Dinosaur King: The Fossil League

by HunterHQ

The Shadow War has ended and the threat of Arkosaurus neutralised. With the timeline finally reset and stabilised once and for all, it is a time of celebration for Saurus City with the revival of the Greatest Championship of all!

5. Max vs Raina

Chapter 5

Max vs Raina

An hour so right after the traumatising experience Ursula put the entire audience and most of the world through with her unrestraint and reckless actions through her battle with Marina, she was escorted to the Waiting Room to cool off. Not only that but hopefully her absence would help grant the audience a better peace of mind and hopefully they'd recover more easily from the shock too. The rest of the Alpha gang out of concern and sympathy for their comrade also followed her there and since then she had been sitting down on one of the couches in the room, staring into space with a lifeless expression on her face as the trauma and realisation had finally settled in and she found herself trapped with deep guilt over what she so thoughtlessly did and earning everyone's scorn in the process.

Ed and Zander eyed her really pityingly, unable to find a word to say to her. They tried bringing her all kinds of snacks from the snack bar or try to entertain her by making fools of themselves too but not so much as even a change of expression or twitch was seen on her face. In fact her eyes were unblinking the whole time even! This was bad news for them as she usually had a kick out of bossing them around and making them do her bidding, but for her to have no drive or even satisfaction in it meant this was real serious. As much as they were tempted to say old lady to her in order to get a reaction they couldn't bring themselves to either.

Eventually having enough, Ed elbowed Zander lightly in his side, "Zander! Go on and say something already!" He grunted.

"Wh…Why me and not you!?" Zander complained finding it unfair.

"Cos you're pretty much out of the tournament now and not to mention you left me out to dry that time in front of Craig!" Ed retorted with irritation, "Besides if something goes wrong and you get the beatdown of the lifetime, at least you don't need to save your strength for the rest of the tourney!"

Zander clicked his tongue finding no counterargument to Ed's statement, "Tch! You….make a good point there….Even if I really don't like it…." Still it was better than nothing, given she was their dear friend and they've been through a lot as well no way could they leave her like this. He sweated anxiously as he approached her, taking one careful step after step hesitantly before swallowing hard and mustering all the strength he could, "Ch…Cheer up Ursula, it wasn't all that bad." He said comfortingly putting a hand on her shoulder, "I mean sure you ended up blowing a fuse, scarring the entire world for life and ended up becoming the focus of Saurus City's hate." He ended blurting out carelessly and bluntly, "But look on the bright side, you managed to win and make it to the next round with Ed and Dr Z! Plus you made those brats scared out fo their pants too! Meaning you'll easily make mincemeat out of them and the rest of the competition easy!"

Ed turned pale hearing what his buddy said as a death sentence, "Umm I think you're making things a whole lot worse there Zander." He quivered covering his face unable to look while Zander covered his head bracing for impact….but to their surprise the opposite happened.

"No Zander….he's right…." Ursula finally uttered out to their surprise.

"Eh?" They blinked their eyes unable to find out which was more surprising, either that Ursula wasn't beating them up or that she called them right for once.

Ursula gritted her teeth hard in frustration as the sting of her previous memory remained on her mind, before taking in a breath and coming to terms with herself, "I know I'm not the best at….self control, and probably never will….but today….I kinda see now I may have went far too overboard this time around…." She admitted as her friends listened on, "I've crossed the line and now no one would ever forget me for this….or maybe even forgive me…." She then smirked to herself and chuckled, "Heh I think it's pretty much karma and my just desserts for everything I've done. And I think I really deserve it too…." All along the 'greatness' she had believed and had been chasing all this while, now she realised was all nothing but an illusion and a fleeting shadow. By refusing to stop and think of what she was doing to get it she ended up mailing sure she would forever be remembered in the future as someone hated or feared by the people of the world.

"Oh Ursula…." Zander and Ed croaked feeling bad for her and empathising with her in some way, thinking about it for all the horrible things they did once in the past and not questioning them as well. All the while they acted selfishly doing how they saw fit and even enjoying being the villains before while looking down on others. Only now they were beginning to see why the villains would always lose in the end by amassing the combined hatred of their enemies and wanting to see them fall, and by playing that role without trying to change their path once now they see where it had gotten Ursula. For Ed and Zander they were lucky to have gotten out of it better and owning up to their wrongs, but for Ursula she wasn't as fortunate. How deeply they wished there could be another chance for her to redeem herself for this as they looked upon her with sorrow.…

Suddenly the doors behind them slammed open to their alarm, ruining the moment of grief the 3 friends were sharing, "BAH! Enough of this mope fest! You all disgust me!" Dr Z roared with annoyance as he stomped in having returned from his trip to the bathroom.

"GAH!?" They widened their eyes huddling together in fright as he glared daggers at them.

"Have you forgotten who we are?!" Dr Z pointed out at them, "We're the Alpha Gang! It's thanks to me, no, us that this future even exists! We're the ones who helped make dino duelling the glorious sport it is and me as Dinosaur King that enabled the people of this time to even become whom they are today! None of them would have even existed if WE haven't explored the possibilities we can do with dinosaurs!"

"AH!" They all widened their eyes in alarm and surprise at the valid point he made, thinking about it while Ancient brought the dinosaurs back from extinction it was Dr Z and by extension the Alpha Gang, who helped humanity explore the possibilities and potentials with dinosaurs! His dreams laid the foundation and groundwork for the future they stood in now, and while Ancient definitely aided him later on, the fact remained above all that this very world was all this brain child along with his alpha dinosaurs and the secret dinosaurs that Cera and Lunensis used now. And it was thanks to Dr Z indirectly that the D Resistance also had the fighting chance against the Shadow empire in the first place, along with the D Team being as strong as they were now having invented the move cards and indirectly being the reason the D Team came to be in the first place!

Grinning deviously and putting a hand on Ursula's shoulder, "Hehehe! Instead of feeling sorry for yourself Ursula, you and the others should be honoured to be part of this glorious revolution we will one day make possible back in our time!" He boasted before throwing out his arm, "It's the ignorant masses of this world who fail to see it, and worse have forgotten about us and the role WE played!" Deep down he was still rather jealous the public focused mainly on the D Team and acknowledged them as their big heroes while and he and the Alpha Gang got pushed aside to the sideline role of sidekicks. He snickered knowing he planned to fix that and make the truth known in the tournament, "It's time we made our mark in this time so they never forget it! For we are-"

Feeling completely motivated and fired up together the 3 of them saluted him and posed with pride, "The Alpha Gang!" They chanted with pride, the fire in their hearts revitalised more than ever.

"Ahahah! Excellent! I like your attitudes all of you!" Dr Z laughed out loud with pride, as both their leader and the foster father he hoped to be when he raised them all together. Soon, unable to hold himself back anymore he began to sniff as tears welled up in his eyes and he cried out with emotion, "And I couldn't be more proud of you!" He cried with love for them as much as his secret dinosaurs, something he never thought he'd ever do. Plus while his secret dinos rebelled in the end the Alpha Gang had been loyal to him through thick and thin and now he was beginning to truly appreciate them.

Ed and Zander both teared up with emotion too, "Aww….He really does love us."

"I knew it was right to never give up on him." They each cried finding his compassion rather contagious.

Ursula sniffled too but was surprised when Dr Z pointed out at her, "Especially you Ursula, in fact you did a good job out there, better than I expected."

She blinked in surprise pointing to herself, "I…I did Dr Z?" She asked.

He nodded back at her, "Everyone else just doesn't realise see it yet but I know you demonstrated great results and determination out there! Forget about their rotten criticism, be proud for who you are! A loyal member of the Alpha Gang who's only going to keep getting further and even stronger from here on!" He called out encouraging her that she did no wrong having been wowed during her battle, "Make sure you remember that and never forget it! So get over your lousy moping already! For we never give up once we set our sights on anything we want!" Wiping the tears away with his sleeves he grinned, "And what we want is to show the world who we are and what makes us proud! That's the real power of the Alpha Gang!" He proclaimed, "Once you win your next match and show them all, they'll all forget about what happened and instead see whom we really are!

"Dr Z….." Ursula breathed sniffling herself finding it hard to contain the immense love and appreciation she was getting from him. Smiling herself and wiping the tears away she smiled brightly too with confidence and getting her usual spark and vigour back, "Y…You bet! I'll show them all not to look down on us! You can count on me Dr Z! I'll make you all proud!" She proclaimed out lied feeling assured herself she was not alone, in fact all along she still had friends and family who'd support her when she really needed it too and right when she felt lost they truly were there for her.

"Well said Ursula, well said." Zander added as he and Ed walked up to her, "And you can count on us to always be here for you and to back you up when you need it most." He smirked holding a thumbs up.

"Even if the whole world turns their backs on us we'll have each other to the end of time!" Ed nodded in agreement.

It was then Dr Z grinned seeing his cheer up plan a success, as much as he meant what he said he had the ulterior motive of properly motivating his men with the will fight without any distractions. When they fight with strength and prove their power by winning the tourney, the people will be happy to welcome him as their king! Foster father or not his will and desire to achieve his lifelong dream would never change nor die!

Ursula said nothing for moments as a shade covered her eyes to the surprise of her friends, no, family. They eyed her puzzled as to why she went silent on them.

"U...Ursula?" They asked curiously and worried, only to hear sniffling from her. She wiped her nose dry and eyed them all with sparkling puppy dog eyes wet with tears as she opened her eyes wide open!

"WAAAH! You guys are the best!" She cried out loud before glomping them all! "Come give me a hug!" She squealed as she scooped the 3 men into a joyful hug which soon began to crush them all with the strength of a python!

"ACK!" They all cried out choking and gasping for air while feeling their own bodies getting crushed like being in a compactor!

"You're crushing…my spine!"

"Can't breathe!"

"I can feel my ribs cracking! Everything's going….blank…."

Right before the 3 men had their souls squeezed out from their bodies in love, the doors to the waiting room burst open once more, as a certain dinosaur geek and his assistant barged in to Ursula's horror.

"My lovely Ursula! I've come for you!" Dr Owen cried out with his arms wide open with Patrick gasping for air behind him having chased him for a while now.

"AH! Señor! Please control yourself!"

"WAAAH!" Ursula squealed seeing her scariest fear appear before her eyes again, in the process dropping her family and leaving them to cough and gasp for air much to their relief he came in on time.

"I saw how downhearted and depressed you were right after that duel just now," Dr Owen stated pityingly before flashing a sparkly grin, "But rest assured your knight in shining armour has returned to sweep you off your feet and carry you off into the happy ending you deserve!" He proclaimed, "Also I overheard everything just now and rest assured I'll be there by your side for all eternity!" He then launched himself at her with arms wide open unable to restrain himself a second longer, "So tell me you love me baby!"

"EEEEK!"

"Help me you guys! You said you'd be here for me when I need it most, and I need it NOW!" She cried out to them in desperation, spurring the 3 men into action as they realised she was in danger.

"GAH! R…Right!" They quickly scrambled getting their act together and chased after Owen and Patrick as they did a comedic game of tag around the room in circles,

"Hang on Ursula we'll save you!"

"Leave her alone you stalker!"

"Señor! Calm yourself!"

Various voices echoed from the room and through the hallways followed by the cries of a damsel in distress.

"WAAAAAH!"

(Meanwhile)

Back at the arena, the crowd's mood took a massive drop in excitement and enthusiasm as complete silence filled the colosseum within. Everyone, young and old were still scarred by the experience Ursula had put them all through in her earlier battle, how not only she took down Marina almost one sidedly in the final moments of the battle but how she inflicted such devastation and destruction in the process without any care or concern for her actions on those around her. Because of that long buried memories of the shadow wars, which then people hoped to move on from, had resurfaced in the hearts of nearly everyone present or watching from across the world so it seemed as though the entire planet had stood still.

The skies were turning rather cloudy now along with the darkened mood of silence and worry, the rest of the D Team present could see it evident on every person around them and they felt immense empathy and pity for them, given what the people went through in the past and how hard they tried to move on, for to be reminded of those nightmarish days took a toll on them and also made Max and friends rather hurt that Cera herself was feeling a bit downcast after all their hard work and battles in the war to save the world.

"Gee I didn't think things would take a 180 degree turn like this…." Zoe swallowed hard feeling an ache in her chest as though her heart was cracked.

"Did you see what happened earlier Zoe? I'm not surprised everyone's feeling all downcast…." Rex muttered as the mood got to him too, "I mean all that devastation and destruction the old-" Rex held himself back knowing what he would say next carelessly would only escalate things further, "I mean Ursula, what she did….it's like looking back at the…." His statement was interrupted when Cera then sighed as she knew what they were talking about, prompting Rex to stop realising what he was doing wasn't helping at all. "Y…You know what I mean, I should keep quiet now….." He then muttered feeling bad about his insensitivity.

All around them they frowned having an ache on their hearts with disappointment that everyone was dwelling on the past rather than moving on but given the experience Ursula put them all through, they could understand it was rather difficult to do so. Some extent her actions and behaviour during the duel also made them remember the war days too which made them sigh too, a feeling shared by their friends and family when were seated in the booths above them. Things still proceeded for a while like this and making the mood most awkward given there were countless people gathered and watching yet nothing happened and no one seemed to be willing to take the first step.

Max having had enough of seeing everyone so down in the dumps, gritted his teeth in annoyance that they were all unable to get over it and move on. True he felt the same as they were and had bad memories brought up to but one thing he never did was give up and let things be as they were, instead he'd try to continue pushing on to the end as long as he could still do something about the situation to make it better. Narrowing his eyes and nodding firmly with clarity in his eyes he stood up, "Well there's only one thing to do now! And that's to keep on fighting and keep the tournament rolling!" He yelled out with en edgy and confidence to the surprise of everyone in the arena as they looked his way and blinked or widened his eyes at his unexpected statement.

He looked to his friends who were most surprised at his initiative, "What's done is done and there's no use crying over spilt milk." He smiled pumping up his arm, "My turn's coming up and once me and Chomp hit the battlefield we'll be sure to shed some light on this dark mood and brighten everyone's spirits up once again!" He proclaimed pointing out to the sky, and as if on cue, the clouds soon began to part as rays of sunlight began to peer through revealing the blue sky behind the blanket of clouds!

Gasps of amazement and realisation echoed through the coliseum walls as many fans and spectators widened their eyes as though Max had some kind of mystical ability to chase away their fears and worries, and something about him help to inspire and motivate them all, giving therm strength too.

Even his friends were taken aback by how easily Max could keep his spirits strong and how he could easily recover from the shock of the previous battle. Then again, they soon smiled with delight as they realised it was no surprise given how he refused to give into despair during the Dark Pterosaur's attack in the past and united the D Resistance reminding them of what they fought for and brought their spirits up again in the Shadow War!

Unable to hold themselves back and feeling inspired themselves, Spike and Aki stood up from where they were, "That's the spirit Max! Show them all what makes you my boy! Make me proud!" His dad grinned punching forward with a grin.

"Oh my precious baby is all grown up!" Aki teared up clapping her hands together and calling out to him, "Just so you know mommy's standing by you all the way!"

Hearing his parents being supporting of him was nice and all, but looking around and finding himself in public and several people around either snickering or smirking at him, knowing they were making fun of him, Max blushed red in embarrassment and cried out, "Mom! Dad! Cut it out! You're embarrassing me!" Fortunately or unfortunately for him depending on how you perceive it, he was done receiving praises from his friends and family.

"Heheh, he's right! We can't let it the tournament end here now after coming this far can we?" Dr Ancient smiled to his wife who giggled.

"Not a chance! That'd be way too booooring!" Cretacia replied as Rod and Laura stood up feeling their spirits reenergised!

"Yeah! we're seeing this thing through to the end!" Rod pumped up his arm as they along with Jonathan, Reese and even Helga began to voice out support and rallying cries to Max.

"We're rooting for you! So get in there and give us all a battle we can be proud of!"

Their enthusiasm was so contagious one by one people in the arena were infected with inspiration and encouragement so much they all began to be swept up in the excitement of Max giving them hope again and for the tournament of the century to continue!

A few short moments later, the MC feeling motivated then mustered up the energy to make another announcement, "A most fine and excellent speech by one of the greatest heroes of our time! Let's all give it up for Max Taylor!" He proclaimed as everyone clapped and applauded.

"Max! Max! To the Max!"

"Once our hero you'll always be our hero!"

"We just knew you wouldn't let us down!"

"The stars! They really were telling us truth this morning!"

All kinds of cheers echoed through the arena including that of the other captains along with Cera's parents too.

"Ehehehe…." Max blushed as red as the clothes he was wearing as he scratched his head and grinned flattered, while he felt he didn't deserve this much praise and attention, it did feel very good to be admired and loved….maybe he could get used to this.

Behind him his friends including Cera smiled with delight and joy, impressed at Max's unique hidden ability to unite and strengthen those around him. "Heh, I don't know how he does it but he sure knows how to inspire and motivate everyone around him." Rex chuckled unable to determine where he gets it.

"That just shows how much he loves people and dinosaurs, and in turn they give their all for him." Zoe smiled putting her hands to her chest feeling touched.

Cera nodded in agreement, "Makes me kinda jealous when you think about it." Back then when all hope seemed lost it was her friends in the D Team that helped give her and her people the strength to keep moving forward as long as they could still do something. She smiled for the future generations to come knowing if they continued to live by these irreplaceable principles and lifestyles from the past no doubt there could be an even greater tomorrow to come. After all as times change there are some things that shouldn't ever be left behind in the past, and what Max did here for them and before will surely be one of them.

Of course they could travel back in time to change the previous battle's outcome or whatever transpired but that would be just cheap, plus if they simply took away their problems every time something happened there'd be no growth and progress.

Seeing it as the right time to proceed, the MC nodded with confidence that they could continue on with the next battle as some of them began to demand the next duel to come soon. "And with that, we shall proudly proceed to the semifinal match of this first round!" As more fuel was added to the reignited fires of excitement and enthusiasm in the people's hearts.

"Dino duel!"

"We want the next match to come now!"

"I want Max to give us all the show of a lifetime!"

Max pumped up his arms eagerly and grinned as he felt supercharged with energy and felt he could take on anyone right here and now, both him and Chomp as a team!"

Curiously, Zoe and Rex looked to Cera as they wanted to enquire from her, "Say Cera, anything we ought to know about Max's upcoming opponent Raina?" Zoe asked as Max looked back overhearing them, "Not that we think you would lose Max, but you know, we're just wondering." She giggled cheekily shrugging her shoulders a Max pouted.

"Hmph! Thanks for the vote of confidence. Some friends you are…." He muttered which made them all giggle a little much to his chagrin.

"Hahaha…."

Stopping herself Cera then answered, "Well what can I say, among the teachers I've studied under I'd have to say Raina happens to be one of my favourites." She said proudly, "Being the Lightning Captain and also the head of our technologies and research development, needless to say she happens to be the big brains behind much of our infrastructure and workings. Be it in biology, chemistry, physics any kind of science you can guarantee she already has mastered and polished her knowledge and skills to a fine edge." She explained with pride, "Her greatest talents lying mainly in technology and programming, something which I was really proud to learn from."

She remembered she had her share of building things or maintenance repairs under her tutelage as well as her assistant to some experiments. While there wasn't so much on battling or training, she did gain an understanding of electricity and it being the importance of the spark of ingenuity and inspiration. Something like what Max did just now that she thought about it, plus many of the world's greatest revolutions and humanity's growth wouldn't be possible without electricity. Her explanation made the D Team breathe out in awe.

"That sounds really cool…" Rex knew his parents as great scientists too, but even now they are still learning much of how the dinosaurs and stones worked, what they know and could do currently could only be a fraction of Raina's knowledge and expertise.

"I'd love her to be my science teacher too, in fact she sounds like she could make learning actually fun." Zoe cheered, which made Max squint his eyes at her again.

Clearly he didn't see learning and fun as 2 words that could ever together….though maybe if it were dinosaur related. "So where did she get it all from anyways?" He asked his interest piqued, to which Cera folded her arms in thought.

"Hmm that's a good question…." She replied to their surprise.

"You mean you don't know?" Max asked.

"Well mainly rumours….." Cera answered as she folded her arms in thought, "From when she was younger she was quite the bookworm from what I heard from my mom, she loved to study a lot and she always was a gifted electronic wiz." She said nodding with affirmation, "Anything with wires and circuitboards, she can easily take it apart and either put it back together as something better." Her expression then hardened a bit, "Not sure how she does it….though a rumour I heard once from my dad was that one time when she was just a toddler, she ended up playing with a metal fork and ended up sticking it inside a an electric socket when she wasn't watched." She explained as her friends stepped back or widened their eyes in comedic surprise, "Ended up giving her a literal shock….but luckily she didn't suffer anything serious." Cera quickly stated hoping to calm them down though their expressions didn't change that much from their initial shock. "Strangely though by the time she woke up her IQ shot up from the average 90 all the way to 130, and she was still only 6." She then added putting a finger to her chin in thought.

"Whoa really?" Max blinked.

"Man, talk about freaky." Zoe shivered uncomfortably not wanting to get shocked herself.

"Sounds like something you'd read in a comic book story…." Rex commented folding his arms and finding it illogical.

This was one of the cases where curiosity killed the cat but it ended up doing the opposite instead.

Cera shrugged her shoulders finding it unbelievable herself but then again anything was possible, "Well whatever the case that happened, her IQ is at least 160 now since then." She said before smiling to herself as she drifted back ton several of Raina's past achievements that she bore witness to years ago, "She's been a real help to Saurus City society given her family was part of the Institute's Lightning division, which was what the D Resistance base was before the Shadow War." She smiled drifting back to the old days, "In fact, through imagination and creativity combined with her impressive intellect, you won't believe the revolutionary new inventions she and her division helped bring forth into the world. Like example our Mesozoic Mobiles, environmentally clean engines and power plants, much of the stuff Dr Ancient was thinking over and found amazing were mostly from her design." She stated as she remembered the day the Institute revealed their first line of Mesozoic mobiles for traversing various terrain into the wild while also enabling fossil excavation or summoning dinosaurs.

Her friends widened their eyes in amazement, "Whoa! Really?" Max gasped.

"That's awesome!" Zoe and Rex grinned pumped up with enthusiasm, having drove in them before and how fun it was.

Cera smirked at their pleasure and she was only getting started, "Heh, that's just the tip of the iceberg, you see when the stone circle and pillar was uncovered several years back, Raina discovered the energies contained deep within it." She said getting to the real juicy bit, "In fact she developed a device to safely harness out the stone's spiritual energies which was then able to be replicated for various purposes." Her friends were speechless at this stunning revelation, "By replicating that energy we had a constant supply of clean renewable energy for all kinds of special purposes. Be it reviving dinosaurs from fossils and then converting them to cards, summoning them or even using it to time travel."

Rex widened his eyes as he couldn't help but blurt out, "Wait, time travel!?"

Max looked to him, "Hey didn't the Backlander use the 6 stones in order to time travel Rex?" he asked.

"That's right it did," the blond boy nodded, "Also I heard dad and mom used the energy from the stones to turn dinosaurs to cards." As long as the energy they used was compatible the physiology and biology of the dinosaur.

"I don't mean any offence Rex," Cera replied, "But the time machine your dad developed could only operate as long as the stones were inserted into their engine. What Raina did managed to surpass that, gathering then replicating energy from the stone pillar itself without the use of any piece of the original stone itself." Now this really blew Rex's mind out of the water, how jealous his parents would be if they got word of this, "For a while we did have a facility dedicated to time travel….but there were some complications that arose which I rather not go over…." She remembered there were times in the past when the time travel bureau established was once used by criminal organisations for evil use and this had to be decommissioned sadly, "Plus when the space pirates invaded a while back they stole some blueprints to a time engine and to replicate the energy we used, which was how they were able to travel in time in the first place."

"Oh I see…." Rex sighed feeling bad for Cera and Raina, given that something that was meant to be used for good ended up being used for evil, an evil that nearly destroyed all reality as they knew it thinking back to Specter and his gang.

Max gritted his teeth angrily, "Man that really stinks…." he grunted punching his hand into his palm in disgust that there were scum not just in the world but beyond too.

Cera nodded in agreement, "It was a tragedy to science and a blow to Raina when that came around, something she does know it's not so much on whether you can do something more importantly it's the should." She said, "Science should be used for the benefit of mankind, which was why she often felt discouraged or regretful whenever some of her inventions she made open sourced were at times used for evil purposes." There were times said criminal groups used the dimnoshots and mesozoic mobiles for nefarious purposes, which she rather not go into at the moment.

"Those are really wise words to live by," Rex nodded in agreement with Cera,"Ones me and my dad will be sure to take to heart."

"Glad to hear that Rex." She nodded feeling secure in his time and future to come. "Make sure you study well too and be a great example for the future as well." Cera said not just to him but also to Max and Zoe too, so they could be the greatest versions of themselves and give back to their parents who raised them, "That's the very thing Raina put much of her heart and soul into when she was in her school years all the way to graduation and you see the results all before you." It inspired Cera to do the same so she can contribute to society like she had.

Rex nodded in agreement while Zoe whistled hearing the word study used seriously by Cera, "Wow sounds like she's the complete opposite of Max." She snickered and elbowed Max playfully, "Heheh, you could learn a thing or two from her you know,"

"Maybe then your grades would actually climb up for a change." Rex added at the end as Max sbeatdropped and frowned lowering his head after being reminded of his studies that needed improvement.

"L…Let's not bring that up while we're here in public okay?" He muttered as his mood soured.

Suddenly an unexpected female voice called out catching them by surprise, "Is that right? I'm surprised."

"Huh?" They looked up at the direction of the voice, further at the other side of the arena and stepping up on stage was a woman with swiftly glasses, a white lab coat over a yellow inner layered uniform obscured by said coat and spiky yellow hair.

The MC quickly scrambled to announced the arrival of the captain, "Ladies and gentlemen, dinosaurs and all, presenting the first contender in our next matchup! Please welcome Lightning division's Captain Raina!" He called out as various comments were blurted out from the audience.

"Whoa! It's Raina!"

"Wh…Where did she come from!?"

"Who cares!? Now that she's here let's get the next round on the way!"

They all began to cheer, at that point those acquainted or close to Max watched on tensely as his turn came on.

"With your prowess and skill in battle I was expecting you to be some kind of battle genius or something," Raina commented pushing up her glasses, while her eyes couldn't be seen a frown was noticed on her face, "So I must admit I am rather….shocked too hear that wasn't the case." She sighed with mild disappointment.

"Urk…." Max croaked a little realising she had overheard their conversation somehow and he noticed his friends behind snickering behind his back.

"Hehehe…"

"Hee hee hee!"

"Grr! Knock it off!" He yelled back at them blushing slightly red with anger and embarrassment, "Maybe my school grades aren't the best but they don't mean anything when it comes to a real fight!" Max growled in defiance before running up to the top of the arena, "I'll prove it to you guys that I don't need to study from some textbook to win in a battle!" He declared earning some energetic cheers from a handful of spectators who like him weren't the best in school either but saw hope in themselves if Max could be a big shot perhaps they could too! Something which made a handful of others frown or scowl hoping Max wouldn't be a bad influence for said individuals, among them was Rod, Laura and even Aki.

"You'd be surprised at how wrong you are." Raina thought to herself as she smirked already having a certain plan in motion.

"And in our next corner representing the leader of the D Team and one of our great heroes who saved Saurus City! It's Max Taylor!" The MC called out as the audience erupted in cheers and praise.

"Aw yeah Max!"

"Win it for us honey!" Aki and Spike called out, while nearby Reese and her family clapped calmly and smiled with Helga and Jonathan.

Many of the spectators began to cheer after being caught up in the excitement by Max's loved ones too.

"Yay!"

"Haha, finally it's time!"

"We need energising after that last round!"

"Give us a jump start!"

Grinning eagerly Max vowed to give them all a good show to lift their spirits up. Behind him Zoe and Rex frowned and pouted at the thought of Max being referred to as their leader, they always did things together as a team, plus given how immature he tended to be at times.

As he turned to face his opponent, "I heard from Cera you're responsible for all the cool gadgets and gizmos we saw in the Resistance base and for much of the City here." Max said with a happy smile on his face, "Have to say I'm real impressed by that."

"Heheh I'm flattered that you appreciate my work like she did." Raina giggled feeling touched, "But enough about the past, how about we focus on the present shall we?"

Max smirked confidently, think of her like a regular science nerd who spends more time indoors and not enough time outside, maybe he might go a little easy on her in their battle….or so he thought till she said something rather unsettling.

As she typed something on her dinoshot Raina smirked deviously, "Hehe, I ran the numbers, my odds of victory are at 90%," she said with confidence before looking Max's way, "Still I do hope you don't make this battle all too easy for me."

Hearing her rather cocky statement Max frowned, "Aren't you getting ahead of yourself there? We haven't even started the battle yet and you think you've got me beat already?" He raised an eyebrow finding her assessment rather premature.

"Hehehe, why do you think I've been absent this whole time and only showed up now?" She giggled which made Max worry a little as she justified her point, "Since lunch ended I made a trip back to my lab in my fast hover transport to make a few more preparations and tweaks to my battle strategy in anticipation of this match."

Max blinked his eyes in surprise, "Oh, you mean like some last minute super intensive training?"

"Hmmm….well yes and no." Raina answered to his confusion, "You see I'm the type of person that dislikes going outdoors for too long, for I prefer keeping my experiments and myself in a more controlled comfortable environment."

She often disliked going outdoors given her skin was rather sensitive and she had many allergies. For example too much direct sunlight gave her blisters, also dust, fur and pollen makes her sneeze while too much sweat irritates her skin. If it weren't for her special anti allergy medicine which worked for a 3 hour time limit, given to her by Hua to help deal with her unfortunate predicament, she'd have had to spend most of her life inside some protective bubble our remain indoors at all times. Even during the war she made sure to stay in the comforts of her Mesozoic Mobile and almost never stepping out unless in protective gear for field work.

"So instead, I looked through all your past records and battles, studied your moves and techniques carefully, even having to look up on your personal profiles and history too." She then added to Max's discomfort.

"Err…." He didn't know whether to feel flattered or creeped out by her intensive research, a sentiment shared by his friends.

"Well….she certainly does know how to study and research…." Rex gulped down nervously knowing she may be tougher than they expected.

Realising she may have touched on a rather sensitive subject she took her words back and scratched her head, "Umm….sorry about that….but I had to make sure I leave no room for error given all that data was used in my new virtual simulation training system." She explained before grinning, "I had dinosaur Jolt run through a training program based around that data enabling me to not only know your strengths but also to determine your weaknesses and make counter strategies against them!" She declared proudly before pointing at him, "And once me and Jolt defeat you and Chomp, it'll prove my theory is correct that my training system can be just as effective as normal battling experience! Data predicts everything after all! The numbers just don't lie!"

"Whoa, she sounds way more of a wiz than me…." whistled Rod remember visiting her lab first time and seeing it outclassed what they had back home and it took time for him to crack some of the codes there. Ancient and Cretacia all agreed it may even give them, Reese, Dr Z and Seth combined a run for their money too.

Many spectators murmured with worry or felt intimidated thinking Max doesn't have a chance. Others beloved this could be the latest in dino duelling.

Max however frowned in disagreement nor did he feel nervous at all regarding what she told him, "Hey Raina, I think you're going about this all wrong." He spoke up.

She paused in her moment of glory, caught by surprise at his words, "Excuse me?"

"I may not know much or maybe nothing at all when it comes to textbooks or studying in general….." Max answered before narrowing his eyes rather crossly, "But I do know this, data can't predict everything. In fact it can't predict how a battle can affect a dinosaur and duelist does it? After all anything can happen, it's a given fact that I'm sure every person would know." He explained not wanting honest hard work to ever be replaced or worse go extinct, "Plus proper training and experiences aren't just important, they're irreplaceable and there is no substitute for honest hard work and real life." He declared a counter statement her way as he pointed out at her.

His very speech made everyone fall rather silent and deeply moved their hearts and minds, something even his parents were caught off guard by. Most of the adults were impressed at Max's wisdom for kid.

"Whoa, now that's quite the speech…." Zoe whistled.

"Heh, Max may not be book smart but he does know what he's doing when it really counts." Rex chuckled knowing he did have his moments.

Cera smiled, "You never cease to impress and amaze me." She thought fully understanding his point off view.

Raina paused giving his words some thought as she smiled, "I understand where you're coming from and that's fine, I completely respect your opinion." She replied before her smiled faded, "But not everyone is the same, this world is vast after all and people come from far and wide. Not everyone is capable of going outside or having access to the kinds of battles we can all learn and grow from that you talk about." She explained, "Plus most real battles and trainings do come with some degree of dangers and risks that may be too great for some to handle, so I intend to have my new training system to help eliminate those risks and help be the bridge connecting those less fortunate with their dreams." She knew there were many variables to account for such as health or injury can keep most duelists from achieving the potential they want the normal way, not to mention location and being unable to travel or leave a certain area, yet still aspiring to be strong dino duelists and wishing to have the strength to do so. Raina felt such people may not be able to find the opponents they desire in real life or when they get hurt they can't fight ever fight again.

"Y…Yeah I can see where you're coming from." Max replied a little uneasily but continued, "But still that takes out most of the fun and excitement these dino battles are all meant for, plus what doesn't kill you makes you stronger!"

"A valid point there too, so it seems we both are at a slight impasse here." Raina acknowledged before suggesting a solution, "How about we let this battle decide then who is more right?" She smirked after that, "But know this, I don't intend to lose, plus I doubt I could since I've collected enough data on you already." She smirked cockily as Max narrowed his eyes with determination to prove her wrong.

"We'll see about that Raina!" He declared before grinning and taking out his card and dinoshot, "I'll show you nothing beats and good old fashioned classics like hard work and dedication!" He called out slashing his card, "Dino slash! Go triceratops! Roar!" Chomp appeared on the field in full sized form as he reared up on his hind legs roaring out fiercely before slamming back on the ground!

As soon as Chomp his the ground the stadium exploded with applause.

"Max has called forth his beloved and most trusted partner and friend Chomp the triceratops! And already he's becoming a fan favourite!" The MC announced as his loved ones looked on seriously.

"Good luck Max." Cera smiled knowing he would do great.

Raina eyed Chomp seeing him as strong as she expected and smiled, "I'm interested to see how well you prove your point and disprove mine." She said taking out her card, "Dino slash! Anchiceratops! Put a shock to their systems!" Raina slashed her partner's card summoning forth a smaller green ceratopsian with curved horns who let out a loud roar of his own, before scraping the ground with his foot and snorting like a bull at his opponent and fellow ceratopsian Chomp! Both horned dinosaurs acknowledged one another as opponents and either snorted or shook their horns at each other in a threatening manner, trying to intimidate the other like how it would take place in the wild but neither backed down so a fight was inevitable!

"And Captain Raina brings out Jolt her anchiceratops! Now with both combatants at the ready, let's get this duel right under way! Dino duel!" As the MC finished a dome generated around the 2 duelists and their dinos and soon the area transported to that of a dry desert like area with the skies obscured in dark black thunder clouds covering the sky and blanketing out the sun!

Already the sight of it brought up either excitement from many but also concern and worry from others.

"Whoa that's one scary looking battlefield…." Laura gulped uneasily at all the thunder booming in the skies and lightning crackling all around and even striking the ground at random spots here and there.

"This will be a tough one for sure." Jonathan narrowed his eyes.

"Max will have to be alert and careful here…." Reese put a finger to her chin in thought while near her Spike gritted his teeth rather anxiously.

"Oh Max do be careful…" Aki frowned hoping he wouldn't get shocked himself while they battled.

She felt a hand placed on her shoulder, "He'll be fine Aki," said Spike as his wife looked to him smiling with confidence, "This is our boy after all, he and his friends have been through worse than this." He grinned with confidence and looking around her she felt similar expressions by their friends too. "Got get em Max, and good luck!" He added at the end as Aki then smiled and sighed.

"Y…You're right Spike, it was silly of me to worry." She said feeling reassured her son would win this.

Max tense up but sees both their dinos have equal advantage here

Raina confident too clear she has some advantage using it compared to him, but won't let that scare him

"Alright Chomp! We'll strike first before they can plan anything!" He declared confidently as his partner roared out in acknowledgement, "Electric charge!" Slashing the move, some of the dark clouds above the battlefield swirled together as a bolt of thunder struck down on Chomp energising him as he roared out!

Raina remained calm and said nothing as the triceratops came close and her dino held fast. To Max's surprise she ended up looking at her dinoshot and typed on it, "Reaction speed…..0.58…." she read before chuckling amused, "Heh to us that's like standing still!"

"You shouldn't look away from a battle you know!" Max yelled out taking offence, "Go Chomp!" His trike roared and charged forth towards Jolt who held his ground firmly as he awaited Raina's instructions.

She then suddenly slashed a move, "Dodge it now! Energy bolt!" She commanded as the anchiceratops bellowed flashing yellow and then jetting away in the form of a lightning arrow as Chomp missed his mark and ended up crashing into a rocky pillar and getting horns stuck!

"Whoa! What the!?" Max gasped surprised!

"AH!" The others were amazed at Jolt's lightning fast speed and reflexes, even Cera too was impressed not remembering Raina to have been that quick on her feet.

It was just the beginning as Jolt began speeding across the battle field in a blur as he sped from one point to another as each lightning strike crossed the sky!

"That's fast!" Zoe cried in alarm.

"Too fast! There's no time for Max to dodge!" Rex gasped as Chomp managed to pull himself free only to be met by Jolt tackling him in lightning arrow form and sending him back!

"Ah Chomp!" Max gasped as the triceratops was sent flying away and then crashing down hard!

"An incredible opening move by Raina! Fast as literal Lightning!" the MC called out evening some excited energised cheers!

As Chomp lay down on the ground Max stepped back in surprise, "B…But how!? That lightning attack happened really fast!" He cried out, "Normally most lightning moves need a bit of time to charge up!"

"Hee hee!" Raina chuckled getting his attention, "Did you really think that I, the D Team's captain of Lightning wouldn't take that into consideration? My dinosaurs and I know the full extent and potential of electricity and how to harness it as well as use it efficiently." She said having Jolt to charge up lightning attacks faster through simulations and in her virtual reality training simulations allowing him to battle effectively against any opponent type or terrain too, "In a battle of strength I knew mine couldn't compete against yours, but it would be illogical of me to do so. So I decided to focus on speed instead for the most part, something your triceratops lacks." She added surging her shoulders with confidence and a hint of arrogance in her voice, which ticked Max off a little as he hardened his gaze and clenched his fist tightly.

"Urgh…."

"Hehe, with the data I have on you and the training we've done in virtual reality, you'd realise that this outcome was inevitable." Raina then snickered to his annoyance.

Max clenched his fist tightly and gritted his teeth refusing to backdown, "Grr we'll see! This battle's just started!" He growled, "Chomp! Try to get up!" He called out to his partner spurring the trike to push himself up. Shaking off his earlier blow he roared out strong as before, as Max smiled happy, "Now go!" He called out as Chomp continued his charge attack towards the smaller anchiceratops!

"As I expected, you really do love going head to head." Raina commented pushing up her glasses before nodding at her partner, "Alright, we'll just have to outmatch you blow for blow then." Jolt bellowed and charged at his larger opponent as they smashed horns at one another like gladiators!

Jolt's curved horns meant he had a wider range of attack and thus was able to parry most of Chomp's incoming attacks as he thrusted his front horns as well as make it harder for Chomp to get in close! Also his smaller size allowed him to sidestep most other blows too! The 2 ceratopsians broke away for a bit before scraping the ground with their front legs and charing at one another! Ramming one another in a head on collision and forcing them each to back away from the tie.

Seeing they weren't getting anywhere, Max took another move card, "Let's take things up a notch! Lightning strike!" He slashed as Chomp glowed yellow and charged up a bolt of lightning in between his horns before firing it directly towards Jolt!

Unfortunately for him, his move was already foreseen by Raina who grinned deviously with a plan in motion, "Heh, as I predicted," having studied his attack patterns in the past she anticipated that he'd try a long ranged attack next and already she had a counter! "Go Giga generator!" Jolt glowed yellow as yellow electricity surged around him! As the lightning bolt reached him, instead of shocking him it ended up being conducted through his horns and surging through his body as he roared out seemingly unharmed to everyone's alarm!

"AH!" Max and everyone widened their eyes as the energy coursed through Jolt before he discharged it out safely and apparently the scrapes and wounds he felt earlier in his clash with Chomp seemed to have faded away! "Wh…What just happened!?" Max gasped as Chomp too was taken aback while Jolt roared at them, "No way!"

"Is it me or does Jolt look like completely unscathed now?" Zoe commented curiously as Rex narrowed his eyes in thought.

"Hey now that you mention it…." He sweated while Max tensed up.

"As far as brains go it's obvious I have the clear advantage but in brute strength I know don't stand a chance as I demonstrated earlier." Raina then stated, "So it's only natural that I rely on what I know best." She then added folding her arms with a confident grin.

"What did you just do!?" Max demanded to which the Captain chuckled.

"Oh it's not so much what I've done, but what you've done." She replied puzzling Max further.

"Huh?"

"I must say I'm rather grateful to you for helping me recharge my dinosaur's batteries much faster." She explained cheekily as she held out her hand to Jolt, "Normally Giga generator takes time to charge up before healing the user, but thanks to you I managed to find a work around to make energy charging all the more efficient."

Max couldn't believe his ears, "Say wha!?"

"I've never heard of a lightning move that restores energy!" Rod gasped out loud, even amongst move cards this was one that he and the Ancients found most impressive, who knows how many more new moves would be invented in the future too.

Raina grinned seeing she had Max cornered now, "I collected plenty of data from your past battles and am prepared for every move you make." She said pushing up her glasses, "Like I told you, the numbers don't lie." Having anticipated various scenarios and how Max would react based on his personality, through her scenarios Raina was no doubt confident but Max could also see she was a bit arrogant too and that was ticking him off somewhat, "You won't win against me so easily, especially not with such predictable moves like that." She snorted rather arrogantly to Max's further annoyance.

"Grrgh…." He gritted his teeth and sweated tensely but still refused to yield, no way his usual moves would cut it against Raina, he'd have to think on his feet now.

"Incredible! What a crafty counter move!" The MC called out, "As to be expected from the D Lab's head of research! It appears as though Raina has Max figured out! What will he do now!?" His announcement had the audience on the edge of their seats as they wondered what would happen next from here on, this could go either way at this point!

Max then clicked his tongue finding himself in a pinch, "Tch! I didn't think you'd be this prepared…." Regardless he refused to backdown and his feelings were soon carried on into Chomp who roared in defiance, "But we're not giving up! Not by a long shot!" He took another move and slashed, "Thunder bazooka!" His triceratops roared out and rushed forward preparing to launch himself through the air!

"Hee hee! I could see that coming a mile away!" Raina giggled putting Max on alert, though sadly nothing he had could block her counter coming up, "Counter blitz!" She ordered slashing the card! Right before Chomp could jump, a thunder cloud in the sky suddenly shot a lightning bolt down his way, paralysing him on the spot before he could generate any electric around him as he fell down to the ground and crashed to Max's alarm!

"Chomp no!" He cried out as his dinosaur let out a roar in pain!

"AH!" His parents gasped in alarm at their seats.

"She had the perfect defence at the ready!" Reese breathed narrowing her eyes feeling most impressed.

"I never thought Max would get so outwitted and outmatched like this…."

"Whoa…Nothing sure gets by Raina….." Craig whistled impressed while Hua next to him nodded in agreement with Marina and Blaze.

"I always saw her to be some wimpy science geek…boy am I proven wrong today…."

"I'm starting to like her as my favourite captain now!" A handful of spectators voiced out as several began to cheer for their captain of Lightning rather than Max.

"Chomp! Are you okay!?" Max cried out worried for his partner and friend, who grunted back to him weakly, trying to push himself back up only to slump back down in exhaustion to Max's worry, "Urgh…."

Pushing up her glasses and smiling confidently, as well as pleased that everything had fallen into place and according to her plans, "Alright let's end this." Raina thought to herself seeing no need to test a proven hypothesis anymore before taking out a move card, "Jolt! Put a shock to Chomp's systems!" She called out making the anchiceratops bellow out and putting Max and Chomp on alert as she slashed the move! "Plasma anchor!" Jolt charged up energy between his horns before firing an electrical anchor at the downed triceratops!

Chomp mustered all the strength he could to stand up but it was too late as just as about he was about to leap over the anchor, it ensnared him just as he reared on his hind legs making him roar in pain as he got hooked! "AH! No!" Max cried out in horror as he could only watch Jolt reel in Chomp like a fish on a hook before slamming him hard into the ground and then swinging him around in a circle violently!

"Now toss him!" Raina pointed high to she sky as Jolt swung his head up and in turn threw Chomp high into the air ready to slam him down with brute force!

Several fans cried out seeing this could be it!

"I can't look!" Laura covered her eyes while Rod gritted his teeth tensely!

"Oh my goodness!" Helga widened her eyes in alarm.

Jonathan gaped in shock, "I cannot believe my eyes!"

"No Max!" Cera, his parents and along with Rex and Zoe cried out as Chomp reached the highest point and was about to be slammed down!

"Looks like it's lights out for you." Raina grinned seeing this as her moment of victory.

Max clenched his fist unwilling to be done in like this, "Grrgh! Not a chance! Chomp! Don't let him throw you!" He cried out to his partner at the top of his lungs! Hearing his cry, Chomp used his front legs to grab hold of the anchor then tugging at it he snapped at it with his jaws and with a burst of strength he tore through the cable and broke free before landing on the ground rather safely as a cloud of dust erupted around him to everyone's surprise!

"Oh?" Raina blinked her eyes caught off guard by the unexpected escape by the triceratops whom she believed was finished.

"What a miraculous last minute escape!" The MC announced as many gasped believing it was the end for him but apparently they shouldn't count him out just yet.

"Phew thank goodness…"

"That was too close…." Aki and Spike let out a sigh of relief while others slumped down or gasped in exhaustion having held their breath.

Max sweated tensely while Chomp regained his footing and got back into his battle stance, with no time to waste Max trusted his instincts as Chomp put his faith in his partner, "Now it's our turn to attack! Electric charge again!" Chomp roared out loudly as the thunder clouds gathered above him ready to charge him with energy again!

His friends and family were surprised at this, "What is Max doing!?"

"He already tried that and failed!" Laura and Rod widened their eyes. Everyone else thought Max was either stubborn or mad to try a failed move again.

Cera however narrowed hers' suspecting Max may be trying something entirely different from what the others were expecting.

Raina scowled with mild disappointment having hoped they'd try something a little different, "Hmph! Quite a slow learner aren't you?" She scoffed finding their movements to be rather predictable, perhaps that was the trade off for being able to anticipate anything your opponent would try before they move. "Use Counter blitz once!" She ordered as a quicker thunder cloud formed around Jolt as a thunder bolt shot out straight at Chomp's way!

Everyone tensed and was on the edge of their seats as the bolt came in! "AH!"

"He's in for it now!"

"Here it comes!"

Max however grinned to their surprise, "Hehe! Is that what you think?"

"Hmm?" Raina blinked curiously as to what he meant. She soon got her answers as Chomp raised up his horns aiming them at the bolt! Using them like Lightning rods he absorbed the electricity into himself right as the bolt from his own thundercloud struck down and energised him! Supercharging him as he roared out glowing bright yellow to Raina's bewilderment as she stepped back in surprise! "What!?" Her expression of surprise and shock was shared by everyone else.

"H…How did he do that!?"

"Is that even possible!?"

"Awesome!"

As everyone breathed or gasped in awe, Cera smiled impressed by Max's sudden new ingenuity, truly battle can mould an individual to change on the spot too and it forces out a person's true nature as well, and Max's nature would be to never give up and keep fighting on as long as he can while being smarter about it too as it progresses.

"No way we're letting you get us with the same move twice! Even I'm smart enough to learn not to repeat my mistakes!" Max declared before punching forward, "Now Chomp go!" Spurred into action, Chomp mourned a full on frontal assault at Jolt, who stood his ground and awaited instruction by Raina, only to look behind and be taken aback to see she was still deep in thought and confusion! A fact that surprised her comrades behind in the Captain se3ats.

"Huh? Raina's doing nothing?"

"What's going on now?"

Eventually after hearing the numerous voices echoing around her, Raina blinked her eyes and snapped herself out of her contemplating. Shaking her head clear she widened her eyes upon seeing Chomp had gotten in dangerously close during her distraction! "AH! Dodge it Jolt!" She cried out as the anchiceratops tried to leap out of the way! Unfortunately for him, it was a split second too lake as Chomp's electro charged horns grazed the side of his flanks! As he landed away from the charging triceratops who dug in his heels to reposition himself, Jolt bellowed out in pain before slumping down to the ground weakly and to Raina's shock and horror! "GAH!" She gasped in alarm caught completely by surprise as everyone in the crowds even the MC widened their eyes as bewildered as she was.

"WHOA!"

"No way!"

"Way to go Max!" Dr Drake clapped excitedly with the rest of the family.

"You did great Chomp!" Max called out cheering on his partner who roared back happily at pleasing his best friend.

"I….can't believe my eyes…" Raina breathed as she stuttered backwards stunned with disbelief, "H…He moved faster than I predicted!? Impossible!" She grasped her hair in her hands as she tried to recover from said shock and process how he pulled off something drastically out of her expectations!

Max grinned as it seemed he was able to prove his earlier point about a battle's unpredictability, "How'd like that!? We just used your own trick against you!" He called out boasting with confidence, "I bet that wasn't in your data was it!?"

"Incredible! Max and Chomp have managed to score a direct hit! Have they found a weakness in Raina's carefully crafted plan!?" The MC flabbergasted, not once in Saurs City history has such an incredible counter counter strategy ever been made, not even by Lunensis himself, "Will she be able to make a comeback or will this come to an electrifying conclusion right here and now!?"

Raina then shook her head clear and gritted her teeth, "Urgh….okay fine maybe I may have miscalculated slightly and made an error but that happens…rarely…." She told herself before regaining her composure, "I'll rectify that soon enough, after all I still have plenty of data and strategies prepared for you! The odds are still in my favor!" She spoke confident in her own data and numbers as she went back and typed into her dinoshot updating it with the recent development,

Max smirked, "There's a whole lot more to dinosaurs than numbers, facts and figures Raina. You've gotta have both guts and faith! That's stuff you can't learn from some textbook or computer!" He pointed out at her, "Maybe it's time Chomp and I teach YOU that!" He declared as Chomp roared out in agreement while Jolt bellowed back at him.

"Now that's the spirit Max!" Reese cheered as she got caught up in the excitement herself too.

"You tell her!"

"Yay!" Rod and Laura cheered out loud.

"Alright! Max is gaining control of the battle now." Jonathan commented pleased.

"Different duelists have different strategies and that's what makes battles so unpredictable," Cera commented as she narrowed her eyes observing the situation, "Raina thought she could expect the unexpected but I guess even she has her limits." Seeing how she starting to sweat uneasily, it must be a literal shock for Raina right now as she was beginning to lose her composure slightly which was a sight she never saw before.

Max grinned seeing his chance to press his advantage finally, "Alright Chomp! Final Thunder!" Refusing to let go of his lead, Chomp sharing Max's mindset charged in smacking Jolt with his tail before flipping him up high into the air and while he was helpless he charged up a lightning sphere ready to fire!

Raina gritted her teeth feeling most unsure and confused, "Urgh….What should I…." being outwitted badly earlier she was questioning whether she had misplaced her trust in data, plus given Max's speech about bonds she was starting to see the validation of his point as proven earlier. She was hesitant though, believing it may have been a lucky break and that happens time to time, before evtnakulyl deciding to stick with what she knew and relied on best. Data had worked out for her so far and while she may have lost the lead she believed with the right countermeasure she can get it back! Quickly typing into her dinoshot she brightened up seeing the next attack option she could do, "Aha! Yes of course!" She grinned regaining her composure and confidence before slashing another move card, "Okay Jolt! Use flash frill!" Glowing yellow while in the air, Joe spun around surging with electricity turning into a spinning thunder wheel which deflected the bolt Chomp shot thus cancelling out his attack!

"AH!" Max gasped taken aback as Jolt suddenly began to spin around him rapidly, trapping Chomp in shining golden circle!

"What the!?"

"Now that's fast!"

"Man, Jolt's almost as fast as a wind dinosaur now…." Many began to gasp at Raina being able to move so quickly, and believing the tables turned again.

"Is this the result of all that virtual training she did?" Craig commented with suspicion before snickering in amusement, "And here I thought video games were a waste of time…."

Meanwhile Jolt spun rapidly around Chomp, confusing and intimidating the larger triceratops as he struggled hard to keep his eyes on his opponent but only managing to get glimpses of him within the green and yellow blur spiralling around him! "Hehe! Perfect choice! Chomp doesn't have the speed to counter this move!" Raina chuckled pushing up her glasses and feeling confident she won't be outwitted again this time! If Chomp tried to chase Jolt down he'd only end up wasting stamina and leaving himself open, should he charge head on he'd be easily intercepted when he least expects it! This way her plan was full proof!

Max sweated nervously his worry mirroring Chomp's as it seemed the loop around him was beginning to tighten slowly and further pressure him! "Urgh…that anchiceratops is really fast for its' size…." He grunted realising Raina was attempting to box them in and make them panic!

"Now let's see your guts and instincts trump this move!" Raina challenged Max pointing out at him, "Let's see if you can overcome this! See if you can prove your theory right and disprove mine a second time!"

"Tch!" Max clicked his tongue seeing a whole new problem before him, and even though he wasn't that good at strategising he did know for a fact every problem had a solution. Looking at the battlefield, Chomp was becoming unnerved looking around frantically and becoming increasingly agitated as he continued to be back into a corner. Sensing the fear in his dino he called out to him, "Chomp! Stop panicking! Don't bother trying to chase Jolt down! Relax and let him come to you instead!" Chomp held back for a moment and looking to Max, seeing the look in his eyes he snorted back in acknowledgement before holding his ground and keeping cool head while hunkering down.

"Huh? What's he up to now?" Raina blinked her eyes unsure of what to make of Max's strategy now and seeing Chomp wasn't budging at all from his position, "Why is he just sitting there?" She puzzled seeing no logic to what he was doing, nor did she come across anything like this in any of his files, "Maybe I should look into it and see if there's anything like this before." She thought believing she may have overlooked something. As she began typing into her dinoshot, she heard Max call out to his partner interrupting her.

"Keep your cool Chomp! You're doing great!"

She widened her eyes in disbelief, "Huh!? Great!?" A bead of nervous sweat wrinkled down her cheek as she typed faster into her device hoping to crack the code fast before they could implement their plan whatever it was. Unfortunately as she looked through all the past data and battle scenarios she ran and Max's past history she continued to grow more and more anxious as she rushed through her databanks and yet was unable to find any trace of this in there! She kept looking to and from her dinoshot growing increasingly nervous and sweaty as a result of her panicking, many thoughts raced through her mind in confliction, "I don't understand…this just doesn't add up or make any sense…Does he have a plan? Could he be setting a trap?" She thought to herself increasingly worried and puzzled, something which Cera and the others began to notice.

"Raina can't look at her dinoshot and the duel at the same time…." Zoe commented.

Cera narrowed her eyes impressed at what had just transpired, "I didn't think Max would be able to psyche Raina out like how he's doing." She had known her for a long time and to see this side of her was just so bizarre, "I've never seen her so distraught, usually she's so calm and calculative…." Thinking back she could understand that Raina put so much trust in her data, the many battles she took part in always fell in her calculations with very little margin of error. However, now she could see her biggest weakness, that if anything happens outside her predications it will affect her judgement and thus create openings for her opponent exploit. To learn something new about a person was just as great as making a new discovery.

"It's like Max said anything can happen in a battle, even changing your tactics on the fly in an instant can happen." Rex widened his eyes.

"In the end you have rely on the strength and bond within." Cera nodded in agreement with him, "I guess Raina never thought to do that herself too, that's why she's finding it harder to adapt mid battle." She said narrowing her eyes hoping she would learn from this herself too, at times when she was in her theories she refused to admit they were wrong which made her rather complacent or arrogant when they had negligible margins of error but apparently this was a first for her that she didn't have all the answers.

"Heh, maybe we've all underestimated Max too." Zoe chuckled finding it rather charming from Max, guess even a doofus like him can surprise you once in a while.

Everyone tensed up at the edge of their seats watching and waiting anxiously for what will happen next.

Raina meanwhile began typing frantically looking back and forth from her dinoshot in confusion as though her logic senses were out of whack and spiralling out of confusion, "What should I do? Should I take the bait and move in or wait it out and let him make the first move?" She began to question herself before grasping her head in frustration, "N…No! Stop contemplating Raina! Just pick a course of action and move forward!" She yelled out at herself in frustration! During her moment of overthinking, Jolt was beginning to grow dizzy rom the non stop spinning and continuous electrical figure that he eventually began to slow down, something Max and Chomp suddenly picked up on!

Seizing his chance, "Now Chomp! Go!" Max called out as Chomp roared and thrusted his horns forward!

Raina widened her eyes realising she dropped her guard and realised she had overlooked her dinosaur's condition while she was dwelling on her own thoughts! "AH! Jolt dodge it!" She cried hoping he could get out in time, but it was too late as Jolt having been dazed from the constant spinning and fatigued from generating so much electricity all that time, was unable to evade the thrust attack in time as he was sent flying out into air and crashing through rocky stone crop nearby! "Oh no!" Raina cried in alarm for her partner!

"Another unexpected attack! What precise timing!" The MC exclaimed in amazement, "Chomp and Max were able to find just the right moment to strike when Jolt was slowing down! Such a trained eye honed in by many battles! Just to be expected by our great hero who helped saved the world with commander Cera!"

Cheers erupted out in the arena as the tides of cheers turned Max's way.

"Keep it up Max!"

"More! Show us more of what you've got!"

Meanwhile back on the battlefield, Raina widened her eyes and her heart raced in a panic she didn't understand, "How could I let this happen? H…How is he outmanoeuvring me?" She then hardened her expression and gritted her teeth angrily "No…I can't….I won't allow this!" She hissed as she ran over to where Jolt lay while Chomp and Max followed unwilling to let them escape! As she ran up to where Jolt was lying down dazed and groggily she called out to him, "Jolt stand up! Stand! We can't let them beat us like this!" She called out to him which motivated the downed anchiceratops to open his eyes and force himself up to his legs before shaking his head clear.

Everyone widened their eyes, "Whoa!"

"Raina's stepping up to the plate herself!? What an unexpected development!" The MC announced, for all her battles everyone saw Raina had always operated from a safe distance programming commands and careful orders and her dinosaur obediently carrying them out. For her to get herself involved was the first time they ever saw this, something her fellow captains and even Commander Lunensuis were caught off guard by. Many people were also amazed at Max's ability to influence those around him and their eyes were drawn ever closer to the fight like no other.

Max smirked realising that if this is there first time Raina herself decided to get involved in the match that means he was doing something right and was getting through to her, "Heh, if a little surprise like this is going to throw you off then this match is in the bag!" he chuckled getting the Captain's attention as he pointed a thumb to himself, "Me and Chomp have got a lot more in store for you! So go on and get em Chomp!" He roared out as he rushed forward, spurring his smaller opponent to meet him head on as they smashed heads and horns at one another once more! Their horns contacting and sending sparks flying much like swords, this time though, having exhausted much of his energy earlier Jolt could feel his legs buckle under the force of each contact as he struggled and only now barely able to parry or block Chomp's horns, forcing him backwards as he stepped back to regain his footing and ground while Chomp did the same waving his horns out threateningly!

"H…He's moving faster and stronger than my data anticipated….Was the data I had on him outdated?" Raina questioned herself sweating nervous bullets, "Should I have studied more before hand? Did I use the wrong dino? Should have gone with Alpha Triceratops Sparks instead?" She asked herself a she grasped her head in confusion as though her world and everything she knew was turned upside down.

Max however seeing how confused she was, he knew he could easily win at this rate….but…he knew couldn't do that, it just wouldn't be right. "You're overthinking it Raina." He called out getting her attention, "It's simple really, the reason we're able to get this far, it's all because of the bond of friendship Chomp and I share together as a team!" He said putting a fist to his chest as she stepped back breathing out his words.

"B…Bond of friendship….Team…."

Looking at his partner, Max smiled as Chomp looked his way and roared back, "Chomp gives his all for me as he trusts me and I trust him just as much too. I believe in him and have faith and thus he gives his all in return for me!" He said proudly before looking at Raina, "From the way I see it, Jolt is following all your commands perfectly because he trusts you and your judgement too as much as you trust your data." His smile soon vanished though as he pointed at her, "But the thing is, you rely so much on your numbers and data, you don't have enough faith in yourself or your partner!"

"AH!" Raina widened her eyes a stepped back in shock at what Max said to her, a statement which she had no rebuttal or counterargument for.

He then eased up a little and smiled lightly, "If you'd just trust in your dino more to make his own decisions or maybe your own real choices too, then you'll understand what I mean."

"B…But that's-" She tried to retort, but looking at Jolt who eyed her, she widened her eyes inn realisation. While her dinosaur obeys her careful instructions and carefully crafted manoeuvres, there was just not enough excitement and at times even boring despite her plans ending in complete victory every other time. But now, Raina could see her partner only wanted her to be happy above his own personal feelings. As Raina saw that, she also began to look in herself and realise that there were times she had emotions of excitement and adrenaline too, but kept them buried thinking they would be illogical and reckless, thus ruin her winning formulas which had never failed her once.

For a long time she relied on data and forgot what real battles were like…till Max was reminding her of them right now. As Raina thought long and hard about what she heard from Max, it made several other duelists and spectators look at themselves and one another either impressed by Max's maturity or whether they had been treating their dinosaurs with the love and care their heroes could be proud of.

"Whoa…."

"Those are some really wise words to live by…."

"Have I been treating my dinosaur that way too?"

Hearing all kinds of statements arise amongst them, Aki and Spike sniffled at Max's words seeing how grownup he had become after all the challenges he and his team have overcome and how much of an inspiration he had grown into. They also proud and motivated themselves having raised an inspiring young man like him, which made their friends most happy too.

As his friends smiled, Cera nodded in full agreement at his words, she was really glad he will help usher in that age for them and make their future even better than it is now.

Having finally realised where she had gone wrong all this time, Raina fell to her knees, "You….You're right…." she breathed sounding choked from her realisation.

"Hehe, of course I'm right, I mean when have I ever been wrong? Hehe…." Max rubbed his nose cockily and holding his head up proudly, which earned a few snickers and grins from his friends at the irony of his words, while others sweat dropped or raised eye brows at him.

Pushing all that aside and focusing solely on the battle, Max could feel his heart and Chomp synchronising together as they both glowed yellow! "Now we'll show you what we really can do when our hearts are as one!" He declared to the sky as Chomp roared out surging with energy! "Elemental fusion!" Chomp exploded in aura of lightning and emerged in his super form and bellowed out a mighty battle cry which super charged the excitement in the people all around them!

"Now Chomp has awakened into his super form!" The MC announced.

"Oh yeah!"

"This is getting good!"

"Go Max!"

"Don't give up Raina!"

"It's not over yet!"

The audience all called out either supporting Max or backing up Raina.

"Nice!" Rex pumped up his arm while Zoe laughed with joy clapping her hands together.

Max took out a move and slashed, "Take this! Lightning strike!" Super powered Chomp charged up a mighty bolt of electricity between his horns and fired it at full force towards Jolt!

Raina refused to back down as she tried her counter move from earlier, "Go! Giga generator!" Jolt stood his ground and began to absorb the energy through his body from his horns like lightning rod! Unfortunately for him the oversurge flooded every cell in his body causing him more pain than relieving him as he roared out in agony! "AH!" Suddenly the electricity from his horns exploded in his face causing him to fly back and crash! "An overload!? I actually miscalculated again!?" Raina gasped in disbelief before gathering her thoughts together, "But still that move….I didn't use it because of data I trusted in my own gut that it was the right call…." She told herself. For some reason she felt no regret, but smiled feeling good about it.

"Look at it this way Raina, no one can anticipate every technique there is, after all we're only human ourselves and no one's perfect, not even the dinosaurs we bond and live with." Max explained, "Because of that we're always learning new things and sometimes what we do know can change the next day or even in an instant!" He said grinning her way, "After all it's because we always learn we will always have the potential to grow and evolve further! If you focus only on what you're strong in you won't develop yourself in what you're weak in, and then you'll be left behind in the dust like right now.

Raina blinked her eyes and thought deeply "But….change….I really don't-" She soon widened them in realisation, "Wait…that's it, that's my problem all along, despite being a woman of science I've been stuck in the past, relying on the same tactics and routines, instead of trying new things and exploring new possibilities like scientists should…and evolving with the dinosaurs…." She breathed in deep thought.

"I know that look Raina, seems you finally understand now." Max nodded at her, "Same goes for your science experiments too right? You won't learn something new unless you try something new. Also look at it this way, if you take out all the risks from a battle, that would take all the fun and new things you can learn out of it! The unpredictability of whatever can happen on the battlefield, that's what make duels so exciting for everyone to enjoy!" He then looked all around them seeing the bright smiles and cheers they were getting, "After all, that's what we're all here for after all, not just to win."

"Ah…." she breathed as she followed his gaze too and saw he was right in every word of his sentence.

Feeling more inspired than ever, Spike couldn't hold himself back as he let out a huge announcement of his own to the people around him, "Come on everyone! Let's give Max all the support he needs!" He yelled out with such energy and enthusiasm it began to catch on quickly as people began punching forward and screaming at the top of their lungs.

"Max! Max! Max!"

"Win it for us!"

"Take it to the dino!"

Raina widened her eyes as she recalled back to when she was doing said tests before coming here, "Wait a minute…." Back then she couldn't identify the cause for the small margin of error nor could she eliminate it. Till finally giving it much thought, she had an epiphany of a scientific breakthrough, "This….This is it! Bonds and the human factor of unpredictability!" She then gasped out loud having finally realised why she couldn't completely rectify her margin of error, "This is the missing variable I have been searching for!" It was something that could never be measured nor could ever be fully eliminated, the strength of the duelling spirit which can grow or fall depending on the flow of battle or on the strength of the duelist's individual will and resolve, as each person was different as she theorised at first it meant that there was no way to completely determine the potential of a duelist or their dinosaur with numbers alone.

"Huh?" Max stood back in surprise at her words, unsure of what she meant till she looked his way.

"Hehehe….alright Max you win, you've definitely proved me wrong." She answered him before nodding his way, "You were right if I really want to win, guess that means I have to rely on more than just numbers and formulas. I'll have to contribute the human factor and my bond with Jolt into this new equation for victory!" Reaching for her glasses and throwing them aside she revealed bright amber eyes behind them, and right after that taking hold off her lab coat she threw it off her revealing a rather slim and elegant figure underneath her coat tightly snug into a yellow Lightning Captain Uniform! She grinned with a spunky expression Max's way as he stepped back taken by surprise at what she did!

"Whoa!"

"AH!" Everyone else was deeply surprised, never before had they ever seen Raina shed her 'skin' like that before and looking closer some who took her for a nerd were even beginning to get rather smitten by her appearance!

Seeing her in a new way, made everyone even Cera and Lunensis and the other captains widen their eyes in compete surprise at her sudden makeover, something they knew Marina was capable of pulling off easily but never from Raina, guess even she had a few unexpected surprised of her own.

"Never saw that coming….." Blaze muttered surprised unable to take his eyes off her, while Marina pouted at him with mild jealousy and then eying Raina with a frown seeing she had some competition.

"Was she always that fit?" Craig muttered in surprise while Hua covered her mouth.

"Oh my…"

"Hehe, surprised?" Raina snickered in amusement at everyone's reaction, maybe she ought to do this more often, "I may be a scientist but I also know it's important to always keep fit and in top condition for any situation too." She explained. Despite what everyone thought her to be, she made sure to exercise her body as much as her brain in her indoor gym followed by a strict routine and diet too, perfectly balanced in all and calculated to maintain her figure to the smallest detail. "But now I see if I want to discover something new, as a scientist I'll just have to break my boundaries and push forward past my limitations and even more into the unknown!" She declared no longer satisfied at just maintaining herself or precisely trapping herself to her boundaries, now she wants to truly live no matter what she faces along the way! "It's not enough for me to win anymore, now I want to do it to make my dinosaur truly happy!" She declared firmly with resolve as Jolt bellowed out fully charged and inspired by his partners' ignited spirit as they both glowed yellow too! "Jolt! Let's do this together! Elemental fusion!" She yelled out as Jolt exploded in aura too and emerged in awakened form!

"And Raina has awakened her dinosaur to super form too!" The MC called out excitedly, "Now it's anyone's game at this point!" Cheers and applause erupted more so than before, at this point everyone had already moved past their experience from the battle before now, as Max grinned seeing he finally managed to accomplish to set out to do and now he was aiming for an even greater height!

"Hehe, now that's the spirit! Now you're getting it Raina!" He complimented her rubbing his nose, "Then it's only fair me and Chomp respond the same way!" The coliseum burned with excitement and now with both duelists having steeled their resolve it now came down to whoever wanted to win more! "Go Chomp! Lightning axe!" He slashed a new move making Chomp generate a thunder powered axe from his horns before charging forth!

"Jolt! Keep on battling! Buzzing spear!" Raina countered as her anchiceratops fired out a long lance from his horns and raced towards Chomp!

The 2 dinosaurs engaged in a close joust and clash as their weapons sent sparks flying with each consecutive strike! Eventually as Jolt thrusted forward but Chomp leapt into the air and spun in a somersault before smashing down on Jolt, shattering the spear and striking him with the force of thunder!

"NO Jolt!" Raina cried out worrying for her partner!

"Gotcha!" Max called out.

Raina gritted her teeth and called out, "Hang in there!" Hearing her words, the anchiceratops dug in his heels and steadied himself in the ground as he came to a stop!

"Don't let up! Keep up the pressure!" Max called out as Chomp roared out and charged in, ramming Holy head on, only to be intercepted by his curved horns and blocked from fully executing it!

"Not fast enough!" Raina retorted as Jolt quickly turned around and back kicked sending Chomp back, forcing him to dig in his heels too stabilise himself!

"Heh, for someone who spends her days cooped up indoors you and Jolt are strong!" Max grinned with excitement, "No offence."

"None taken Max." Raina shook it off undeterred, "I must admit for someone who could learn a thing or two from hitting the books, you and Chomp are tough as nails." She smirked feeling the excitement and adrenaline kick in something she hadn't felt before in years and it was utterly addicting, "But we won't give up!" She declared as Jolt roared out.

"Heh! Neither will me and Chomp!" Max grinned back as Chomp bellowed back!

Everyone smiled and was completely entranced by this battle which was greater than any blockbuster action movie they ever saw in their lives!

"Energy bolt!"

"Electric charge!" They both yelled slashing out their moves and their dinosaurs glowed yellow!

Chomp absorbed a bolt from the sky and powered up while Jolt surged with electricity gathered from the battlefield as both dinosaurs rushed head on at each other! They met in a powerful clash that the field and skies lit up with lightning!

"AAARRGH!" Max and Raina both yelled feeling their partners' battle as though they were there! Neither ceratopsian gave way till eventually Chomp mustered up the energy to throw Jolt into the air!

"AH! Jolt!" Raina cried out as her partner was sent flying into the air and everyone gasped in surprise that this could be it! "What should I-" There was no way she could calculate or think up any counter for this in such a short span of time! She was just about to accept her loss…Suddenly she saw the look in Jolt's eyes as they made contact, a sign that he wanted her to trust in herself and how he will trust in her. "Wait! That's it!" She brightened up seeing a new chance and opportunity as she listened to her own gut and instincts! "Finish it off with thunder driver!" She slashed the move as Jolt spiralled down head first towards Chomp cloaking himself in electricity!

Max grinned eager to welcome the challenge! "Heh! Chomp! Let's meet them head on with Lightning spear!" Slashing the move Chomp surged with power as he launched himself at Jolt and they both met with a head on clash that's urged with thunder as they made contact with each other!

Everyone widened their eyes speechlessly as they awaited how the battle will turn out!

Raina, feeling confident and driven by determination grinned and cheered, "Aha we win!" She called out feeling assured of herself.

"Remember what I said Raina, in a battle anything's possible!" Max countered as both attacks met in a high stakes electrical clash that lasted several seconds before Chomp managed to push past and overpower Jolt back up into the air with Raina's alarm!

"No way!"

"Told ya!" Max grinned as he took out the move card that would end it off! "Now to finish this!" Chomp roared out loudly ready to act, "Chomp! Gattling spark!" Max slashed as Jolt began to fall down within striking range as Chomp landed! In response Chomp thrusted out his horns firing a barrage of lighting sparks through Jolt before smashing his head upwards through his chest and sending the anchiceratops flying through the sky to everyone's amazement!

"AH!"

"Impossible!"

"Incredible!"

"Yeah!" Max cheered as Chomp roared out feeling stronger than ever as he landed down in victory while his opponent crashed down several feet away into he ground, a cloud of dust obscuring the view as it soon cleared and he lay down unable to move.

"Jolt!" Raina cried as her partner crashed back down to the ground and groaned weakly before reverting to normal form, unable to get up it was clear he had lost. Nevertheless she didn't care, as his welfare was far more important as she stroked his head comfortingly, "Are you okay?" Weakly he looked into her eyes and licked her face making her giggle a bit before smiling with happiness, "You did well….take a nice long rest…." She said in a nice tone before reverting her partner to card form, thus ending the match as the field reverted to normal.

"And the winner of this electrifying battle is none other than Max Taylor!" The MC announced as Max let out a proud and energetic cheer as he leapt out into the air!

"YEAH!" He cried out loud at the top of his lungs celebrating victory while Chomp let out a powerful roar proudly, before reverting to normal and then collapsing on the ground himself! "Ah! Chomp!" Max gasped running to his partner's side as he let out a weak grunt, "Whoa, you got really banged up yourself huh?" Max commented as he stroked his partner's side gently before smiling proud and satisfied with what they accomplished, "You deserve a nice long rest too buddy, you earned it." He said with compassion typing one his dinoshot and then reverting his partner to card form.

Soon after that cheers erupted from the fans and family as they cheered him on proud of his spectacular victory.

"That was awesome!"

"Way to go Max! Yippee!"

"That was picture perfect!"

"Oh he did it….our little baby…."

"Hahahah!" Max waved to them as he returned all their praise and admiration.

A little while into that, he could hear someone approaching him from behind, "Hey Max." Raina spoke to him as Max turned to see her direction.

"Hmm?" He soon saw her step before him with a calm look on her face, "Raina…." He said curious to what she wanted, as she stood before him and then smiled lightly.

"I admit my loss and entrust this victory to you." She said humbly admitting her defeat, "Maybe actual battling experience is important after all, now I see I need to develop my bonds with my dinosaurs and friends a lot more now. Thanks for making me realise that." She said gratefully.

"Heh no problem Raina." Max grinned back, "After all you helped us big time back during the Shadow War in helping us get home to the past and bringing Chomp and the other dinosaurs back to how they should be, so consider us even." He replied, "It's the least we can do as both comrades and friends."

Raina thought about his words carefully, "Bonds…the very force that can't be seen yet it's real and gives one strength to fight….." She thought out loud as Max blinked curiously, "Say, if I had believed more do you think maybe I could have won our bout with you?" She asked him.

Max smirked shrugging his shoulder, "Who knows? Anything could happen in a duel but that's where all the fun and excitement is after all." He replied earning a giggle from the Lightning Captain.

"Haha yeah you're right about that." She replied before folding her arms on her hips and looking up to the sky in thought, "I think I'll take some time to practice some new moves and train with some actual sparring partners while getting outside a lot more to gain actual real life experiences without relying too much on data for a change." She then looked back at Max with confidence brimming in her eyes, "And once I've improved my game I'd like to test my newfound strength against you once more."

Max grinned holding his fist out with confidence and acknowledging her as a fellow rival, "Then we'll battle again! It's a deal!"

"Great! But watch out, we will be stronger next time!" She replied as she held out her hand to him, extending her thanks.

"Hehe! Same here!" Max grinned as he eagerly shook her hand as they made a promise for another rematch one of these days, as the crowds cheered and roared with pleasure and pride, having managed to move on past their traumatic experience from the last round and finally being able to enjoy the Fossil League as they should, as the final match of the first round would soon be announced.

(Meanwhile)

Back in the waiting room, the Alpha Gang had just watched the duel end in Max's victory and while at first they weren't too enthusiastic of one of the D Team making it to the next round at first, as the duel transpired they eventually began to support or even cheer for Max especially when he came out on top.

"Now that was quality entertainment!" Ed whistled shaking his arms out energetically.

Zander put a finger to his chin in thought, "I hate to admit it but that….Max is actually pretty good." He found it hard not to call Max a brat but given they have resolved most of their differences they should have no more bad blood between them now. Plus he had to admit given heir history of battles Max definitely was strong and it would be an insult to them if he were to lose in his very first match.

"Hmph! Big deal I could do way better than him a hundredfold!" Dr Z scoffed arrogantly and with jealousy that no praise was shown his way, before rubbing his palms together and cackling deviously, "And I will when my turn comes around hehehe!"

The only one who didn't share in their cheers was Ursula, who rested her arm on her head and eyed the screen with a narrowed gaze,"Just look at them eating it all up…." She muttered grumpily and with envy at hoe easily Max was able to get the support and praise she wanted at first, before drifting off into thought, "But still…why? What is it those kids have that make everyone smile so much? What is it they have that I don't?" She wondered puzzled. Given the Alpha Gang helped save the world too as much as the D Team did yet they got most of the glory. Even Ed and Zander got some degree of applause but not her, just what was the difference between them and her was the main question coursing through her mind this very moment.

While thinking of what Dr Z said to her, while it helped motivate her to get past her moping, deep down though she wanted to be something much more than that. Right now she was going through a spiral of confusion as she wrestled with her pride and the desire for the same cheers Max and the others had along with the part of her that wants to discover the real gap of virtue between herself and the other duelists. What she wanted was to be someone all can be happy with and not just herself. "Is it because they fight all for the sake of others and not for themselves? Just how does that earn them that kind of love and respect? I don't get it…." She muttered finding it odd to care for the defeated.

After all that was how she saw battles, there are winners and losers and it's those who win that get all the glory in the end….then again she never had a friendly contest kind of battle before and thus didn't know how to show any good sport given her past times of battling dinosaurs just to get the card first so she could be praised by Dr Z and one up the D Team. Having been self focused for a while but the battle just now helped open her eyes more to a new side of things she hadn't seen before or perhaps had been blind too all this while…..maybe there was something to this she had been going about all wrong.

While she thought all that, behind her Patrick and Dr Owen were both out cold while also tied up in many rope binds and gagged with facecloths covering up their mouths while they lay down battered and bruised.

"Urgh…."

"My….Ursula…."

They each groaned groggily in pain from all the batters and bruises all over their faces along with either lost teeth or swollen cheeks.

Have to say I enjoyed writing this battle here and while not as action packed as last chapter's hope you like it. I have a feeling I'm going to enjoy the next one even more though.

For Max vs Raina here I had references from that Johto Journeys episode Wired for Battle when Ash battled a scizor trainer, Shingo, who relied on data a lot. Given Raina she is a person who takes pride and faith in science and data given it is her greatest asset and strength, also since she helped bring about several new revolutionary ideas for Cera's time she mainly focused on brains and simulations instead with the mindset that every problem has a logical solution and that numbers never lie. As a person she likes to keep things mainly in her comfort zone much like an experiment in a controlled environment without the likelihood of being altered by other variables and causing errors. When she does venture outside of her comfort zone she does so within certain boundaries she dislikes stepping out of. Something about Raina, usually she was so engrossed in science and her studies in her earlier years she found it difficult to make friends most of the time, and even in her division her niche of scientists and researchers who could understand or relate to her was rather limited while others were mainly fighters. Most people often found her either creepy or boring so she was often quite lonely from her younger days except for certain few. During the war she found a friend in Cera more than just her assistant and apprentice.

Most of the time she likes the situation to be within her expectations and to prepare for them best she can, while the chances of the unexpected happening does occur her cautious mindset has ensured her margin of error is less than 10%, until shown here in her duel with Max where he continued to exceed her predictions and thus time and again she finds it harder to get her act together again from the shock. As shown here, Max revealed to her while she isn't wrong the way she limits herself to go about battles or approaching simulations will actually hinder her in the long run and thus now she may be spurred to try and experience reality first hand. Appearance wise while geeky looking with her spiky hair (Due to being around electricity) and her lab coat and big swirly glasses, when she takes them off and shows bright confident eyes and a rather strong figure, something like a trope from anime where nerdy people turn out stronger once they remove the glasses.

Also with side bits of Ursula actually pondering over her recent battle and struggling with what she believes is right and wrong, how will it go when she battles Rex next round? Stay tuned. Regarding the waiting room you can refer to Fossil Fighters or Fossil Fighters champions waiting rooms for reference. Also given time warps in battles Raina also helped to perfect said technology and methods when dinosaurs battle, enabling battles to happen safely much like in Bakugan for example, also she may have intentions to like use time warps for new possibilities like harvesting new resources or even enable people to colonise said areas even.

Side note I have been pondering over a walking with dinosaurs crossover story with dinosaur king to do a story on prehistoric life for the main dinosaurs for the D Team and Alpha Gang before they were taken in by the Ancients.

Reply to reviews

tsukikami02

-I didn't know how else to write your OC other than like this, hope you don't mind, also no doubt they're sulking a bit with Marina's defeat. The greedy tycoon part is how Marina was spurred to become who she is now.

Make sure you wear sunscreen when you go out in the hot sun or you'll get worse than a tan, a major sunburn.

Drew Luczynski

-Hope you get proper sleep it helps a lot for good health. Glad you like my chapter as always, helps me jot down ideas I really wish can happen in our world today given all the environmental problems we are facing. Hope I got into everyone's characters well with so many to account for hard to give others moments or appearances.

I wouldn't call Marina a hippie more like a nature lover. You'll hear more from the other captains in this story for sure. Yup Raina and Max are friends.

Rex will have his works cut out for him given he never won against Terry one on one before, and yeah Terry and Ursula having anger issues is something they both have in common and also being prone to violence as well though she does have her good qualities even though they are small.