[Chapter 24: House of Cards!]

Reefside High Bleachers!

It's been two days sense the whole comic book mess and right now Jessica and Kira where setting on a bench doing homework as Cassidy was on another doing what every while Ethan and Devin where playing cards on another one.

"Oh, enchantments spell," Ethan told Devin, "now your trolls are under my command!"

Ethan placed the card on the pile before him and looked up at his opponent with a smirk making Jessica to roll her eyes.

"Counter spell, bro," Devin said as he placed another card on his own pile, "sorry. Now they are free to be set loose on your castle!"

Ethan shuffled through his deck and selected another.

"Magic Arrow card," Ethan countered as he put it on top of his enchantment spell card. "Now my archers can hit five of your warriors with one shot!"

"Not if my warriors are wearing Injected Armour," Devin told him, "thank you very much.

"This is so completely lame," Cassidy told them.

"For once," Kira started.

"We actually agree with you, Cassidy," Jessica finished.

"You simply don't understand it," Ethan defended the game, "possibly because you've never played Dragon Wars to its fullest potential!"

"Yeah," Devin agreed, "the intelligence and concentration it takes to play this game is more than what most people can comprehend!"

"Oh really?" Cassidy asked, "that's why my 6-year-old Brother is so into it."

"Besides, you guys know that Randall will freak if she catches you, it's against the rules to play cards," Kira told them.

"Dude, can we get back to the game?" Devin asked, "I believe I was just about to charge your castle!"

Ethan nodded and shuffled his deck, searching for another card, instantly his eyes became wide as he grinned at Devin. Jessica let out a sigh before she went back to her homework.

"No way," Ethan breathed, "it can't be."

"What?" Devin asked with a frown, "what is it?"

"Ruby Dragon card," Ethan said as he held up the card for Devin to see.

"No..." Devin breathed, "no way. That's impossible."

"Oh, what's a Ruby Dragon card?" Jessica asked.

"The rarest and most powerful card of them all," Ethan explained, "nothing can beat it!"

"No way, man," Devin said as he shooked his head, "I quit. Game over. You win."

"See?" Ethan asked with a laugh.

"Mhmm," an all to familiar voice hummed, "you know? Sometimes my job is just too easy,"

Jessica looked up to see that Randall had arrived.

"Principle Randall, you are looking especially lovely today," Ethan told her with a smile.

"Mister James, if your friends Mister McKnight can't pull that off, what makes you think you can, hmm?" Randall asked.

"Okay, well, perhaps I can appeal to your sense of compassion," Ethan tried again.

"If I had one maybe," Randall said, "but I don't so give me the cards now."

"But he just got the Ruby Dragon Card," Devin tried to reason with her.

"Yeah," Ethan agreed.

"Well, you keep them then," Randall said with a laugh, "no hand them over." Both Devin and Ethan handed over the cards. "Now off to class.

Jessica let out a sigh as Ethan complained about it.

Science Class!

"Okay, so we've got Stegosaurus, Brachiosaurus, Brontosaurs," Tommy listed before he turned to face his class, "what are some other Herbivores from that era?" His gaze slid over his rangers, landing specifically on Ethan before he grinned. "Ethan, you should know this." However, Ethan didn't answer instead he was staring into space with a pout making the other Rangers to look at him frowning. "Ethan, You alright?" Tommy let out a sigh when he still didn't get an answered. "Can someone tell me what the problem is?"

Jessica and Kira raised their hands.

"It's Principle Randall," Kira started.

"She took Devin and Ethan's Dragon War cards," Jessica finished.

"Dragon War?" Tommy asked with a frown, "isn't that a kid's game?"

"Come on, it's a game of strategy for all ages!" Ethan exclaimed making the class to break into laughter.

"Well I hate to side with Randall on this," Tommy said, "but you know that you can't play cards in school!"

"Dr. O, she took the Ruby Dragon card," Ethan said.

"Yeah, Dr. Oliver, it was brutal!" Devin agreed.

"Alright, look, I'll talk to her after school," Dr. O decided, "maybe I can get them back, but for now, can you guys please pay attention?"

This made Ethan grin.

"Hey, anything for you, Dr. O," Ethan told him.

After School!

Jessica let out a sigh of relief before she walked out of her last class heading outside to find Tommy fighting Principle Randall before she ran to forward to join Trent, Conner, and Kira.

"Ok," Kira said in shock, "don't you think that Dr O is going a little bit over broad to get Ethan's card back?"

"Maybe he knows something that we don't," Trent answered.

"Like what?" Conner asked.

"I don't know," Trent answered, "there's got to be a reason he's fighting her."

"What is Dr O doing?" Jessica asked, "he is so going to get fired."

"It's Elsa," Ethan answered as he came to their side.

"Who?" Conner asked.

"Randall?" Kira asked next.

Just then Randall transformed into Elsa making the students all run in fear.

"See," Ethan said.

"You fight well for a Science Teacher," Elsa told him.

"Your not bad for a Principle," Tommy stated.

"Former Principle," Elsa corrected, "tell the school broad that I resigned."

Jessica ran over to Tommy just as Elsa vanished into a portal.

"Wait!" Ethan said, "don't go?"

"Don't go?" Conner asked looking at him, "are you kidding?"

"She has the Ruby Dragon Card," Ethan answered.

"Dr O, are you ok?" Jessica asked.

"I'm fine Jessica," Tommy assured her, "we all should get home."

"Alright," Jessica agreed before he went to get his Briefcase.

With the Rangers!

"I can't believe that we didn't work it out," Conner complained, "I mean, they look exactly the same, expect that one wears glasses."

"Hey, Clark Kent and Superman look the same, but no body put that together," Ethan informed him.

"Good point," Conner conceded.

"I just can't believe that she got the Ruby Dragon Card," Ethan went back to complaining, "I've been looking for that card since I was a kid."

"Look, maybe I can do something about it," Trent suggested.

"Like what?"

"I don't know, but maybe I can think of something," answered Trent before he left, "just leave it to me."

"What was that about?" Ethan asked as he looked at Jessica along with Conner and Kira.

"Don't ask me," she told them, "I can't figure him out any easier then you guys can."

The other Rangers meet up with Tommy at his Jeep.

"You guys, we're still on for training later at the Limer Woods?" Tommy asked.

"Yeah, we'll be there," Conner promised.

"Dr O, whose the new Principle going to be?" Kira asked.

"That's a good question," Tommy answered, "I'm going to head over to the school board and let them know what's happened."

"They might want to screen the next one a little better," Conner stated.

"Yeah," Tommy agreed, "let them know that. See ya."

"See ya," Ethan and them said.

Training!

"I don't know Dr Oliver," Conner was saying as they all stood together, "I mean, he's been acting kinda of weird lately. Like there's something he's not telling us."

"Dude, you have to admit," Ethan spoked up, "that Trent isn't the most open about what's going on with him."

"And what's up with him going after the Ruby Dragon Card?" Kira asked.

"He'll be here," Tommy told them, "he preparely got hanged up at the Cybercafe."

"Dr O is right," Jessica agreed, "but, then he would have called me."

"She has a point," Kira agreed.

Just then they all turned around to see a Dragon like monster looking at them.

"Speaking of the Ruby Dragon Card," Ethan said as he took in the monsters look.

"Elsa didn't waste anytime," Conner added.

"And if Trent went after the card?" Yukie asked.

"Not good," Ethan answered.

"We'll find Trent later," Tommy told them, "right now we got more pressing things to deal with.'

"Right," Conner agreed, "ready?"

"Ready."

All 5 of theirs bracelets turned in their morphers.

"Dino Thunder! Power Up! Ha!"

Quickly they transformed into their Ranger form.

"Super Dino Mode!"

The lines on their suits became even more pronounced before they went in to attack the dragon. They where all soon knocked out of Dino Mode before being knocked the ground.

"The Ruby Dragon always wins," Dragon told them.

Jessica smirked when arrows hit the Ruby Dragon making look behind him to see Trent coming up on his ATV.

"We'll about that," Trent told him as he pulled to a stop, "I'll handle this freak myself." Trent walked forward with his Drago Sword on his shoulder. "If he's up for the challenge."

"Trent that's crazy!" Conner yelled at him.

"Conner's right," Tommy seconded, "he's to strong to take on by yourself."

"I know how to play his game," Trent told them.

"Speaking of games," the Ruby Dragon spoked, "why don't you tell your friends the truth."

"I don't know what your talking about," Trent stated, "now let's do this."

They all watched as Trent and the Ruby Dragon took on each other before Trent ended up on the ground.

"Trent you ok?" Jessica asked as she and the others went to his side.

"Yeah," Trent answered.

"I've got him," Conner said as he ready his Thundermax Blaster.

"Wait Conner," Trent told him making Conner to look back at him, "let me take him."

"What's the matter with you?" Conner asked, "and what is he talking about?"

They all looked around when they heard a noise before being sent to the ground. Trent looked to see Elsa with a herd of Tyrannodrones.

"Attack!" Elsa commanded before she and the Tyrannodrones rushed in.

The Rangers all took on their own group while Trent fought off Elsa who knocked Trent to the ground. Conner stood in front of him while Conner went to help Trent and to make sure he was alright.

"What fun would that be?" Elsa asked and then smirked widely at Trent, "then I wouldn't get to see you two reveal your big secret."

"Secret?" Conner asked as he looked back at them, "what secret?"

"It's nothing," Trent said as he stood up, "she's just trying to mess with us."

"Why don't you tell them?" Elsa asked.

"Conner can you take it from here?" Trent asked.

"Yeah," Conner agreed before he moved forward pulling out the Shield of Triumphs, "Kira, Ethan, Jessica. You guys ready?"

"Yeah," all 3 agreed.

Trent went to take on the Tyrannodrones while Conner activated his Battlizer which he used to finish the last of the Tyrannodrones. They others all regrouped around him giving Conner praised.

"Trent, what was she talking about?" Conner asked.

"If there's something you two need to tell us," Tommy told them, "now's the time to do it."

"We're your friends," Kira added, "what ever it is, it can't be that bad."

Trent turned around to where his back was facing the others.

Dino Lab!

"Trent, we're a team," Tommy said as all the Rangers were in the lab while Tommy was setting in his chair. "We work together doing something that takes the ultimate trust in each other."

"If you are holding back on us, how are we supposed to trust you out in battle?" Conner asked.

"Your right," Trent agreed, "ok, look. This is how it's is. I went to Mesogog's lab to get the card back."

"You what?" Kira and Jessica asked in shock, "by yourself?"

"I found an invisiportal that took me right there," Trent answered, "I was just trying to help you out Ethan so I took a shot."

"That wasn't a real smart thing to do," Tommy told him.

"Yeah, it was stupid," Trent agreed, "I got knocked by that thing. I barley made it to help you guys."

"Dr O, he was just being a good friend," Ethan stated, "any of us would have done the same thing."

"Well, none of you better in the future," Tommy told them, "that's all I can say."

"Won't happen again," Trent in front of them, "I promise."

"So that's your big secret?" Jessica asked looking a bit unsure.

"Yeah," Trent agreed, "look I gotta go. My head's still feeling a bit foggy."

"Ok," Tommy agreed, "get's some rest."

"See you guys later," Trent waved before walking out.

"Something on your mind Jessica?" Tommy asked when he noticed her look.

"I don't know, there's just something not quite right with him," Jessica answered.

"He's had a good knock to his head," Conner suggested as he defended Trent, "I'd be feeling kind of spacey too." This made everyone to look at him, but they then jumped slightly as the alarms blared. "I meant more the usual."

"Let's go," Tommy told them.

"What about Trent?" Conner asked.

"Let him get his head back together," Tommy answered, "we'll call him if it get's really ugly."

"Ready?"

"Ready."

"Dino Thunder! Power Up! Ha!"

All 5 of them quickly morphed.

"Dino Power!"

Rock Quarry!

"Back for more?" the Ruby Dragon asked when the Rangers ran onto the scene.

They all charged at the Ruby Dragon, but they where all sent to the ground, however, they rolled back onto their feet before he fired a blast at them which sent them to ground.

"That was harshed," Conner stated as he sat up.

"Ok, this guy needs some hover love," Ethan said once he got to his feet, "Hover Craft Cycle!" Just then the cycle came into view before Ethan jumped onto it. Ethan then took off towards the Ruby Dragon who fired at him makin the Blue Ranger to evade two them and then firing his own lasers as the ground around the Dragon exploded. "Ariel Mode!"

The other Rangers all watched as the Hover Cycle turned into his ariel mode form. Sam smirked under her helmet when Ethan sent the Ruby Dragon to the ground who got up, but just then Trent came jumping into view.

"Trent, watch out!" Conner called out when he noticed that the Ruby Dragon had grabbed hold of the White Ranger. Trent, however, used the energy of his Dino Morpher and sent him backwards. "Let's bust out the Z-Rex blaster on this trading card phoney."

All of the Rangers combined their weapons to form the main Ranger weapon.

"Z-Rex Blaster!"

"Nothing beats the Ruby Dragon!"

"Ready?"

"Aim!"

"Fire!"

With one blast the Ruby Dragon fall to the ground and exploded while the Rangers turned their backs on just before.

"The game isn't over yet," a bigger Ruby Dragon said.

Conner and Trent looked at each other before nodding.

"It's Zord time," Trent said into his morpher.

"Brachio!"

All four Zords appeared onto the scene before Conner pulled out the Shield of Triumphs.

"It's Triassic time," he told Ethan, Kira, and Jessica. All 3 of them pulled their Dino energy and feed it into the shield before Conner's Ranger suit changed a bit. "Dr O, you think you can handle the Mesodon?"

"You got it," Tommy agreed.

All three MegaZords where created to take on the Ruby Dragon. The Ruby Dragon attacked them, but they still managed to stay on their feet.

"Dino StegaZord, Tail Attack!" Trent said before the MegaZord jumped up into the air and spun around.

The Ruby Dragon, however, cought the tail before it hit him and tossed them to the ground.

"We've got to work together," Trent told them.

"He's right," Conner agreed.

"Yeah."

"Right with ya."

"Let's do it."

The Rangers all combined their MegaZords power together and were able to destroy the Ruby Dragon.

The Next Day: Reefside High!

Jessica had just walked out of her last of the day before walking up up to Tommy and the other three.

"That's okay," Ethan was saying with a sigh, "I wouldn't expect you to understand."

"Anton," Tommy said when they noticed Trent and his Father, "how are ya?"

"Tommy," Anton greeted while shaking Tommy's hand, "I'm fine." Both adults stop shaking hands. "Hey, I understand that you're looking for a new principal."

"Why?" Tommy asked, "you interested?"

Trent smirked while Jessica laughed.

"I'm sure that Dr Mercer far to busy to run a school," Kira said quickly.

"Yeah," Ethan agreed, "far to busy."

"Relax everybody," Anton told them, "she's right." Just then they all heard a beeping sound and they noticed that it was Anton's pager that he reached to take out. "You see, even as we speak."

Jessica watched as he pulled out his pager, but just then a card fall to the ground to reveal it as the Ruby Dragon Card.

"Uh, how did you get this?" Ethan asked as he picked up the card.

"I honestly don't know," Anton answered as he took back the card, "Trent is this yours?"

"No," Trent answered, "I don't know how it got there."

"Anton," Tommy suddenly said making everyone to look over to see how weak Anton looked, "are you alright?"

"I'm fine," Anton answered even though he fall to his knees, "just leave me alone."

"We should get you some help," Tommy told him.

"No," Anton almost shouted as he stood up before taking off.

Tommy and the others took off after leaving Trent who took off running off after them.

"Leave him alone!" Trent yelled, "he'll be fine!" Trent picked up his pace. "He's a Dr!"

"Anton, wait!" Tommy called out as they followed him outside.

"Please leave me?" he asked as he ran.

Science Classroom!

They all ran into Tommy's classroom just in time while Trent pushed to the front to see Anton turn into Mesogog.

"No way," Conner said in shock, "Mercer is..."

"Mesogog," Tommy finished.

"Aw, this is one crazy week," Ethan told them.

"This is your big secret?" Kira asked them both, "you knew this along?"

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

"You well pay for betraying me, Trent," Mesogog told them, "you well pay dearly."

"I never betrayed you," Trent told him.

"Betrayed us if anything," Conner growled.

"Silence!" Mesogog ordered, but he turned back into Anton.

"Trent, I'm sorry," Anton apologized before disappearing into an invisiportal.

When he left they all of them looked at Trent with either anger or disappointment.