Alright I was looking at this the other day and I discovered that it had been a long time since I have updated. For that I am sorry I have been a little distracted with other stories, my book series, mostly my wonderful children and I found out I am expecting my fourth. Anyway enough about my family drama, on with the story and as always I hope you enjoy enough to leave a review.

Chapter 12

Zara's pov

To say that Tommy was surprised about me possibly be a descendent from the Ninjetti would be like saying the moon was truly made of cheese. He was a bit confused as I explained that my mind had been sent to Phaedos the first time when there was an evil blanketing California. Well the second Dulcea had called it there to warn me of a future threat and request we go see her. When he got pass the fact that I had meet the immortal warrior he was a bit upset that I didn't say anything after the first time. I explained that I had wondered if I had imagined it all as it did happened when Lothor escaped from the Abyss of Evil. Tommy couldn't fault me after that and let it slide but he didn't like what I told him of Dulcea's vison, warning of a coming evil. When I mentioned the black dragon he seemed very unsettled and I picked up feelings of concern and recantation. I wanted to question him about it but I also séance that now was not the time to talk about it.

With that semi figured out it was back to life as usual save Tobi and I living with Tommy but it was nice that we were only taking one vehicle to the school. Then one afternoon I had to pay a visit to the school's office near the end of the day, for some paper work I apparently had to fill out. I wasn't sure what it was for but I wasn't going to argue with Randell. I was just rounding the corner when I bumped into Tommy, quite literally and it was only thanks to his good reflexes that I didn't fall flat on my back. "Whoa there Zara, where's the fire?"

"Sorry I'm just heading to the office to grab some paper work I apparently need to fill out before my next class." I informed him as I righted myself but didn't pull from his grasp as I was enjoying the feel of his arms around me. "And where I you going at this time of day?" I asked him well stealing a quick kiss.

"I am also heading to the office to see if I can talk Randell into returning Ethan's Dragon War cards." Tommy said with a sigh.

I couldn't help but stared at him. "Ethan was playing Dragon War on school property? He does know that it's a child's game right?" Tommy rolled his eyes as he nodded. "Well I guess he and Tobi can play together as I picked him up a starter pack for his birthday." I commented off hand which caused Tommy to throw his head back and laugh as we entered the office. I went to the secretary's desk to get the paperwork well Tommy, still laughing, headed to Randell's office. I accepted the folder from Amy and was waiting for Tommy when I suddenly felt an energy wave coming from Randell's office. I didn't hesitate to run in, though I was surprised to see Tommy laying on the floor. "Tommy what's going on?" I asked him as I helped him to his feet.

"Randell is Elsa." Was all he said before he bolted out the side door that lead outside.

I was stunned for half a second as I proceeded his words. "Wait, what?!" I shouted as I ran out the door to fallow them. By the time I had made it outside Tommy and Randell were locked in battle right in front of the school for all to see. I looked around thankful that none of the other teachers or students were there to see this. That is until the bell rang and it seemed everyone came out and saw what was happening on the lawn. "Oh boy this won't end well." I muttered as I ran my hand through my hair in exasperation as I looked around for Conner and the others.

I spotted Conner, Trent and Kira standing on the front steps talking amongst themselves, most likely wondering what was going on. So I ran over to them and retched them just as Ethan came running out of the school. "Mrs. Rodgers what's going on? Why is Dr. O fighting Principle Randell?" Kira asked.

"Because Randell is Elsa." I informed them which Ethan concord and of course the others didn't believe it till Randell transformed into Elsa right in front of everyone.

"You fight well for a science teacher." Elsa said to Tommy as everyone but the rangers and I ran for cover.

"You're not so bad for a principle."

"Former Principle. Tell the school board I resign." Elsa said right before she activated an invisaportal and was gone in a familiar flash of green light. I almost couldn't believe the turn of events but I had to turn and glare at Ethan as he whined that Elsa still had his Ruby Dragon card.

With our school principle having caused the school to be shut down for the rest of the day if not the week, Tommy sent me to go collect Tobi and go right to his house. I didn't argue with him and made sure that I didn't speed on the way to collect my son and head out to Tommy's as a ticket would be a bad idea. Well we waited for Tommy, Hayley and the rangers to come after their training session, Tobi playing with some of his toys well I made some snacks and refreshments. Two hours later they arrived down in the lab and Tommy was relieved that Tobi and I were there safe and sound. I would have been annoyed if I didn't feel or see the distrust all of them were having for Trent all the sudden. When I asked they explained that the Ruby Dragon Monster and Elsa all hinted that Trent was keeping something from all of us. Focusing on the white ranger I noticed that he was apprehensive and nervous as he refused to look at me. "Trent we're a team. We work together doing something that takes the ultimate trust in each other." Tommy told him, clearly not happy with this new development.

"If you're holding back on something how are we supposed to trust you out in battle?" Conner demanded.

"Your right." Trent said and then after a bit of hesitation. "Ok look this is how it is. I went to Mesogog's lab to get the card back." That was defiantly the truth.

"You what?" Kira asked in surprise. "By yourself?"

"I found an invisaportal and it took me right there. I was just trying to help you out Ethan, so I took a shot." Trent explained and I agree that it was foolish of him to have done that but from what I was picking up there was something more then what he was saying. Tommy scolded him and the others backed Trent up, saying he was just trying to be a good friend but like me Kira felt there was more.

"So that's your big secret?" the yellow ranger asked not convinced.

"Yeah." Trent said well giving her a hard look but his feelings were betraying him, I knew he wasn't only keeping something from us, he was lying big time. As Trent said that his head was still a bit foggy from the hit he got from Elsa and Tommy told him to go get some rest, I offered to see him out. Once we were outside I stopped Trent and gave him a hard look. "I just wanted to say that was very noble of you to try and help Ethan out but you should come clean about what you're hiding. If it's big and you don't tell the team soon it could be devastating not only for you but the team as a whole. Think about it, thats all I ask." With that said I headed back inside and just in time to see Tommy and the others off as they left to deal with the Ruby Dragon and Elsa.

Tommy's Pov

The fight with the Ruby Dragon was about how all monster fights went through the dragon made from Ethan's card was surprisingly stronger than your average monster. It put up quite the fight, even with Trent showing up and it came down to us using the Z-Rex Blaster to take it out. That was until it was reenergised and it was larger than life. In the end we ended up calling on all three of our Mega Zords and combining their attacks to take it out once and for all. With the fight over the kids all went to their respective homes well I headed to mine. I smiled as I came home to the house, it smelling wonderful as Zara had made dinner and Tobi running up to give me a hug. I had to admit to myself that I enjoyed having both of them there all the time but I had to remind myself that they didn't actually live with me.

The next day as Zara and I pulled up to the school we found the others waiting for us and still feeling pretty good about yesterday's win. "Well did you learn something from this Ethan?" I asked the blue ranger as we all walked into the school together.

"Yeah leave the card games at home for now on." He said.

"Dud, how about leaving it to the kids for now on." Conner interjected.

"Yeah seriously you're much too smart for them." Kira added.

"Now hold on you two Ethan is more then allowed to do as he wishes and beside he can't stop yet, not until he teaches Tobi to play." That got a laugh out of all of us which thankfully died down when we ran into Trent and his father.

"Hey Anton, how are you?" I greeted my old friend.

"Tommy, I'm fine." He said with a smile. "Hey I understand that you're looking for a new principle."

"Why, you interested?" I asked half-heartedly.

"I'm sure Mr. Mercer is far too busy to run a school." Kira said almost a little too quickly but Trent was just as quick in agreeing with her.

"Hey relax every buddy, she's right" Anton agreed just as his pager beeped from his pocket. "See even as we speak." He said with a bit of lightness to his voice. It was as he was pulling his pager out that a familiar Dragon War card fell out of his pocket and onto the floor.

Ethan picked it up well he and the rest of us looked at Anton in confusion, though I noticed a bit of panic on father and son's faces. "How did you get this?"

Anton stuttered as he answered that he had no idea and asked if it was Trent's, who said no but then Anton suddenly seemed to lose strength. "Anton you alright?" I asked as Trent and I tried to steady him, he turned away and collapsed right into the wall.

"I'm fine, just leave me alone." He muttered.

"No you need a doctor." I insisted wanting to help.

"No." he said, suddenly taking off running down the hallway. We all took off after him, ignoring Trent's pleas to leave his father alone. We ended up in an empty class room, were he stood in front of a desk trying to catch his breath, sweat covering his skin. Trent joined us, looking worried as his father turned to us, his eyes now a yellow color and he turned into Mesogog right before our eyes.

I immediately put myself between him and Zara who blinked at him in surprise right before she muttered. "Well that explains a lot."

"No way Anton Mercer is-" Conner started to say but I finished for him.

"Mesogog." I almost couldn't believe it as I kept a hold on Zara.

"This has been one crazy week." Ethan stated in disbelief.

Kira turned to Trent. "This is your big secret, you knew this all along?"

"He's my father, how could I tell you?" Trent demanded.

"You will pay for betraying Trent. You will pay dearly." Mesogog growled at the white ranger.

"I never betrayed you."

"You betrayed us if anything." Conner snapped angrily as he glared at Trent for a second which I couldn't fault him for as I was also angry and feeling betrayed.

"Silence." Mesogog snapped right before he turned back into my friend Anton, who collapsed to the floor. He looked at Trent, sorry and hurt in his eyes. "Trent, I'm sorry." He the used an invisaportal leaving his briefcase behind. We all glared at Trent, save Zara as she walked passed him, squeezing his shoulder on the way by and picked up Anton's briefcase.

"This is why you should have told us the full truth Trent." She said giving him a hard look.

-o0o-

It was later in the day when we gathered down in the Dino lab, just Ethan, Kira Conner and I, to disguise what to do about this new situation. Zara was upstairs, having volunteered to go through Anton's briefcase and give us time to talk. "I always knew Mercer wasn't exactly PT material but Mesogog, that wack." Ethan said.

"I'll tell you what's wack, Trent not telling us. That's wack." Conner snapped.

"Look I'm as mad about this as you guys are but don't you think we still owe Trent the chance to explain. I mean maybe there's a really good reason he didn't tell us." Kira offered which I couldn't fault her for.

"I hope there is case if not then I have no choice but to ask Trent to surrender his morpher and give up being a power ranger." I informed them before I headed up stairs to not only wait for Trent to arrive but have a chat with my girlfriend.

Zara was just finishing going through Anton's case when I walked into the living room. "Well from what I can tell there's nothing in here to indicate that Anton is planning anything evil but I didn't think there would be." She said as she put everything back in the case and closed it with a snap. "I know you're wondering but I can assure you Tommy I didn't know that your friend was Mesogog. Though it does explain all the strange feelings I would pick up whenever I was around him."

"Then why did you say that Trent should have told us his secret if you didn't know what it was?" I asked trying to not let my anger and distrust towards Trent affect a conversation with the women I cared so much about.

Zara sighed. "I knew that there was more to Trent's secret them sneaking into Mesogog's lab to get Ethan's card and I can tell when someone is lying." She explained which did upset me that she wouldn't tell me that she knew Trent was lying. Before I could snap at her about it she held her hand up stopping me. "The only reason I didn't tell you Trent had lied was because I was giving him the chance to come clean on his own."

I sighed as I walked over and sat next to her on the couch. "I'm sorry if I was coming off a bit harsh. It's just that so much has happened the last few days with learning that Tobi had been keeping a Dino gem secret from all of us. Mesogog's interest in you, Dulcea informing us that there's a darkness that will threaten the whole universe in the future and now finding out that Trent's father is our current enemy. Its just a lot to take in at once."

"I don't blame you for feeling a bit over whelmed but if you had picked up the feelings I had from Trent when we learned the truth you would be more open to giving him a chance to explain without judging him beforehand. He's not only worried for his dad, he is scared Tommy, he doesn't want to lose the only family he has or his friends." Zara informed me as she leaned against me well I wrapped an arm around her, her words making a lot of since but it was hard to let go of the feeling of being betrayed. We sat there in silence for a few moment simply enjoying being with each other but then Trent arrived and I knew it was time to deal with the situation. "Go, I need to go pick up Tobi and some food as well. Just remember what I said." She said as we got to our feet.

I nodded before I stole a kiss, then lead Trent down to the lab where the others were waiting. "Look he was under the gem's spell, its different now." The two of us heard Kira said as I opened the trap door and we headed down the stairs.

"Yeah now he forgets to tell us Mesogog is his dad. Glade he's changed." Conner said in distain as he turned away from Kira.

"I made a promise!" Trent said as we reached them.

"What about your promise to us?" Conner demanded shooting a glare at him.

"I never let my feelings get in the way of my ranger duties" Trent said in his defence.

"That may be true Trent but you've put us in a difficult position." I told him not trying to keep the disappointment out of my voice. "Conner maybe right, I just don't know how we can ever trust you again."

"Tell me what I can do to make this right?" Trent asked us. "I make no excuses for the harm I've caused but you know things haven't been easy for me." We of course knew he was reminding us that up till a short time ago he was being controlled by the evil Mesogog had put into the white Dino gem. Which was a good point but that still didn't excuse him keeping the truth from us. He did explain that he kept the truth as Anton is the only family has left and had decided to fight with us to help free his father as well as himself from the evil white ranger clone. "I'm sorry I didn't tell you about Mesogog. My father thought he could handle this on his own and so did I. I know now that I was wrong."

"Anton Mercer was my friend, I understand your loyalty." I conceded. "The question now is… did he?"

We talked for a bit longer about whether or not Trent should be allowed to continue to be our white ranger but before a decision could be made the alarm went off, informing us that there was a new monster attacking at the docks. With how big the monster was we didn't have a choice bit to let Trent morph and head into battle with us. This proved the best way for him to prove himself to all of us of where his loyalty truly lay as he saved Conner when he was knocked down and took the hit meant for the red ranger. Working together we defeated the monster. We returned to the lab in higher spirits then when we had left. "Dud you rocked." Kira told Trent excitedly.

"Bro you were awesome out there." Ethan said very happy by his fellow ranger's actions.

"Thanks for the help out there Trent." I told his as I clasped him on the shoulder in gradated. "It's always a lot easier when the whole team works together."

"Thanks Dr. O. Like I said I'm in this for good that is if you'll have me?" he asked as he looked at all of us in uncertainty. Thankfully the vote was unanimous and Trent assured us that no matter what happened, whether we can save his father or not, Mesogog had to be defeated. As we all headed upstairs, the teens to head home for the evening, we found both Zara and Tobi waiting to hear what we had decided to do with Trent. Tobi was relieved to hear that Trent was going to stay a ranger as he ran over and hugged the white ranger. He was so excites he picked Trent up and squeezed him tight, popping some vertebra in Trent's back. Seeing the soon to be 5 year old picking up a nearly full grown man certainly made all of us laugh.