Author's Notes: Hey, everyone! Sorry for the delay in chapters. I've been without internet for a while and just got it back. Hopefully I can be forgiven.
Warnings: Drama, Violence, Language, Slash, AU
Disclaimer: I do not own anything Power Rangers and have written this story for fun
Summary: Some people were born different. While some lived normal lives and never embraced their secret, others accepted it and lived double-lives. What happens when the animal is set free and the ones you care about just don't understand?
The tension was so thick you could slice clean through it with a Spin Sword.
Antonio stood still as a statue, with the only movements being his breathing and the occasional blinking of his liquid golden eyes. He studied each Ranger carefully, starting with Emily. He took in the look of fear that was plastered to her face as she moved to slightly hide herself behind Mike, as if afraid Antonio would charge at her. Said green Ranger had his mouth agape, clearly in shock. Mia was reacting the same was as Emily, moving to seek protection behind Kevin, while the blue Ranger held a look full of betrayal and anger. The only passive one was Jayden, for the red Ranger had known all along of Antonio's secret. The only looks he saw were understanding, pity and sadness.
"I knew it! I knew he could never be trusted!" Kevin suddenly shouted, pointing an accusing finger at the gold Ranger. "He's been keeping a secret from us all the time! He's been lying to us!" He turned his accusing eyes to Jayden. "You knew about this, and you didn't tell us? You knew Antonio was a monster, and you kept it to yourself! What kind of leader are you?"
As soon as those words left Kevin's mouth, Antonio let out a low growl and bared his teeth at the blue Ranger. He didn't take kindly to anyone talking to Jayden like that, and slowly moved in front of Jayden, using his large body as a shield in case Kevin decided to charge at his mate. He got the desired reaction as he watched Kevin take a couple steps back from Jayden. He was clearly saying 'You insult my mate again, I will rip you apart'.
Jayden knew Kevin didn't mean those words, that he was just upset and in shock. But, he knew how Antonio was struggling to keep his rage in check, so he needed to calm him down before he acted irrationally. He lifted his left hand and placed it behind Antonio's head, lightly scratching between he ears. The affect was instant. The gold Ranger seemed to calm and lean into the touch as he felt a calm wave wash over his body.
The other Rangers watched in awe as Jayden was able to calm Antonio down. But, it still didn't make the situation any better. It was Mike who spoke up next. "So, what do we do now? I mean, I get now why Antonio went a little harsh on me before, but what are we supposed to do now?"
"Well, obviously he can't come back with us!" Kevin answered, glaring at Antonio. "Who knows what will happen? He could attack us all while we sleep!"
Emily let out a gasp when she heard Kevin say that. Antonio was a close friend and she normally would have stood up for him. But, right now, fear had taken a hold of her. "H-He's right. He can't come back." She said, keeping her gaze locked on the gold Ranger.
Mike and Mia didn't say anything, but the expressions on their faces were evident. They seemed to agree with Emily and Kevin about Antonio not coming back.
Jayden had heard enough. He moved out from behind Antonio to stand in front of him. "No." He said, his voice stern and authoritative. "He may be a wolf, but he is also a Ranger. He is still one of us and I will not send him away just because you guys see him as a monster!" He was beyond mad, but he knew that his word was law. He was, after all, their Shogun and they had to obey his orders no matter what.
/Wait, Jayden/. Antonio said to him through their mental bond, stepping up to stand next to the red Ranger. /Maybe I should leave, even if only until they calm down/. He glanced back at the four Rangers before turning back to Jayden. /I don't want to cause any more tension than I already have/.
"Antonio, no. You don't have to leave." Jayden responded, speaking a loud which only caused confusion between the other Rangers.
/It'll be okay. I want to. At least, for a little while/. Antonio replied, his face showing that he had made up his mind.
Jayden seemed to think about it for a minute before he sighed heavily. "Alright. Antonio. But don't go too far away. We'll get this sorted out, and have you back home in no time." He said, giving Antonio a small smile.
Antonio nodded his head and moved to place his head on Jayden's shoulder, a wolf version of a hug. He wagged his tail softly when he felt Jayden return the hug by wrapping his arms around Antonio's neck and threading his fingers through his black fur. Antonio then stepped back and, with one last glance at Kevin, Mia, Mike and Emily Antonio turned and raced off, jumping over object and moving at an incredibly speed.
Jayden watched him leave before he turned and faced the rest of his team. "We're going home. And we are going to discuss this." He told them in a cold and stern voice as he breezed past them and headed back towards the Shiba House. The other four Rangers all exchanged worried glances before following their leader.
Meanwhile, in the Netherworld, the Nighlock that had been attacked by Antonio had just finished re-hydrating in the Sanzu River and made his way back on board Master Xandred's junk. "Ugh! Those Rangers are pests! I would have beaten them if it wasn't for the gold one." He complained and groaned, which quickly got on the Master's nerves.
"Stop your whining! You're giving me a headache!" Master Xandred growled out as he drank down more of his medicine. He hated this, he hated everyone. Always with their complaints, it was a wonder the Master didn't just off himself to be free from all this.
"Now wait a moment, Master." The sophisticated voice of Serrator rang out as he stepped out from the corner of the junk. "This new information might just be useful to us." He said, chuckling a bit as he approached the Nighlock. "Tell me, what was it about the gold Ranger that has you so upset?" He asked, genuinely interested.
"Well, one minute the gold Ranger was a human, and the next….he turned into a giant black wolf!" The Nighlock exclaimed, throwing his hands into the air to signal how big it was.
"A wolf, you say?" Serrator repeated, a low chuckle escaping him as a plan already began to emerge in his mind.
"Ooh, Aah, Ooh. I've read about that." Octoroo chimed in, waddling over to where his books were and picking one up. He turned the pages rapidly until he came upon a passage. "It says here that there are a group of humans on Earth that have the ability to shift into animals larger than what would normally appear." He said, reading over the text. "They don't usually have too much control over it, and can become unpredictable in their behaviors."
"And how is this information useful to us?" Master Xandred questioned, looking to Octoroo in anger.
"We may be able to use this to our advantage." Serrator said, trying to calm Master Xandred. "I have a plan, and if I'm right…it will help us eliminate those Rangers once and for all." He said, chuckling to himself as he slowly exited the junk.