Chapter 9: Junkyard Dogged

(Intro)

In a Battle Zone filled with different colored disks, cubes, spheres and planks floating in the air, the Vandals snatched the Battle Key. "Vandals! The Battle Key is mine! Now to conquer Earth! Follow me to the portal!" Kalus ordered. The Vandals headed towards the portal to Earth. Suddenly, Hatch and Krocomodo were hit by a big yellow disk as it rolled in front of them. "Ooh! That had to hurt." Raptor said. Just then, a big red sphere floated right towards him. He screamed as the sphere hit him.

Battle Force 10 was chasing after Kalus. "Battle Force 10, block him! He's heading for the Stormshock!" Vert exclaimed. As they chased after the Vandal leader, Zoom noticed a large green disk rolling past him and got an idea. He drove off a ramp, activated cleat spikes on his tires and drove on the disk. But suddenly, as he got close to Kalus, a blue disk came towards him, striking the green disk and knocking him off. But he quickly activated his glider-mode and landed safely back on the ground. "You alright, Zoom?" Talia asked. "A little dizzy, but I'm good." Zoom said.

Spinner got the iron chain cannon ready. "Ready to fire." He said. Just then, Sherman noticed another blue disk rolling by them. "You got an idea, Sherm?" Spinner asked. "Hang on, big bro." Sherman said as he hit the brakes, pulled the Buster back and opened some mathematics. "Calculating distance." He said, running the calculations. "Hurry up, Sherm! Kalus is almost at the portal!" Spinner exclaimed with worry. Kalus cackled as he got close to the Earth portal. "Wait for it. NOW!" Sherman exclaimed. Spinner fired the chain and lodged it on the disk. They were then catapulted into the air as Spinner detached the chain in midair and landed in front of Kalus, surprising him. The Buster hit the brakes and bashed into Kalus, causing him to crash. Battle Force 10 drove past him as the Buster snatched the Battle Key from the Fangore. "It takes a little something called math, Fuzz-Face!" Spinner exclaimed. They used the key to reopen the portal to Earth and drove right through. Kalus roared in anger as Krocomodo, Hatch and Raptor drove up. "How did they defeat you? Magic?" Hatch asked. "Not magic. Math." Kalus said venomously.

Afterwards, the team celebrated another victory at Zeke's Diner. Again. "Awesome moves out there. Cortez brothers crushed it." Vert said. "Yeah. You guys pulled out a big win today." Olivia said. "It was nothing." Sherman said. "Nothing? Sherm, quit being so modest. We saved the world today, using nothing but our supreme genius." Spinner said. "Yeah. I guess so." Sherman said. "Somebody order a Maximum Cheese Overdrive?" Grace asked as she came by with a pizza. "Yeah, that's ours, Grace." Olivia said. Grace handed the box to the Wheelers. They each took a slice and took a bite, enjoying the taste and flavor. "Oh, this pie is sweet." Vert said with his mouth full. "How does Zeke do it?" Olivia asked with her mouth full. "Okay, that is just disturbing. Nobody likes it when someone talks with their mouths full." Rayona said. Suddenly, Stanford received an alert on his phone. "Say, Stanford, is that a new cellphone?" Agura asked. "Huh? Oh, yeah. I just got it today." Stanford said. He looked at the message and got sad. "Oh, man. My great-great uncle Mortimer passed away." He said sadly. As Agura comforted him, she noticed another button on the phone. "What's that button do?" She asked as she pressed it. Just then, the Blue Danube Waltz started playing from the Reverb. "Remote control function." Stanford said, shutting it off. "Nice touch." Agura said.

Just then, the door opened, making the bell jingle. Everyone looked and saw a new sheriff walk in. He was around his late 20s. "Oh, great. Another sheriff." Horace groaned. "Never seen him around here before." Talia said. "I think he just joined the department." Zoom said. The new sheriff walked over to them. "Afternoon, kids." He greeted. "Hi. You're new here, aren't you?" Vert asked. "Yes, sir. Joel Crawford, at your service." Joel introduced. "I'm Vert Wheeler. This is my sister, Olivia, and these are our friends Agura, Stanford, Ivan, Sherman, Spinner, Zoom, Talia, Rayona and Horace." Vert introduced. "Glad to meet you all." Joel said. "Uh, you wouldn't happen to know Sheriff Johnson, do you?" Stanford asked. "Oh. Him. Yeah, I know him. And I don't like him." Joel said. "You don't?" Olivia asked. "No. He is full of nonsense and acts just like Karen." Joel said. "Who's Karen?" Horace asked. "Karen's a pejorative term of slang." Sherman said. "A lot of white girls use the slang to demand their own way for their white privilege." Olivia said. "The term's criticized as racist, sexist, ageist, classist and even seeking control of women's behavior." Sherman said.

Just then, the team's watches beeped. "Whatcha got there?" Joel asked. "Watches from Japan." Vert said as everyone started heading out. "Where are you guys going?" Grace asked. "We're needed back at the test track. We'll see you later, Grace." Olivia said. As everyone exited the diner, once the others entered their vehicles and drove off, Zoom pulled Vert and Olivia back to talk to them. "What's up, Zoom?" Vert asked. "Would it be trouble to ask if I could sit this one out for today?" Zoom asked. "Sit out? Why?" Olivia asked. "Well, there's this new ramen restaurant in town and…I wanna ask Grace to have dinner with me there tonight." Zoom said. Vert and Olivia looked at Grace through the window as she served Joel coffee. "Sure thing, Zoom. You can sit this one out." Vert said. "Yeah. You deserve it, buddy." Olivia said. "Thanks, guys. You're the best." Zoom said before walking back in.

Later, Vert and Olivia rejoined the team out on the Salt Flats and drove out towards the Stormshock. "Sage, TRINA, any intel about this zone we should know about?" Olivia asked, contacting Sage and TRINA through the vid-com. "My flash memory system has only given me and TRINA partial data about this zone. It was once a metal recycling zone." Sage explained. "A Junkyard Zone?" Vert asked. "Oh yeah. Large piles of scrap metal as far as the eye can see. A real graveyard for robots like me." TRINA said. "Junk? But I haven't taken my Techni's shot. What if I get Lockjaw and can't talk?" Spinner asked in worry. "We'll throw a party." Agura joked, making the others laugh. "Okay, crew. Stormshock time!" Vert exclaimed. They entered the Stormshock and drove through the portal.

The portal opened and Battle Force 10 appeared in the Junkyard Zone. "TRINA wasn't kidding. This place is loaded with scrap metal." Rayona said. "I'm picking up enemy reading. Come on. Let's find that Battle Key." Vert said. Sherman activated his scanner. "Um, I think I have a bearing on the Battle Key. But all the metal in here is distorting the signal. Looks like there's something…big near the key. And it's moving." He said. "Big? That doesn't sound good." Stanford said with worry. "Good or not, we're rolling." Olivia said. The team drove off towards the Battle Key's location.

Meanwhile, the Vandals, having already arrived at the Battle Key's location, were having trouble getting through a certain corridor filled with fire traps and closing walls. "Are you sure the Battle Key is through there?" Hatch asked as Krocomodo came hurrying back with his tail on fire. "We'll never get through those things! It's impossible!" Krocomodo cried as he tended to his poor tail. "Not impossible. We just need…math." Kalus said, thinking of a plan.

Meanwhile, the team continued towards the location. "We gotta make our way to the lower levels." Sherman said. Suddenly, there was a loud sound nearby. "You guys hear that?" Agura asked. "What is that?" Horace asked. Suddenly, something moved right over them. And then, the metal all around them started levitating. It was a giant magnet! "Everybody out! NOW!" Vert exclaimed. Everyone drove as fast as they could, avoiding the magnet and the metal it was collecting. But just then, the magnet came right over the Buster. "Sherman, Spinner, look out!" Olivia called. The magnet caught the Buster in its magnetic grip. But the Buster bounced off the other metal pieces and landed back on the ground. As the team drove away, the magnet dropped the metal into a compactor, crushing them into a cube. "A couple more seconds and we'd all be travel sized." Spinner said with relief. But suddenly, the team ran into a dead end. "Dead end. Give me a moment to calculate a detour." Sherman said. Unknown to them, the Vandals were waiting on a metal pile. "They wandered into our trap, Kalus." Sever said. "Remember, isolate the others, but lead the brothers to me." Kalus said through the radio. Just then, Sherman noticed something. There was a fresh cut on one of the metal pieces. "That's kinda strange." He said. "What is it?" Spinner asked. "Freshly cut metal. Like these wrecks were just moved here." Sherman said. "If they were moved here, then that could only mean…" Olivia said. "IT'S A TRAP!" Vert exclaimed.

The Vandals drove down the hill and prepared to attack. Stanford and Horace started shooting at them. Griz got caught in the crossfire. Agura stretched out the Tangler's front left tire and bashed Hatch. Krocomodo fired a harpoon and hit the Reverb, making Stanford gasp. Krocomodo chuckled evilly as he reeled his prey in. Stanford tried to drive away, but the Riptile's hold was too strong. "Well, if you can't beat them…join them." He said. He put the Reverb in reverse and drove towards the Riptile. Just then, he activated his boost jump, leaping over the Riptile and flipping it over by its own harpoon. "Vert, what do we do?" Olivia asked. "Fall back and regroup!" Vert exclaimed. The team drove off, but the Vandals pursued them. "Separate the brothers!" Raptor exclaimed. Sever chuckled evilly as they drove up to the Buster and boxed it between them. As the team turned, the Vandals turned the Buster down a separate path. Sherman gave a hard turn, spinning around and freeing the Buster from the Vandals as they drove off. As the Cortez brothers managed to stop and spotted Kalus parked on a bridge. "Vengeance shall now be mine!" Kalus exclaimed. "Let's turn this cat into kitty litter!" Spinner exclaimed. "Wait! If we regroup with the others, we can launch a flanking pincer attack." Sherman said. "That would take too long and Kalus will get the key first! Trust me on this. Let's just take him now!" Spinner exclaimed. "I hope you know what you're doing." Sherman said. He drove the Buster onto the bridge and right towards Kalus. "Take the bait." Kalus muttered as he drove his Fangore, leading the Buster into a chase. Just then, the Cortez brothers noticed a couple of chains that were attached from the Fangore to a couple of poles. They realized too late as the chains pulled the poles down onto the bridge, causing it to fall apart. "DRIVE, DRIVE, DRIVE!" Spinner shrieked. "That's the idea!" Sherman exclaimed.

As the bridge started falling apart right under the Buster's tires, Sherman noticed another bridge nearby and calculated another plan. "Use the hammer!" He exclaimed. Spinner fired a chain hammer and latched onto the bridge. And then the Buster swung itself over to another bridge. Spinner detached the chain and the Buster landed safely on the bridge. "Good news, we lost Captain Kalus. Bad news, we're exactly 10.2 clicks from where we left the team." Sherman informed. "Well, at least we're okay. We better find that Battle Key before Kalus does." Spinner said. "Let's hope he doesn't have it already." Sherman said.

Meanwhile, the team came to a stop as they noticed the Cortez brothers were gone. "The Cortez brothers are missing." Agura said. "We must've gotten separated when the Vandals attacked." Ivan said. "We better check in on them." Olivia said. Unknown to them, something was watching from the garbage pile nearby.

Meanwhile, the Buster was driving along towards the Battle Key's location. "Man, are we any closer to the Battle Key?" Spinner asked. "We are." Sherman said. "Really?" Spinner asked. "Yes. If my scan is right, I think we just found it." Sherman said. They had arrived at a scrap metal pyramid temple with 6 torches along the path. "Tracks leading into the pyramid. Looks like Kalus has a head start." Sherman said, scanning a set of tracks leading inside. "Radio for backup." Spinner tried calling the others, but all he got was static. "No go, bro. Radio's toast. Too much interference." He said. "If we want that Battle Key, we gotta GO!" Sherman said, putting the pedal to the metal. Unknown to them, Kalus was secretly behind them, chuckling sinisterly at his plan's progress. Just then, Sherman slammed on the brakes. "Hey! What's wrong?" Spinner asked. But then he saw that they had reached the same corridor the Vandals were just at. "Whoa! World's Biggest Barbeque! Only way we're coming out of that is well-done! Unless…do you think we can navigate through this thing?" He asked. "There's a pattern to the blasts. If I can figure it out, I think we can make it through." Sherman said. "So, what can you think of it, little bro?" Spinner asked. "The blasts are standard, based on prime numbers and their position." Sherman said, calculating the patterns of the blasts. "And does that mean…" Spinner started to ask. "Buckle up." Sherman said. He put the pedal to the metal and drove the Buster through the flame blasts and closing doors. Spinner had a blast. "Door closing in 2.53 seconds." Sherman calculated, stopping at a closing door. "Fire in 5.35 seconds. Crusher in 3, 2…" He continued to drive through the obstacles until they reached the end and parked on a button that shut down the obstacles. "Whoo! Yeah! The defense mechanisms are powered down!" He cheered. "Alright! Way to use that big brain, little bro!" Spinner cheered. But as they continued towards the Battle Key's location, Kalus followed them through the powerless obstacles. "I must remember to thank these creatures for clearing the path to victory…after I dine on their bones." He said sinisterly.

Meanwhile, the others tried calling Sherman and Spinner through their com-links. "Sherman? Spinner?" Vert called. "Buster, are you there?" Olivia asked. No answer. "Ugh! There's too much interference!" Olivia groaned. "I'm getting a faint signal from the Buster though. Let's get going." Vert said. But as the team began to drive off, something began pulling on the Reverb. "Guys? Something's got me!" Stanford exclaimed with worry. Everyone stopped and looked up as they saw another magnet magnetizing the Reverb. "Stanford!" Agura cried. The magnet dropped the Reverb into the compactor as it activated. "Oh, I can't believe I'm doing this again." Stanford whimpered as he closed his eyes and focused his mind, making the compactor suddenly stop working. "What's going on up there?" Rayona asked. "Maybe it's got a malfunction." Ivan guessed. "Lucky for Stanford then." Olivia said with relief. "I'll get him out." Agura said as she used the Tangler to climb up to the compactor. Stanford couldn't keep holding it back for much longer as his nose started to bleed again. Agura reached the compactor and pulled the Reverb out of it just in time. Stanford let go of the compactor out of exhaustion. "You alright, Stanford?" Agura asked as she set him down. "Yeah. Never…been better." Stanford said, trying to keep his exhaustion hidden while wiping off his nose bleed with a tissue. "Then let's go. We gotta find Sherman and Spinner." Vert said.

Just then, as the team began to drive off, something came out of the trash pile and ran out in front of them. "HIT THE BRAKES!" Talia shrieked. Everyone quickly slammed on their brakes and skidded to a stop. "Hello?" Talia called as she got out to investigate. Just then, there was a whimpering sound coming from in front of the vehicles. Talia walked up to the front and saw a puppy that was made out of scrap metal. "Aw, look at this, you guys. It's a little…Junkyard Puppy of some kind." She said, falling in love with the cute little creature. The Junkyard Puppy jumped up and pounced on her playfully. "Sage, you ever seen a creature like this…Junkyard Puppy before?" Vert asked through the com-link. "I'm afraid my memory contains no information on this creature. But it looks familiar for a reason." Sage said. "Wow. I have to admit, little thing is pretty cute." Olivia said, petting the little Junkyard Puppy. "Can we keep him?" Talia asked pleadingly. Vert felt unsure at first.

Meanwhile, the Buster had entered another room. But it looked like there wasn't anything in it. "Looks like we reached a dead end, Sherm." Spinner said. "The Battle Key!" Sherman exclaimed, spotting the Battle Key floating over a pile of scrap in the middle. "Once again, the Cortez brothers score another victory for Battle Force 10." Spinner said. He got out and headed towards the pile. "Spinner, I think we should wait until the others show up." Sherman objected. "Maybe. But for all we know, Kalus may be on his way as we speak." Spinner said as he started to climb to the top of the scrap pile, not noticing a light in the pile. As he reached the top, he reached for the Battle Key. "Almost…there!" He said as he struggled. "Be careful, bro!" Sherman called. Suddenly, the pile began to move. Spinner was lifted high enough to grab the key. But then he fell off the pile and lost it. "Why couldn't this be the Bouncy Castle Battle Zone?" He said as he rubbed his head from the hard landing. Sherman stared in shock at the way the scrap pile was moving. "Spinner, behind you!" He exclaimed. Spinner looked as a big Junkyard Dog emerged from the scrap pile, roaring in his face. He screamed at the sight of it before he fainted.

Meanwhile, back on Earth, Zoom and Grace were on their way to the new ramen restaurant for their first date. "Zoom, I have to admit. When you asked me out on this date, I was a little nervous." Grace said. "I have to admit, so was I when I asked you." Zoom said. Grace giggled at this. "But don't worry. This is gonna be the best date you've ever been on." Zoom assured. After a few minutes, they arrived at the restaurant. But suddenly, as they dismounted the Chopper, Zoom sensed someone. He closed his eyes and tried out a new power he recently learned. Aura sensing. He sensed the aura from a male Caucasian in his early 20s waiting on a motorcycle. He figured the man was stalking them. "Grace, could you wait inside the restaurant for me? I got something I need to do." He said. "Okay." Grace said before walking inside. Pretending not to notice the man, Zoom walked off. The man followed him to an alley. He drew a hunter's knife and prepared to attack. He ran into the alley, but to his shock, Zoom was gone. "Where'd he go?!" He asked in shock. Just then, something struck him on the back of the head and knocked him out. "Word of warning: Never sneak up on Muay Thai fighter." Zoom said, revealing himself.

Later, Zoom called Sheriff Joel and he waited as the new sheriff arrested the man. "Well, well, well. Zoom, you just helped me apprehend Johnny Palpatine. Department's been after this guy for a while." Joel said. "Really?" Zoom asked. "Yeah. He's been reported to have been stalking people for a couple of years. Stalking men and killing them. And stalking women and kidnapping them to 'pleasure him'. Looks like he's been eyeing Grace for a time before you showed up." Joel explained. "And Sheriff Johnson didn't have the brains to seek this guy out himself." Zoom guessed in disbelief. "Yeah. Luckily for you, I'm here to pick up the slack. Enjoy the rest of your date, Zoom." Joel said as he forced Johnny into his sheriff's car.

Later, Zoom returned to the ramen restaurant and found Grace at one of the tables. "Zoom, what happened?" Grace asked. "Stalker was following us. I led him into an alley and got the jump on him. The new sheriff had him arrested." Zoom explained. "A stalker? How'd you know he was following us?" Grace asked. "I sensed him. My time as a Muay Thai fighter makes me aware of my many surroundings." Zoom said. Grace just smiled as they were brought their menus and drinks.

Meanwhile, back in the Junkyard Zone, the giant Junkyard Dog growled at Spinner as he recovered. "Nice doggy. Good boy." Spinner said, trying to reason with the giant dog. "The Battle Key is mine, sub creature!" Kalus exclaimed as he came around and snatched the Battle Key. The Junkyard Dog, not happy about it, chased after him, giving Spinner the chance to hop back in the Buster. "What the heck is that thing?!" He exclaimed. "Must be another Guardian. Like the Man-Eating Plants back in the Wild Jungle Zone. And it wants the key back." Sherman said. "So do we. Turn around and intercept." Spinner said. Sherman turned the Buster around and drove towards Kalus and the Junkyard Dog. "Deploy the maces!" He exclaimed. Spinner pressed a button. But instead of the maces being deployed, a bomb was fired into the air. "Oh no! I accidently launched a flash bomb!" Spinner exclaimed with worry. "And at this close range…" Sherman started to say. The flash bomb went off and created a bright light, causing Sherman to crash. "Sherm! You okay?" Spinner asked in worry. "The flash charge blinded me." Sherman said, rubbing his eyes. As Kalus headed towards the exit, suddenly, it locked itself, trapping him inside. As he drove towards the Junkyard Dog, it bashed the Fangore and knocked the Battle Key loose. "The Battle Key!" Spinner exclaimed. Suddenly, their eyes started to glow cyan simultaneously. "Sherm, what's happening?" Spinner asked. "I'm not sure. But am I seeing…the back of my head?" Sherman asked, seeing the back of his head. "Wait. Are you…seeing what I'm seeing?" Spinner said. "Yeah. We're sharing your sight, big bro." Sherman said. "Then let's use this chance to get that key!" Spinner exclaimed.

Sherman drove the Buster towards the Battle Key. "Okay. You see where I see the key?" Spinner asked. "Seeing it and believing it." Sherman said as he snatched the key. "Great. Now let's find a way out of here." Spinner said. But the Junkyard Dog saw them snatch the key and started chasing them. Just then, the Cortez brothers saw another scrap pile in their way. "Hard left!" Spinner exclaimed. "Hang on!" Sherman exclaimed, forcing the Buster into a hard turn. But they ended up crashing into the pile. "Well, that didn't go as I planned." Spinner groaned. Just then, the Junkyard Dog ran towards them. "Firing the chains!" Spinner exclaimed, firing a chain hammer at the Junkyard Dog. But then, to their shock, it caught the chain in its mouth and tossed them onto the Buster's side. "We're sideways, aren't we?" Sherman asked. "And, as you can see through my eyes, in a whole heap of trouble. We gotta get out!" Spinner exclaimed as they exited the Buster. Sherman followed Spinner through their shared sight as the Junkyard Dog bashed the Buster. Just then, as the brothers took cover, Kalus passed them and snatched the key from Spinner. "Hey! That's ours!" Spinner exclaimed. But then the Guardian started chasing Kalus again. It grabbed the Fangore and tossed it so hard, it got wrecked as it landed. Kalus ran to join the Cortez brothers in their hiding place as the Junkyard Dog cornered them. "Yo, Kalus, what up?" Spinner greeted. "Perhaps if I throw you to the beast, it will give me time to make it to the door." Kalus said. "How about a different plan? Your ride's trashed, but you have the Battle Key." Spinner said. "So?" Kalus asked. "Well, our ride's still got a motor. We just don't have firepower, and you do." Spinner said. "Join you?! A Vandal warrior would consider total annihilation rather than endure such a dishonor." Kalus said. "Fine. Just remember, that thing hates you more than it hates us." Spinner said, gesturing to the angry Junkyard Dog in their way. "Uh, what do you sub creatures have in mind?" Kalus asked. "I think these guys might be able to help with that." Spinner said as his 5 slugs hopped onto his shoulder.

Meanwhile, the team was still getting to know their new Junkyard Puppy friend. "Look, I admit that the little Junker is pretty cute, but we still have to find the Cortez brothers and get the Battle Key." Vert said. "But I don't wanna leave the little guy alone, Vert. Can't we keep him?" Talia begged with puppy eyes. "It'd be a shame if we didn't. I can tell Talia would be very upset." Agura said. Vert looked at the pleading eyes of the team's Support Enforcer. "Alright. I know when I'm beat. I'll inform Sage and TRINA that we're bringing something extra back when we find Sherman and Spinner and the Battle Key." Vert said. "Thank you, Vert." Talia said. Just then, the Vandals drove up. "Attack!" Sever exclaimed. The Vandals drove towards the team. "Incoming!" Vert exclaimed. "Upsy daisy, Junky." Talia said, picking up her new pet as everyone rushed back to their vehicles. "Stanford, we'll handle the Vandals. Echolocate the twins and find the Battle Key." Vert said. "Copy that." Stanford said before driving off. Agura caught Hatch's Scarib with her Tangler's claws. Sever fired several shark teeth disks from his Water Slaughter, but Agura blocked them with the Scarib.

Meanwhile, the Cortez brothers and Kalus were about to put their plan into action. "You sure you're ready for this?" Spinner asked. "I'm always ready for battle." Kalus assured. "Okay, on my go from 3, 2-" Spinner started counting down. But Kalus charged right in. "1. Go." Spinner groaned. "I fear no beast!" Kalus exclaimed, getting the Junkyard Dog's attention. "Okay, bro, let's move!" Spinner exclaimed as he and Sherman ran for the Buster. As Kalus reached his Fangore, he tossed the Battle Key to the Buster. The Junkyard Dog followed it. "Alright, Bubbly, it's your time." Spinner said. Bubbly hopped into the Buster's cannon and Spinner fired her, spraying Foambaloo at the Junkyard Dog's feet, causing it to slip and crash into the wall. "Alright. Time to back it up." Sherman said, putting the Buster in reverse and backing up to Kalus. "Alright, Spinner, ready the ramp." Sherman said. Spinner activated the ramp as Kalus flipped over his Fangore. The Junkyard Dog recovered and went back after them. Kalus hooked the Fangore into the Buster's cannons. "Watch the paintjob!" Spinner exclaimed as the Junkyard Dog got closer. Sherman stepped on it and started driving away. Kalus fired one of his spears at the Junkyard dog, but it didn't even make a scratch. "Kalus, turret's up!" Spinner called, activating the Buster's turrets, spinning the Fangore and making Kalus dizzy. As the Junkyard Dog got close enough, biting the top of the Buster, the Fangore hit it in the head, making it let got. Kalus was nearly traumatized from this. "Kicking it into overdrive!" Sherman exclaimed, driving at high speed towards the exit door. "We're going to crash!" Kalus exclaimed. "Not us. Him!" Spinner exclaimed. The Buster veered away from the door, making the Junkyard Dog crash into it and break it down. "Good doggy! Good boy!" Spinner cheered as the Junkyard Dog slowly recovered.

But just then, as the Buster exited the pyramid, Kalus saw his chance. He took the key and leapt off the Fangore. "Now to conquer Earth." He said. "Hey!" Spinner exclaimed. But just then, the Junkyard Dog exited the pyramid and ran towards Kalus. "Stop that thing, Mini!" Spinner exclaimed as he loaded Mini into the cannon and fired her. Mini unloaded her bombs all over the bridge and set them off with her antennae. The blasts knocked the Junkyard Dog down and blew Kalus away, knocking the Battle Key out of his paw. "Alright, Swing, go get that key." Spinner said as he loaded Swing and fired his, snatching the key with his web. "Guys!" Stanford called as he and the rest of the team showed up. "Vert, Olivia, we got the Battle Key!" Sherman called. "Great work. Now let's get out of here." Vert said. The team headed back to the Stormshock as the Fangore unhooked from the Buster. "The Stormshock! We're home free!" Spinner cheered. Suddenly, he heard a cute barking sound over the com-link. "What was that?" He asked. "I picked up a new pet." Talia said as she drove up next to the Cortez brothers. Junky happily barked as he revealed himself. Spinner screamed at the sight of him. "That dog has…offspring?!" He asked in shock.

"Vandals! Stop them!" Kalus ordered, hitching a ride on the Water Slaughter as the Vandals regrouped and chased after the team. The Cortez brothers caught sight of them on their scanner. "We got go-tail riders!" Spinner called. "What're their coordinates?" Sherman asked. "23 degrees, 26-21 north." Spinner said. Just then, the Cortez brothers thought of the same idea. "Everyone, make a left and follow us!" Sherman exclaimed. The team turned left and drove up onto another path while the Vandals continued on the road. Just then, the magnet turned up over the Vandals and snagged their vehicles, forcing them to bail out. Kalus could only look on as their vehicles were destroyed in the compactor and Battle Force 10 returned to Earth. "Uh, Captain?" Hatch asked, gesturing to the Junkyard Dog as it found them. Kalus gasped and meowed like a kitten.

Later, the team joined Zoom and Grace at the ramen restaurant to celebrate their victory. "Cheers all around, guys." Vert said. "And great move with that magnet, Cortez brothers." Olivia said. "Thanks. It's what comes with being twin brothers." Spinner said. "So, you guys actually shared Spinner's sight while you were blinded, Sherman?" Zoom asked as Grace was refreshening their drinks. "Yeah. One minute, I was blinded by our flash bomb, and then the next, I started seeing everything Spinner could." Sherman explained. "Sounds like your Zodiac powers are slowly beginning to awaken." Horace said. "Speaking of which, how is your eyesight, Sherm?" Spinner asked. "Doing great. Came back an hour ago after we got back." Sherman said. "Howdy, kids." Sheriff Joel greeted as he entered. "Sheriff Joel, what a surprise." Vert said. "So, I hear down at the office that you kids run those fancy cars of yours at a practice track. Tell me all about it." Sheriff Joel said as he sat down. As Vert and Olivia started explaining, Grace walked up to Zoom and set down the team's drinks. "So, shall we go? Movie starts at 7." Zoom said. "Of course." Grace said. The 2 left the restaurant with their arms linked.

Later, Sherman decided to get some air after all that talking with Sheriff Joel. Just then, he heard a chittering noise coming from the alley where Zoom ambushed Johnny Palpatine. "Hello? Is someone there?" He called. Just then, 5 little slugs came out from under a box. Sherman gasped at this. He recognized these slugs from old drawings Vert and Olivia brought one time. There was a Hop Rock, a Grenuke, a Polero, a Thresher and a MakoBreaker. "Hey, little guys. How'd you like to come with me? I have some friends who'd really like to meet you." Sherman said as he knelt down and offered his arm. The slugs chittered happily and hopped up his arm. Sherman chuckled as he walked back to the restaurant.

Wow! Wasn't that magnificent? Sherman and Spinner put brotherly teamwork to the test as they got separated from the others in the Junkyard Zone. Meanwhile, Talia gets a new pet, a little Junkyard Puppy. And upon returning to Earth, Zoom and Grace begin a relationship, and Sherman discovered his own set of slugs. What else will Battle Force 10 go up against? Will Sherman and Spinner awaken their full Zodiac power after using their Sight Sharing power? Leave a review if you want.

And if you're a fan of Green Lantern or if you've ever seen the animated series, my friend B.E.A.T.N is doing a Green Lantern Animated Series rewrite. He has a poll for an OC's love interest. So, if anyone's interested, go to his profile and vote. You can vote up to 3 different choices. That's right. 3! If you're interested, go to B.E.A.T.N's profile and cast your 3 votes now.