Author's Notes: I'm so sorry this has taken me so long to update! I was in the process of moving and didn't have the time or access to internet until very recently. Thank you for your patience.
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 Rangers couldn't believe what has happened. In a moment of weakness, Antonio was left vulnerable to an ambush. And it was all their fault. They should have never left him or drove him away like that. How were they going to fix this?
"There's nothing you can do for him now." Serrator said, as if reading the Rangers' thoughts. "He is under my control, and I'm not giving him up so easily." He grinned evilly as he reached down and ran his hand over Antonio's head, who leaned into the touch, a rumbling growl erupting from his throat. This action caused something to snap in Jayden.
With a battle cry, he charged Serrator, his Spin Sword held high and ready to strike. He would kill Serrator with his bare hands, if it meant freeing his mate from the mind control he was under. But, as he approached Serrator and brought his sword down to strike, he was knocked back by a powerful force. He landed hard on his side, trying to get his bearing back together. He looked in horror at what had hit him: it was Antonio. Antonio had protected Serrator, and was now glaring at Jayden with glowing red eyes and his Spin Sword in his jaws. He easily tossed it aside and bared his fangs at Jayden.
Serrator began laughing menacingly. "Well, well. It seems like your little friend protected me. And I know you would never attack him, for fear of hurting him. But, at my command, he will have no problem attacking you." He laughed again before nonchalantly wandering around. "Antonio, why don't you show your mate where your loyalties now lie." He pointed at Jayden, who was frozen in pure fear on the ground.
Antonio let out a loud growl, slowly stalking over to Jayden. The Red Ranger tried pleading with him. "Please, Antonio. You have to snap out of it. It's me, Jayden. It's your mate." But his words fell on deaf ears as Antonio continued to come closer. He charged, fangs bared and ready to kill. Before he could reach Jayden, he was hit from the side and knocked away. Immediately, Antonio sprang to his paws and faced the new threat with a snarl and baring of teeth. Jayden also looked over to who had saved him, and was surprised.
It was Kevin, holding his Hydro Bow cocked and ready to fire again. "Jayden! There's no use reasoning with him. We have to find a way to break this spell!" He said, never once turning his gaze from the giant black wolf. He fired his Hydro Bow again when Antonio made a charge at him, but he was again knocked away, this time by Mia's Sky Fan. He got up and made another attempt to attack, but was tossed aside by Mike's Forest Spear. Emily's Earth Slicer pushed Antonio back to Serrator, who was watching in silent amusement. "Come on! We have to go!" Kevin said to Jayden, who nodded numbly and pulled his Samuraizer out and traced the kanji symbol for 'home', causing the five Rangers to vanish.
"Well, that's no fun." Serrator said, looking around to the now empty area. He shrugged his shoulder before turning away. "I'm going back to the Netherworld for now. You go into hiding until; I summon you again." He said to Antonio before disappearing through a Gap. Antonio snorted, then dashed away, obeying his Master's command.
Meanwhile, back at the Shiba house, the Rangers appeared in the living room, where Mentor Ji was waiting for them. "What happened?" He questioned, noticing the bruises Jayden had on him.
"Serrator put Antonio under some kind of spell, and he attacked us." Mike said, gesturing to Jayden who stood unmoving in the living room. He still couldn't get over the fact that his mate had attacked him. Granted, he didn't do it of his own free will, but it still shook him to the core.
"Wait a minute." Emily said, causing everyone to look at her. "Antonio had some kind of spider-like thing on his forehead. That's what must have been controlling him." She moved to the bookshelf and pulled a book off and began thumbing through it. "Aha! Here it is!" She said, showing the picture to Mentor Ji. "This is what it looked like."
Mentor Ji studied it closely. "It's a Nigh-Spider. It's abdomen is filled with Sanzu Water, which when attached to a host, circulates the water within their bodies, taking control over their minds." He said, reading the text. "The only way to break the control is to get close enough to destroy the spider."
"That's easier said than done." Jayden finally said, his voice soft and low. "Antonio won't let us get close to him. And if we did, Serrator would protect him." He said dejectedly, thinking he was never going to get his mate back, or that he'd have to kill him.
Mentor Ji thought for a moment. "Wait…there might be a way to get close enough to him to destroy the spider." He said, causing the five Rangers to look on in surprise. "I'll be back.I need to make a call." He said, disappearing down the hall. The Rangers watched him leave, before Mia moved to Jayden's side. "Come on. Let's go check out out, then we'll get something to eat." And with that, the Rangers all headed iff towards the kitchen.
In his room, Mentor Ji picked up his Samuraizer and flipped it open. He dialed a number and waited fro the person on the other end to answer. "Hello, Hayley. It's Ji." He said, pausing while he was spoken to. "Yes, we have a situation. I need you to contact the 'others' and send them here." He paused again, then continued. "It's important that they get here as soon as possible….thank you." He hung up his Samuraizer and sighed deeply. He only hoped this would work.