Double Act

Chapter 35: House of Cards

A/N: So this story is starting to come to a close. Last time, the rangers hung out together after the giant team up. For most of the ninjas, this meant getting drunk. For the dino rangers, it meant watching movies at Conner's house. Now, everything is as normal as it can be for rangers. They know things with Mesogog are getting intense, which isn't good for them. What'll happen when they finally learn Trent's big secret?

So on Wednesday, I had my first day of classes for my sophomore year of college. This semester is going to be difficult for me to update as I have seven different classes all with their own stressful homework assignments (more like projects) that will take up a lot of time. If I update any stories or start any new ones during the semester, it will be because I have written that entire story out, such as the rest of this story and Fractured Journey. For this semester, if I do not have a story completely written out, then I will not post it or update it (so House of the End will not be updated for a good while; I know I've been neglecting that story). I have been writing, though, and I must say that I have lost a bit of interest in this series although I have ideas for it I want to continue with, so this series will be finished eventually. I have started new stories (not posted yet) as well, some which do center around an OC and some which do not.

Anyway, just don't expect frequent updates. I will try to update at least twice a month if I have something to post, but no promises.

Thank you for your patience and for reading and/or reviewing!

Disclaimer: I only own things not originally in the show.

It was already June, meaning the end of the school year was near, and finals were coming up. Things for the rangers had been rather peaceful for the past week. Ever since the team up, the rangers only had two fights. Oddly enough, one of them was in Conner's dream, where the rangers all had odd dreams about fighting. As of this moment, Ethan and Devin were sitting on a bench under a tree, playing the card game Dragon Wars. Kennedi and Kira were sitting on another bench, working on a song. Cassidy sat on the one across from them, reading a book.

"Ooh, enchantment spell," Ethan grinned. "Now your trolls are under my command."

"Counter spell bro," Devin countered. "Sorry. Now the release thing can be set loose on your castle."

"Magic arrow card," Ethan set one down. "Now my archers can hit five of your warriors with one shot."

"Not if my warriors are wearing enchanted armor," the cameraman stated. "Thank you very much."

Cassidy decided to speak up. "This is so totally lame."

"For once, I actually agree with you Cassidy," Kennedi agreed.

"You guys just don't understand 'cause you've never experienced Dragon War played to its fullest potential," Ethan huffed.

"Yeah," Devin nodded. "I mean, the intelligence and concentration that it takes to play this game is more than what most people can comprehend."

"Really?" Kennedi rolled her eyes. "That must be why my eight year old cousin's friends are so into it."

Kira added her piece. "Besides, you guys know Randall will freak if she catches you. It's against school rules to play cards."

"Dude, come on," Devin brought Ethan's attention back to the game. "Can we get back to the game? I believe I was about to charge your castle." Ethan shuffled through his hand, searching for the one thing that could help him. He grinned wide when he found it.

"No way," he looked up, making Devin nervous. "It can't be." He moved the card so Devin could see. "Ruby Dragon card."

"No," Devin gasped in awe. "No way! That's impossible!"

"Ooh, what's a ruby dragon card?" Kennedi pretended to be interested for one moment, realizing neither boy was going to stop.

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

Devin shook his head. "No way man. I quit. Game over. You win."

"You know," Randall's voiced grabbed their attention as they found her standing there. "Sometimes my job is just too easy."

"Principal Randall," Ethan grinned up at the woman, hoping to get out of this. "You are looking especially lovely today."

"Mr. James," Randall glared at him. "If your friend Mr. McKnight can't pull that off, then what makes you think you can?"

"All right," Ethan shrugged. "Well, perhaps I can appeal to your sense of compassion."

Randall snorted. "If I had one, maybe. But I don't. So give me the cards, now."

"But he just got the Ruby Dragon card," Devin argued. Ethan nodded in agreement.

"Oh," Randall pretending to be interested. "Oh, well, you keep them then." She laughed along with them for a brief moment before turning serious again. "No, hand them over." Sadly, Ethan and Devin placed the cards in her hands. "Now, off to class."

"I can't believe it," Ethan huffed. "I'll never find another one of those." All five got up and walked away, doing as they were told.

In science class, Tommy was giving a lecture, and no one seemed interested. It was almost the end of the year, and no one ever really paid attention during this time of year, especially the graduating seniors. "Okay, and we got stegosaurus, brachiosaurus, and brontosaurus. What are some other herbivores from that era?" No one raised their hand. "Ethan, you should know this." However, the blue ranger wasn't paying attention. "Ethan, you all right?" No response. "Can someone tell me what the problem is?"

"It's Principal Randall," Kira stated.

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

"Dragon War?" Tommy frowned. "Isn't that a kid's game?"

"Come on," Ethan argued. "It's a game of strategy for all ages." A few snickers ran through the room.

Tommy rolled his eyes. "Well, I hate to side with Randall on this, but you know you can't play cards at school."

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

"Dr. Oliver, it was brutal man," Devin agreed.

"All right, look," Tommy sighed. "I'll talk to her after school. Maybe I can get 'em back. But for now, can you guys please pay attention?"

Both boys grinned and nodded.

While Tommy was busy trying to get Ethan's cards back, Kira, Kennedi, and Conner found themselves at their lockers, grabbing what they would need for homework later. The end of the day had thankfully come rather quickly. Everyone was anxious to get out of there, despite knowing most of their time would be studying for finals. For the rangers, they had a lot of studying to do. Fighting monsters was not a good thing while you were still in school.

"I don't think you'll be able to hide it much longer," Conner spoke to the orange ranger. "You're starting to show."

"Of course I am," Kennedi huffed. "I'm just hoping we can beat Mesogog soon. I really don't want his attempts to take over the earth to last forever."

"But even after we defeat him, you'll still have a hard time hiding it," Conner pointed out.

"That's why she's going back to Blue Bay after graduation," Kira explained as they began walking through the hallways. "She's going to be spending most of her time helping out at the ninja academies, so it'll help to hide it."

"Though when college starts, that's a different matter," Kennedi pointed out. "We still haven't heard from any labels we sent demos to."

Conner shrugged as they walked around. Kennedi's pregnancy was starting to bother her as it was becoming harder to hide it. She had heard some comments around school about her gaining weight, but thankfully everyone was oblivious. The orange ranger made sure to wear clothes a bit bigger than her size to hide the small bump forming. The other three rangers still seemed oblivious to it as well, something else Kennedi was glad about.

The three continued their trek, meeting up with Trent on their way. They saw a bunch of students running out the main entrance, leaving for the day. However, when they stepped outside, they paused on the steps. The entire student body was gathered around the front courtyard, watching probably the most bizarre thing they've ever seen. Fighting in the middle of the courtyard was their science teacher and principal.

"Okay," Kira was first to comment. "Don't you think Dr. O's going a little too far trying to get Ethan's card back?"

"Well, maybe he knows something we don't," Trent shrugged.

"Like what?" Conner scoffed.

"I don't know," Trent replied. "There's gotta be a reason he's fighting her." Kennedi focused on the styles of fighting and watching Randall.

"What is Dr. O doing?" Conner cried as Ethan finally joined them. "He is so going to get fired!"

"It's Elsa," Kennedi realized, eyes going wide.

"Who?" Kira frowned. "Randall?"

As soon as she said that, the woman in question flipped into the air, transforming into the minion. This sent everybody running and screaming, only the dino rangers remaining. The rangers simply stood there shocked and confused. They watched Tommy and Elsa exchange a few words before the woman vanished into an invisaportal.

"Don't go!" Ethan groaned.

"Don't go?" Conner demanded. "Are you kidding?"

"She has the Ruby Dragon card," Kennedi pointed out. "As in the next monster we're probably going to face."

"I can't believe we didn't work it out," Conner grumbled as the five younger rangers walked through the parking lot, heading toward their cars. "They look exactly the same, except one has glasses." They hadn't seen Tommy since the end of the fight, which they kind of expected. Most of the school had gone home by this point, not wanting to see if the villains returned.

"Hey, Clark Kent and Superman look the same," Kennedi pointed out. "But nobody ever puts that together."

"Good point," Conner agreed.

"I just can't believe she got the Ruby Dragon card," Ethan sighed. "I have been looking for that card since I was a little kid."

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

"Like what?" Ethan wondered.

"I don't know," he shrugged, backing away. "Maybe I can think of something. Just leave it to me." He turned and began walking in the opposite direction.

"What was that about?" Kennedi asked as they turned to Kira.

"Well, don't ask me," she huffed. "I can't figure him out any easier than you guys can."

Tommy walked over to them and found them at his jeep. "Hey guys, we're still meeting later for training at the Edgemuir woods."

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

"Dr. O," Kira looked to the science teacher. "Who's the new principal gonna be?"

"That's a good question," he sighed. "I'm going over to the school board right now to let 'em know what happened."

"They might wanna screen the next one a little better," Kira mentioned.

Tommy nodded. "Yeah, I'll let them know that. See ya." He hopped in his jeep and drove away.

After the training session in the woods, which turned into a giant fight against the Ruby Dragon and Trent showing up to the fight late, the other rangers were in the dino lab. They had caught some of what Elsa and Trent argued about, and they were starting to think the boy knew more than he let on. Tommy had them all come back to the dino lab afterward so they could discuss this. If trust issues arose, it was not going to be a good sign.

"Trent, we're a team," Tommy stated. "We work together doing something that takes the ultimate trust in each other."

"If you're holding back on us," Conner picked up. "How are we supposed to trust out there in battle?"

"You're right," Trent nodded. "Okay, look. This is how it is. I went to Mesogog's lab to get the card back."

"You what?" Kira demanded. "By yourself?" Kennedi watched the movements the boy made, trying to figure out something.

Trent continued on. "I found an invisaportal and it took me right there. I was just trying to help you out, Ethan. So I took a shot."

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

"Yeah it was stupid," the white ranger agreed, still refusing to meet their eyes. "I got knocked out by that thing. I barely made it to help you guys."

"Look, Dr. O, he was just being a good friend," Ethan came to the boy's defense. "Any of us would've done the same thing."

"Well none of you better in the future," Tommy warned. "That's all I can say."

"It won't happen again," Trent swore. "I promise."

Kennedi frowned. "So that's your big secret?"

"Yeah," Trent nodded. "Look, I'm gonna go. My head's still feeling foggy."

"Okay," Tommy nodded. "Get some rest."

"See you guys later," Trent walked out of the room. Kira and Kennedi looked after him, not completely convinced he was telling the whole truth.

"Is something on your mind, girls?" Tommy noticed the look.

Kira shrugged. "I don't know. There's just something that's not quite right with him."

"He's had a good knock to the head," Conner reminded her. "I'd be feeling kind of spacey, too." They all raised an eyebrow. "Uh, I meant more than usual."

"He's lying," Kennedi declared. She didn't get a chance to explain as the monitors beeped. They all turned to face the computers and saw an image of the Ruby Dragon appear.

"Let's go," Tommy ordered.

After the fight the next day, the rangers were all in school. They had won the fight against the Ruby Dragon, and now that it was a new day, they could finally talk about the lesson learned in Ethan's case. Trent hadn't been seen since the fight, and they all assumed it had to do with what happened earlier the previous day. Tommy, Conner, Kira, Ethan, and Kennedi walked the halls of the school, talking as they went along.

"Well, did you learn something from this, Ethan?" Tommy wondered.

"Yeah," the blue ranger nodded. "Leave the card games at home from now on."

"Dude, how about leaving it to the kids from now on?" Kennedi suggested.

"Yeah, seriously," Kira agreed. "You're much too smart for that."

Ethan shook his head. "You guys still don't get it. But hey, that's all right. I don't expect you to understand." Anton and Trent stepped in their path and Tommy stopped to greet them.

"Hey, Anton," he greeted. "How are ya?"

"Tommy," Anton shook the teacher's hand. "I'm fine. Hey, I understand you're looking for a new principal."

"Why?" Tommy narrowed his eyes. "Are you interested?"

Kira's eyes widened. "I'm sure Dr. Mercer's far too busy to run a school."

"Yeah," Conner agreed. "Far too busy."

"Relax everyone," Anton chuckled. "She's right." His pager went off. "Oh, see? Even as we speak." As he pulled the device out, a card fell out of his pocket and onto the ground. Ethan frowned as he picked it up.

"Uh, how did you get this?" he looked at the man.

"Honestly, I don't know," Anton replied, taking the card. "Trent, is this yours?"

Trent shook his head. "No. I don't know how it got there." All of a sudden, Anton lurched forward slightly, groaning in pain. Trent and Tommy caught him before he could fall.

"Anton," Tommy called as they steadied the man. "Are you all right?" Before he could respond, he sunk to his knees, twisting so his back was facing everyone else.

"I'm fine," he rasped out. "Just leave me alone."

"We should get you some help," Kennedi suggested.

"No!" Anton denied, getting to his feet and running down the hallway. Suspecting something was up, the rangers followed after him, Tommy leading them. Trent carried up the rear, trying to stop them. Unlike the others, he knew where this was headed. Students became confused as they saw them running through the halls.

After turning down so many halls, Anton finally turned into the science classroom, the rangers following. As Anton stood at the end of the front science table, back to the others, the rangers were standing in front of the teacher's desk, waiting to see what was happening. Anton turned around as he transformed into Mesogog, shocking everyone but Trent, who knew this was not going to end well.

"No way!" Conner gasped. "Mercer is…"

"Mesogog," Tommy finished, in the same state of shock as his students were in.

"Oh this is one crazy week," Ethan groaned.

Kennedi looked to the white ranger, totally confused. "This is your big secret? You knew this all along?"

"He's my father," Trent argued. "How could I tell you?"

"You will pay for betraying me, Trent," Mesogog hissed, getting their attention. "You will pay dearly!"

"I never betrayed you!" Trent shouted.

"You betrayed us, if anything," Kira glared angrily at him.

"Silence!" Mesogog roared. He changed back into Anton, he clutched the table as he sank to his knees. "Trent…I'm sorry." He vanished in an invisaportal.

The five other rangers turned hard glares on Trent.

A/N: Up next is a new chapter. What'll happen then?