The Principal stood by the window, watching as the Rangers summoned their Megazords, and spared little time dragging Nojoke as far from the school as they could safely in order to keep the battle restricted to somewhere safe. She didn't even look around as the door opened behind her.

"You're quicker than I expected." She stated.

"I knew it wouldn't take you long to get things under control." The new arrival stated, looking out the window. "So, have you heard from Edwards?"

"Not yet, but I'm sure it'll not be long." She responded. "So, what did the boss have to say?"

"We're making our move tonight." He replied, taking out a document and handing it to her. "The boss said your report gave him all he needed. Just like he promised, here's your new assignment."

"Perfect." She replied with a smile.

Over at the battle ground, the Rangers had formed up the Megazord, while Jordan had brought along the Knight Brothers Megazord. Nojoke faced off against them, powering up an attack.

"Here, hope you don't find this too 'shocking'." He yelled, firing a lightning blast at Jordan's Zord. He anchored himself for impact, taking the charge full on as the other Rangers made their move.

They brought down the Dragon Sword, which Nojoke swatted away, before blasting them into a mountain with his wind blast. They all struggled to regain control.

"We need to do something about these wind attacks." Gia snarled, mashing a fist into the control console. "Troy, Emma, you guys are the wind Rangers..."

"Don't mention wind around Troy." Jake chuckled. Gia just glared at him, at which he held his hands up. "OK, I'm shutting up now!"

"His wind attacks seem to come from..."

"His butt?" Jake asked. He was struck on the back of the head. "HEY!"

"Thanks Noah." Emma replied, continuing with what she was saying. "His wind attacks seem to come from his wings...if a bug's wings get wet, if they get weighed down too much..."

"I've got an idea." Troy rushed out. "Noah, call the Sea Brothers! Jordan, buy us a few minutes!"

"Alright, you guys just enjoy your little conference over there." He grumbled as he grappled with Nojoke. "It's no problem really, take all the time you need!"

"Sarcasm is the lowest form of wit you know!" Nojoke replied as he struggled with him, scoring some hits and damaging the Knight Brother's Megazord with his claws. Jordan struggled to stay in close to avoid the wind attack.

Converting to the Sea Brothers Megazord, Noah channelled the energy of his sea power through the Saw Shark arm, twirling it in the air to create a massive column of water.

"Make it big Noah." Troy instructed him.

"It's as big as I can control." Noah assured him. "Troy?"

"It'll have to do." Troy responded. "Jake, if you don't want a shower, get out of there now!"

As Jordan shoved Nojoke away and created space, Noah brought the column of water down, completely saturating Nojoke. He got up as Jordan rejoined his team mates, the damage on the front of his Zord showing.

"I really hope this was worth it." Jordan told them. "The self-repair in the armour is going haywire!"

As Nojoke brought his wings back to flap, he struggled with the weight as water dripped from them. There was no force behind it, and his winds had been reduced to a mild breeze. He started screaming in frustration.

"Alright guys, before he has a chance to recover." Troy announced. "Leave him to us Jordan, you've done enough."

"Victory Charge!" The Rangers all called out together. They struck Nojoke with a deadly energy attack, cutting him down. He hit the ground and exploded, heralding yet another victory for the Rangers.

As they finally got back to the school, they found that everyone had been returned to normal. The atmosphere was a lot more subdued, but it seemed like the kids were getting back into the swing of things. They had been expecting the carnival to be cancelled after the attack, but since it was a fund raiser, the kids seemed to have adopted the spirit that having some fun after the attack and raising some funds for the school until they went home would be the best way to recover from everything.

"Wow, this...I'm not sure how to take this." Jordan responded, looking around. "Am I the only one bothered by the fact pretty much nobody's noticed that we were gone?"

"I just like to think it means we're getting better at the whole secret identity thing." Troy said with a shrug. Noah brightened up as he saw Quinn running towards him, grabbing him in a tight hug.

"Noah, I was so worried!" She shrieked, squeezing him in a surprisingly powerful grip that threatened to break bones. "Where did you go when you came out of that freak's bottle? I couldn't see you when we ran..."

"Uh...I must have gone the other way." Noah lied with surprising ease. "It was chaos, I was looking for you, but with the Rangers and the monster and everything...I could only hope you got away safely."

She dragged him away, while Gia started looking around.

"Well, I just have to find the lost and found." Gia told them. "I dropped the bag of toys I won for Cat, I just hope no one..."

"Gia, I believe this is yours." Mr Burley stated as he arrived, handing Gia a bag. She looked inside, seeing all the soft toys she had won.

"Mr Burley, I don't know what to..."

"The new Principal asked me to give these to you." He interrupted her. "She said she thought you'd appreciate getting them back."

"I thought someone would have taken them for sure." Gia stated, looking completely relieved. "Thank you."

"Well, everyone's parents have been called, so they should be here shortly." Mr Burley told them. "So in the meantime, make the most of the carnival."

"It kind of sucks that the carnival was interrupted." Emma sighed. "Still, I guess the school made some money."

"I'm just bummed I didn't get to finish my routine." Jordan grumbled. "I had a ton of jokes left."

"Well, everything turned out for the best." Troy announced. "Come on Emma, I'm in the mood for a melon smoothie."

"Say guys, why can melons only get married in their home town." Jordan rushed out as they started to head for the juice stand. They all just looked at him and shrugged. "Because they CANTELOUPE!"

They all just glared at him.

"Get it?" He asked. "They CAN'T ELOPE!"

"Jordan..."

"How many psychiatrists does it take to change a light bulb?" He asked. "One...but it has to really, really want to change!"

The Rangers all just looked at each other.

"Seriously?" Jake asked. "After all that?"

"OK, here's one..."

"Get him!" Gia responded, at which they all turned on Jordan, seeing the look in their eyes, he took the hint that it was time to run, with his friends in hot pursuit. They had all had their fill of bad jokes for the day.

Over at the Edwards house, Dave and Sam were sitting on the couch as General Edwards paced back and forwards, ranting and raving.

"Do you IDIOTS have any idea what this means?" He yelled. "I've got Washington breathing down my neck, looking for results...and THIS is what you give me?"

"General, it's not like I exactly planned to get captured." Sam told him.

"Neither did you I bet." Dave said sarcastically. "By the way, you're welcome for the rescue by the way."

"I think you're forgetting what I've done for both of you." Edwards growled. "I fished both of you from the ass end of nowhere for this, and you repay me by..."

Just then, the doorbell rang.

"It's probably just another damned salesman." He grumbled. "Go and get rid of him will you Dave?"

As Dave went to get the door, he continued to pace.

A moment later, Dave came back.

"Uh sir..."

"What is it now?" He demanded. Dave just pointed to two people standing behind him. One of them was a tall, well-built white man, with short, dark hair, and dark glasses, wearing a black suit and tie. The other was an Asian woman around the same age, wearing a dark suit, with no tie, and a Buddhist amulet around her neck. "I thought I told you to get rid..."

"That wouldn't be advisable." The man stated as they both pulled out badges. "I'm agent Scott; this is Agent Kwann, Secret Service..."

"Agent Kwann?" He asked, looking to the woman. "What are you doing here? I was expecting your call for my report..."

"I think I've seen all I need to from the school office." She told him as Agent Scott approached him, taking off his sunglasses. He pulled out a document, handing it to Andrews.

"Your little dog and pony show down here has gotten a lot of people in Government more than a little upset." He stated. "You've brought an unhealthy amount of attention to yourselves as of late, and we're now sick of cleaning up after you."

"Cease and desist?" Edwards roared, looking to the document in disgust. "You're shutting us down?"

"Operation Knightfall's become an embarrassment. It's more trouble than it's worth." Agent Scott declared. "The Rangers may cause some concerns, but going after them has caused nothing but chaos. For now, we're just going to observe to decide if we have to intervene, but unless they prove otherwise, the Rangers have to be left untouched."

"Your lab team's already been reassigned." Agent Kwann told him. "Your equipment's been seized and returned to DC. As for you three..."

She handed a document to Sam.

"The Government has elected not to pursue charges, and we're not going to tarnish your chances of future employment with a dishonourable discharge." She informed him. "This is your discharge papers. Whatever you do from now on is up to you, but you won't be doing it with the military. Needless to say we're expecting you to observe National Security..."

"With pleasure." Sam replied, taking the document gratefully. The charges he was facing would have landed him in jail for some time, and he had taken the assignment with Edwards to avoid that. Now, he was being given a literal get out of jail free card, which was what he wanted in the first place. He didn't mind having to leave the military as a result.

"As for you." Agent Scott told Dave, handing him a document. "Your actions today, while technically disobeying a direct order saved the city. We've decided to rescind your disciplinary record. You're being reassigned to Delta Force, your plane leaves in six hours for your new assignment."

"Is there an earlier flight?" He asked, looking to Edwards in disgust, taking his orders. Both Dave and Sam left without further word, leaving Edwards alone.

"You can't do this!" He protested. "I was given this assignment by..."

"Our orders come from higher up." Agent Scott assured him, tapping a pin on his lapel. "As far as you're concerned, this comes direct from the Commander in Chief himself."

Agent Kwann handed him another document.

"What's this?" He asked.

"Your assignment." She told him. "It's been decided that you could use a little break. We've assigned you to a sabbatical."

"WHAT?" He screamed in disbelief. "You're benching me? How long for?"

"As long as we damn well please." Agent Scott told him. "It's a paid vacation, take it and shut the hell up."

"No, this...this is ridiculous, I was meant to...what the hell am I meant to do?" He stammered out. Agent Kwann just shrugged.

"Maybe spend some time at home with your son?" She asked. "It's just a thought."

As they left, he grabbed his coffee table and overturned it in a fit of rage, scattering everything that was on it. He was so close, this assignment was meant to be the feather in his cap, the highlight of a career he was hoping would one day lead him to the Oval Office. Now though, it was like he was being shoved in a corner out of sight. His anger burned inside him. This was an embarrassing setback that had cost him a lot of time and favour in Washington. Now, he was expected to just sit at home and wait until those that were now pulling HIS strings decided to let him back into the game.

Later, Troy and Emma came into Ernie's Brainfreeze, finding Noah, Jake, Jordan and Gia waiting. Ernie was just closing up for the night when they arrived. Now that they knew that Ernie was in on their secret, he had no problems letting them hang around while he was closing up.

"So guys, what's the big deal?" Troy asked. "What was so important it couldn't wait until tomorrow?"

"Wait, you didn't text us?" Noah asked. "We thought that text was from you."

"So...none of you texted me to meet here urgently?" Troy asked. They all shook their heads.

"That message was from us." A voice came from behind them. In the doorway, Agent Scott and Agent Kwann were just entering.

"I'm sorry, I'm just closing..."

"Secret Service." Agent Scott declared, showing them his badge. Agent Kwann did the same. "Can we get some cappuccinos and some privacy?"

"Gia, you remember how to work the coffee machine." Ernie told her, not knowing what to think, seeing members of the Secret Service in his humble ice cream shop. "I'll just be in the apartment upstairs."

As he left, Gia went to make the coffees, and Agent Kwann locked the door. Troy looked to the others and then to the agents with a gulp as he tried to summon up all the confidence he could.

"Um...what can we help you with?" He asked.

"Troy Burrows right?" Agent Scott asked, taking off his shades as Gia started making the coffees. "Or should I say...Red Ranger."

Troy and the others all looked completely dumbfounded.

"Um...what?" Jordan asked, forcing a smile. "You think that guy's a Ranger? I think someone's been..."

"Jordan Hilary Edwards, 17 years old, born in London Arizona, Robo Knight." Agent Scott told him. "Also known as the Robo Knight."

He then looked to Jake.

"Jake Harold Hollings, 17, Born Harwood County, Black Ranger. Noah Isaac Carver, 17, Born Harwood County, Blue Ranger. Gia Lynne Moran, 17, Born Harwood County, Yellow Ranger, and Emma Serenity Goodall, 17, Born Harwood County, Megaforce Pink Ranger."

He looked to Agent Kwann.

"Did I miss anyone?" He asked.

"No, I think that's it." She replied.

"OK, I don't know what..."

"My name is Jason Lee Scott." He introduced himself, pulling out his Dino Morpher. "This is Trini Kwann, and we have a lot more in common than you know."

"This...I've seen this." Troy stated, seeing the morpher. He thought back, remembering a belt buckle... "You...you're..."

"We're the original Red and Yellow Rangers." Trini confirmed.

"Wait...if you're with the government..."

"The guys that were after you are in a different branch." Jason told them. "But we've got them off your back. Operation Knightfall has been officially disbanded."

"Operation Knightfall?" Jordan asked. "You mean...that's what those guys wanted with us?"

"Some people in the government were more than a little nervous about you all." Trini told them. "But, we believe you've just...had some rough edges to smooth out. Seeing that battle today, we think you didn't do too badly."

"For a bunch of rookies that is." Jason assured them. "You'll still be monitored, but your identities will only be known to a few of us. Your lives won't be impeded in any way...as long as you all behave yourselves. You don't need to worry about those goons anymore."

"How..."

"You have some friends in very high places." He stated as he tapped the pin on his lapel. Jordan inspected it and his face lit up.

"A presidential...the president knows..."

"Like I said, you have friends in high places." Jason reiterated. "Just...don't go shooting your mouth off about the fact."

"My new assignment is to continue as your new Principal." Trini told them. "I'll just make sure things at the school are as simple as we can make them. In addition to giving you these."

She handed each of them a key.

"That's a key to the old boiler room in the basement." She told them. "I've had some equipment put in there. You'll have plenty of room to train there, not to mention a lot more privacy."

"It was Trini's condition for taking this job." Jason told them as Gia handed him a cappuccino. "Not bad kid."

"So...this..."

"We just wanted you to know that not everyone's out to get you." Trini told them. "Now, I guess I'll see you all Monday. I expect you all to create a good example."

"Until then, keep up the good work." Jason stated with a smile, putting down his coffee. "Oh, and Troy?"

"Yeah?" Troy asked.

"You've got some big shoes to fill." He said with a smile. "Make sure the Reds keep looking good out there."

"I'll do my best." Troy answered as Trini and Jason left. It took a while before what they had heard could sink in.

"Um...wow." Gia commented. "Did they just say...?"

"We've been endorsed by the FREAKING PRESIDENT!" Jordan squealed excitedly.

As they walked along the street, Jason dialled his phone.

"The message has been delivered." He stated.

"So what are they like?" The man on the other end asked.

"They're definitely not like the teenagers I remember." Jason answered honestly. "But they seem like a good bunch of kids."

"Tell Trini to keep an eye out for them." The man on the end of the phone stated.

"I will Mr President." Jason replied. "I'll be in DC tomorrow. We'll shoot some hoops or something."

In the Oval Office, the president hung up the phone. He was a black man, around the same age, with short hair, and missing the middle finger on his left hand. He had a bright smile as he put down the phone and opened a drawer, pulling out a picture in a frame. It showed the original team, all posing in their uniforms. Leaning back in his chair and crossing his feet on the desk, the President just smiled. He could never have believed when he was in that picture the path his life would take. If it wasn't for the Peace Conference, he would never have considered a career in politics. It had been a long time since he had morphed himself, but for Zack Taylor, it just meant that now, all these years later, he could make life a little easier for the current team.

"Once a Ranger, always a Ranger." Zack said as he put the picture away and clasped his hands behind his head in a casual manner.

Fin.

A/N: Did anyone see that coming? I just wanted to wrap up this story, but another will be starting very soon. I had seriously considered skipping Nojoke altogether, but I ended up just gritting my teeth and getting through all the terrible jokes. I just hoped the little reveal at the end would help take the edge off all the "humour". Hope you all enjoyed it.