“Hello is anyone here?” Antonio asked approaching the entrance of the shear house as Octozord and Lion zord remained in hiding by a nearby rock.

“Please make yourself comfortable.” A mysterious voice spoke up, causing the fisherman to look around, his hand in his pocket ready to call backp if need be.

“Who are you show yourself!” Antonio demanded as a shadow figure appeared and to Antonio’s surprise, fires flared up around them as the shadows dispersed and revealed the mysterious figure.

Antonios eyes went wide with shock as he was surprised to see the Nighlok wearing the mark of fire the same one evident on the red rangers masks “greetings human the name’s Renoflare, what can i do for you young man?”

“I demand you tell me where i can find my friend!” Antonio demanded harshly causing the Nighlok chuckle as he shook his head “i know you have him.”

“I’m not sure to what you refer to, I don’t understand humans as you can see I’m a Nighlok but if you specify I can assist in finding him.” Renoflare said as he snapped his fingers before the fires around them diminished and appeared chairs “please sit i know your in no rush.”

Antonio hesitated slightly knowing this I got be a trap but aware that his friend had to be around here somewhere, he decided to play along with the Nighlok game until the red ranger shows up “fine, if that’s what you want.”

“All i want is your comfort know that you are safe here.” Renoflare said but Antonio wasn’t convinced “Why don't you take a seat and indulge in a little refreshment? I'm sure you must be parched after your little escapade."

"How...did..you-" Antonio momentarily stopped himself as an idea came up and his lips curled into a mocking smile. "I'll pass on the hospitality, thanks. I've had better offers from monsters less likely to eat me."

The Nighlok's facade wavered for a moment, its eyes narrowing as it regarded Antonio with newfound interest. "You're a clever one, aren't you? No matter. I have a feeling you'll come around soon enough."

“I’m not telling you anything until you release my friend Nighlok!” Antonio responded, a small hint of fear in his voice but not letting it show.

"To bad and here I was though we could relax play a small game,you know to find your friend." Renoflare spoke pretending to be upset as Antonio huffed but then sighed, if this game was going to help him find Jayden then-

"What's the catch?" Antonio asked as Renoflare smiled wickedly.

"No catch, dear Antonio. It's a riddle challenge, if you will," he explained, his voice dripping with intrigue. "If you can solve my riddles and find your friend within the Maze Whearhouse, I shall release you both unharmed. But if you fail, well, let's just say that I'll be the one who benefits."

Antonio's eyes narrowed, suspicion lacing his voice. "And what do you gain if I fail? What's in it for you?"

"Your companions you came with my friend." Renoflare said as Antonio stood up immediately.

"OH HECK NO!" Antonio shouted surprising Renoflare "they're mine you can't just do that!”

“I thought you wanted to find your friend>” Renoflare reminded him causing the fisher man to think for a moment “you can’t have your reward if you don’t take a risk.”

Silence filled the air as Antonio debtated but remembering how good he was with out smarting people, the black haired man nodded “alright fine and what if you win then you take me as your prisoner instead, since you know my secret mission you must know the valuable information I have."

"Very well you have my attention young human." Renofalre said extending his hand as Antonio frowned.

"Not until you give me a clue to your precious riddle." Antonio contradicted as Renoflqre smiled genuinely this time “that way its a fair game that i have a way to start.”

"You are an interesting human indeed, very well listen carefully to my riddle In a realm of illusion, I reside, where smoke conceals and mirrors hide. Through twists and turns, the path unwinds, to find your friend." Renofalre spoke before pausing as Antonio frown turned more angry "Look beyond the surface, Antonio. Reflections can deceive, but true light will guide the way."

As Renoflare finished reciting the riddle, he disappeared into a cloud of smoke, leaving Antonio alone in the dimly lit room.

"Illusions where he resides what the heck is that supposed to mean?" Antonio asked himself but soon a memory of themslevss as younger kids loved to challenge one another with riddles "okay okay just remember what Jayden taught you and you should be fine, hang on Jayden I'm coming to save you!"

But as Antonio went to take a step to begin Renoflare’s challenge the floor beneath the fisherman’s feet disappeared shocking Antonio as he fell through…..

Meanwhile:

The glaring crimson lights of the Nighlok's lair danced on Renoflare's grotesque form as he turned to face his captive.

The air itself seemed to tremble with the weight of his malevolent presence.

Standing in defiant opposition, Jayden, the Red Ranger, remained undeterred by the grim circumstances.

"A futile endeavor, Renoflare," Jayden's voice rang out, weak yet unyielding. Each word was a stone cast against the Nighlok's towering ego. "Antonio will outsmart you. His wits are sharper than any blade."

Renoflare's laughter echoed through the chamber, a sinister dirge that mocked the very concept of hope. "Such faith you have in your comrade. Tell me, does he know the extent of your loyalty? The secrets you harbor for him?"

Jayden's jaw tightened, but he refused to let the Nighlok's taunts get under his skin.

His voice wavered, but his conviction did not. "You don't have what it takes to break me, Renoflare. Antonio will come for me. Together, we will defeat you."

"Oh, I'm counting on it," Renoflare retorted, a cruel smile twisting his features. "Once he steps into my trap, I'll snatch the Octozord and your Lion Zord right from under his nose. Then, I'll have the perfect weapons to wipe the Power Rangers off the face of the Earth."

Jayden's response was a laugh, It was a raw, genuine sound, full of scorn. "Big dreams for someone who's about to be outsmarted by a man who can't tell a screwdriver from a wrench. Antonio will see through your plans like they're made of glass."

Renoflare's eyes narrowed. "Your friend may have shattered throygh my illusions once, but you're still my captive."

Jayden's smirk was the epitome of defiance. "Maybe I am, but I'm not alone. Antonio isn't just a friend. He's family, and there's nothing stronger than that."