-AUTHOR NOTES-
Get ready for part five… meep! So I may not have many comments on the past chapter, but if you were one of the people who saw it, thanks for coming along and taking a look into it. ;)
This next chapter focuses on a counterattack from the group after the events of Chapters 3 and 4. Even now I'd wonder to myself why I gave Lio pink ooze for fighting and a waterboy job that cost him his eye, but oh well… XD
Another Power Crisis reference is shown within here too – be on the lookout for Daniel J. Kujasagi, or "DJ" as he was referred to the people around him. He used to be a witchdoctor living on Volcano Isle with mages like himself, but the volcano's eruption within the story covered his village and devoured almost everyone in it. Ouch. :(
Hope you like this part as much as I enjoyed writing it.
Peace out,
-Rexy-
---
The sun started to rise above the skyscrapers scattered across the city. While that happened, several figures started to make their ways out of their home doors, going about their daily businesses. At the same time, a man in a sage's costume reached the penthouse nearest to him, carrying a package in its arm. It knocked on the door three times.
"If you're that dodgy cheese salesman", yelled Snappy's voice from inside the building, "I'm gonna push you back down the grater you walked upon!"
The door soon opened itself with a light creak, causing him to look on at the figure. That left his face to suddenly face a slight bit of hesitance, before he started to crouch down on his knees a bit and looking to the figure at full view. It was seen wearing bear-paw shaped shoes, and from the top he wore a long set of furry pants, a long scarf going across his neck and down the right hand side of his chest, a long cloak behind him, and had stripes on his face. He gasped at him.
"Ah, so I take you want something else, do you?"
"Actually, I'm here to drop off the remedy for your friend's incoming hangover", said the stranger.
He showed the package into the light, and removed the wrapping paper from around it, showing it as a bottle of sorts. It had a bright green liquid in there, glowing within the sunlight. He started to smile over at it, before it was passed into his hands.
"Thanks!" Snappy smiled. "And... you must be...?"
"Daniel J. Kujasagi", he replied. "I was with Neo when an eruption on Volcano Isle almost wiped out all my species."
He brought back his long scarf as he said that, before he looked down, with the memories of people just like him living on an island, working with harmony. He sighed at the sight of it. Snappy looked on at his expressions, before he started to give out a smile.
"Well, it's a pleasure to meet you. Come on in!"
He went to him and placed his hand around his neck and brought him inside the cozy hallways of the penthouse. They soon reached the main room, where most of the others were seen crowding around, exchanging cups of hot beverages. At the sight of the visitor, Gary gave out a surprising gasp.
"DJ! what are you doing here?"
"Just a bit of natural business, that's all", he replied back. "I've heard about a threat to the island and its natural order, and perhaps I could help you with it after all."
"Even with the machines running within that wrecked factory?"
DJ gave out a slight nod, before he started walking his way towards the middle of the room. He placed his hands on his hips, with his eyes being brought into deep thought. A light smile started to creep across him, before he turned back to the group with a wink.
"I think I may have a few ideas linking to them, but we shall see."
With that, he jumped on top of an upturned chair, and sat down comfortably. He then brought his eyes to the figures in the room, one by one, before he knew that a bunch of major plans were to be unleashed from his mind, straight into the thoughts of his "audience".
---
In another room lies a bed in a corner, holding Neo with a torn bandage around his forehead. He started to stir, and then... his eyes started to blink their way open. Then, he started to raise his head, and look around at the blurred surroundings of the room.
"What... happened?"
"Ah, Neo! You're up!" a voice exclaimed.
He lifted his head up, and he saw Bev entering the room with what looked like a lengthy silver platter. She then reached him, and placed it near him - buttered toast and a cup of coffee were seen on it. He started to smile at the sight of them, before looking over at her.
"I don't understand what's happened around here", he said. "One minute I was tied up, being persuaded to join my brothers' side, and the next minute... I'm here? Being offered like a shrine?"
He looked down at his offerings, with his face starting to show a slight bit of confusion. Then, he brought his eye contact towards her, whom somehow brought her hand onto his shoulder, with a light smile drawn across her face. She then got round to stroking the back of his hair a few seconds after.
"I hate to say this, but that N-Trance guy possessed your mind."
"N-Trance?" he questioned with shock.
He then blinked with a slight bit of worry, before... a sting came across his left arm. That caused him to yelp slightly, before leaning back with his back against the bedposts, and his hand clutching onto it. He couldn't stop rubbing it for five whole seconds.
"Ow, the pain!"
"It's okay", she spoke in a soothing voice. "We'll see if we can ease it off."
She then went towards the other side of the room, where a sink could be seen. She filled up a pot of water in there, before dipping a cloth into there, returning to his side and wrapping his arm with it. The cold liquid soon started to ease the pain away from his expressions.
This left them sitting in silence for a while, with their eye contact fixed onto each other. Then, Neo looked down at himself, lifted the silver platter from its position and placed it on a side table, before he found the courage to finally stand up on both feet.
(scene quickly changes to another)
A couple of hours later, the living room was packed as DJ was seen walking around a white board with what looked like a map of Tiko's factory hideout on there. He had a large bamboo stick in his right hand, occasionally tapping it onto the board as he spoke.
"Okay, here's the plan. We head towards that so-called factory of his from a bearing of 186.9 degrees. From there, we reach the tunnels underneath, and check the properties for the shipment of the machines. Any questions?"
"Why are you convinced that Tiko has a basement?" asked Snappy in a low tone.
That left a sweat drop to go down the side of DJ's face, before he fell over himself. Then, he looked up from his position, and saw the alligator beaming down at his direction. That caused him to sigh with a slight bit of anger being caught within his teeth.
"I'm just trying my best to prove something, Gator!"
"Duh, you got any better ideas?" questioned Martha.
"You bet your red hair that I do!" the alligator shouted back. "We go underground and scan the machines for their properties!"
As he said that, DJ stood up. Then, as soon as Snappy stopped speaking, he started making his way towards him, before taking a hold of him by the collar with a twitch going right across his chin. A growl started to form within his teeth, before... he hesitated and released his grip.
"But that's what I just said!!!"
"Well, had to be something, didn't it?" Snappy spoke with a wink.
He folded his arms with a twitch in his left eye. Then, this left them both leering at each other, with their eyes starting to show more signs of coldness towards them. The hatred between the pair soon started to catch onto Neo, whom came between them and pushed them aside.
"Never mind arguing over it now, we'd best get this over with!"
"Good thinking Batman!" chuckled Martha.
He gave a wink over in her direction, before removing his bandages and waving them like floppy majorette sticks. Then, they all left the pent house together, looking out towards clear blue skies right ahead of them. If all goes well, the truth behind Tiko's return to his hometown could be revealed.
---
It didn't take long until the group made their way over to the main street, where the deserted factory lied right at the end of it. They looked on at it, eclipsing the sunlight at this stage. But that was until... the front doors of it suddenly swung right open. From there, a blur with a pair of bright yellow headlights made its way out from the building, zooming its way down the street, leaving behind several skid marks as it went past. Even the lights from the headlamps couldn't illuminate what was on the vehicle... until it was 50 meters from Sara's viewpoint.
"LOOK OUT FROM AHEAD!!!"
She pointed at it, and it was there when the group soon jumped their way inside a bunch of trash cans. The vehicle zoomed past them, knocking over some empty containers. Then, some of the others raised their eyes one by one at the glimpse of it. Some of which even seemed to show confusion.
"Phew", sighed Jenny. "That was a close one! And... why would they want to leave that sudden?"
"No idea", said Gary with a shrug, "but we ain't standing around to find out!"
In a flash, they all jumped out from their hiding places and made their run down the road. It wasn't long until they reached the end of it - a harbor. They saw a boat starting to leave further and further away from them, and inside they saw Tiko and the others, advancing towards a target on the horizon.
"They're heading to the isle itself!" screamed Beverley. "But... why?"
"No stupid questions, woman!" retaliated Snappy. "Let's get 'em!"
He pointed over at a few boats nearby. They all hopped in four at a time - Neo leading one, Bev taking another, Jenny taking the grip onto another, and Crash occupying the other with all five of his time-traveling companions with him. They were stirring far, but that was until Jenny got her oar stuck onto Lozzy.
"HEY! Mind the hair!!!"
That caused her to scream slightly, before she started to tug it away from Lozzy's face. That left them in a panic for a few seconds, until she was finally set free. Over in Neo's boat, they got far ahead, but over the edge, Martha started to feel a sight of queasiness across her face.
"You're going too fast! I feel seasick!"
"You ain't the only one", whispered Brio with weakness.
It was inevitable - both of them placed their heads over the sides of the boat, and started puking up, leaving Neo and Snappy to continue rowing, in a gradual struggle. The island now showed itself as a large lump about half a mile away from them.
"Come on now, we're almost there!" exclaimed Crash with happiness. "There's nothing to be afraid of for sure!"
At his shout, the bearers of the oars started to row much faster than before, causing them to end up speeding along the surface like speedboats. Then, they ended up 10 meters away from the sandy shores, with no urge for stopping. It was there when Crunch noticed a boulder sticking out from the water, and his face showed a slight bit of fear.
"Slam the brakes!!!"
He brought out his oar and one of his hands for breaks right at the back of his boat. That caused Spike to end up screaming, losing his balance nearby. Then, most of the others faced the same fate, leaving what looked like watery skid marks before touching onto the grass. They all reached the surface one by one, leaving deep marks in the bright white sand. As they screeched, most of the smaller ones ended up falling out and landing head first onto the ground. Nearby, the others then stepped out and looked at the view ahead of them.
"Let's face it this way - at least we got 'em cornered", spoke Zephyr loudly.
"I know, but..." Neo paused. "Take a look at the size of this island. This could make things more difficult than it seems. A lot more difficult."
They stepped closer towards the volcano right in the center of it, and it was there when a tunnel could be seen on the left hand side of it. He immediately pointed over at it, and that was where they started climbing inside it one by one, away from the daylight. They were plunged into darkness for a brief ten seconds, until... something started to light up ahead of them - a bright purple crystal. They looked up at it, and saw it twinkling down to a diamond path down below. That caused them to give out a smile at the sight.
"Take look at structures!" sighed Chyna. "How beautiful...!"
"Yeah, they remind me of the caverns back home", Zephyr responded with a wink. "Still, drawings like that are hard to come by."
As he spoke, he looked over at a bunch of cave drawings on his right. They showed stick figures of civilizations communicating together, and being surrounded by several huts. The peaceful sights caused Zephyr to edge closer, and place his hands onto the cold stone surface.
"Do you think they tell a story of the past of the island?"
"I'm not sure", said Neo in a breezy tone. "Everything looks a bit too peaceful, don't you think?"
The blue fox didn't respond. Instead, he remained frozen for a mere few more seconds, before removing his hands from the surface. Both of them turned back, but... that was where they saw Sparky, starring over at the drawings with a pair of shrunken eyes.
"Sparky?"
He didn't speak back. Almost as like in a trance, he started stepping his way closer towards the drawings, before placing his hands on them himself. His tail started twitching from left to right, in time with his hair moving gently inside the chasm. A small tear started to fall from his eye somehow later.
"It reminds me of how my home planet was before it was destroyed...!"
He started to twitch on the nose, before he looked down, and rubbed his face with his right hand paw. Then, he looked back towards the others, whom all seemed to show faces filled with concern right towards him. Within the crowd, Neo took a step closer, and analyzed the drawings much closer.
"You think that the island and your 'planet' have a connection?"
"I don't know", responded the wolarcoot with a shake in his voice. "We can argue for the case that they share a similar sort of power. I don't know much about the rest."
He then looked up, back at the drawings, all starting to show peace within his eyes. Then... all of a sudden, he turned away at it - from his fear-stricken face it seemed that he didn't even want to take a look at it. From much further back still, Spike went towards the wall, and took a hold of a loose part with his hands.
"Maybe if we take a sample of it then that could help with the unpeeling of this scenario...?"
He then started to pull hard onto the wall, until... dust particles started to fall onto the ground beneath. Then, a slab showing a part of the cave drawings was pulled off, revealing nothing but bright crystals underneath it. He then slipped the chunk inside a backpack on Martha's back.
"I'm not sure if that was a good idea Spi-"
"It's okay, relax", responded Spike before she could finish. "I know what I'm doing."
With a smile, he zipped up the bag, and then he started walking his way closer towards the others, whom all seemed to exchange smiles back. They then started to walk further ahead, with the crystals giving off multi-colored lights onto their faces. But then... something bright was seen ahead of them.
"Take a look at the light up ahead!" exclaimed Jenny.
She pointed at the end of the tunnel, and a bright white flash can be seen flickering once every few seconds. She started to smile at it, before she started to run at it herself. Most of the others soon followed her as that happened, especially some of the smaller ones. It was only a matter of seconds when they reached the source of the flashing - a circular room with a large pit in the center. Inside it, a bright white substance can be seen, giving off a bright crystal-like odor around it. Most of the group smiled at it... however Boron was one of those that gave out a light howl.
"Now what boy?" asked Jenny.
He pointed beyond the fog from the substance, and it was there that a shadow can only be just made out. A baseball-capped shadow. A long-haired baseball-capped shadow. That caused some of the group to edge closer towards it, trying to see it in the light. As they showed confusion, Boron can be seen to be the only one growling.
"Something's telling me that you eat your carrots...!" she responded back with a slight quiver.
Before anything else could happen, the fog from the pit started to give way, and the colors of the figure could be seen much more clearly. The figure was then seen stacking what looked like boulders from one room to another. Its colors of red, green, white and blue started to familiarize Neo, as he pointed at him.
"Hold it right there, Lio!"
The shout caused the figure to stop in his tracks. Then, he gave out several blinks, before turning in his direction, whom was seen with his hands held together in a tight grasp. The green haired male was seen taking several steps back, before removing something from his pockets - a pink substance of sorts.
"Uh-oh... caught me red handed, I guess."
"Never mind about that", Neo started. "Tell me what you're doing!"
"Shhh, careful!" whispered Zephyr. "You might wake up the bats around here!"
He pointed up at the ceiling, and most of the others followed his cue. Expecting to see winged creatures flapping up on the stalactites above, their eyes were met with absolutely nothing there. That left some of them to look at Zephyr with some signs of arrogance in their eyes.
"Very funny, long-hair", growled Lozzy.
An anime sweat drop went down the side of Zephyr's face, before he took a step back behind the group. This left silence to come by, until Lio started stretching the pink substance like an accordion, smirking at the sight of it and its glimmering crystal-like colors inside it.
"You understand so little about the true magic of Volcano Isle, young brother. One who knows zilch can understand zilch."
"Can you at least tell me what kind of connection it has with the machines back in your factory?" shouted Neo once again.
He then edged closer towards Lio, whom was seen smirking underneath the shoulder-length grass green hair of his. That left him to end up taking a stride towards the group, with his hands held together in an almost back-breaking grasp, with the substance held right between them.
"Puh-lease, you're jumping too far up the plot here. I think your curiosity over this whole scenario has grown way too much for its own good."
He then stretched the substance into some sort of whip, before he brought it back over him. As that happened, it started to surge with crimson energy going around it. At the sight, Neo took out a gasp and started to block the group like a hockey goalkeeper, pacing back and forth among the ground.
"Don't do it, Neo!" shouted Martha. "We didn't ask for this!"
"I know, and I didn't either, but better that than nothing!"
He looked over at her, whom started to show a slight bit of innocence through her sapphire blue eyes. She started to quiver at the sight of it, before looking on at the others, whom all seemed to face more confident expressions. With a smile, Neo turned around and pointed at Spike, Snappy, Sparky and DJ, one at a time.
"You lot - you're coming with me on this one!"
The four looked on at him, and saw him showing a sign of determination. And then, it seemed inevitable - still, there was refusal on the plans between the machines and the magic of Volcano Isle. The five took a position in a straight line, and to them, it seemed that something could be sorted out between both parties after all.
---
The lights from the pit in the center of the room started to give way, before it seemed to seal together like a stone slab came on top of it from out of nowhere. This left both parties to start walking their way across the room in circles, with determination to reach their opponents.
"You've had enough knowing of this island for long enough!" Lio brawled from his mouth. "Stay clear!"
He then took a tighter grip onto the pink substance in his hands, before he stretched it out even further, to the length of a skipping rope. He then scowled over at them all, before aiming it straight towards them all, hurling like a bullet at several hundred miles per hour.
"What on Earth is that thing?" screamed Spike with a jump.
"I dunno," whispered Neo, "but it sure could be mighty powerful...!"
Before anything else could be said, it struck the ground at a powerful force, leaving them to jump in the air at the sight of it. They then took several steps back, but... the whip seemed to extend itself even further, before striking straight towards them once again.
"TAKE COVER!" shouted Sparky. "ALL OF YOU!!!"
They then all rolled to either the left or right - whichever side is nearer to them - and made their way deep within the shadows there. This left Lio to look from left to right, before deciding to make his way to the right, with a confident expression going across his face.
"You can't escape from me! The energy from the Lifestream has been ensured of that!"
He sent the whip straight towards the three in the darkness, bringing them back towards him like a yo-yo. Then, he looked towards Neo and Sparky to the left of the room, before sending the whip towards them too, tying them with the others. This left them on a struggle to try and break free.
"Sparky, try to shock us free!" DJ brawled.
"But... I can't! That'll be like killing you all!"
"I don't care if we're hanging over the edge of the world! Just free us, okay?"
A face filled with hesitation came across the wolarcoot's face, before he looked down to the dusty ground beneath him. That left him with a worried expression starting to come straight across him. He then looked up from his position, and then... he gave out a light sigh.
"Fine", retaliated the wolarcoot. "But don't say I didn't warn you!"
At his comment, DJ gave out a smile from his face. Then, this left the five in silence for several seconds. Lio was left walking his way towards the group, with a lighter smirk going across his face... until... yellow energy came across Sparky's body.
"HERE YOU GO!!!"
He sent out a strong thunderbolt from his body, rising up into the air. Then, it started to cover the room like strobe lights, breaking several rocks and, in turn, the grasp on the pink substance. All that Lio could do was look back at it, with a stunned look.
"Whoa, talk about incredible force...!"
He was left gawking at them, before seeing the blob return to him like a yo-yo, forming one solid ball inside his hand. This left the others to make a run for it, before... most of them started to show signs of weakness on their bodies, mainly signs of dizziness.
"You guys can't give up now!" Sparky said loudly towards them. "We gotta get back into business!"
"I know, but..." Snappy looked down at his fingers. "I think my pinkies have gone numb!"
He looked down at his fingers, and started waving them at an incredible speed. As they took cover on the sidelines, all that Sparky could do was look back and forth from the others to Lio, whom was seen with a sneer widening upon his very face.
"So, it's just you and me, isn't it Rover? Well, time to see if you can face the grasp alone!"
He then brought back the ooze again, before launching it straight towards the wolarcoot. All he could do was look on at it like a zombie with his own two eyes. But it wasn't long until the ooze soon reached his side, and was about to strike him upon the chest. But...
"Look out!!!" shouted a voice from the other side of the room.
From the sidelines, Neo made his dash towards him, and pushed him out of the way just in time. This left the blob to end up striking something else, with a snap brought onto it. Meanwhile, the pair were brought down to the floor. As Sparky's rescuer smiled, the wolarcoot himself had attention brought to something else - a fearful sight.
"Oh my God, what's happened to your leg?"
He pointed straight towards Neo's left leg, and he lifted it up into the air. A cut could be seen across it, with a scratch brought right across the flesh inside it. He tried to stand up on two feet, but... the limb seemed to give way. All that the wolarcoot could do was look on with shock.
"Ah, it's just nothing!" said Neo with confidence. "Here, let me climb onto your back!"
Sparky was left with a blank expression for a while, before he hesitated to climbing down on all fours. From there, Neo jumped his way on top of him, leaving them to fly above the ground. They then reached the same height as the lowest stalactite on the ceiling, before looking down at their opponent.
"What kind of pussed-out tactic is that supposed to be?" questioned Lio in an undertone.
"Never you mind about that!" Sparky shouted. "Tell me where you got that blob from!"
They were left looking at him for a while, before... Lio hesitated in bringing out the substance behind him, and hurling it straight towards the group like a baseball. The sight of them caused them to duck right underneath it, letting it knock a stalactite off.
"I take he's more like the anti-social type isn't he?"
All that Neo could do was give out a shrug. At the same time, the blob soon made its way back towards Lio like a boomerang. He caught it in both hands safely, before stepping back, and pulling it out into a "rope" again. He then launched it straight towards them, causing them to gasp at its incoming force.
"Quick Sparky!" gestured Neo. "Get down!"
That left him to start hovering further down towards the ground, with the draft coming straight through the wolarcoot's fur. They were only halfway down, when... the rope started to come much closer to them. Hesitating, they started flying at a steeper angle, in increasing speed.
"Not too fast!!!" he shouted again.
This left them coming further down towards the ground, and towards Lio, and once there, the wolarcoot brought out both hands and pushed him into a wall. A light rumble was heard, before... it started getting louder and louder. That left the group to look around them with shock.
"You obviously have met your match!" Lio responded with a smirk. "Now, be prepared to be swallowed into the darkness you came from!"
He then made his way towards a darkened opening nearby, blocking his view from the scene. This left the others to look around, trapped, before seeing the stalactites to fall right on top of them at a brisk rate, placing them sealed right behind a curtain of darkness.
---
The scene reopens at a darker tunnel, where the ground was seen to be quite moist, and several rocks were seen huddled in a corner. Suddenly, one of them started to stir, and from there, it fell down to the ground. Inside it, Neo placed his head out, with most of the others soon following his cue.
"Whoa, I feel like Hell...!"
"You ain't the only one", said Snappy in a breathless tone. "It's gonna take me seventeen paracetamol tablets to get past this one!"
The alligator made a leap out onto the ground, with his feet making a comfortable position onto the ground. Then, the others then pulled themselves out from the wrecks one by one. They looked up, and saw what looked like freshly turned earth right above them. It seemed that they were brought down to a lower level.
"Well, now that we're down here," said Brio with a blink, "how do we expect to get out?"
Lozzy pointed her way towards a channel of water ahead of her. "We swim. There's nowt better to do around here, isn't there?"
"Well, that could be a fair point", shrugged Zephyr. "But you can't tell with this sort of water."
They looked on at the waters, which started to ripple slightly, some of which even making their way towards the tips of Snappy's claw-like feet. They made a light paddle into them, looking on at the view ahead of them. However, Chyna went ahead of the group, but... she was only stomach deep when something caught her eyes.
"Guys! Chyna think Chyna can! Look!"
She then pointed right ahead, causing most of the others to start wading much closer towards her. Then, they came to a sudden stop around her. From their view, nothing can be seen from there but the gentle moving of the seaweed on the watery surface underneath them. Then... from inside the waters, something started to stir. Several bubbles started to rise their way to the surface, vanishing with a pop as soon as they got there. This left Chyna to take a light step back upon the sight of it, dipping her chin into the water as she did so.
"I don't see anything", muttered Crash.
"Look closer", said Crunch as he pointed at them. "I think I can see some shadows heading this way!"
He then started to take a closer step into the water, and from there, several shadows started to make their way closer towards them. They seemed to be as small as Boron's head upon appearance, but... their sharp teeth and fins showed a frightening appearance to them all.
"PIRANHAS!!!!!!!" they all shouted together.
This left them screaming, allowing the deadly fish to swim closer towards them, hoping to take a chunk out of them. But as soon as they reached them, they side stepped their way around them, before making their way deeper into the waters. The fish then turned around, and started growling at them.
"Boron, take a hold of me!" shouted Neo. "And we'll get out together!"
Sparky showed a face of confusion. "But what about your leg? Are you sure you can manage?"
All that Neo could do was give out a nod in Sparky's direction, before floating onto the water with his head sticking out. Boron soon climbed right on top of him, and once there, they both used their arms for pushing themselves forward. This left the wolarcoot to look on at them with surprise.
"I take that as a yes...?"
As he stood there, the others then made their way past him. Then, without realizing, one of the fish almost bit his tail, causing him to retaliate by speeding down the waters and performing the Butterfly all the way towards the rest of them.
"That's it, stay back you lone bastards!" cursed Snappy.
His voice echoed across the room, and while that happened he looked down at his two feet, where he saw a pair of piranhas starting to swim around him. With no hesitation, he brought his hands into the water, pulled them up by their tails and tossed them onto the walls.
"That's one way of saying it, Snaps!" giggled Jenny.
"Why, thank you very much, young woman!"
With that, he gave in a twitch of his jaws straight towards her direction, before looking on ahead. And it was there when a roadblock was seen making its way towards them - the watery path had to take them right underwater. This left a face of fear onto Boron's face.
"At all times the water's gonna go deeper!" screamed Spike. "Quick, down below!"
They soon reached the edge and dived in one by one. They started making their way through, with some of the weaker members holding onto stronger swimmers for support, earning the advantage of looking directly behind them at various intervals.
At one interval, Neo took a tight grip onto Snappy's shoulders, and he and Boron took a glance at the route behind them. The piranhas weren't too far from them - this left them in a serious spot of bother upon making their way out from the scene.
They were close to chewing their feet off, until they suddenly started rising up to the surface. Once there, they all gasped for air, before they started speeding their way down the channel once again. The piranhas soon came out two seconds later, speeding up by diving up and down like dolphins.
"That was almost TOO close!" shouted DJ. "Now where's an exit when we need one?"
This left them in silence, until something caught Beverley's eye. "Right over there! Look!"
She pointed right ahead of them, and saw a break of daylight right ahead of them. They started making their way closer towards them, but then... they saw that the route was blocked by a metal grated door. And a fair distance away from it, the waters seemed to make their way over a nearby waterfall.
"Oh, look what's there - another stupid roadblock!" shouted Gary with panic.
Sara soon reached the gates, and pointed at a gap underneath it. "Quick, dive now!"
She looked back, and saw the piranhas making their way much closer towards them. One by one they started making their way underneath the gate, going through as fast as possible. But Martha was one of the last few remaining, struggling to make it under because of her own fear of the deadly fish.
"I don't think I'm gonna last much longer!!!"
"Martha, hold onto my waist!" shouted Lozzy with determination.
She looked on at Lozzy, shaking with fear. And then, she turned back to the piranhas - they were only 30 meters away from her. Screaming, she dived under the gates and brought her hands around Lozzy's waist, whom soon took her by the hands and pulled her up. They started running from the scene, looking for somewhere safe to climb, but... no avail. This left them looking on at the piranhas, each of them trying to break the door open with their teeth.
"They don't seem to be giving up!" cried Martha. "We is all gonna die!!!"
As she screamed, she went behind Lozzy and cowered with her legs starting to shake at the sight of it. The piranhas started bashing harder against the gates, causing some of the metal chunks to fall off. Then... it fell down altogether, allowing them to pass through. This left Snappy to take a step back at it, before... falling down the waterfall, head first.
"Heeeeeeelp!"
"Snappy!!!" Neo shouted with a gasp.
He then took a step back and dived down with him. Some of the others tried to reach Neo as that happened, but... it was already too late. While that happened, the piranhas started to attempt to bite their feet, causing them to end up jumping off the edge themselves, and down into the mysterious location beneath.
-end of part 5-