buckle in…" Ray grinned with the others.

The light turned green, and speakers blared as the racers floored it. The Rangers watched, cheering and gawking as the two digital cars swerved around the track. But for every trick Jake pulled, Kyle was ready, demonstrating near-perfect control of the simulated vehicle.

It was neck and neck, each vehicle barely inching in front of the other. Then Kyle started to slow, earning a gleeful laugh as Jake pulled ahead. He snapped the wheel, pulling out front to block the path of recovery.

Only for Kyle to steer inwards, the corner of his car cracking into the side of Jake's. The Green Ranger's vehicle spun out, crashing into a wall at the side of the track as Kyle soared across the finished line and the gold trophy appeared on the screen.

As Jake stared at the fractal image of the crumbled car, Kyle looked across in victory.

"And that," he grinned. "Is how it's done."

"Yeah!" Ben cheered.

"Way to go Kyle!" agreed Johnny.

Emerging from the simulator, Kyle couldn't help but grin as he saw his teammates, excited about his successes. Even Jake seemed pleased, sheepish as he was in defeat.

"Yeah, yeah," Jake conceded. "Nice driving."

"Smooth moves on the road, quick thinking on the tactics." Ray decided. "Gideon better watch out, because we've got ourselves one awesome team member."

Kyle could already feel himself going red. "Come on guys, it was nothing."

"Are you kidding?" Hilary insisted. "It was a great idea to reconfigure the Data Blaster."

"Not to mention blasting that guy into space." Jake agreed.

"They're right," Ray concluded, raising his drink to their teammate. "We're lucky to have you.

Kyle smiled, touched by the warm welcome and trust that they were placing in him. He had to admit, that evening after their battle with Sheldon had been the first sound night's sleep he'd had in a good long time.

But that was enough about him.

"I'm just glad to be part of the team." Confessed Kyle, before looking over at Jake with a grin, "So how about it? Ready for Round Two?"


NEXT TIME

Deciding that he's run out of options to destroy the Rangers in the present, Gideon turns to a new source of power- the future! But when his attempts to travel through time bring Rangers along for the ride, the teen must find a way to navigate their strange new world.

Will the Rangers be able to find their way home? And what new evils does this future hold?

Find out next time on-

POWER RANGERS

DATA SQUAD

Get in Gear- Part 1.

A/N: Power Rangers- Data Squad updates 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 to find out the second I update. Power Rangers: Data Squad is a fan-made team of Rangers, and not explicitly based on any other existing Rangers or Sentai property. Until next time, may the Power Protect You.