Power Rangers SPD: Inverted Division — Episode 2: "Rogue Response"
Rain had a habit of making everything look dramatic. Which was perfect for Leo. He was standing on top of a rooftop, black-and-crimson armor gleaming under the neon glow, hands in his pockets because apparently, doing things "by the book" was no longer his style.
"Day two of not getting arrested," he muttered. "I'll call that a win."
Below, the streets were a mess. Hover-bikes zipped around in panic, drones whirred overhead, and somewhere, a vending machine had exploded. It was chaos. Pure, delicious chaos.
> Shadow Enforcer Cruiser: "Commander Leo, unauthorized SPD units detected approaching at high velocity."
> Leo (grinning under his visor): "Oh good. They remembered I exist. Let's give them a proper welcome."
The Command Delta Hauler rumbled forward from its hiding spot in a side street, panels shifting as turrets and support systems emerged. The Zords formed up around it like a shadowy formation:
Delta Prowler padded silently on rooftops, sensors scanning, claws extended.
Sky Saber streaked overhead, leaving contrails of black smoke with red streaks.
Guardian Unit 7 stomped into the streets, shields up, ready for anything.
Shadow Enforcer Cruiser launched into pursuit mode, sirens flashing red.
> Leo: "All right, boys, let's have some fun. And maybe don't wreck too many cars this time."
Down below, the official SPD team arrived. Red Ranger's visor gleamed under the rain, Blue and Yellow flanking him like perfectly groomed stormtroopers.
> Red Ranger: "Leo! Stop! Those Zords aren't yours!"
Leo (tilting his head, joking like it was obvious): "Technically borrowed, temporarily improved, and morally questionable. But yes, not mine. Heard."
Before the Red Ranger could respond, Leo tapped his wristband. The armor shimmered, SPD Flight Mode activating. Jetpack wings unfolded with a hiss of venting heat.
> Leo: "Time for a little air support. You guys might want to duck."
Sky Saber launched into formation, Delta Prowler leapt to intercept drones, and Shadow Enforcer Cruiser zig-zagged through alleyways, flipping stolen hover-bikes back to safety (because Leo had standards).
> Red Ranger: "Leo, this isn't a game!"
Leo (laughing slightly): "You wish it were. But yes, technically a job. For me, anyway."
The Megazord battle began almost by accident. Guardian Unit 7 and Delta Prowler merged into the arms, Shadow Enforcer Cruiser linked into the chest stabilizers, Sky Saber joined as aerial jets — all combining into the Inverted Delta Megazord.
> Leo (inside cockpit, grinning): "Ladies and gentlemen, welcome to the first day of my morning commute."
Red Ranger's Megazord was bright, classic, pristine — and way too polite. Inverted Delta Megazord, on the other hand, moved with predatory precision, black armor glowing red as hydraulics hissed.
> Leo (dryly): "Don't take it personally. I just like shiny things better when they bite back."
The two Megazords clashed in the streets. Rain sprayed like fireworks, metal screeched, and Leo's blasters volleyed in perfect sync with the Zords' movements.
> Shadow Enforcer Cruiser: "Commander, tactical advantage gained. Enemy sensors disrupted."
Leo: "Good. Now, confuse them while I… pretend I'm being reasonable."
Red Ranger tried to fire, but Leo's Megazord danced around, dodging with improbable precision. Delta Prowler slashed drones out of the air, Sky Saber rained down targeted EMP blasts, and Guardian Unit 7 blocked everything that got too close.
> Leo (mock-serious): "Heads up, Red. You're about to be humbled by your very own tech. No pressure."
He even managed to flick a hover-bike out of harm's way, catching it mid-air with a magnetic claw.
> Leo (muttering to himself): "I'm a hero… right?"
By the end of the fight, Red Ranger's Megazord was immobilized, stuck in a tangle of Zords and tactical nets Leo had deployed. Leo landed gracefully atop a building, hands on his knees, looking down at his handiwork.
> "All right," he said aloud. "That went well. And no civilians were harmed. Mostly. Someone might have lost a hat. Sorry about that."
Shadow Enforcer Cruiser beeped softly.
> "Commander Leo, you are unpredictable."
> "Thank you," Leo replied. "I try to live up to my own chaos standard."
From the rooftops, Red Ranger watched. SPD's ideal of "good guys in bright armor" had just been upstaged by a rogue in black and red who was… kind of hilarious. And terrifying.
Leo activated Squad Mode: Police, transforming his armor mid-flight. Reinforced shoulder plates, energy cuffs, and a subtle little light to flash for dramatic effect.
> Leo: "See? I can follow rules… if I like them."
He winked at the Zords, then leapt toward the city, ready for whatever mischief — or heroics — came next.
> Narrator (Leo, internally): "SPD thinks they know justice. They don't. I'm about to show them… the shadow side."
To be continued.