"And what, pray tell, was the renegade Red Ranger thinking, bounding around in his convalescent state?" Mentor Ji inquired, the corners of his mouth twitching with a hint of amusement that failed to mask his worry.

Jayden exhaled, the confession tumbling from his lips, "I had to see him, Mentor. I had to try."

Mentor Ji arched an eyebrow, his voice laced with mock severity, "Ah, yes. The old 'infiltrate the enemy's—pardon me, the friend's—base and launch a surprise attack' strategy. Classic Shiba."

Jayden managed a weary smile. "Something like that."

"I trust your... 'mission' was a resounding success?" Mentor Ji continued, folding his arms across his chest.

The Red Ranger's gaze fell to the ground, a silent admission of his tactical misstep.

"Not exactly," Jayden admitted. "But I did leave him something—a reminder of who he is and where he belongs."

Mentor Ji's expression softened, the sarcasm giving way to genuine curiosity. "And what might that be?"

"His Samurai Morpher," Jayden revealed. "I slipped it into his pocket. When the Nighlok attack, I'll call for him. If there's anything left of the Ranger spirit in him, he'll come."

Mentor Ji's eyes twinkled with a mixture of pride and skepticism. "A bold move, indeed. Placing your life in the hands of the prodigal Ranger. Let's hope he doesn't wash it with his laundry."

Jayden's response was solemn. "He won't. I trust him. he came back once hell do it again."

Meanwhile:

"Okay, okay," he muttered to himself, his voice barely above a whisper. "Calm down, Antonio. You need to think this through logically. There has to be some mistake. It's probably just a mix-up, right?"

But even as he tried to rationalize the situation, doubt gnawed at his insides.

He could feel the panic rising, threatening to engulf him.

He reached for his phone and dialed Jayden's number, only to hang up.

He cursed under his breath and paced the room, running a hand through his hair, his mind a whirlwind of conflicting thoughts.

"What am I going to do?" he muttered, his voice strained with anxiety. "I can't be pregnant. It's not possible. But what if it is? What if...?"

But before he could say anything friend his morpher began to ring as he answered it.

"H..hello?" Antonio answered as he swallowed hard.

"Antonio, I need you," Jayden's voice cut through the chaos, a lifeline cast into the tumultuous sea of battle.

"Sure thing, Jayden!' Antonio replied, trying to sound enthusiastic. "What can I do for you? The guy who snuck me one thing i was trying to avoid."

"I apoligze for that but we're facing off against a powerful nighlok and I could really use some backup." Jayden explained.

Antonio could hear the urgency in Jayden's voice but sinply hung up as he flet himself shake.

"Damn it, Jayden," he muttered, the internal conflict raging within him. "What have you done?"

Back at the fray, Jayden's situation grew dire, his strength waning under the relentless assault of the Nighlok.

Just as the Nighlok raised its weapon for a devastating strike, a figure blurred into the fray, intercepting the blow with uncanny speed.

To Jayden's astonishment, it was Antonio, untransformed and unassuming, yet undeniably heroic in his actions.

"Antonio? am I glad to see you. But why arent you morphed," Jayden exclaimed, his surprise evident in his voice.

Antonio smirked, a touch of sarcasm lacing his words. "Just thought I'd drop by and save your hide, you know, the old fasioned way."

Flashback:

"So this was your plan the whole time follow me, decieve me and seduce me into coming back?" Antonio managed out as Jayden chuckled.

They both laid there panting together in bed, their bodies entwined, Antonio pulled Jayden into his arms and kissed him softly on the forehead.

"I only wanted you to come back, it's bland without you and I worry for your safety." Jayden said but a sudden guilt by his method "although it could've gone better without the spying bit."

Antonio chuckled before he sighed staring at the ceiling "I'll think about it."

Jayden smiled, sighing in content "thats all i ask bud."

Flashback Ends:

"I don't know who youa re human but I will deal with you the moment I finish of the red ranger and his pal next." The nighlok spoke as Antonio growled knowing exactly what that meant.

Antonio's intervention had bought Jayden the precious moments he needed.

With a swift motion, Jayden affixed the Lion Disk to his sword, summoning a blazing storm of fire that engulfed the Nighlok, driving it back and preventing it from discerning Antonio's involvement.

As the flames roared and the Nighlok recoiled, Jayden and Antonio shared a knowing glance, their unspoken communication a testament to their shared history and unwavering trust.

"Thanks for the save," Jayden acknowledged, his expression a mixture of gratitude and perplexity.

Antonio shrugged nonchalantly. "Eh, what are friends for? Besides, I couldn't let you steal all the glory."

Their banter was interrupted by the ear-splitting roar of the Nighlok, which, despite being momentarily repelled, renewed its assault with renewed ferocity.

"We've got to take it down, together," Jayden declared, his gaze unwavering.

Antonio nodded, a glint of determination in his eyes. "Let's do this, Red. Just try to keep up."