The skyline of Newtech City looked like a war zone from the air. Smoke curled from downtown streets, sparks from damaged streetlights rained across the pavement, and every surveillance drone was locked on one target: Leo.
Inside the Command Delta Hauler, Leo leaned against the console, scrolling through the incoming data.
> Delta: "Commander, SPD has deployed a specialized strike team. Estimated force: three enhanced Megazords, plus support drones and tactical units."
Leo (grinning): "Three Megazords? Overkill much? Someone's compensating."
> Guardian 7: "Commander, the odds are… not ideal."
Leo: "Not ideal? You've been sitting in metal for six hours. Relax."
The Hauler rumbled forward, shifting into combat mode, red lights flaring across the hull. The Zords moved into formation.
> Delta Prowler: "Commander, they're using anti-Zord frequency disruptors. We might lose synchronization."
Leo: "Then we'll just improvise. You're good at improvising, right?"
Prowler: "Define 'good.'"
Leo: "Better than dead."
---
SPD's Trap
From the clouds above, three blue-and-white Megazords emerged, their energy crackling like electric storms. Each one was calibrated with experimental anti-inverted tech — EMP disruptors, tether nets, and targeting beams designed specifically for Leo's signature.
> Red Ranger: "Leo, stop this now! You're endangering everyone!"
Leo: "That's the point! Just kidding… mostly."
He toggled the Inverted Delta Megazord's shields, black plates snapping into place like folding steel.
> Delta: "Commander, disruptors activated. Zord coordination falling by thirty percent."
Leo: "Thirty percent? Time to go to eleven."
---
Battle Unfolds
The first strike hit like a meteor. The Red Ranger's Megazord fired a tether beam, wrapping around the Cruiser's arms. Sparks flew.
> Leo: "Okay, party's getting started!"
Prowler leapt forward, spinning and tearing the tether. Sky Saber dove from above, slicing through drones deployed as backup. Guardian 7 stomped through EMP zones, its shields pulsing with energy to counteract the interference.
> Red Ranger (frustrated): "He adapts too quickly!"
Tech Officer (over comms): "He's using… tactics we've never seen before!"
Leo grinned inside his cockpit.
> "That's why I don't read the manual, Red. Manuals are boring."
---
Squad Dynamics Strain
Despite the victory in skirmishes, cracks appeared in the Inverted Squad.
Prowler was arguing with Cruiser over tactics. Sky Saber was demanding more solo maneuvers. Guardian 7 was lecturing Leo on "protocol adherence" for the hundredth time.
> Leo (to himself): "Great. My team's bickering in the middle of a battle. Classic."
He slammed the control panel.
> "Enough! Squad, focus. If we can't move as one, we're dead. And I don't like dying. You look terrible dead."
For a moment, silence fell. Then each Zord adjusted, their AI linking through the Hauler's command node like a heartbeat.
> Delta: "Synchronization restored. Ready for counterstrike, Commander."
Leo: "Now we're cooking with fire."
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Turning the Tide
Leo activated Assault Mode, the Megazord's armor shifting to heavy artillery configuration. Cannons deployed from the shoulders, energy blasters firing in arcs that cut through the SPD support drones like butter.
> Red Ranger: "Leo, we don't want to fight you!"
Leo: "Sorry, I don't take requests. Only orders… and mine are better."
The counterstrike went from defensive to offensive. Leo's Megazord executed aerial flips, dodging beams while taking down the experimental disruptors one by one.
> Delta Prowler: "Commander, multiple hostiles neutralized!"
Leo: "And none of us exploded. I'd call that a win."
---
Aftermath
Finally, the EMP disruptors failed, and the SPD Megazords were forced to pull back. Red hovered above Leo, frustrated but not defeated.
> Red Ranger: "This isn't over, Leo. You can't keep doing this alone!"
Leo: "Alone? Hardly. I've got the best squad a rogue could ask for. Just… don't tell anyone."
Leo disengaged, and the Inverted Zords split apart, retreating into the Hauler. Engines hummed, lights dimming as the mobile base blended with the city shadows.
> Guardian 7: "Commander, they'll come back. Stronger."
Leo: "Good. We'll be ready. We'll get stronger too."
Delta's hologram flickered softly.
> "Commander Leo… you are now a recognized threat by SPD. Officially."
> Leo (smirking): "And unofficially… their nightmare."
He leaned back, watching Newtech's lights flicker below.
> "Shadow justice," he muttered. "One fight at a time. But we're just getting started."
---
To be continued.