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!

14. Cera vs Craig

Chapter 14

Cera vs Craig

"What's taking so long!?" Max cried out grasping his head in pain as his stomach growled aggressively with Chomp crying out just as impatiently as he was, "It's been like 20 minutes and they said it would be like the fastest food delivery service in town!" He screamed attracting much attention as he earned a few narrowed eyes at him….though at the same time he wasn't alone in the boat.

Rex swallowed hard unable to fill his empty belly himself, "Yeah, I'm starving too…." He muttered slumping down against the wall with Ace lying on his belly on the floor lacking any energy to run around having lost his usual vigour to hunger.

Zoe and Cera, with their partners were a lot more reserved with better self control with Miku sitting on Paris' back, but deep down they too were starting to feel the effects of hunger get to them.

It wasn't just the kids present, the entire family was gathered together to celebrate their last meal together here in the future with the semifinals and finals a day away, so they decided to celebrate with Triassic Takeaways being the fastest food delivery service in town. Yet even after ordering, they had the impression they'd get it before half an hour but sadly that wasn't the case, some of them having waited in excitement and anticipation were beginning to feel their own stomachs eat them from the inside out!

Spike's mouth was starting to drool from hunger with Dr Drake lying down on his back weakly as his wife patted him gently on his head which was resting on her lap.

"At this rate I feel I'm going to go extinct….." Dr Owen felt all woozy and limp from hunger and exhaustion as he fell backwards requiring his assistant to catch him in time.

"Hang in there Senor!" Patrick cried out to his boss worriedly as he tried to shake him awake but to little avail.

"If he were a fossil no doubt he'd be the star attraction in any museum." Joked Mrs Drake as she and her husband couldn't help but snicker or giggle in amusement, though some of the other performances around them could give Dr Owen a run for his money.

In one corner Cretacia lay down on the couch like a damsel in distress, as her husband looked down at her from the back of the couch, "No need to be so dramatic honey…." He said to her, which spurred her to shake her hands as she threw a toddler tantrum.

"But I'm hungry dear!" She whined shedding tears of agony before fainting and posing like a dying prima donna, "Oh farewell cruel world….." She sang as her husband sighed and shook his head, and he thought Dr Owen or the children were overdramatic.

"Oh dear….maybe I should have cooked after all…." Aki sighed pityingly, after all nothing displeases her more than to see hungry faces.

"Ehehehe….." Cera couldn't help but chuckle, the family drama never failed to make her smile, "They'll be here soon guys, be a little more patient okay?" She said to them assuringly as she clapped her hands together, "I promise you all it'll well worth it."

Max smiled weakly at her, "If you insist Cera…." he muttered seeing no other way of helping it, so he decided to suck it up even if it really hurt, "But if you ask me I'm so hungry I could eat a-"

KNOCK! KNOCK!

The sounds of the balcony door being tapped at the front interrupted the gang's hunger pangs and complaints.

"Hmm?"

"What's that?" They wondered as they looked to the windows and doors at the balcony of their suite, a voice from behind soon answered their queries.

"Delivery!"

The call was like the sound of a dinner bell being rung, which was welcome relief to the hungry family as they all let out cheers of excitement.

"About time!"

"Yay!"

They quickly rushed to the doors, waiting with anticipation with Spike grabbing the handles before opening them up,

"Yeah! Time to dig i-"

SCREECH!

A loud screech followed by the appearance of an enormous pterosaur on the balcony raising out its wings and standing at full height caught everyone off guard!

"WAH!" Spike yelped as he Fell back on his butt! Rubbing his butt and wincing in pain, he looked up and turned pale, scrambling back putting distance between himself and the massive pterosaur that greeted them all!

"Oh my!"

"AH!"

"Whoa! A quetzalcoatlus!" They gasped in surprise, having expected food and not a full sized flying reptile to appear to them! They at first assumed him to be a wild dino that got lost, till they noticed what looked like a saddle on his back and a man in a flyer suit, with goggles, helmet and riding gear dismount from the beast's back. "Hahaha, sorry about that. Skybax usually enjoys greeting customers in his own enthusiastic way." He said apologising as he scratched the back of his head with a sheepish grin, while carrying a few paper bags in his hands which no doubt was the food they ordered..

"You don't say…." Spike gulped nervously, a bead of sweat trickling down his cheek as he took the bags from the delivery man while everyone else stared trying to comprehend what they were seeing.

"When we ordered deliveries we really didn't expect this…." Mrs Drake commented as she and Patrick came out to collect other bags from him, as he unloaded them out of the saddlebags.

They were startled as the quetzalcoatlus lowered his long neck down and peeped into the room to their surprise. The man then held out his arm assuring them no harm, "Heheh he's a real big fan of yours too. After what you've done for us all it's an honour we get to serve you tonight." He said as the winged behemoth cawed with enthusiasm while flapping his huge wings and blowing some air into the room. Some of them had to hold onto their clothes to keep themselves from flying around, while the kids laughed joyously to have a fan be the one to deliver their food tonight.

"Haha, the pleasure's all ours." The rider laughed feeling honoured, a mild blush on his cheeks appeared, with his partner growing increasingly curious as he walked a little closer to the entrance of the room while peeping his head further in to get a closer look at their customers and clients.

Rex widened his eyes in awe as he and his friends came closer out of admiration to see the magnificent pterosaur before them, "Wow…."

"Say mind if I?" Max then asked the rider wanting to pet his dino, while also wondering if it was safe.

The man stepped aside and held out his hand, "Go on, in fact he'd be honoured to be petted by our greatest heroes." He said kindly allowing them to pass, granting them permission.

"Hahaha, awesome…." Max laughed as Skybax lowered his head down to let Max stroke his beak with Zoe and Rex going in to feel his wings or look closer at his huge body and limbs which had some claws and talons on them.

"I've seen fossils of them many times but to be up close like this….." Spike breathed as he narrowed his eyes putting a finger on his chin in observation.

"Amazing…." Ancient began taking notes while Cretacia got out her camera and began taking snapshots from various angles, even getting rather close on the pterosaur's personal space which made him hiss in annoyance, till she was needed to be pulled away by Patrick.

"It's magnificent, the largest animal capable of flight right before our very eyes….." Dr Owen breathed in awe as the winged beast stretched out his large wings to try and impress the palaeontologist, which he did easily. Given he was as tall as a giraffe yet still capable of taking flight and ruling the skies flying far and wide over the land of dinosaurs.

The rider then took a look at his watch and sighed knowing he would have to bring their visit to a close, "Well, sorry but can't stay too long, got more deliveries to make." He said as Skybax let out a sad chirp before turning around and heading back outside to some of the others' disappointment.

"Aww….And I was about to document the moment for the records…." pouted Cretacia with Spike and Owen feeling just as sad as she was.

"Hehe, maybe next time." The man chuckled as he hopped back onto his pterosaur's back, who then walked towards the edge of the balcony as he prepared to take off, "Anyways, enjoy your meals! It's been a pleasure to serve you guys." He said as they waved to him in satisfaction.

"Bye!" Zoe and a few of them waved to him.

Cera then tossed out a coin his way, "Hey! Here's a tip for you!" She said as he grabbed it in his hand and smiled.

"Heh, much appreciated!" He waved to them as he climbed back onboard Skybax who positioned himself above the railings of the balcony before duvebombing down below, stretching out his wings and gliding off on the air currents from the heights before they vanished into the night sky with the others watching with amazement from below.

"Man, flying around on a pterosaur like that and making deliveries that span across the world….wow…." whistled Rex impressed by how well the man handled his partner without flinching or screaming, how he handled the flying so fearlessly was truly something showing years of both friendship and experience.

"That's gotta be one of the most radical and awesome jobs ever…." Max nodded in agreement.

"When you said Triassic Takeaways was the best food delivery service around you weren't kidding Cera!" Zoe smiled at her.

"Hehe, since have have I ever steered you guys wrong?" She giggled in response, "Besides, it's not just food, they even do mail courier services too."

Her fiends widened their eyes in amazement, "Wow!"

"No way!" Zoe and Max both gasped.

"Talk about saving on fuel costs too….." Rex noted seeing there would be no pollution from some forms of transportation with this implemented.

It was then that Spike called out to them, "We can talk more about that later kids." He said getting their attention, as the kids widened their eyes to see all the food they ordered laid out one the table by their parents, ranging from sushi and sashimi to ramen and rice bowls, making their eyes sparkle with joy and their stomachs growl like lions! "Cos right now it's time to dig in!" He punched to the sky unable to hold himself back anymore!

"Yay!" They cheered jumping with joy or punching to the sky before rushing back inside to have dinner. It didn't take long for the whole family to dive on their food like a pack of wolves can needless to say every bit was as great as they expected it to be when they ordered it online or made the call. Not to mention it was in great condition and still warm as though freshly cooked, must have been the special courier bags they were carried in.

The families broke up into different corners of the room to enjoy their meals, "Mmm! This is the best sushi I've ever had!" Mrs Drake sang as she plopped a tuna roll into her mouth, she usually was more reserved but this time around she had to let herself loose.

"I feel so alive!" Dr Drake cried out tears of joy as he bit right into a salmon piece with the juices running down his throat making him feel he was in heaven, "It's just so juicy and packed with flavour!"

Lunensis smiled appreciating his compliment to his town's food, "Well the seafood here is all raised with care by the Water division after all." He said while seeing everyone else was enjoying their seafood and japanese cuisine to their hearts content.

"The better you care for your food the better it tastes, never forget that." Cera added after him, while some like Reese, Aki and Dr Ancient ate carefully treasuring each bite as it came, others like Cretacia, Spike and Patrick wolfed down their meals as if they may never get another chance to eat tomorrow. In a way both sides appreciated food one way or another.

"Mhmm!" Her friends nodded in agreement, promising to always respect their food and to be grateful whenever they have a chance to eat. Given all food requires the sacrifice of something else either plant or animal along with the efforts by the people made to prepare it, they would make sure to not waste it carelessly anymore and to appreciate all they are given, even if it may be a food they may not enjoy they should appreciate the effort by the person who made it be it their mom or eatery cook.

"Let's enjoy this to our heart's content you guys." said Rex as he sported a more serious look on his face, "After all, tomorrow's the big day and the semifinals will no doubt be the toughest ever." The mood then tensed up as everyone looked to the remaining finalists present being Max, Cera and Rex.

"Yeah…." Max nodded as his father and friends frowned a little. It was clear the odds of them facing one another would be very great and chances were after all their battles till now they would be seen as practice matches with what would be in store, given their bonds as friends and understanding of each other helped them overcome various trials when they stood together as a team, now fate declared that they be pitting said bonds against each other…."Just thinking about it is getting me really pumped up…." Max tensed as he shook with anticipation before grinning with energy bursting through him, "And I'm gonna face it head on no matter who I have to face!" He cried out at the top of his lungs before punching to the sky.

The mood in the room then turned positively festive once more as everyone began cheering and lightening up, "That goes double for me Max!" Rex smiled as he responded catching Max's contagious enthusiasm, "Me and Ace definitely won't lose!" He punched up with Ace barking with enthusiasm.

"Oh yeah!?" Max countered as he punched forward, "Well me and Chomp will surely win!" Chomp growled with energy signalling a challenge towards Ace who snarled back at him. Both boys grinning with energy towards one another as they fist bumped and the others smiling at the passionate spirit and closeness they had with each other.

Zoe however saw it as childish as she shrugged her shoulders and smirked cheekisly, "Heh boys….always so competitive….what a bunch of knuckleheads….." she commented with Paris nodding in agreement.

This instantly earned some rather hostile reactions towards her, "What'd you say!?"

"You take it back!" They both growled at her which made her grin at their immaturity at being triggered so easily.

"Hehehe…."

Both boys then huffed and looked away from her, "Well at least we've got a reason for that since WE made it to the last few rounds." Max pointed out, which triggered Zoe as a tic mark appeared on her forehead.

"Hey!" She yelled back at them, her pride hurt with Paris barking out at Ace and Chomp who seemed to be taunting her back, as she chased after them both!

"Alright calm down all all of you." Aki clapped her hands breaking up the commotion. As the kids looked up they saw Aki folding her arms at them crossly with a handful of the parents facing their way, "Max, Rex, be sure to get enough sleep tonight, you'll need it if you want to be at your best." She said calmly looking to them both to which they nodded in agreement.

"S…Sure thing mom."

"I agree on that….." They each said before looking back at her, "Ace and I will be sure to turn in and get a good night's sleep after this." said Rex towards her, which made Aki smile.

"You'll need it dear!" Cretacia suddenly cheered up surprising him, "After all you're going to win the League for us and to have your name marked in history as well as us being the ones to bring the dinosaurs back from extinction will make us legendary both in our time and the future!"

"Hey! You take that back!" Spike growled as he pointed a finger at her, "If anyone's going to win that League it's Max!" He then held out his head and grinned rather snobbishly, "After all he's the first one to truly bond with a dinosaur so the honour of him being champ should go to him and the Taylors!"

Soon after that sparks of rivalry flew between both Spike and Cretacia as they stared one another down, "Oh yeah!?"

"Yeah!"

"Wanna bet!?"

"GRRR!" They both growled butting heads with each other as they began starting up another commotion on a more grown up scale much to Aki and the kids' chagrin.

Another rivalry was brewing, this time between the grownups, and seeing them act more like children made the actual kids sigh or shake their heads in dismay.

"Oh mom…."

"Oh dad….."

Soon after that the others decided to pry apart this rivalry before it could escalate any further, "Alright break it up you two!" Dr Owen grunted grabbing Spike from behind and restraining his arms as he thrashed about violently.

On the opposite side, "Save your energy for motivating the kids tomorrow!" Dr Ancient cried as he pushed his wife back as she snarled and tried to wriggle out of her husband's grip!

In the corner, Cera covered her mouth laughing in amusement, "Hahaha…." She soon stopped feeling someone approach her as she turned to see her own parents facing her.

"You better sleep early tonight too Cera." said Lunensis as he walked up to her with Maia, getting her attention, "To see you and your friends come so far, to revive the Fossil League and bring the city back to its golden age before the war." He smiled with approval before putting an encouraging hand on her shoulder, "Nothing could make me and your mother prouder of you."

"Thanks dad, truly I wouldn't have been able to do so without you and mom to help inspire me to truly see how far humans and dinosaurs can take one another."

Look to others partying and going for either seconds and dessert

"And above all I'm grateful to my friends just as much to help me realise for myself that too."

"It's with them and everyone I've met throughout my life, that I've been able to make it all the way here and I'll treasure that memory forever in my heart."

Feeling moved by her great maturity, Maia couldn't help but sniffle with emotion, "What a fine woman you've grown into, not to mention how you've gathered plenty of friends who share our beliefs and values too." She then looked ahead to see Spike and Cretacia still going at it with the others trying their best to play referee with a few others like then kids just spectating, "The very ones who will one day make our future a reality….maybe even more so when they go home."

Lunensis looked down to his daughter and began stroking her head down to her long red hair, "And you've helped make it possible for both them and the people of our time too."

Realising the depth of their words, Cera shed a small tear from her eye feeling deeply honoured and grateful for this moment in her life, "I'll remember that mom….dad…." she promised to treasure that forever in her heart before pumping up herself knowing that to truly honour their heroes she would have to do her very best, no, greater than her best the moment dawn breaks the next day, "I promise not to let either of you down tomorrow….I'll fight with all my heart and soul, I'll give everyone a battle that'll live forever in the hearts and souls of the people and will live on till the end of time itself." She vowed.

Her parents returned the hug to her as the family enjoyed a loving moment together, "We wouldn't miss it for the world Cera." said Maia sweetly as they embraced one another….till it was interrupted by a loud voice nearby.

"Hey Cera!" Max called out to her as she looked to see the families having resolved their arguments and called a temporary truce in the fan war, as they began to have their seconds while some were going to dessert, "Come over here and try some of these rice bowls!" He waved to her with his mouth partially full,

"The eel's grilled to perfection and the pork cutlets are just fantastic!" Aki smiled blushing red with joy as she felt captivated by the great food herself.

"Sure thing you guys." She replied to them holding out an ok sign with her hands before realising something a little urgent, something she almost forgot. "Umm….Excuse me for a moment first, I need to use the bathroom for a bit." She said as she headed over to the bathroom at the back of the room and then closing the door behind her.

"Okay sure."

"Don't take too long now!" They said to her as she shut the door behind her. As she did, closing her eyes calmly and taking a deep breath, she cleared her mind of any other thoughts before taking out her dinoshot and summoning Miku who appeared on her shoulder as she stretched out her arms and yawned. "Hey Miku, tomorrow's the biggest match of the century, and I need you to do me a little favour tonight okay?" Miku tilted her head and cooed curiously as to what she meant.

(Meanwhile)

At the hospital the entire Alpha Gang decided to spend the rest of the night together with Ed who was scheduled to be discharged the following morning after a good night's rest. Now the entire family was gathered together in order to congratulate Dr Z for his victory in his battle…..however to his surprise everyone was more fixated on Ursula's respectful conduct during her battle instead, as Ed and Zander were going on and on over how great she was in both the ring and change in character.

"That was awesome Ursula!"

"You've done really well out there, we're really proud of you very much." Ed and Zander both praised in approval, proud of their adoptive sister and second leader of their band of buffoons.

It was something none of them believed was possible but for it to actually happen before their eyes really blew their expectations out of proportion, "Heh, not bad….I almost take back everything me and Laura ever said about you and the most…." said Rod as he folded his arms, half snarking and half serious, most of his life he often had low expectations of the Trio, so needless to say he was impressed at what they could do when the chips were REALLY down. Maybe in the future the phrase anything can happen really did have meaning after all.

"Mhmm, maybe there's still hope for you after all." Laura added cheekily, agreeing with her brother.

When they all looked to Dr Z, they found him scowling grumpily as usual, no doubt envious about not being the centre of attention since he was the last standing member of the team. So out of mild jealousy, he huffed looking away from them, "I'm not going to say anything… I already did that today and I'd rather not make myself sick again…." he scoffed in disgust not wanting to be involved in anything sentimental, his pride wouldn't allow it…..though deep down he had to agree, it was a good match and to see a member of his family grow was great in a way.

"Hee hee, why thank you everyone, you're all way too kind and generous." Ursula giggled with glee as she covered her mouth with her hand, acting with a sense of dignity and grace they never thought they'd ever see in her, no doubt now she was behaving like a real woman. Then suddenly she opened up her arms and scooped them all in a big hug! "Come here!" she cheered as she embraced them all.

"AH!" Dr Z croaked in surprise.

"Too tight….." Ed wheezed gasping for air.

"Please let go, I can't breathe….." Zander choked.

"Hahahaha….." The family all laughed happily while seeing the scene, no doubt their drama just got a whole lot more interesting from this point on and maybe they've all grown closer in a way too.

"Hehe, I could get used to her being like this." Ed smiled feeling so much love in the hug coming off Ursula.

"Yeah, especially now that she's actually got a chance at getting a boyfriend." Zander bluntly stated….which cursed Ursula's hug to loosen as she let them go, with a shade covering over her eyes!

Everyone present immediately realised what was about to happen now, as they slowly backed up, with Helga putting herself between the family behind her and the poor unfortunate souls about to get beaten down.

"Urk!" croaked Rod.

"Uh oh…." Said Laura, as both kids proceed to sneak away and cling to their parents to avoid the rage of their aunt.

"They really shouldn't have said that….." Dr. Z said, who overheard the statement, as he scurried away from the firing zone with the safety of Helga, something he never thought he'd do.

"They're dead….." Rod shrugged his shoulders seeing there was no turning back now, their fates were sealed.

To their surprise though, Ursula made no reaction but simply shot a smile their way instead making them blink their eyes in surprise, having expected a brutal beatdown.

"U...Ursula?" Ed blinked.

"You're not mad are you?" Zander asked nervously croaking.

She giggled in response, "Oh no of course not, why would I lose my composure over something as silly as a mere insult like that. Why that would be just immature of me wouldn't it?" Ursula smiled, showing no hint of anger or hatred behind it, sounding almost genuine which surprised the others at how much self control she somehow developed, again she continued to impress them.

"Phew….." Ed sighed in relief putting his hand on his chest.

Zander wiped away some sweet from his brow and took a deep breath "Thank goodness, I almost though we were-" before he could finish.

WHAM!

"YOW!" Zander and Ed shouted in pain and surprise as Ursula smacked them down with her paper fan which she pulled out of nowhere as they both slumped down onto the floor and hospital bed respectively, on the verge of being out cold. After that Ursula smiled rather ominously while fingering the fan in her hand, making the rest of the family shudder at how way more unpredictable she had gotten. Last time she let out her anger in predictable toddler tantrums and fits of rage but to do so with smiles….made her almost like a serial killer to an extent.

"And I'm supposed to be discharged tomorrow….." Ed muttered in pain as his fingers twitched as he lay back on the bed.

"I thought you said you weren't mad….." Zander groaned weakly.

"I'm not… I'm absolutely peachy. Hee hee…." The tone Ursula used finally raised warning flags on her brothers' heads as they hugged one another closely in terror as a shadow demon appeared in her aura menacingly hiding under her mask of smiles.

"She's way scarier now than she was before….." Zander shivered as he felt a cold chin down his spine.

"Guess the more things change the more they stay the same…." Ed stated after him as the rest of the family looked on and sighed at their misfortune.

"Boy they really are gluttons for punishment aren't they?" Laura shook her head in disapproval.

"Mhmm…." Rod hummed in agreement, while their parents simply smiled in amusement like they were watching a popular comedy show.

Dr Z gulped in terror and found it hard to breathe as he pulled at the collar of his clothes feeling hot and tense.

KNOCK! KNOCK!

The tensions dissipated upon hearing the sounds of there tapping at the hospital room window, which Dr Z took as the chance to divert some attention away.

"Hmm?" He walked over to it as everyone's trailed him, "Who could that be?" As he opened them, he was met with an unexpected surprise, "Oh?" Flapping their wings and hovering in air were an anhanguera and tapejara, carrying deliver bags from their mouths with the Triassic Takeaways logo on it. Everyone's eyes widened recognising them, "Ah the food's here!" Dr Z smiled as the rest of the group cheered with joy that dinner was here.

"Yay!" The children jumped up and down with joy with excitement with Helga and their parents smiling for them.

"Woo hoo! About time!" Ed, Dr Z and Zander both punched to the sky as they looked forward to the food.

After grabbing the bags from them, Ursula reached into hers' and picked out a few pieces of sashimi before tossing it to both pterosaurs, "Here's a tip you guys." She said to them as they both gobbled up the fish pieces with joy before flying off for their next job. A sight which surprised everyone, never have they seen Ursula act generous before….but the sounds of growling stomachs took their minds off that which signalled meal time.

"Let's eat!"

"Time to dig in!" The family enjoyed nice quality together time with one another, as if the Fossil League had brought them closer than ever before, as they even shared with one another too.

"Wow you're right!" Zander licked his lips before sinking his teeth into a big cheeseburger as juices from the patty oozed out, "These dino burgers are all the rage!"

"And these pterodactyl hot wings go really well with this hot sauce!" Ed smacked his lips before licking his fingers before turning red, "I feel like my whole body's on fire now!" He screamed which spurred him to grab a soda to cool himself down.

Overhearing them, Laura frowned slightly in the middle of her caesar salad before tugging at her brother's sleeve, "Umm you don't think they actually eat dinosaurs do they Rod?" She asked him nervously to which he shrugged his shoulders.

"Nah I'm sure it's just a name," He said unconcerned, "No way they'd do something as eat dinosaurs in a dino utopia like this, I mean come on that's just plain crazy!" It was then he frowned feeling uneasy himself, "At least….I hope so…."

"Well dad, what do you think?" Steve asked Dr Z looking to him, "You'd never allow your saurian subjects to end up as someone's plate as supper or snack right?" He saw Dr Z was folding his arms in thought while staring at the burger in front of him rather intently, making him blink his eyes, "Dad?"

"Hmm….if this really is pure dino meat….imagine the possibilities….." He mumbled to himself in deep thought, unaware he was thinking out loud. In his mind he imagined large herd dinosaurs living on farms like cattle and livestock, raptors or pterosaurs being kept in chicken coops and aqua farms with ichthyosaurs and plesiosaurs in them….before being sent to slaughterhouses to be chopped up and then served either in eateries or in grocery stores! Even imagining dino eggs being served in the supermarket and one day walking up to have a t-rex sized omelette on your plate! The thought of making millions with said idea made him grinned sinisterly with greedy glee! "Ehehehe! Once I win the League and stand atop at the summit as King of the Dinosaurs, anything I say will go!"

As he cackled deviously to himself unaware of his own surroundings, his family stared at him either with disapproval or concern over his future and even having second thoughts on supporting him in his battle.

"I'm starting to reconsider cheering for gramps now…."

"Me too…."

"Same here….." They all covered with one another, imagining the angry mobs or dino activists after them if he were to allow this to come true….

(The next day)

As morning rose and everyone completed their morning routines and preparations, everyone was gathered in the seats as usual as they awaited the semi final matches to begin with anticipation and excitement, already the crowds were bursting with energy first thing in the morning, some of them were even camping outside the stadium arenas to make a grab for the best seats in a first come first serve basis. Thankfully the D Team and Alpha Gang families had special VIP sections reserved just for them so they need not worry about any of that.

"Ladies and gentlemen! A great morning to you all! Hope you've all slept as well as I have because the semi finals of the Fossil League now begin today!"

"YEAH!"

"We've been waiting long and hard for this!"

"This was so worth camping out all night for a front row seat!"

"So many awesome matches so far, makes me real hyped to see what the last few rounds have in store for us!"

The MC grinned at everyone's readiness to get the battles underway and were looking forward to satiate their hunger for extreme dino duelling, "I'm glad you all are pumped up for some prehistoric pounding! In fact for our first round will be another showdown between master and student!" He announced making the crowds erupt with energy as they knew full well what was coming their way. Even if the matchups were already known like a spoiled movie they still looked forward to it, "Our first round shall feature none other than Captain Craig against none other than Commander Cera herself!" He said as the red haired member of the D Team sat up from her spot and smiled while waving to the audience, greeting them with a kind smile for their praises.

"This should be good!" Dr Owen grinned leaning forward from where he was, requiring Patrick to pull him back in.

The rest of the family gathered already knew whom to put their bets on here, "Heh, I wouldn't be too worried." Spike folded his arms with a confident smile, "I mean if Cera could beat Kaze then surely Craig shouldn't be too much trouble and if not, not as difficult."

"That's one way of looking at it….." Lunensis chuckled feeling flattered Cera was getting plenty of support behind her, and feeling a little bad that Craig wasn't going to get any this side…..Although on that note his smile soon vanished and turned serious, "However, we really shouldn't take Craig lightly either…." He said after that.

Dr Ancient had to agree with the ex commander there, "I know, remember what he did to Ed?"

Cretacia then winced as soon as that was brought up again, "Yeesh don't remind me…." She shivered uneasily, "I'm getting goosebumps just thinking about it…."

Everyone frowned not just at Lunensis being right about Craig's strength but also about how greatly he disrespected an acquaintance of them, while not necessarily good he didn't deserve what he went through.

Dr Drake frowned folding his arms, "Shame my family and I aren't people doctors otherwise I would've taken a look at him." He sighed pityingly for poor Ed. He then brightened up with faith, "But still this is Cera we're talking about, no way she'll lose like he did, I just know it."

Everyone else smiled and began conversing with one another in agreement on how one sided Cera would make this fight.

Maia couldn't help but cover her mouth to suppress a giggle, "Hee hee, Cera sure has quite the loyal fanbase doesn't she."

"Indeed she does Maia." Lunensis smiled with her before folding his arms seriously ahead at the field as both sides were readying for battle, "Still, while Craig is more straightforward and easier to predict than Kaze he shouldn't be underestimated regardless…."

Maia's smile soon vanished too hearing her husband's valid point, "I have to agree there….." She shook her head not feeling as optimistic as before, but then looked on with hope and confidence in her daughter who stood below at her end, with Craig making the first stand.

"Stepping up to one side of the arena, it's our Captain of Earth and world dino wrestling champion! Craig Von Mount!" The MC announced as the burly wrestler stepped up to the arena and let out a loud bellow which echoed through the stadium while flexing and posing for the camera and cheers!

"RAARGH!"

His scream echoed and shook the stadium down to its' walls and foundation, and everyone ate it up as they applauded, yelled into megaphones and threw out their arms in the air energetically as they cheered on Craig as both a Face and Heel.

"Bring in the pain!"

"Aw yeah!"

Craig began posing, flexing and flashing his massive guns for the cameras, a sight which the other captains didn't really find all too flattering, "There he goes being glory hog again…." Marina shook her head in disapproval.

"You know ever since Cera passed his training courses he began seeing men and women equally and fairly….." Blaze stated as he recalled that day when Cera proved his initial beliefs most wrong and he gained a sense of humility and respect for all people seeing that inner strength was just as important as physical ability and thus spurring him to revise his entire training regiment.

"Yeah, and because of that he's going to give her his hundred and ten percent." Hua nodded in agreement before frowning with concern, "I sure hope he doesn't do to her what he did to Ed…."

Speaking of Ed, at the Alpha Gang corner he shivered and bit his nails in terror, before being checked out of the hospital he had woken up from an awful nightmare about being body slammed by Craig in the middle of a wrestling ring and then being pinned down and head locked, even pile drived before being pinned down in front of an entire audience! "He looks way more buff than yesterday…." He gulped, from what he could tell either Craig went into a workout overdrive last night or took an overdose on steroids….either way he was really lucky and grateful to not be in Cera's shoes right now.

As Ed covered up his face crying into them, Zander and Ursula began patting him compassionately on the back to comfort him. "There there Ed, don't worry that brute won't be bothering you anymore."

Dr Z meanwhile clenched his fists in anger, Hardening his eyes into a fierce glare, "Grr! If only I was facing him then I'd make him pay for what he did!" he growled with his eyes as sharp as kitchen knives, "I mean….How dare he humiliate a member of my Alpha Gang! No…My own family in public!" He snarled, flames of righteous anger burning in his eyes.

"AH! Dr Z!" Ed and Zander both gasped in surprise at his outburst before turning teary eyed with joy and hope.

"He really does care for us…." Faith restored they so no reason to ever doubt their leader and foster father anymore, vowing to follow him to the very end of time and to carry on his legacy after he is gone.

Dr Z then clicked his tongue in annoyance at the thought of not being able to avenge Ed himself, "Tch! Can't believe I'm saying this but….You better not lose this you red headed brat Cera! If you do then I swear I'll never forgive you!" He screamed shaking out his fists in rage with the Trio following after him!

"Win this for us!" They all yelled together as one united family.

At the D Team's side, Cera's friends sweated uneasily to see her opponent had arrived and already was leaving a really strong impression on them just as much as he did the crowd, "There he is….." Rex tensed narrowing his eyes.

"And you're expected to fight him?" Zoe gulped as her stomach uneasily churned inside her before turning green with sickness.

"Brr I'm getting chills….." Max shivered as he hugged himself, the sneer he could see from Craig was sending a cold wave down his very spine making him tingle all over.

As Cera took a few steps forward, Rex spoke to her out of concern, his expression and sentiment shared by the others, "Be careful out there Cera…."

She smiled appreciating their concern, "Relax you guys, I've got this." She replied to them with confidence in herself much to their surprise.

"H…How can you be so sure and calm about this?" Zoe croaked.

"It'd be suicide to take him head on, if you try to do what Ed did he'd bulldoze right over you!" Max cried out.

"Craig's strong no doubt, but he usually relies mainly on raw power rather than technique strategy." She then explained calmly without worry as she closed her eyes and took a breath in, "So as long as I keep my head cool he's a total pushover." She then opened them and looked towards her friends' way, understanding their worries and wanted to show them some assurance, "Still Rex, you do have a point, a head on no holds barred fight against Craig would be nearly ineffective unless you're as physically trained to the extent he and his dinosaurs are."

Rex narrowed his eyes at her statement, "So what will you do then Cera?" He asked with concern and curiosity.

She responded with a light smile, "Don't worry, I've already got a plan for Craig….and for his own good too." She added at the end looking Craig's way as the D Team raised an eyebrow or blinked in confusion.

"His own good?"

"What are you talking about?" Rex and Max both asked her curious as to what she meant.

She looked ahead in response, "Just watch and you'll see."

Seeing how truly confident she was in herself and showing no signs of fear or worry, her friends looked to one another and nodded deciding to trust her as they smiled her way, "Okay then if you say so."

"We trust you."

"Good luck out there Cera….." They each said wishing her luck.

She nodded back at them before heading up the stairs, ready to face her second teacher down as a certain thought went through her mind, "It's time to teach the teacher." She told herself prepared to get that message through to him and to make him see another way of fighting beyond just his own style of doing things.

Behind her, Max narrowed his eyes, "Hey Rex, you do know what this means right?"

His friend nodded, "Yeah, either me, you or Dr Z will be fighting the winner of this match, so we'd better watch and learn all we can in preparation."

"Mhmm…." Max nodded in agreement as tension in the air heightened to maximum as both competitors stepped up to the plate.

As both competitors faced off with one another, Craig folded his arms and snickered in amusement at the sight of his former trainee now turned Commander. "Heheh it's been a while Sauria. I'll admit I didn't think much of women back during the days of the war but the moment I laid eyes on you I knew you were something special." He grinned with pride knowing that his great training regimen and guidance was what helped mould her into the woman she now was, "How you've pushed through every obstacle course I planned out above all the others impressed me, and you've surpassed my expectations even more by fighting alongside the D Team, defeating the Shadow Empire and having worked your way up to be my superior." He then held his head up high as his ego began to overinflate to new heights, "Then again I would expect nothing less from my very best trainee." He boasted proudly, bragging or not this was definite truth so he felt he had the rights to do so no matter what others thought.

Cera couldn't help but smile pleased by what Craig had to say about her, "I'm honoured by your words." she bowed with respect.

Craig smirked in response, "And I expect just as much and even more now!" He laughed, "I expect you to do your absolute best against me and I'll tank everything you can throw my way!" He then pointed straight at her, "You may have beaten Kaze but he's a wimp compared to me in real strength! Always has and always will! So let's see how well you hold up against me in a real duel! That'll be my final lesson to you!"

"Wow talk about really high expectations." Rod couldn't help but whistle as he sat with his family in another corner.

"Yeah I mean like no pressure or anything…." Laura sweated, she and Rod had rather strict teachers back home when it came to class and making sure homework was always on time but Craig made them all pale in comparison, which made them grateful school back home isn't anything like it was here or that they didn't have anyone like Craig back home.

As Cera continued to observe him, looking back his way of achieving goals was by setting the bar higher and higher again and again, to motivate and spur others to work hard to achieve their dreams and hopes through sheer will and determination. It was as strong as ever and no doubt was the foundation of growth and development, for he hosted a true quality of earth to be persevering and enduring. She couldn't help frown a little after that, seeing Craig was the same as he usually was….a little too same. It had been years and still he made little to no change in his own beliefs and principles, still as rigid and stiff as always and lacking flexibility or the ability to compromise when needed. She knew that if he were to keep remaining still forever, it will make him stagnant, rigid and stale. Only time would tell if it would hold, which she doubted and she was prepared to give him a reality check, after what he did to Ed last round she believed it was time he be taught a little lesson in humility.

"In that case, let's get this started shall we?" Cera calmly replied.

Craig grinned back at her, "Hehe you bet!" The both of them took out their cards and dinoshots.

"Dino slash! Eoraptor! Illuminate!" Cera went first as she summoned forth Erwin who appeared on the ground in bright light.

"Alpha slash! Grind them to dust ankylosaurus!" Craig bellowed as he called forth Bash who roared out aggressively towards the small secret dinosaur, dwarfing him very easily.

Erwin and Cera narrowed their eyes unfazed, for it wasn't the strength of one's size but the size of one's strength that mattered above all.

"The time for small talk is over! Let's get rock and rolling!" Craig punched to the sky, encouraging Bash to slam his tail on the ground sending a tremor through the ground which the audience felt underneath their feet as they cheered and applauded his bravado.

"You heard the man! Go time warp!" The MC pointed out as the arena was enveloped in a time warp with Cera and Craig being transported to a beach sided area of Dinosaur World. They stood on soft beach sand with the smooth waves rolling on one side of the battlefield and the larger green plains further in the distance past the sand.

"Wow that's quite a nice field there." Ursula whistled impressed by the location this time around before giggling, "Almost makes me want to get into my bathing suit and go for a swim right there and now!"

Dr Z then placed a finger to his chin and pondered, "Hmm….I wonder…." If he can somehow manipulate timewarps and use them for other purposes besides battles, perhaps they may contain precious resources like water and other rare minerals too, he just needed to experiment and test how to trigger them and find out whether a battle would need to take place for it to remain…..a food for thought in due time, as he decided to observe how things would play out now.

Looking to her partner, and realising the danger of a long drawn out fight would risk them losing this fight or worse force her to reveal her trump card, "Let's try not to let this drag out for too long Erwin." Cera told the eoraptor who nodded back at her, understanding what she was thinking. "Grass mode!" She declared as Erwin shrieked and glowed green, transforming to the form of a lambeosaurus as his first move.

"I see, thinking a type advantage would give you a quick win?" Craig noted as he looked closer seeing Erwin had indeed taken on grass form before scowling at her, "You're taking me lightly if you think that's all it takes to beat me!" He retorted defiantly as he threw out his arm, "I guarantee you that I'll take anything you dish out at me then send it right back at you tenfold!" He bellowed pridefully with Bash growling in a similar tone to his partner. Everyone grew uneasy and tense seeing how agitated Craig had gotten now, Cera had better be prepared for he had the defence of a tortoise combined with the strength of a sledgehammer, a dangerous combo indeed. "Think I'll start off with a little opener I like to call Spike arrows!" Slashing the move, Bash's tail flashed purple as he fired a barrage of crystal arrows at Cera's way!

"Here it comes!" Reese cried out.

"That's fast!" Dr Owen gasped in amazement that the seemingly sluggish ankylosaur was capable of such rapid fire capabilities!

Despite the showering barrage of arrows flying at them, Cera remained unfazed as she calmly responded, "Erwin, thorn whip." Shining green in colour, the lambeosaurus let out a song which emamnanting through the ground, followed by some graceful movements, he summoned forth a huge thorny vine from the ground which swung out and swatted away the arrows with ease!

"Wh…What the?" Craig blinked his eyes in surprise at how easily his attack was repelled.

"AH!" Rex and Max gasped.

"Oh my…." Zoe covered her mouth just as shocked as they were.

"I was expecting Cera to either dodge or counter that….but not like this….." Dr Ancient thought, once again amazed by Cera's creativity and grace.

"Now that's impressive indeed." Jonathan clapped his hands applauding it.

Craig however wasn't amused by this, and instead punched forward in irritation, "Tch! Again!" He ordered Bash to fire the arrows again this time from high above as they rained down upon Cera and Erwin's side!

Once again, Erwin moved about with calm serenity of a dandelion seed going with the wind's flow, his movements controlling the vine as it swung in sync with both him and Cera even, as it shielded them from the arrows as they stuck into it with no deterrence while also smacking more of them away with little effort.

"What a graceful countermove! Almost like a blade of grass swaying with the wind's breeze and flow! A remarkable performance as that of a geisha!" The MC announced amazed by Erwin's smooth and calm movements.

"How elegant…."

"Indeed…." Hua and Marina could see Cera took a cue from them both in her moves which made them both flattered she was able to mimic them to near perfection, and would no doubt throw in her own personal twist into it to make an all new and unexpected performance.

Craig clicked his tongue in frustration seeing his attacks were being stopped so easily by mere dance moves. He stomped his foot in annoyance as Bash ceased his attack seeing it was going nowhere while the thorn vine retreated beneath the ground again, "Hey! We're not dancing! We're duelling!" He yelled out his frustrations with Bash sharing them as he roared out.

"Well I don't want to see my dinosaur get hurt nor do I want to lose, no way was I about to let your attack hit its' mark." Cera shrugged her shoulders almost cheekily, "Plus nothing hurts if I add a little flare to the mix, after all we are duelling to please the fans after all aren't we?" She smirked at him further adding to the Earth Captain's annoyance.

"Urgh…." Craig grunted seeing her point but it didn't help in making him less annoyed, but he sucked it up. "Okay, so you dodged that….big deal!" He spat before grinning with confidence, "How about an attack you can't see coming!?" He took out a move and slashed it, "Go Mole attack!" He yelled making Bash flash purple in colour as he leapt into the air and spun around to burrow underground till he was out of sight! "Hehehehe! Let's see your fancy dance moves save you from an attack from below!" Craig chuckled while Cera maintained her composure.

"Uh oh…."

"This isn't good…." Max and Rex both tensed.

"Cera watch out! He can come out from anywhere!" Zoe warned her.

"I'm well aware of that guys." Cera calmly replied having overheard them, "In fact I saw it coming a while away, and I already have the perfect fix for it!" She then said out loud with confidence much to their surprise.

"Huh!?"

"You did!?"

"No way!" They gasped.

Craig took offence at her words as he snorted like an angered bull, "Tough talk!" He yelled demanding to see proof, "Let's see you back it up!" He pointed out at her calling her bluff.

She then smiled happy to answer him, "Sure thing then." She held out her arm, "Thorn whip! Go!" Erwin bellowed and summoned forth another giant thorny vine from the ground which erupted from the hole where Bash dug into, which forced him out of the hole and then smacked him away with full force causing him to tumble across the beach till splashing at the water's edge of the sea!

"AH!" Craig widened his eyes in surprise.

"After seeing how you used earthquake last time against in your earlier battle I decided to take a little cue from that so thank you for helping me realise the solution." Cera calmly stated much to his chagrin.

"Haha! Way to turn your opponent's move against him!" Zander laughed in amusement.

"Choke on that!" Ed taunted.

Craig sweatdropped in response at the predicament he was put into, "Urgh….To be given a taste of my own medicine…." He groaned and grimaced a little with slight regret, "Maybe I trained her too well…."

Cera then commanded Erwin to go on the offensive, "Now let's see how you handle Leaf blades!" Flashing green the purple Lambeosaurus summoned forth a blizzard of bladed leaves before sending them towards Bash!

The earth captain grinned unfazed as he and Bash faced it head on as he held out an earth move, "Ha! No problem! My earth barrier will make sure those pesky petals won't even reach us!" Activating it made Bash slam into the ground causing chunks of dirt to collect around him in an impenetrable armour causing the bladed leaves to bounce harmlessly away!

"Like a tortoise or armadillo with hide as thick as steel, Bash easily shrugs off what could have been a super effective attack!" The MC called out as Cera's supporters frowned while she herself narrowed her eyes.

"Urgh….Not that…." Rod grimaced.

"It'll be tough to break through that armour…." Laura winced as it was like trying to yank off the lid off a jar of sweets she tried once but Helga wouldn't let her much to her and her brother's annoyance.

Craig placed his arms on his hips and laughed out with pride seeing even Cera was unable to get to him, "Hahahahaha! How do you like that!? Nothing can penetrate my perfect defence!" He gloated which made Cera rather annoyed, clearly if someone needed a slice of humble pie it was him.

"Craig's sure full of himself there…." Maia shrugged her shoulders seeing he was going at it again, "Then again he has a lot to be proud of." She then said rather seriously.

Lunensis narrowed his eyes, "Grass may be strong against Earth but against an expert like Craig he'll tank the strongest grass attacks there are till we wear ourselves out…." He mused, "Then again….every armour has it's chink…."

Back at the battle, Cera closed her eyes and took a calm breath, her mind made up and she knew what had too be done, "I know doing this is going to really rub him the wrong way, but given what he did to Ed, I feel it's time he gets taught a lesson and learn that not everything in life is as straightforward." She thought to herself as she made her decision clear, something Craig was completely unaware of as he continued to rub it in her face.

"So then, what are you going to do now hmm?" He grinned proud of his own strength, though as they say pride always comes before fall.

"I'm going to do what needs to be done." She replied to him, "It'll be like taking bitter medicine but it's for your own good!" Her statement made Craig raise an eyebrow, pondering over what she meant. Though he need not wait long and soon he was going to wish he didn't, "Chaos green!" Cera commanded Erwin to perform said move which made Craig widen his eyes in shock and disbelief.

"WHAT!?"

Everyone else was caught by surprise at what just happened unexpectedly, "AH!"

"Where did Bash go!?"

"He fell in head first into that hole!"

Max whistled, "Man, that's one deep hole he's fallen into….." he recall seeing it a few times before in the tournament and once against Camptosaurus, he recalled having evaded it before like thunder bazooka not wanting to fall in and let Chomp get hurt. As he thought about it, he realised something, "Hey….didn't Cera say that Craig hated sneaky moves?" He then pointed out after remembering what she told them.

"I think so…." Zoe added as she recalled what their friend told them not long ago.

"So why'd she use that against him?" Max asked curiously.

Rex folded his arms in thought, "Think maybe….."

Meanwhile Craig, still shocked and stunned speechless at being caught off guard by a status move, shook himself out of his faze before growling with anger, "Grrr! Get out of there with mole attack!" He growled slashing the move card, causing purple light to emanate from the hole. The ground quaked and rumbled as Bash erupted out of it and landed on the ground rattling his clubbed tail with anger and agitation after having been dropped into it just now. It was then he began to flare red with hostility and his fury was peaking to new heights! "How dare….How dare y-" Before he could finish, Bash suddenly felt a sudden wave of shock course through his body making him roar in pain before collapsing to the ground with electricity surging through his body immobilising him and to Craig's horror! "Bash! No!"

"And chaos green lands its' second effect!" The MC proclaimed to the crowds, "Apart from dealing damage it also inflicts a random status condition, in this case paralysis! Things certainly aren't looking good for Bash right now!"

"Say what!?"

"Status effect!?" Zoe and Rex both gasped caught by surprise that Chaos Green actually had that effect.

"And here I thought the pit was bad enough…." Max gulped before wiping away sweet from his brow as he let out a sigh of relief, "Phew good thing we never fell down one of those huh?" He thought to himself feeling lucky.

"Oh my, Cera's acting rather nasty right now…." Raina snickered in amusement.

"I almost feel sorry for Craig…." Hua sighed pitying him deeply.

Blaze then whistled, "Hope Cera knows what she's doing….." As daring as he was, he knew the lines between bravery and stupidity, and intentionally trying to stir up Craig's rage was one of those lines he wouldn't dare cross.

"Grr! Paralysis is for cowards!" The burly brute shook his fist out at his opponent, detesting her sneaky and underhanded tactics.

"At least it works in finding the chink in your armour!" Cera retorted, deep down she was a little uneasy about this decision but there was no turning back now and she was prepared to see it through while baring all the consequences and responsibility that followed, "Now that you're slower, it's time for me to pick up the speed!" She stated holding out her arm, "Erwin! Time for wind mode!" Her Lambeosaurus bellowed out before flashing white and transforming to megaraptor form much to Craig's annoyance seeing she could easily outmanoeuvre him in his current state, and with the way she was going about she was definitely going to try even more underhanded methods in battle, which was easily going to add more fuel to his fire! "Let's see you this on for size! Boomerang Blow!" She grinned as Erwin flared white for a moment as he leapt into the air and spun rapidly like a spinning top before rushing right towards the weakened ankylosaurus!

"G…Get out of the way Bash!" Craig cried out with upmost urgency! The ankylosaurus could have dodged or blocked it but in his paralysed state his movements were even more sluggish than they normally were, as he stumbled and collapse to the ground in pain! This rendered him vulnerable as the megaraptor scored another clean hit on him sending him flying across the field as he crashed to the ground upside down! "NO!"

"Alright! Another clean hit!" Max cheered.

"That one must have really stung, since Craig couldn't guard in time." Rex nodded with a smile.

"That's just the beginning." Cera stated to her friends as she had way more in store, "Time for the icing on the cake!"

Using his tail, Bash was able to flip himself upright again, but upon opening his eyes his vision was dazed and he was crosseyed, unable to see clearly he snarled out aggressively seeing a set of boulders nearby to be a pack of mega raptors! Aggressively he reacted and rushed towards them in order to tackle them down, only to slam head first into the boulders! "No Bash! Snap out of it!" Craig cried out to his partner but his voice failed to get through to him, the pain only triggering the ankylosaur even more as he slammed his head and body checked repeatedly at the rocks again and again, scraping himself against them as it continued in a vicious cycle!

"Ouch! Confusion on top of paralysis!? This is not Craig's day!" The MC cried out almost pitying the poor captain, also making all of the champion wrestler's fans widen their eyes in shock and horror at not just how badly their great icon was being so badly cornered but also how badly Cera was both disrespecting and beating him!

"I can't believe how much Cera is overwhelming him…."

"I can't believe how backed into a corner he is now." Zander and Ed both breathed in surprise, to see the brute that had talked down to them so badly and struck painful words into their hearts and souls, was now being reduced to no more than a mere fool top toy with, much to Dr Z's amusement as he clapped his hands enjoying it.

"Hahahaha! Now this is entertainment! Keep it up!" While he enjoyed it a lot, the Trio couldn't help but pity the Earth Captain a little in all honesty, even he didn't deserve this humiliation.

Having it up to hear with her games, with Bash now throwing himself at the boulders and running right into trees in his confusion as Cera and Erwin watched, waiting for him to waste his energy and tire himself out, Craig stomped his foot on the ground as he began to rant and throw a fit, "Grargh! Confusion is for chumps just as much as poison is for the weak and sleeping is for infants!"

His statement made Rex scowl a little given confusion was the forte of wind.

Taking a huge gulp of air, Craig yelled at the top of his lungs, "We've toughened up for situations like this! So snap out of it already Bash!" It was then his voice had gotten through, the Alpha Ankylosaurus regained control for just a moment as he raised out his clubbed tail and slammed it right onto his own head!

WHAM!

"OUCH!" Rod and Laura covered their faces and their heads just feeling it from where they were, same went for several of the audience too.

"That's really gotta hurt!"

"He must really be out of it to do that to himself!" Dr Owen and Patrick both exclaimed.

"Not quite…." Lunensis replied getting their attention as they looked to him, "Watch closely." He explained as the others tried to look a little close to see what he meant.

Soon they began ton realise Craig's method to his madness, "Heh…." Craig grinned with satisfaction as Bash grunted, shaking his head clear before roaring out in anger towards Erwin who snarled back at him.

"Did he snap himself out of confusion!?" Reese gasped in surprise.

"Well that's one way of doing it…." Mrs Drake whistled.

"Not the way I'd recommend…." Dr Drake winced as he could almost feel his own head throbbing in pain just by looking at it.

"Grr….Cera…How dare you!?"

Worry

"Uh oh…."

"He looks mad now….."

"I don't blame him," Rex narrowed his eyes observing the situation, "Cera's been dancing circles around him since the match started….." The question was, why would she wave the red flag at the bull and prompt him to charge? He hadn't figured out that yet but he was having a slight idea given how she was still unfazed, till what she said next made it all come together.

Cera frowned and closed her eyes calmly at Craig with disapproval, "I see that you're still true to your beliefs and principles you still refuse to accept status moves and effects as real fighting, believing them to be cowardly tricks for cutting corners and dishonourable acts don't you?" She opened them back at him with a rather firm and unwavering expression in her eyes, "Seeing anyone using them as not real duelists but lacking in ability."

"If you knew about that then why did you even think of going through with it!?" Craig growled back at her furiously, "It just proves that you yourself lack any sort of honour or refined spirit if you resort to anything so underhanded! Haven't you already learned and realised that through all your training under my command!?"

"And it's to help prove my point exactly." She calmly replied making Craig blink his eyes.

"What?"

"Way I see it, you're still too rigid and stubborn to move on with the times." Cera replied, "Fighting with honour and fair play is one thing, but just to let you know that not everyone is equal. Everyone's different in their own unique way, with different strengths and weaknesses."

Craig hardened his gaze, "Yeah I'm well aware of that, some are born with gifts to do certain things while others aren't, what's your point?" He demanded.

"It's because not everyone is the same, not everyone can fight their very best on the same terms with you for example." Cera explained strenly, "Like how every dinosaur is different and is born to a certain way of living, everyone has their own unique style of life or even battle that just represents who they truly are." A scowl then formed on her face, "And for you to look down on others from atop a wall you've put up for them, you tend to arrogantly judge the weak who aren't able to surmount it while giving more praise to those who are able to meet your personal expectations. Of course not to say it's right for truly underhanded means, but to lack flexibility and to be unable to accept others." She opened her eyes and shot a hard glare at him, "Like how the earth's surface eventually shifts, unless you move with the times you'll not only grow rigid and stale, but eventually crumble away and left behind as everyone else moves forward!" She stated pointing at him with authority.

"AH!"

Everyone gasped stunned by her words of wisdom, almost speechlessly. Even Lunensis found himself taken aback at how much his own daughter had grown and matured to the point even she could make a strong statement against the most experienced adults.

Even her own friends too found themselves looking more like children compared to her despite being the same age, "Man….that's just deep…."

"Yeah….." Clearly she was much like an elder or even a sage in terms of mindset and wisdom the way she was going off.

"Life on earth was forced to either migrate, adapt or perish as times changed and we too will have to do the same. We can't always rely on the same methods forever, at times we too need to change as well otherwise we become obsolete. As I have come to accept everyone for whom they all are. But if you still can't move on then how about I spur things a little more for you!" She cried out with determination, "Grass mode!" At her command Erwin flashed green and reverted back to Lambeosaurus form in order to seize the advantage once more, "Now Erwin! Emerald garden!" At her order, Erwin fired a green energy sphere from his mouth which exploded around the wounded and dazed ankylosaurus causing a garden to erupt around him!

"Bash!" Craig cried out as he could only watch helplessly as the garden sapped out his partner's energy, making his legs wobble and collapse down to the ground as Cera's dino regained the energy she stole from him, much to his fury as he clenched his fist swearing to not let this go unpunished! "Grr! Just you wait, we'll roll all over you! Rock roller!" He growled as Bash slammed his feet on the ground summoning forth many chunks of rock which collected together into a giant boulder which he sent towards Cera!

"Not good enough!" Cera retorted as she already knew how to counter that, "Chaos Green!" Erwin bellowed out flashing green as he summoned the giant hole again which swallowed the boulder instantly, easily putting the brakes on Craig's attack much to his frustration.

"Grrrgh!" He gritted his teeth even more annoyed at being thwarted by something so sneaky and unacceptable in his book.

"Incredible! With the grace of the rose with the vicious prick of its' thorns, Cera is pulling no punches against Captain Craig!" The MC then called out.

"See where staying still is getting you? Eventually your tactics and moves become obvious and everyone will be able to see vulnerabilities in them to exploit without hesitation." Cera pointed out to her former superior, "Because there will be those who will play underhandedly deliberately and thus we all need to be prepared against them and whatever situation comes our way. Even when you stay put in your ways you can't expect others to do the same, times will change and we need to be prepared to adapt with the times too." She added as she decided to throw him for another loop, "Now Erwin! Lightning mode!"

Everyone widened their eyes as Erwin flashed yellow and turned to a styracosaurus form.

"What!? Lightning!?"

"Isn't lightning weak against earth?"

"What is she thinking?" Spike, Dr Drake and Ancient each said in surprise.

Lunensis placed a hand to his chin in thought, "A plan, no doubt." He mused, as to what it was, that was beyond him.

This served to trigger Craig further as he snarled with gnashed teeth at her, "Grr! Are you mocking me!? Do you take me so lightly that you think you can beat me with a type disadvantage!? I'll teach you some respect!" He roared taking out an earth move and slashing it, "Earthquake!" Despite his weakened state, Bash was spurred on by both Craig and his inner rage, sharing much of Craig's personality traits and refusing to go down so easily like this. Flashing purple he raised himself on his hind legs and prepared to slam on the ground!

Cera saw this as her chance, "Actually, I'm the one who's trying to teach you something Craig. By doing that you just exposed yourself!" She declared once again catching Craig off guard.

"AH!"

"Thunder driver!" She commanded as Erwin seized the moment, rushing in right when Bash was about to land his front feet, ramming him up into the air before leaping higher above him, and spiralling down in a thunder strike onto his exposed stomach and driving him hard into the ground!

"NO! Bash!" Craig cried out in disbelief at being once again outmanoeuvred by his own student, this time seizing an opening he practically gave her!

"Incredible! With pin point accuracy and impeccable timing, Cera has once again proven why she stands atop at the pinnacle of the D Resistance!" The MC called out spurring many of her supporters to rally to her side as they cheered her on, while Craig's fans gasped in horror at how much of a fool their hero was being made. Yet they couldn't exactly boo Cera either given her strong stature and standing viewpoints which made her position all too clear.

"Way to go Cera!"

"I know this isn't looking too good for Craig but….I can't help but cheer Cera on!"

"Show us more of what you have in store!"

"Hope to see something new!"

As the audience and spectators in the arena and around the world cheered and praised her impressive new moves, Cera waved and laughed happily as she returned the audience's encouragements. Cera chuckled feeling inspired by her friends' support, and given in the League they were here to please the fans who was she to not give them what they want? "Heh, you guys want something new? Alright, let's give it to them Erwin!" She called out to him as he roared in agreement with her, "Now for water mode!" Flashing blue he turned to amargasaurus form next which made the audience cheer excitedly to see a water spectacular like Marina would do, "If anything Craig, you're standing still because you're afraid to change, and I understand that. But if you don't take a step in a new direction, you can't keep up with my moves and then you're gonna get left behind by everyone else!" She told him straight to his face, making him clench his fist and grit his teeth in rage.

"Urgh…." Never before he had been pushed into a corner or be humiliated this badly, usually everyone who he faced cracked under the pressure he gave off and he endured anything they threw his way….to end up in such a low was something he found unthinkable. But, seeing the whole audience turn away from him in an instant like he was yesterday's news, couldn't believe it at the state he was reduced to. A wash-up, a has been, "Something….new….Afraid…." Their words kept echoing in his mind, as he began to realise in all his years as both a captain and a wrestler moves he used almost the same moves for many years in a row and only now realising it.

There were times before when others suggested him to try something new but he either shrugged them off or chased them away rejecting them completely. And not just in battling, his own way of living and even his teaching methods one could call archaic let alone outdated….It was a hard truth to accept change since his old ways have never failed him once, how he never lost a one to one battle man to man, his only losses had only been when his opponents fought using sneaky tactics and outwitting him, which he saw as underhandedly and cheating, refusing to accept said losses and throwing into fits of rage when they happened. But looking at it from another point of view, "You're right…that's been my problem all this time, but I was too stiff necked and arrogant in my success to see it….." He finally admitted in a hard and heavy tone.

"All this time I've been stuck in the past, relying on the same old tactics instead of learning from my mistakes and evolving with them. I should have accepted them as my own fault and not that of others….that would be the worst kind of excuse ever to put the blame on others….Perhaps I have become quite rigid and stale, and if I don't change, no way would I be able to keep up with the times, I'd end up obsolete and go extinct like the dinosaurs…." He muttered to himself as he contemplated everything that was said to him just now by Cera. As he thought about it further, he also realised many of his fans have lately been bored or predictable in his matches, maybe that was why he had a decrease in fans and was in a slump these days, no doubt the only ones that showed up in live were out of pity or true loyalty, who stuck by him hoping to see something new from him but then disappointed afterwards. What kind of hero was he to let his own fans and followers down like that? He thought to himself.

Looking up to see Bash, who grunted at him, ready to stick by his side and also ready to face change with him. Seeing his partner still prepared to go the distance he smirked back at their opponents ready to show them a brand new him, "You want change Cera? Then here's something you won't expect! Sand power!" He declared slashing out an earth move even Cera didn't see coming!

"What!?" She gasped in surprise to see Bash flash purple as he summoned forth the sand from the beach to swirl all around him! As the sand storm washed around him and then blew away it revealed his entire body to be nearly injury free and a great deal of his energy restored as he roared out powerfully!

"What's this!? Craig has used a special earth move that heals the user! How unexpected!" The MC gasped.

"I never knew earth moves could heal too!"

"AH!" His fans were surprised by him taking a new approach to things, which made them cheer with excitement to see what he may do next.

"Whoa! I never seen Craig do that before!"

"Wonder what else he's capable of!"

"Maybe after this we'll see some new wrestling moves in the World Dino Wrestling federation next time!" The audience all pondered and exclaimed before cheers erupted for Craig even louder than they had ever been in any wrestling match or dino duel he had done. He smiled happily to receive it and posed for the pictures and fanfare before turning back to the duel.

"Surprised there?" He smirked at her to which she nodded unexpectedly.

"Actually….yeah…." She also smirked seeing he was getting it at last.

"I actually have you to thank there for opening my eyes." He then said gratefully with humility in his voice, "You were right, my ways and moves were getting quite stale, and perhaps I was afraid of change….heh….can you believe it? Me…Craig….actually afraid….." He chuckled to himself at the irony of how low he had fallen, but perhaps it was a good thing for it helped him realise something he never knew before, and better to know it late than never. "But still, I won't change the fact that I'm a man of the earth!" He then bellowed out loudly as he made his declaration, "I'll fight using terrain advantage and I'll show you what it feels like when the earth beneath your very feet is your enemy!" Taking out a move he slashed it without hesitation, "Sand trap!"

"Oh no!" Cera gasped as the beach sand under Erwin began to shift and swallow him up and it was too late for him to get out!

"What a sneaky sneak attack from Craig! The kind of move you'd expect from a heel!" The MC announced.

"Cera get out fast!"

"I can't watch this!" Cera's supporters cried out in worry.

"Hehe, getting that sinking feeling Cera?" Craig chuckled in amusement, and it was too late for regrets now!

She gritted her teeth tensely under pressure but it soon passed and was replaced by a smirk instead, "Funny, I was just about to say the same about you." She replied to his confusion.

"Huh?"

"Ocean panic!" She cried out to Erwin just before he was swallowed up by the quick sand! In an instant, a pool of water opened up under Bash causing him to plunge right into it!

"WAH!" He gasped as the ankylosaurus sunk fast into the water due to his great weight, and if that wasn't bad enough he began pelted from multiple angles by the opthlamosaurus shoal, striking him without mercy in the gut and form all sides before sending him out of the water and making him crash on the ground gasping for air as he coughed out violently!

On the other end the sand swallowed up Erwin before shooting him out again with a sharp sand spike as he crashed back down injured, but still capable of fighting as he and Bash pushed themselves back up, groggy but their battle instincts heightened as they roared at one another, preparing for a final attack!

"Alright! Enough games! Time to end this!" Craig growled unwilling to hold back anymore, as he went for his ace in the hole! "Gigarock hammer!" He yelled slashing his best move with all his might as Bash summoned the giant crystal hammer and leapt into the air ready too smash down on Erwin!

Cera however was prepared for him as she made eye contact with Erwin who nodded back at him, "Aqua whip oughta put a stop to that!" At her command, Erwin fired a water lasso from his mouth which ensnared Bash's tail in mid air and then slammed him around repeatedly before throwing him down and making him crash into the beach sand while upside down!

"NO!" Craig yelled out out in a panic, seeing that Bash was now helpless and exposed with no hope of escape now!

It was now or never for Cera as she proceeded to end this once and for all, "Now to end this! Neptune stream!" Erwin roared and rushed towards Bash who barely managed to flip himself back up, only for the amargasaurus to smack him with his tail and then flip him high into the air!

"Bash!" Craig could only watch as Erwin fire water cannonballs at his helpless rival, exploding on contact, before a geyser erupted from underneath, which Erwin leapt into as he spun up and struck out his opponent from underneath before slamming him back down to the ground!

Out of energy and overwhelmed, the ankylosaurus let out a pained cry before losing consciousness and reverting to card form before Craig's eyes, "I….lose….." He admitted heavily to his loss as he reclaimed his card, kneeling on the ground in defeat.

"Incredible! After an intense back and forth with blows exchanged, the winner is none other than Cera!" The MC declared the D Team member the winner as the crowds ate it up and cheered proudly for her triumph.

"Hooray!"

"She did it!" Max and Zoe cheered with Rex calmly nodding and grinning with approval at her victory.

"Nice."

"Good job!" Clapped Maia joyously with the other parents praising Cera, with Lunensis nodding proudly to see her surpass her teacher once more.

"Hahaha! In your face you loudmouthed lunatic!" Dr Z blew a raspberry at Craig's way before continuing to mock the Earth captain, who took no notice of him because he wasn't able to hear him…which was a good thing for if he actually had, Dr Z would have departed for the next life in the next 5 seconds, "You deserved it! Of course I could've done it better myself but hey I didn't need to lift a finger this time around! Ahahahah!" Dr Z then laughed oblivious to how lucky he was at being able to get away with this.

The trio were a lot more modest as they clapped and congratulated Cera, "Never thought we'd be rooting for one of the brats again…." said Zander surprised at the strange hands fate often deals them.

"Yeah, and suddenly I feel so peaceful inside….." Ed smiled, he would have wanted to beat Craig himself but he'll take what he can get.

At the arena, Craig kneelt down on the ground, gritting his teeth in immense frustration at beaten rather badly in front of so many people. It was clear despite his rock hard defences, Cera had defeated him utterly and he felt truly humiliated by the experience.

"Craig…." She couldn't help but feel guilty of what she did, while she knew it was something necessary it had to be done like a parent disciplining their child.

"Heh, you've grown a whole lot kid….." The earth captain suddenly said surprising her as he looked up to her with a smirk of approval before standing up tall, "You continue to amaze me, once again surpassing my expectations, never imagined I'd see the day where I get schooled by my own student." He chuckled to himself in amusement as he scratched his chin rather sheepishly, "Maybe I have been a little too old fashioned in my methods and mindset." He sighed lowering his head a little, his taste of humble pie was rather bitter like medicine but one he needed, "Like you said if I don't evolve myself I'll be stuck in the past forever and become obsolete while everyone gets better and eventually surpasses me." Craig admitted as he saw things from another side for the first time. Deep down he was actually quite grateful for it even if he had to receive it in the toughest of loving ways, "In fact maybe I oughta practice a few new moves in the ring next time. I feel my old ones have been kinda stale and predictable lately after all….." He clenched his fists tightly still bitter at being shown up and nearly humiliated in public, with his weaknesses being exposed to the world.

He worked so hard to cover up his weak points but didn't work on fixing them properly and thus it was only a matter of time before they got revealed again. As he thought about it he recalled some challengers were often prepared against him and relied on actual tactics to get around his rather predictable battle styles, as he struggled to keep up with them only managed to win and keep his title since he endured their moves which they didn't account for. But today that failed, and it was time he learned to pick up some new ones otherwise not only would the fans get bored of him but he may be left behind in the dust too, "You've shown me the light, and maybe an old dog like myself could stand to lean a new trick or two from you young folk and new gen duelists." He said at the end swallowing his pride to which Cera nodded with a proud smile in turn.

"I'm glad you approve Craig." She said with a slight sigh of relief that he wasn't holding any grudges against her, "And I really look forward to seeing what new kinds of training regimes or wrestling moves you come up with next time you're on tv." She said holding out a hand to him.

"Hehe you can be sure of that Cera." Craig chuckled as he shook her hand back and the 2 of them gained a better mutual understanding and respect between one another. As they let go of their hands though, Craig's grin suddenly vanished, "But still….."

Cera blinked her eyes, puzzled as to his sudden change of mood which she couldn't pick up on, "Yes?"

It then happened all of a sudden and she was prepared for it in the slightest as Craig stomped his foot on the ground and roared! "GRARGH!"

"WHOA!"

"YIKES!"

"What the!?"

Everyone in the arena jumped or cried out in alarm at Craig's sudden outburst. This was only the tip of the iceberg of what was to come for poor Cera as she stumbled and fell on her butt!

"EEP!"

"I….REFUSE TO ACCEPT THIS LOSS!" He growled in immense fury which made Cera turn pale and her soul was screaming to leave her body to the next life as the burly captain's muscle bulged so much veins popped out from all around his body, to the point his entire uniform tore off leaving his upper clothes all gone and now revealing him as a monstrous brute pumped up to the brim with testosterone, gnashing his teeth in a feral manner over Cera as his eyed reddened with rage! "TO THINK YOU OF ALL PEOPLE WOULD PULL ONE LIKE THAT OVER ME! HOW DARE YOU!? IF YOU NEEDED TO RESORT TO CHEAP TACTICS LIKE THAT JUST MEANS YOU'RE GETTING SOFT AND I'LL JUST HAVE TO WHIP YOU BACK INTO SHAPE!" He screeched in a demonic tone as his fingers twitched and he reached out with a sadistic grin with intention of grabbing Cera! "YOU WANTED ME TO DO SOMETHING NEW AND DIFFERENT!? WELL TODAY'S YOUR LUCKY DAY COS I'VE GOT JUST THE PERFECT NEW TRAINEE TO TRY IT OUT ON!" He cackled menacingly as Cera gulped down painfully.

"I should have seen this coming….and yet I still went through with doing it…." She was starting to have deep regrets over her decision as she took a step back with Craig taking a step forward towards her!

At the stands behind her, "W…We've gotta help her guys!" Zoe cried out, yet found herself rooted to the spot and unable to take even a single step forward.

"Y….Yeah I know….But…." Max croaked as he found himself frozen in place, "I can't move…."

"N….Neither can I….." shuddered Rex, who was too was scared stiff like his friends.

Who could blame them though, Craig's expression was so filled with rage and disgust, it alone could make a family of full grown t-rex run for the hills at first sight should they lock eyes! It wasn't just them, Craig's fellow Captains were taken aback by their comrade's eruption, finding themselves unable to react despite knowing they had to rein him in now.

"Oh dear, he's blown a gasket again…." Hua sighed as she shook her head and facepalmed pitying Cera for playing with fire.

"This is bad…." Raina tensed as a bead of sweat fell from her cheek.

"We gotta do something now!" Marina cried out to her husband, seeing he was the only one who could help in this time, being the only fearless one of them all.

Blaze nodded and then turned his head to the side as he yelled out for his subordinates on standby, "Men! We have a Code 2419 now!"

On cue a group of troopers saluted him, "Yes sir!" They acknowledged their orders before rushing off into a war zone for a rescue mission. Deep down Blaze saluted them for their courage, and hoped they were prepared for this as they drilled this many times and went under courses wrangling dinos just to train for this very moment!

Meanwhile Cera shuddered as Craig loomed over her, ready to get his giant grubby hands on her and then fold her like paper for what she put him through, "When I get my hands on you I'm GONNA-"

In the nick of time, a troop[er grabbed hold of him from behind to his surprise, "GRRRGH!" He growled as he pulled forward dragging the trooper with him as his heels dug into the ground, forcing others to join in to help!

"Captain sir!"

"Control yourself!" They yelled just as they grabbed hold of his 2 arms, others leaping onto his back and trying to head lock him, though they could only manage to lock fingers around his muscular neck!

Despite their best efforts in managing to force him to one knee, Craig was managing to hold his own and keep all of them on his back, before to their surprise he began to stand up again to their shock and everyone's horror or amazement that he was that strong to resist them all! "AAARGH! He's slipping out of me!" One trooper yelled out in desperation as he was unable to hold onto Craig's arm for much longer, once he got that free, no doubt he'd throw them all off him like ragdolls!

"Unhand me you dolts! Or I'll use you both as dumbbells!" He threatened them making them all shudder in terror as the trooper on his right arm was loosening his grip! Had that happened armageddon would break loose!

Seeing there was no other way around it, that Craig was going to put them all in the infirmary for a month or worse the morgue, "Do it now! Give him the shot!" She cried out to them giving the green light for them to use their contingency.

"Yes ma'am!" They all yelled acknowledging the order as one of them took out a needle with bubbling yellow serum inside it.

Widening his eyes at the needle, recognising it, "You wouldn't da-"

JAB!

"GARGH!" Before he could finish the trooper jabbed it right into his arm! In a rage he swung out his arms with full force which sent the troopers flying off him in different directions as they either crashed to the ground or slammed into walls!

"WAAAAH!"

"WHOA!" Everyone was taken aback by what they just saw, after getting jabbed Craig's rage reached past tipping point as he threw off the troopers like they were nothing more than pillows!

He then set his sights on Cera, who held her ground and narrowed her eyes despite trembling with fear deep down….till Craig's eyes began to droop and he started to yawn drowsily, "I….I'm gonna…mangle…..Zzzzz…." He groaned as he was unable ton resist the drug any longer before collapsing down on the ground, knocked out cold.

Much to Cera's relief as she let out an immense sigh before falling to her knees, "Phew…and not a moment too soon…." She wheezed wiping away sweat from her brow.

"Easy there captain, we've gotcha….."

"Back to the bunker for you now." The troopers regrouped and came over to support Craig, getting under his arms and lifting him up as they gritted their teeth and groaned under his massive weight.

"Urgh….drop down and give me two hundred…zzzzz…." Craig mumbled drowsily in his sleep as the men lugged him off the arena and away through the exit doors on the other side, some of them huffing or turning red wheezing for air along the way out as everyone stared speechlessly at what they just saw.

Her friends soon ran up to her, after being stunned and blinking their eyes with disbelief for several seconds before regaining awareness.

"Thank goodness you're okay!" Max cried with relief to see she was unharmed, "Still….w…what was….that about Cera?"

Cera looked back to them, scratching her cheek unsure of how to answer them, "Well….remember when I told you guys about how much Craig despises shortcuts and cheating?"

"Y…Yeah how it makes him snap in an instant?" Zoe asked.

"How he prefers doing things in a straightforward manner rather than relying on technique?"

"The way he sees it, sneaky strategies like aiming for weak spots and using status effects really tick him off more than anything?" Max and Rex then asked, "I remember how furious he was earlier at Zander and Ed…..but that was nothing compared to just now….."

Cera nodded back at them, "Yeah there are times he goes off the deep end like that when pushed too far to the point of going berserk….which unfortunately is rather easy to do…." She sighed shaking her head while shrugging her shoulders, just thinking about a few other incidents in the past really sent shivers down her soul seeing how he scared a full grown T-Rex with his glare alone and another time being able to snap a poor styracosaurus' horn with his bare fist which needed a prosthetic to repair. "After several incidents like just now. we've prepared a special formula that helps put him in dreamland and ensures everyone's safety." She then explained, "A little something we need to rein him in emergency, and I say just now qualifies."

"I….guess….?" Rex sweat dropped as he and the others were rather unsure of how to see this.

"Is he okay though?" Zoe asked with concern, "I mean to tranquillise him like that….isn't that kind much?"

"To say the least…." Max shrugged his shoulders.

Cera sweat dropped and stuck out her tongue cheekily, "Ehe….Don't worry, this is how we normally rein him in." She giggled in amusement, "On the bright side we haven't needed to do this for a month now so it's a new record."

"Yeah," Blaze added as he and the other captains came up to see if Cera was okay and thankfully she was, "Last time he exploded once every 2 weeks so that's progress."

They all blinked their eyes in response, "Normally?"

"Progress?"

"Hmm….I noticed he was developing some resistance to the sedative this time around…." Hua mused, "It's already potent enough to put an entire heard of wildebeest to sleep too…..Guess I need to make it more concentrated now….." She added making a note to herself.

Zoe recalled how her dad using a similar drug on Tank a while back with power equal to the one used just now, and that was needed to knock out Craig a mere human. The fact he was becoming immune to it was worrying….."I'm not gonna ask anymore…." she gulped with the boys nodding with her, deciding to leave it there as a story better left untold otherwise they'd be asking for trouble.

Same also was with the Alpha Gang as they stared with widened eyes and startled expressions, with Dr Z placing a hand on his racing heart, he was starting to take back his initial thoughts about wanting to deal with Craig himself, given he planned to use every dirty trick he had in the book to win….had he done that Craig would have folded him like Origami, and hearing Cera's story about how the Earth Captain even manhandled dinosaurs with his bare hands made him lose confidence in using a dinosaur to protect him against that monstrosity.

Shaking it off soon after, "In any case, congratulations." Max smiled deciding to move on from that fiasco earlier with Zoe and Rex smiling after him, "Guess we had nothing to worry about at all. You really did have everything planned and under control."

"Mhmm." Zoe and Rex both nodded.

"Then again….." Max turned serious at that moment, "That just means we'll have to take that into account when facing you later on."

Rex then stepped up, "Whichever of us makes it to the end." He added looking to Max, knowing their battle was coming soon.

"True…." Cera nodded at their words, while is would be a shame that either her or her friend would have to lose, one thing was certain and that was what mattered above all. "But no matter which of you I have to face, all that matters is that we fight with all our hearts and we leave an everlasting impression on everyone gathered here." She said looking up to the audience around them when were clapping and cheering, and not just them but also those from far away whom were being shown this live action on tv, "Giving them what they came for as well as hopes and dreams for the future too."

Max smirked and pumped his arms up ready for battle, "Heh, just you wait Cera."

"We'll give everyone a battle to remember by won't we Max?" Rex punched forward at the brunette who fist bumped back to him.

"You bet Rex! And when I win I'll be sure to win the League for us all!"

Rex then scowled at him back, "Oh yeah!? Says who!?"

"Bring it!" The 2 of them had sparks of rivalry fly between them with Zoe giggling at their immaturity but that was what she liked about them most and they wouldn't be her best friends had it not been for that.

"Hehehe….."

Cera giggled with her, before looking to the direction Craig was taken as she saw him taken out through the exit doors, "I do hope what happened today helps Craig grow further, after all this league is to inspire dreams and hopes for all people…." She thought to herself as she began to walk back to the seats as her friends continued conversing with one another. It was then her smile vanished and she placed a heart to her chest as she sighed with relief, "Still he was tough, I was almost tempted to use my new trump card then and there….." Cera was relieved she wasn't forced to reveal her ace in the hole this time around, and she could save it for her real battle in the finals as she looked behind her to see the 3 remaining duelists, who were the strongest of all gathered here and to overcome them she'd have to pull out all the stops and show no hesitation at all, "I look forward to seeing what Max, Rex and Dr Z will bring to the table soon….." She smirked interested to see how things would proceed from here.

And thus this chapter introduces us to another side of Craig or perhaps it was already made known but now made more apparent. Craig is passionate about no holds barred mano a mano matches given his pride as a wrestler and in his rock solid defences and heavy hits. Most of the time not really relying on strategy or tactics seeing them as something for the weak to rely on since with great strength and dedication alone in his philosophy to surmount or even smash down any obstacle with sheer will is enough alone. Thus as shown here strategies like status effects and targeting weak points, he really detests that a lot to the point of refusing to accept losses to such means to the point of throwing dangerous fits and being a sore loser at that. Not sure what you'd think of that but that's just Craig's overzealousness and passion.

If said weak points are hit he can be triggered and angered rather easily much like how mot earth dinosaurs react on instinct when threatened. He doesn't have that many strategies but relies on 1 solid tactic, defending against the enemy, endure then hit them back harder. However to point out he isn't a very flexible person so strategising isn't something Craig is good at. Plus he finds those who exploit weaknesses to be similar to those taking shortcuts or the easy way which he detests the most, thus making him somewhat as a sore loser refusing to accept losses that way. Much like Raina he tends to stick to a certain way of doing things and isn't very flexible and if something happens he finds unacceptable he gets triggered easily.

Side note Triassic Takeaways being man ages by pterosaur deliveries around the city-Got the idea from Dinotopia how there are riders too.

Sorry this took so long, been real busy the past few weeks with work and also writing out the dialogue for the remaining chapters as well.

Reply to reviews

Drew Luczynski

What do you mean by wait a second? Noticed something I haven't?

Yup took a lot of self denial for Ursula but she has matured to a large extent to say the least. Wonder how it will be for your story given Zander and Ursula have redeeming qualities.

Well this battle was obvious in a way but the next one….

Glad it surprised you if it didn't go the way you thought.

tsukikami02

Yup venom fang was Rex's ace here, a trick he learnt studying Kaze's battle earlier.

Yup as Dr Z said it's up to him to carry the Alpha Gang into the future now. And Ursula indeed did her best to hold it in, she's learning to better control her outbursts now though beware crossing the line with her.