Disclaimer: I don't own Power Rangers, but hey I can dream can't I?

*Italic indicates thought

Chapter Twenty-Two: No Choice Left

A/N: Ello! So it's the final chapter. I know it's sad. Thanks to everyone who has supported this story. You're all awesome! And if to anyone who reads it after its finished, please feel free to review and let me know what you think. The first part of the chapter has suggestive themes, so you've been warned. Read on, don't kill me, and review!

"We've all got both light and dark inside of us. What matters is the part we chose to act on, that's who we really are." -Sirius Black

Antonio led Lauren to the perfect place for their picnic. "Why is this place so hidden?" she asked him.

"That make it all the more special, mí betrothed."

"Antonio!" Lauren scolded. "Someone might hear you!"

"How? We're in the middle of the woods. Besides I can't say it around the house, at least let me say it now."

"Fine," Lauren said rolling her eyes.

He smiled and stopped to kiss her. "You know we're doing a very good job keeping this a secret."

"Yes, it I don't think us announcing we're engaged is something they're expecting, so it's easier to keep."

"True," Antonio admitted. "But maybe Jayden will be so happy about defeating the nighlock he'll forget to kill me."

"There hoping."

Antonio laughed and led her across a stream. "Not much farther mí amor."

"How did you even find this place?"

"I have my ways. We're here!"

Lauren looked around. They were in a grassy glade completely surrounded by woods. A small, white wild flowers grew close to the edge. "It's private "

"Exactly," Antonio said setting their picnic basket down. "We can talk about anything in the world without worrying we'll be overheard."

"Like what we're going to name those kids?"

"Yes!" he said spreading their blanket out. "Or maybe we can just sit and daydream about the future."

"That sounds lovely," she replied sitting next to him.

He smiled and kissed her on the lips, then her jaw, then her neck, then her shoulder. "You're so beautiful."

Lauren smiled and kissed his forehead, then his lips, and his neck. "Do you remember when Jayden tried to kill you because he thought we did stuff?"

"Oh yes. It's a lesson I won't soon forget," Antonio replied still kissing her neck.

"Well...What if we did."

He stopped abruptly and shot up. "Huh?!"

"You know what I mean," she replied smiling and rubbing his back.

"Lauren. Lauren," he said grabbing her arms and pushing them away.

"What? Don't you want to?"

"Of course I do. I really do. But..."

"But what? Jayden? Antonio, we don't have to tell him."

"Are you sure this is what you want?"

"Yes. Without a single doubt in my mind, I want you. In every way humanly possible."

Antonio smiled and kissed her collar bone. "Only if you're sure."

"I am."

-Light and Dark-

"Hey Jayden," Mike said walking into the yard. "What's up?"

"Where do you think Lauren and Antonio go when they disappear?"

"No clue. Why?"

"They've been gone for three hours."

"Oh Jayden chill," the green ranger said. "They can look after each other."

"I know, but-" he stopped talking as the gap sensor went off.

"Lorring Ave," Kevin said as he and the other rangers ran out of the house.

"I'll call Lauren and Antonio," Jayden said puling his samuraizer out.

"Hello?" Antonio answered.

"Nighlock attack. Lorring Ave."

"Be there in a second," the gold ranger said hanging up.

"Nighlock attack?" Lauren guessed as he jumped to his feet.

"You guessed it."

"We need to get there fast."

"I know, come here," he said taking her hand. Lauren felt her stomach flip flop at his touch. "Get on my back."

"Why?" she asked as she climbed on his back.

"I'm going to get us there."

"Can you run fast while carrying someone?"

"No, clue. But let's find out." He took off running as fast as he could through the woods. Lauren held on tight, pressing her face to his neck.

-Light and Dark-

"Hope Antonio and Lauren get here soon," Kevin said as he beat another nighlock away.

"No kidding," Mia said as she kicked a mooger in the chest.

"Almost there," Antonio said. They neared the battle and Lauren slipped off his back and ran beside him.

"GO, GO, SAMURAI!"

"GOLD POWER!"

They jumped into the fight without a second thought. Antonio hit a monster with his sword and ducked. He punched a mother and jumped back to avoid a blow. He fought hard, trying to get rid of them. He stumbled and a mooger grabbed his arm throwing him to the ground. He landed on his back and rolled in an attempt to avoid another blow. His breath became staggered. Antonio clenched his fists as his head started to hurt.

"Ah!"

"Antonio!" Jayden yelled. He tried to see the gold ranger and help him, but there were too .any moogers. His attention was quickly drawn away by the fight.

Antonio gasped as a mooger kicked him in his unprotected side. He closed his eyes then opened them again. Coldness filled them.

"Jayden, go help Antonio! I got these guys!" Mike said stepping up next to the red ranger.

"Thanks." Jayden jumped through the employers and made it to Antonio. "Ant-" he stopped in shock. Standing in firing of him was the black ranger. "No. No...we...we destroyed you."

"Did you Jay? Did you really?" Dark asked in a sneering voice.

Jayden's eyes traveled to the black ranger's arm. A quick flash of gold appeared. Jayden sheathed his sword. "I won't fight you. You're Antonio."

"Fight me, Jayden. Go ahead. I dare you."

The others finished the battle and encircled the two rangers. Jayden tried to search for some sign that his best friend was in there. "I don't know how you resurfaced, but we'll find a way to fix you."

"As if. I won't let you."

"It's not your choice," Emily said. "Antonio is our friend. We won't let you hurt him."

"We'll see about that." The black ranger took out his sword and attacked. Jayden swooped to the side. The black ranger came at him with Antonio's speed and hit the red ranger across the chest multiple times. Jayden fell to the ground in pain.

"Ah!"

"Jayden!" the others chourused. They took out their swords and attacked the black ranger. He smiled and kicked Emily in the chest, then tripped Mike, and tried to stab him with his sword. Lauren tried to disarm him, but he moved away and she caught Kevin's arm instead. The black ranger ran at them from behind and sent the two samurai sprawling to the ground. Mia looked for him, but he grabbed her neck and throw her to the ground. He laughed. They were hesitant to attack their friend, but he would think twice about attacking them. He walked over to Jayden and grabbed him by the neck, dragging him to the center of the group.

"You're first, Jayden," the black ranger said, sneering the red ranger's name. He placed his sword to the leader's neck. "Any last words?"

Jayden looked left and right at the others. They didn't know what to do. Killing Antonio would be wrong, but if they tried to save Jayden he would be dead before they reached him. He looked back up at the ranger above him. "Antonio," he said. "You're my best friend. Please stop. For me. You don't mean to do this."

"How touching, but I do." Jayden braced himself, but then he saw it. A flash of gold. The black rangers arm started shaking and his suit turned from black to gold. Jayden smiled.

Antonio shook his head and opened his eyes. He took in the scene around him. His friends were all lying on the ground looking like they'd been beaten. He felt someone grab his arm and looked down. His blood ran cold when he saw his barraccuda blade pressed against Jayden's throat. His hand let go of it like it was made of burning iron. In a flash it all came back to him. Attack his friends, trying to kill Jayden. He de-morphed and stepped back.

The others de-morphed as well and got to their feet. Antonio felt sadness and anger well up inside of him. He turned and ran.

"Antonio! Wait!" Jayden said running after him leaving the others behind to deal with their injuries.

Antonio was so distraught that he could use his full speed. He didn't even bother to watch where he went; he just wanted to run. He made it about ten minutes before Jayden caught up with him in a wide field. "I don't know what to do!" the gold ranger exclaimed. "I hurt you guys. More than once."

"We can fix it," Jayden said. "We'll find a way."

"No Jay," Antonio said shaking his head. "We can't. We thought we did the first time, and look what happened. What if I go all evil again? What if...What if I hurt people. Or you guys? I'm dangerous now. I'm a m-"

"Don't say it!" Jayden yelled. "Don't even think it. Antonio you are good. Inside I know you are."

"But it's not enough! Sooner or later this black ranger is going to kill you guys. What if it happens when you're asleep? What if it happens when I'm fishing and I start attacking innocent people?" Jayden didn't have an answer for him. "You know what has to happen Jayden." Antonio felt his throat well up. Tears fell down his cheeks. "You know what you have to do."

Jayden nodded. "I'm so sorry."

"Me too."

Jayden considered taking out his sword, but then decided against it. He could never stab or behead his friend. Stepped forward hugged Antonio, starting to cry. The gold ranger pressed his face into his best friend's shoulder. Jayden took a deep breath and stepped back, looking Antonio in the eyes. He saw fear and acceptance. Acceptance of what had to happen; fear for what lay beyond. He stepped around Antonio so he was standing behind him.

Antonio looked up at the sky. It looked like it was a normal day. The sun was shining in a sea of clear sky, dotted with marshmallow clouds. What was it like to die? Was it a bright light at the end of a dark tunnel? Would he become a ghost? He started shaking.

Jayden wrapped one arm around Antonio's shoulders, and grabbed his head. He too was shaking. He felt tears still running down his cheeks as his muscles tensed. Then before he could back out, his arms jerked in opposite directions.

Crack!