Chapter 3
Prehistory in the re-making Part 3
"Hey Chomp! Wait up!" Max cried out holding his arm out as his close partner and the other 2 chibi dinosaurs continued rushing off along the forest trail, apparently eying something moving relatively quickly through the trees up above. As he charged ahead after the 3 little dinosaurs, the rest of the D team hurried after him trying their best to keep up.
"Ace slow down! You know we can't keep up with you!"
"Paris you too! Please slow down!" Zoe and Rex both called from behind as there legs were beginning to feel like jelly, having fun for so long they hadn't realised how deep into the woods they came.
Fortunately for them, Chomp, Ace and Paris soon came to a stop in front of a rather large tree as they stared up at its upper branches, allowing Max to finally reach his arms out and grab hold of the yellow triceratops! "Got ya!" he cried out catching his friend by surprise as he looked to Max's panting but relieved expression. It didn't take long for Rex and Zoe to take hold of their partners too.
"Huff huff….that was really bad Paris! What if you got lost!?" Zoe scolded as Paris lowered her head in shame.
"Zoe's right, that goes for all of you too." said Rex as Ace turned away unable to look at his partner in the eyes. He then sighed and shook his head as if he was dealing with a little kid himself, "Just what in the world got you all so riled up all a sud-" As he looked up to see what the dinosaurs were so excited about, he then paused as his eyes caught sight of something clinging onto the trunk of the tree not too far from the ground but still out of arm's reach. It was white and fluffy and no doubt alive and moving for sure as it quickly scurried over to a nearby branch and perched on it. "Hey guys take a look up there." Rex pointed out with interest as his friends soon followed.
"Is that a….bird?" Max questioned as he narrowed his eyes for a better look.
"Not like any I've seen before, that's for sure." Zoe added putting on her goggles and zooming in for a closer look, on closer examination she saw at the end of its small wings it also had a pair of tiny…hands? Also, it had a rather long and tuffed up tail and long antennae like feathers sticking out from its head, as it stared down on them from above and it began scratching an itch on its face apparently with its unusually clawed feet.
"Looks kinda scrawny too….wonder what species it is…." Max then thought to himself, though his train of thought came to a stop when he heard a voice call out of nowhere.
"Miku! Miku where are you?" The voice echoed through the woods as the D team and their dinosaurs looked around curiously for whom it belonged to.
"Huh?" They looked around and overheard some incoming footsteps and rustling in some bushes nearby. Wrestling her way out of them was a young girl about their age with long red hair, wearing a striped dress with and trainers. As she looked up the tree she then smiled.
"There you are, come down from there you silly girl." she said as the white 'bird' then leapt down and flapped her wings, slowing her fall gracefully before coming to a smooth landing on the girl's shoulder. "You shouldn't go running off like that, you had me worried sick and this is a really big forest after all….." she said rather concerned, petting the little bird's head with her finger as she then chirped in response and covered her face with a wing rather sheepishly.
Chirp chirp
"Oh it's fine no worries, just don't sneak off behind my back again next time okay?" the girl said once more before nothing that they weren't alone. "Hmm?" She blinked her eyes in surprise to see that there were 3 other kid with her, 2 boys and a girl, with pets it seemed to her. "Oh, hello there. Didn't notice you there." she said politely.
"Err…h…hi there." Max waved out rather awkwardly as Rex and Zoe simply smiled, "We didn't think there was anyone living all the way out here in the middle of nowhere….away from the town that is." he said.
"Yeah, I can understand that." the girl replied back as she looked around their surroundings and smiled, "Though there may not be much here at first, you'll get used to enjoying the fresh air and nature around you," she said taking in a breath of fresh air, "Away from the noise and stress of civilisation and immersing yourself in the way things used to be before being touched by the hands of people." she then added rather poetically to the surprise of the D team at how deep she was.
"That's another way of looking at it…." Rex thought in agreement, recalling back to a time before when loud construction work kept him and Ace awake all night once, an experience he hoped he wouldn't need to go through ever again.
Eying the girl's shoulder curiously, "Is this your….pet bird?" Zoe then asked pointing towards the white ball of fluff who narrowed her eyes at her.
"Pet?" The red head blinked at her words before eying her little friend before smiling and stroking her gently, as the bird rubbed into her finger, "I'd prefer to call her a companion actually, she and I are really close as long as I remember, so to call her a pet would be rather insulting wouldn't you think?" she replied.
"Actually….yeah, we kinda get how you feel." Zoe responded scratching her head sheepishly before looking down to Paris who looked up and barked at her curiously, "We'd never consider our….dogs as just pets, in fact, to us I'd say they're best friends any of us could have asked for." she said as her green partner began nuzzling into her leg rather affectionally while Max and Rex nodded with their partners by their side.
The girl then looked to them in confusion as soon as she heard what Zoe said, "D….Dogs?" She then looked to each of them, a small yellow one with 3 horns, a tall bipedal one with bull like horns and the last being green with a curved crest on the head. Their unusual appearance made her bring a hand to her chin in thought, "Strange…they don't look like any breed I know….no offence…." she said.
The D team nearly jumped at what she said before Rex spoke out to save their skins, "N…None taken, though they look a little….unique…..I'd say your bird there is rather different from other birds we've seen too." he said pointing to it again, changing the topic quickly.
"Haha, you make a good point there." the girl giggled before holding out her hand, "Whoops, forgot to introduce myself, my name is Cera." she said.
"Nice to meet you." said Zoe as Max and Rex nodded.
"And this is Miku." Cera gestured to her shoulder again showing her little avian friend who squawked and raised out her arms welcomingly.
"Miku huh? Aww what a cute name…." Zoe replied bringing her hands together finding her movements to be adorable.
"Thanks."
Max then grinned as he walked up to Miku and began wiggling his finger rather playfully, "Hey there little birdie, want a juicy little wo-" He then took it away quickly in time before the little ball of fluff suddenly snapped at it! A near miss and his finger tip barely feeling the needle like teeth graze against it!
SNAP
"Ah!" he gasped grabbing onto his finger with his hand before looking back and feeling at the little 'bird' having attempted to take his entire finger clean off! Even Zoe and Rex too were rather shocked.
"Whoa! I didn't expect that." Cera gasped in
"Yeah no kidding…." Max replied in agreement as the others decided to keep their distance for their own safety, there was no telling what this 'bird' was really capable of, "Is it really a bird though? I'm sure no bird alive today has teeth….not ones I know of…." he then thought suspiciously seeing it resembled a feathered dinosaur in a way….
"Bad girl Miku, that's no way to behave to visitors, now apologise." Cera scolded with a firm expression which made her friend sulk and cover her face behind a wing. "Sorry about that, she doesn't take kindly to strangers at first, but I'm sure she'll warm up to you." She apologised.
"Hehe let's hope so, wouldn't want to be anywhere on the pecking order now huh?" Max chuckled as everyone else then laughed in amusement. He then stepped out and held out a hand, to Cera this time.
"The name's Max, and this is my buddy Chomp!" he said gesturing to his friend who wagged his tail and jumped up and down rather energetically.
"I'm Rex and this here is my partner Ace." he said standing forward as his 'dog' panted joyfully while running around Cera, getting her scent and familiarising himself with her, to her tolerance since she could tell he was just curious.
"And last but not least, I'm Zoe." she said last while holding up her own partner, "And this here is Paris." She said as Paris let out a calm bark.
"Max, Rex, Zoe….I'll be sure to remember that, nice to meet you all." Cera responded to their introductions before a thought soon crossed her mind. "Why do they look so familiar though?" she thought before she stared at them unblinkingly, "Wait a minute…..it….can't be….." It didn't take long for her partner Miku to join her as well in surprise, much to the D team's unnerve.
"Ummm Cera was it?" said Rex uneasily having notice her unusual change on behaviour.
"Is…everything okay?" Zoe then asked feeling suspicious herself.
"Why are you staring like that all a sudden? It's….kinda creepy…." Max concluded taking a step back.
Nothing could prepare the 3 of them for what Cera was about unveil next, "I…It's you!" she exclaimed catching them all off guard.
"Huh!?"
"U….Us?"
"You 3 are the ones travelling all across the world chasing after dinosaurs aren't you!?" As soon as she uttered those words, the 3 kids' hearts skipped a beat simultaneously.
"E….EEEEEEEHHHHH!?" As they cried out their partners simply stared and blinked in confusion.
A little while later the D team found themselves at Cera's lodge further ahead at the forest clearing. Inside the dinosaurs played together in their corner as they always did, while also including Miku now into their little circle of friends as they welcomed them to play chase or even hide and seek with each other around the house.
Cera was showing the D team her extensive research into their activities over the past couple of months through the internet sites or news articles, and they had to admit, her research was almost as impressive as theirs' when it came to dinosaurs….
"So after cross referencing the many different sources I gathered and linking them altogether with the multiple appearances of the same dinosaurs, as well as checking out eye witness reports, that's how I pieced together your identities." she concluded at last much to their amazement, as they stared at her in surprise and disbelief.
"Wow….now that's what I call doing research…." Max whistled.
"Yeah no kidding….even I'm impressed by all this…." Rex admitted as he looked around all the sources gathered before them on the study desk and table.
After seeing enough Zoe then turned to Cera rather seriously, "Listen umm…Cera…." she started off uneasily before shaking her head and working up the courage to say what she needed to, "We'd really appreciate it, if you could keep this a secret from anyone else. If others were to learn about this….well…..I'd rather not think about it but it'll be really bad for us, the dinosaurs and those close to us too….." she said scratching the side of her head.
"Yeah, we don't want anyone else to get involved…for their sake and ours too…." Rex added, knowing that if their identities were to get out to the public, they'd have far more on their plates than they could possibly handle. Dealing with the alpha gang and beating them to dinosaurs was trouble enough, no way would they want any other outside parties to interfere or worse get involved with them outside of a mission, for it was anyone's guess what would happen then.
Max then nodded with his friends as the tension in the air rose and even the 4 dinosaurs stopped their playing and turned to their partners, instincts telling them something was definitely up even though they didn't quite understand human speech.
"….." Silence echoed through the entire house for several moments…..
Till Cera then smiled back lightly, "Of course, your secret is safe with me, I promise." she said before looking over to the 4 dinosaurs, filled with life and innocence in their eyes, "After all, I actually love dinosaurs too…..And I wouldn't want anything to happen to yours as well….." She said having an idea over the possible dangers they could face if news of their existence and identities were to reach the wrong ears….or what were to happen if they fell into the wrong hands.
"Phew what a relief." Rex breathed placing a hand to his chest letting out a sigh of relief, "You don't know how much that means to us."
"Yeah…." Max then nodded before folding his arms at the back of his head and pouted childishly, "It's quite a shame though, but it can't be helped. If word of this got out to the rest of the world, I'd be the most popular kid in class by now and I'd be signing autographs by now." he then stated snarkily as the others turned to him.
"Say what!?"
"You!?"
"Well duh," he snickered rubbing his nose, "I mean out of all of us it's clear I'm the one who beat the most dinosaurs, and not to mention Chomp's also a triceratops," the said gesturing to Chomp who tilted his head curiously, "He's the most famous of all herbivorous dinosaurs! He's pretty much a dino celebrity! It's no contest whom out of the 3 of us news reporters would pick as the best! Besides, all these photos and videos have gotten my best side." he boasted.
"Grr! Don't make me laugh!" Rex retorted feeling offended, "Ace and I would take that title from you by a storm! We'd run circles around you both like we did with the alpha gang and you'd be out before you can even move!"
"Oh yeah!? I'd love to see you try!" Max growled back as he and Rex glared at one another with a burning passion and sparking rivalry between them!
"Oi! Just because you 2 boys get most of the action doesn't mean you can leave me out of the picture!" Zoe cried out pouting and steaming her head off catching their attention, "I could be the center of attention on papers and magazines around the world if you guys didn't keep hogging the spotlight every time! In fact, I bet I could be quite the leading lady myself if I wanted to and you boys would be my personal menservants." she giggled striking a cute pose and wink, "Just admit it, you guys would be helpless without me backing the team!" she then laughed rather snobbishly.
"Yeah right, in your dreams Zoe." Rex scoffed.
"Rex does have a point there," stated Max shrugging his shoulders cheekily, "The minute some famous celebrity like that Deckham guy from team Euro shows up, you're pretty much out cold and on the sidelines, if anything we often have to pick up the slack for you." He said reminding her of the time they lost the altirhinus back in Brazil all because of her knocking herself out from excitement after seeing her dream star up close with her own eyes.
Hearing their remark caused a tick mark to appear on Zoe's forehead as she steamed angrily, "Oi! You take that back now! Or would you guys prefer to tussle!?" she yelled shaking a fist at them. As the 3 friends engaged in another one of their usual childish squabbles, Cera on the other hand stood where she was, apparently taken aback by their carefree behaviour, on how they saw their excursions in acquiring dinosaurs….she initially hoped that they would do so because they had a good cause….that they had a good reason for not only battling dinosaurs and causing collateral damage, but even using other dinosaurs to do it….many thoughts began to gather in her mind, as she then shook tensely and gritted her teeth.
"How could you…" she breathed which the D team soon picked up on as they turned to her.
"Huh?"
"What could you be thinking?" she hissed as bitter tears fell from her eyes, "You call yourselves dinosaur friends….yet you carelessly send them into battle and make them fight, and you even have the nerve to treat this as some sort of game!" she yelled as she began tensing up and the D team were taken heavily aback by her sudden behavioural change. "Guess I was kidding myself to think you'd be different from the alpha gang."
"H….Hey! Where did that come all of a sudden!?" Max widened his eyes as his friends too gasped in shock.
"How could you possibly compare us to the likes of those creeps!? We're nothing alike!" Rex cried.
"We fight because we're here to protect them from falling into their filthy hands! Otherwise they'll do all sorts of cruel things to them! It's unthinkable you'd even consider us the same as they are!" Zoe followed.
"Is that so?" Cera then replied, "On the surface you may see it like that, but what happens after you turn them back into cards? Do you just leave them trapped in there, ignoring their cries for help and they never to see the outside world again? Do your reasons really justify what you do to them? You force your partners to battle other dinosaurs and you don't consider their own safety either, what if something were to happen to them because of what you tell them to do?" As she said that the D team were soon at a loss for words, unable to respond back even though they wanted, "Not only that, the dinosaurs you fight to capture, you hurt them badly too just as much as the alpha gang does. The way I see it, opposite sides or not, you're all basically playing the same game in the end!" she yelled.
Her words hit like daggers on a bullseye and the D team couldn't find anything to retort back with, "B…But we….."
"You guys claim to be different but the similarities are all too apparent. Think you can prove me wrong? What do you have to say for yourselves?" Cera then continued before realising she may have gone too far now….as she turned around with her back facing them, having said enough, "I think you guys should leave now….." Was all she she could bring herself to say as she lowered her head and sighed, knowing she couldn't take back what she had uttered.
Realising they weren't welcome anymore, the D team gathered their partners before taking their leave. Who got the feeling it was time to go, after noticing their rather downhearted expressions and hearing the earlier outburst, as they instinctively went up to their respective owners.
"Come on Chomp, let's get out of here." said Max calling the young trike to follow him out, though he seemed to be rather sad to part ways with his new friend.
"You too Ace….Paris….let's not overstay our welcome…." added Rex as he and Zoe exited with their partners, who too carried rather sad expressions before they left the house. "Sorry for disturbing you…..but….hope you'll change your mind about us someday…." Were the last parting words Rex uttered as they rest of the D team parted ways with Cera…..as they closed the door behind them, leaving both her and Miku alone….again…..as she then made her way to her bedside to think about everything that just transpired, while Miku looked back and forth between the now closed door and her partner who apparently closed off her heart.
Meanwhile as the gang headed back onto the trail putting distance between themselves and the lodge, while still unable to shake off the words that Cera had left embedded within them…."I can't believe what just happened in there…."
"Neither can I…"
They didn't have much time to dwell or reflect back on what happened though, as suddenly they heard a beeping sound coming from their pockets and packs which caught their attention.
Beep Beep
"Huh?" As they all took out their dinoholders from their pockets they noticed they were glowing!
"A dinosaur? No way!" Gasped Max widening his eyes as Chomp, Ace and Paris gathered around their shocked owners.
"Where is it Max?" Zoe then asked curiously as her friend began to dial on it.
"Let's see here..." As he tapped on the screen and locked on to its signal he then brightened up with excitement, "Hey it's actually not too far from here!" He said with an energetic smile to his surprised friends who stared, "What luck! And here I thought this entire time we'd have to go straight back to the D lab!" he cheered and clapped his hands together happily and relief, the thought of another exciting adventure just around the corner felt like a great distraction that he could use to get his mind off what Cera said.
Rex and Zoe on the other hand weren't as enthusiastic however, in fact they both felt rather uncertain about themselves, as they went completely silent as their expressions soon turned be rather emotionless, "..."
Max then noticed his friend spacing out, this time having something serious on his mind which worried him somewhat, "What's up Rex? Anything up?" he asked as Zoe and the other dinosaurs looked up towards Owen, sharing Max's puzzled expression, usually he'd be as pumped up as they were.
"I don't know you guys..." He replied looking back at them, "It's just...from what Cera just said to us...what if she's right? What if we're really hurting dinosaurs and not saving them from the alpha gang? What if we really are no better than them ourselves?" He asked feeling rather guilty and uneasy.
Max's eyes widened, "Say what!?" He gasped while Zoe was also taken quite aback by surprise herself, "Come on Rex don't tell me you're actually buying into all that nonsense!? She just doesn't know what she's saying that's all!" He said rather spiritedly and firmly in his beliefs, before then clenching his fist before finally exploding out to his friends' surprise, "Just who does she think she is!?" he growled angrily unable to control himself any longer which made Chomp jump and Ace and Paris both cower behind Rex and Zoe, "Doesn't she know how hard we work to keep the dinosaurs safe and from hurting anyone else!? Especially from the alpha gang! If it wasn't for us who knows what kind of nasty experiments they'd be performing on them!" he hissed, "Yet she says we're no different from they are!? The nerve! She has no right to accuse us like that!"
"I don't know Max...maybe she's right in a way..." Added Zoe who soon mirrored Rex's expression of uncertainty.
Max widened his eyes in shock at Drake's response, "Huh!? Not you too Zoe!" he gasped even more in disbelief that his friends weren't backing him up on this.
"I mean if you look at it from her side of things we really kind of hurting the dinosaurs in a way." She said, "Sure the dinosaurs may be confused and feral being in an unfamiliar environment but...we do tend to put them through even harder times and fights before sealing them back into cards for who knows how long..…" She said feeling rather remorseful herself now putting Cera's words into careful consideration.
"In a way…..she isn't actually wrong….." said Rex having just put into careful thought, "Sure we may have good intentions to help others in need and to stop the dinosaurs from falling into the Alpha gang's filthy hands, but still….does it really justify us sending Chomp, Ace and Paris to fight on our behalf?" he asked before lowering his head and the others listening closely to him. As he continued, Ace seemed to rub himself along his leg instinctively sensing discomfort in his trusted partner and so he felt it best to comfort him…though to little avail as Rex looked down at him sadly, "Also, have we really considered how the dinosaurs themselves feel? Can we really blame them for acting the way they are? I mean, if you're yanked out of your home and time into a place you're completely unfamiliar with, being cut off from your own family friends too….that's really painful to think about too….."
"Also while we sit by and give them commands, Chomp, Ace and Paris are doing all the fighting for us, braving all kinds of danger too, because we put them in it as well...without even asking whether they want to or not..." Added Rex thinking about what Cera had said to them, her words having burnt into his memory, even his heart, no matter how hard he wanted to forget or deny it, "In the end, are we really that different from the alpha gang?" he then added as the 3 chibi dinosaurs looked around their masters curiously, unsure what to make of their conversation.
Max then was at a loss for words seeing no way to fight back that good point, "Oh...right...when you put it that way..." He muttered scratching his cheek. Thinking over everything they'd done thus far, every time they went to save a dinosaur from the alpha gang they rarely took into account that dinosaur's own feelings of fear or agitation. Instead they usually went into attacking it and maybe even hurting it further and even at times treated the cards they gathered like a collection for a game…..Not to mention during battles they tended to cause collateral damage themselves too, even if what they did was completely different, looking from another perspective would say otherwise….
Before he let the same insecurity get to him though, Chomp managed to get his attention with a nip on his leg helped wake him up and bring him back to his senses. Seeing his buddy's bright eyes and trust in him help reminded him of what really mattered, "Even if that is the case, we can't let that stop us from doing our job." he then said speaking up for the group as they then looked to him in surprise, "As far as I know, things will be far worse if we did nothing. No matter what others think I'll keep doing what I know is right!" he said out loud with confidence placing a fist to his chest, "The fact remains there's still a dinosaur on the loose and if we don't do something innocent people will get hurt for sure!" He said fired up while clenching his fist, "And what's worse, the alpha gang might get their hands on it and do all sorts of cruel experiments on it like some kind of lab rat! Sure maybe we may end up fighting them and sealing them into cards for who knows how long, but that can't be worse than what those creeps would do right?" he then asked looking to his friends as they eyed him back unsurely.
"I guess so...but..."
Max then placed a hand in Rex's shoulder comforting him, "Hey don't worry about it buddy," he said with a smile, "I'm sure Cera will understand, but for now we'll just have to keep doing what what's right and that's protecting both the dinosaurs and people."
Seeing his point of view made Zoe feel more sure if herself as she wiped away any doubts she had in herself, "You know what? Max is right Rex," she said to him as he turned to her surprised.
"Huh?"
"Things will get a whole lot worse if we do nothing and sit idly by," She said supporting Max's point of view, "And besides no one can stay angry forever, I'm sure Cera will come around eventually, we'll just have to hope she'll see it our way when that time comes." She concluded feeling assured as Rex eyed her firm expression along with the assurance of their partner dinosaurs too before finally facing Max.
"So what do you say Rex?" Asked Max once more hoping for his friend's support. "You in?"
Looking at his friends' encouraging faces as well as their determination, Rex then smiled back at them in response with confidence and feeling assured, "Heh, you know I was actually thinking the same thing." said Rex as Ace came in to nuzzle up to him and Rex returned by petting him gently on the head. "If we hadn't met our partners, they probably would be still trapped in cards all alone with no one they can trust in this modern world…..or worse…."
"Cera may think we're putting them in danger, and maybe we are…." replied Max before shaking his head and putting on a more confident expression, "But at least we believe in them and we're willing to support them every step of the way like they'd do for us, and if we hadn't met them we wouldn't have had all those fun adventures, seen so many sights or had the chance to meet all sorts of people too." he said enthusiastically.
"Yeah that's actually true…." Zoe replied in agreement, thinking back to when they explored the Amazon rainforest, made their way across Paris, meeting friends such as in Scotland or in Augusta and helping them out too….bit more importantly for her she got to meet her all time favourite sports celebrity and even got the chance to experience being a princess in palace….despite it not working out for her in the end…..
"That's just like you Max, guess it was silly of me to think you'd lose your convictions that easily." Rex chuckled.
"Hehe, you know me better than anyone else Rex." his spiky hair friend grinned while rubbing his nose.
"You may be hard headed sometimes, but that part of you is still something to be admired….tee hee." Zoe chuckled as he then turned red and shouted out.
"What's that supposed to mean!? How about I show you hard headed huh!?" he then growled as everyone, even their own dinosaurs burst out into joyful laughter as everything went back the way they should be, while learning something important themselves too.
"Ahahahah!"
"Whether it's right or wrong if there's a dinosaur in need of help there's no one else who'd do it but us." Rex then spoke out feeling assured of himself now, "Now come on guys, let's go rescue that dinosaur!" he called out.
"Awesome!" Max and Zoe cheered as their Dinos began chirping with excitement for adventure.
"Okay guys, let's go get that dinosaur!" Max cheered raising his fist to the sky as the others cheered with him.
"Alright!"
Rex then eyed the rest of his friends and smiled, "Max is right, I can't let what others say put me down, we still have a responsibility to the dinosaurs...our friends..." He thought before his smile vanished, "Still...why do I have the feeling this can't be a coincidence..." he thought to himself as he followed his friends along the trail up the hill to where the signal was.
(Meanwhile)
Back at the lodge, Cera hung her head outside the window, resting it on her arm while overlooking the lake in front of their home. As she stared into space, her thoughts spiralling chaotically and uncontrollably, feeling rather unsure about herself over what she said to the D team earlier. While she had voiced out her honest opinions she herself couldn't help but feel rather guilty about what she said to them, while being controlled by her own emotions. She was so lost in thought she hadn't noticed Miku had hopped up onto the window side till she was right next to her close friend and nuzzled at her, making her turn.
"Are you alright?" she chirped with a rather concerned expression as Cera simply sighed back in response.
"I don't know Miku….." she replied not facing her, "I just…..I just had to get that off my chest…..all their talk about battling dinosaurs and treating them as mere trading cards….it just….infuriated me….and I….I…." she breathed as she fell even more downcast than before.
"I know how you feel," the little dino bird replied to her before narrowing her eyes, "But still, what you said to those kids wasn't very nice. You didn't even listen to their side of the story."
"I know that now Miku!" Cera suddenly yelled glaring at her, which made the little micro raptor squawk in shock as she leapt in surprise before flapping her wings to slow down her fall, as she landed on the floor safely. Cera covered her mouth, "Sorry!" she gasped before lowering her head and Miku looked back with compassion, "I honestly feel terrible now….But still….."
As Cera fell into an even more depressed state than before, Miku hardened her gaze knowing she couldn't let her partner stay this way. She then hopped up towards her and spoke up firmly, "You know something Cera? While I was talking over with their dinosaurs, I heard something rather intriguing." As she said so with authority, her human partner couldn't help but look back at her too. "Believe it or not, when I spoke to each of them, about who they felt being with their human partners, they each said the same thing to me."
"And….what did they say?" Cera asked.
Miku smiled, "They said, they love their partners more than anything and anyone else in the world." she said which absolutely stunned her partner as she widened her eyes in surprise, as if this news was simply revelational to her.
"Wh….What?"
"It's true, I was surprised to hear them say that myself. That they liked them, and wanted to be with them." Miku added jumping up and flapping her arms before coming back down smoothly. As she did she spoke a little more firmly and seriously, "But as I listened in more to what they had to say, I became more convinced and understanding of their point of view." she continued, "They don't just stay together, they live together. Communicate, help and protect one another, taking each other to new heights where either one of them couldn't, not jut between their respective partners but even with each other too. Through this special bond of friendship, they bring forth new possibilities for both sides and therefore they all shine brightly in a no doubt spectacular future to come. Sure they also have their share of ups and downs now and then too, but then again, what sort of relationship doesn't have any downs, it'd be pretty boring now right?" As she said so Cera said nothing back but listened, "I know you may not agree with me, but sometimes you've just got to take the good with the bad. When they fought other dinosaurs, they didn't just fight blindly, they fought with the intention to protect people, their partners from harm and even the dinosaurs too." she said, "On top of that, each day of their life they lived they had all sorts of adventures with one another, enriching each others' lives and helping others in need too. If you ask me, I'd say there can be no wrong coming from the lives they live right now." The little raptor continued before scratching her head, "Though my memories may seem a bit fuzzy, I seem to recall….us….having such times too before….when I look at them, I can only see….us…."
Cera opened her mouth with surprise, but as she gave it clearer thought she soon began to remember, at the back of her foggy mind that even she and Miku too had a bond of friendship of their very own, though she couldn't recall what memories they had together she did at least know for a fact that they were real and fruitful experiences, and not just partners who they trusted watched each others backs but they were also the closest of friends as well.
"If you ask me, I'd say you owe them an apology," added Miku at the end as she paced back and forth across the balcony before eying her partner carefully and looking at her with a trustful expression, "But in the end it's your choice what you want to do, but whichever side you choose I'll support you, because I'm your irreplaceable friend." she said with a smile as Cera took a step back and began to process everything she heard and learnt from the little dinosaur.
"Miku….." As she took a breath and cleared her mind she then nodded dimly what she had, no, must do, "I was wrong….I shouldn't have judged them based on their actions alone, but also their intentions behind them….maybe I had them all wrong the whole time….I….I have to make this right." she said admittedly.
Upon hearing her, the little micro raptor brightened up, "That's my girl. You'd better hurry off before it's too late, otherwise you'll never be able to take it back." she said with assurance as Cera nodded back at her. Before she could make a move though, she suddenly heard a beeping sound coming from her table inside the lodge.
BEEP BEEP
"Huh?" Her ears perked and she and Miku looked towards the table to see her device was flashing red suspiciously. "The dinoshot's glowing…." Mike voiced out as Cera scooped her up wit her hand and placed her onto her shoulder gently as the 2 of them made their way towards it.
As she picked it up and narrowed her eyes closely, "I know this signal…." she breathed feeling it to be strangely familiar, and so did Miku….
"It means there's a….dinosaur nearby?" They looked to one another with concern, "Is that a good thing?"
"Wish I knew the answer to that." Cera replied looking back at it. It was true, a insofar activated from a card can be unpredictable, having been awoken in a world unfamiliar to their own, they'd be hungry, disorientated, stressed and confused like any wild animal, and like any cornered animal they can act viciously and cause all sorts of damage to their surroundings and people. Because of this it also meant they'd endanger themselves by causing people to fight back too…..understandable because there would be fear and agitation on both sides, and yet she also knew fighting couldn't be the answer….but it was usually the only one available…..
After clearing her head by shaking it she narrowed her eyes firmly, "In any case, we should go check it out, maybe these dinosaurs also have something to do with us being here." she said.
"And, we ought to make sure those kids are alright too." her partner chirped next to her as she looked back.
"Guess you're right Miku…." Cera replied in agreement picking up the dinoshot and hurrying towards the front door, "While we're at it, we might as well apologise to them while we have the chance."
"Glad you're in the same boat as I am partner." Miku chirped as they ran out the door and hurried up the trail from their lodge to the hills higher up behind them. As they hurried along, Cera began to think to herself more carefully, as she thought to herself…if the D team's dinosaurs were happy and no doubt trusted their owners that much….. at least they can't be as bad as she first thought…..
(Meanwhile)
A while later the D team went tracking through the woods further upstream from the lodge below. It was a long walk for the 3 kids, especially since they had to stop every few minutes to keep their partners from running off the trail every time they picked up a new scent or noticed a butterfly flying by. Though they were at least making great progress in the long run as the signal became stronger and stronger with each step, as they nearly made it to a clearing ahead of them.
"We should be getting close by now, the dinosaur should be around here somewhere..." Muttered Max reading the dinoholder as they entered a nearby forest glade. The area was covered by several dense trees and underbrush, as well as being surrounded by a series of rugged cliff sides and a nearby waterfall which lead down to the lake where the log cabin was.
As Rex calmly observed the scenery and nothing how encompassing the glade and cliff side was he knew something was up, "Wait guys, something's not right." He said making a stop and holding his arms out, holding both Max and Zoey back where they were as they soon took notice of his suspicious behaviour.
"Huh?"
"What do you mean?" They asked him curiously as they looked to him. Soon after that their 3 dinosaurs gained rather agitated expressions and became on high alert as if they could sense something was close.
"Call me crazy if you want, but I almost get the feeling that we've just walked right in it a-" before Rex could finish his sentence a sudden familiar roar echoed through the forest as several birds so flew out of the treetops in a frenzy! Charging out of the woods, knocking several trees in his path and roaring at the top of his lungs was a ferocious red tyrannosaurus which glared at them with menacing green eyes!
"Trap!" Rex gasped in alarm finishing his sentence as both Max and Zoe gasped at the sight of the T. rex charging at them before they all leapt out of its way! Before they had a chance to recover, suddenly exploding out of the waterfall was a purple and bluish spinosaurus which snarled aggressively as he leapt into the ground! Then bursting out of the cliff side was a spiky purple saichania which screeched as she entered the scene!
The D team quickly regrouped took several steps back in surprise as well as recognising the 3 dinosaurs before them, "Terry, Tank and Spiny!?" Gasped Zoe in surprise.
Max then narrowed his eyes and grit his teeth, "Then that means..."
"Ahahaha! It's about time you 3 brats came, we were beginning to think you wouldn't show." A familiar voice called out to them. As they all looked up above them they came face to face with the alpha gang trio up above on a cliff side staring down at them smugly.
"Don't you know it's rude to be late to a party?" stated Zander.
"Yeah, especially since it's about to become our victory party! And you're the guests of honour!" Ed cheered.
"Hope you enjoyed the little surprise he cooked up just for you, because soon you're about to be extinct!" Laughed Ursula mockingly as she and her 2 friends grinned and smirked seeing the D team fell right into their trap!
They then narrowed their eyes and grit their teeth in frustration, "Not you again Old lady!" The D team said together angrily.
As usual Ursula flushed a deep red before steam erupted from her ears, "Grrrgh! How many times do I have to say it before you get it into your puny skulls and even punier brains!? I am not an old lady!" She screeched which required Zander and Ed to hold and calm her down.
"Calm down Ursula!"
"Don't let her get to you! We have them right where we want them remember?"
"Oh?" She blinked before snickering sinisterly, "Ehehehe, that's right I almost forgot." she added as Rex's fears were confirmed.
"So this was a trap after all..." he stated as he looked around the encompassing cliffs and glade, not to mention the alpha gang trio was there now.
"Ohoho! You catch on pretty quick." Chuckled Ursula in amusement, "It's too bad for you that this is going to be the last time we meet like this."
"Because of you little troublemakers getting in our way and foiling us so many times, Dr Z's been on our backs for days!" Shouted Zander in annoyance pointing out to the 3 kids.
"But now all that will be a thing of the past, and you know why?" Concluded Ed smugly folding his arms.
Ursula then grinned, "Hehe, because once we give him the good news that we took care of you little twerps once and for all and present him with your dinosaurs, he'll be rewarding us for life!" She laughed, "So why not just making it easy for all of us here, well mostly for you, and just hand them over like good little children and maybe we might just forget about all those times you humiliated us and let you go aback to your little lives as if nothing happened." She said as their 3 dinosaurs growled and snarled menacingly to the D team.
"You must be crazy!" Yelled Max furiously shaking his fist.
"You can just forget it you creeps!" Followed Zoe at their outrageous demand.
"You'll never get your filthy hands our friends, not now, not ever!" Concluded Rex feeling more determined than ever.
"Hey that's not very nice, I make sure to wash my hands at least 5 times a day..." Muttered Zander feeling offended.
"And I wear gloves, so my hands are usually clean..." Followed Ed.
Ursula however then smirked as though she had been expecting this, and in fact counted on it! "Fine guess it's the hard way then….heh, to be honest I was hoping you'd say that," she grinned while folding her arms smugly, "Now I can really pay you twerps back a hundredfold for everything you did!" Looking down to their dinosaurs, "Terry! Tank! Spiny! You heard what they said, give them the thrashing of a lifetime!" She commanded as their dinosaurs roared and charged forward!
As their enemies closed in, Max narrowed his eyes, "Grr, we've got no choice now..." He then turned to his teammates, "You guys ready?"
They nodded in response and with confidence, "You got it!"
"You didn't need to ask in the first place."
"Alright here we go!" They said as they returned their partner dinosaurs to their cards and prepared to slash them.
"Dino slash!" They all called out slashing their cards on their dinoholders!
"Go triceratops! Roar!"
"Carnotaurus! Blow them away!"
"Spring up parasaurolophus!" One by one their dinosaurs appeared in full size, as the sky turned multi colored with the battlefield. The 6 dinosaurs roared at one another before charging ahead into battle!
(Meanwhile)
"We've been walking for quite some time now Miku….." breathed Cera panting feeling tired after climbing up for some time. As she looked around she could see they had gotten pretty far up hill but still no signs of getting any closer to their goal….though at least they knew they were on the right track as they looked on the path ahead of them to see multiple shoe prints and dino footprints along them.
"Good thing the trail's pretty muddy now, otherwise we'd never be able to find their footprints all this way…." Miku chirped looking ahead to see they still had quite a ways to go, and no doubt a dinosaur was also waiting for them ahead. Before they could take another step however, the sky suddenly turned multicoloured to their surprise as they looked up and widened their eyes!
"Huh!?"
"Wh…what's going on?" Cera gasped as she looked around to see their surroundings, the trail and the trees had also turned purplish, soon followed by the sounds of roars in the distance, "I don't like the looks of this…." She then widened her eyes upon remembering something, "Wait….I know this…." Her expression was mirrored with Miku as they looked to one another in alarm.
"There's a battle going on!" They each gasped.
"Miku! We'll have to hurry now!" She cried out as Miku nodded, clinging onto her shoulder tightly as Cera went in full throttle towards the battlefield!
(Meanwhile)
As the 3 dinosaurs on each opposing side faced off and starred one another down, their partners too were getting prepared for the battle that was soon about to be waged between them, "If you creeps think you're getting our dinosaurs without a fight you've got another thing coming!" Shouted Max defiantly shaking his fist at the A Trio up ahead who had just came down to the lower levels of the ledge for a front row view.
"Hehe, that's just the way we like it." Chuckled Ursula before giving out her next order, "Go get them!" She shouted as their dinosaurs charged forward towards the D team who retaliated!
Terry bared his flags and latched on to one of Chomp's horns, each tried to pull the other away until finally breaking loose. Chomp them charged forward and managed to swing his head to the side and knocking Terry off balance before stomping on his underside! "Awesome chomp! Keep it up!" Cheered Max excitedly.
Meanwhile Spiny lunged forward and tried to snap at Paris' neck but she dodged it just in time! As he came in close range she then let out a loud sound from her crest which disorientated the spinosaurus at close range before charging forward and knocking him over! "You're doing great Paris!" praised Zoe as Paris cried out pleased.
On another side Ace easily jumped out of the way of Tank's tail several times before circling spring to the side and flipping her on to their back and jumping on her repeatedly like he did with an ankylosaurus a while back! "Awesome work Ace! You've got her now!" Rex pumped up.
The A team on the other hand weren't as pleased with the way the tide shifted in the way of their enemies, "Ursula...things aren't looking good for us you know..." Muttered Zander with a frown.
"Yeah at this rate they're about to trounce again for the umpteenth time..." Added Ed feeling nervous and disappointed, "I'm starting getting the heepie jeepies over what Dr Z will do to us when we get home empty handed….." he then shuddered.
"Relax you clowns, that's what we want them to think." Replied Ursula smirking to herself as the others looked to her in confusion. "Besides, it's all part of the plan remember?" She narrowed her eyes seriously.
The 2 men were still clueless to what she meant, but soon their eyes then widened in surprise remembering their secret weapon lying in wait, "Oh yeah...Heheheh..." They then grinned rather maliciously and rubbed their hands eagerly, while waiting for the right moment.
As the battle raged on the tide shifted in favour of the d team. While Max and Zoe were enjoying themselves oblivious to the Alpha gang's plan, Rex on the other hand had his suspicions, "They're making this almost too easy...what's really going on here?" He thought to himself as Zoe called out.
"Okay Paris, time to wrap this up!" She said as she ejected a move card from her dinoholder, "Stomping hammer!" She called out as she slashed the move card!
As Paris flooded green and she glowed preparing to charge forth, Ursula saw that as the signal they had been waiting for, "Alright playtime's over! Zander now!" she shouted to him.
"On it! Activating Confusion machine!" He cried out pressing a button on his alpha scanner, causing a reddish machine to erupt out from the ground near the bushes! It then unfolded into a kind of satellite dish shape to the surprise of Zoe and Paris!
"Wh...what's that!?" Zoe gasped, she soon got her answer as the device emitted a loud sound from its satellite dish causing Paris to shake her head and cry in pain! It also caused her to lose her senses and made her unable to think or see clearly as she roared and thrashed about uncontrollably, slamming herself into nearby rock walls and trees in a frenzy! "Oh no Paris!" She gasped in shock.
"What the!?" Max looked around and saw what was taking place, "Zoe!" He then cried in shock as Chomp turned his head around, halting his attack while still on top of Terry, who then kicked him off before standing up again and roaring furiously!
"I knew it!" grunted Rex realising it was a trap as he expected.
"Paris snap out of it now!" Zoe begged but her words couldn't reach her panicked dinosaur who was still under influenced of the confusion machine as she charged ahead and slammed into a rock wall causing her to shake her head dizzily!
"Now's your chance Spiny! Get in there and finish her off!" Yelled Zander as the grass dinosaur's daze gave Spiny an opportunity to get back on his feet, he charged in and grabbed her neck with his teeth and threw her straight into a tree as it crashed down on her!
"No!" Cried Zoe in response as Spiny went over to her helpless partner and stomped on her repeatedly, each one causing her to cry out in pain!
"Get in there Ace! Help her out!" Rex called out causing the carnotaurus to disengage from the upside down saichania turn his attention to the parasaurolophus in danger!
"Oh no you don't," muttered Ursula in annoyance before turning to Ed, "Ed, that's your cue." She said next.
"On the double! Go paralysis machine!" He then pressed another button which made a similar looking device appear from a pile of rocks and shooting an electrical laser which hit its mark and caused Ace to stumble and fall to the ground as his entire body began to numb and freeze up!
"Ace!" Rex cried next.
"That ought to slow him down and make him easier to hit." Said Ursula pleased as her underlings snickered.
"Hehe, 2 down one to go!" Cheered Zander in excitement.
Max then clenched his fist and widened his eyes in anger, "Grggh why you..." He knew they were cheats but to stoop to something this low is far beyond crossing the line to him. He then saw Terry standing in Chomp's way so he knew what he had to do first. "Chomp, we'll have to take out Terry first before we can help the others! Get ready!" He called out as his partner responded with a battle cry! His dinoholder ejected a move card as he began to slash it! "Go! Lightning strike!" The yellow charging electricity in his horns before firing it straight at Terry!
"Uh uh uuuuh, can't have any of that can we?" Stated Ursula wagging a finger playfully before pressing another button on her alpha scanner, "Activating electric generator!" A new device erupted from the mountainside cliff as a more circular dish, which immediately drew in the Lightning attack and nullifying it! After that Terry charged forward and snapped his jaws on Chomp by the frill before throwing him across the forest floor like a rag doll!
"Ah! No!" Cried max in horror.
"Hahaha! How do you like that!? Now none of your little attacks will ever come close to even touching Terry!" Mocked Ursula as she made a face and stuck out her tongue at the disorientated D team!
"Grr you creeps don't fight fair!" Shouted Zoe as she and her friends bared expressions of animosity towards their old enemies.
"Hehehe, did it really take you that long to figure it out?" Chuckled Zander in response, "Guess you brats really are kids."
Ed then smirked, "You'll never learn will you?"
"You'll never get away with this you hear!" Yelled Rex angrily shaking his fist.
"Ahahaha! I just love it when you little tykes get mad and shout empty threats." Chuckled Ursula before looking to her teammates, "Well team, let's finish this off nice and easy, or should I say mean and nasty!"
"Tail smash!" Called out Zander slashing the card, as Spiny swung his tail 3 times at Paris' dizzy head before knocking her over!
"Dino swing!" Called Ed next as Tank flipped herself up and began charging at a limping Ace, struggling to move before being grabbed by the tail, spun around and swung into the mountain wall!
"Neck crusher!" Called Ursula finally as Terry charged ahead, tossed Chomp up and smashed at his neck with his tail into some trees!
"No!"
"Paris are you okay!?"
"Hang in there Ace!" The D team cried out as their partners' energy began hitting critical levels!
"Ahahaha! This is it! I can almost feel it...the sweet sensation of revenge and victory..." Laughed Ursula enjoying herself at every second of it.
"They say it's usually a dish best served cold, but I say we've waited long enough for this moment!" Added Ed.
"Now then, finish them off once and for all!" Said Zander last as their 3 dinosaurs charged straight at the disoriented D team!
As they closed in Max sweated and narrowed his eyes, unsure of what to do and frustrated at being so helpless. "No...this can't be it..." He thought to himself as their enemies charged towards their dinosaurs ready to deliver what would be the final blow…..
(Nearby)
Unbeknownst to everyone in the vicinity, Miku and Cera were both watching the battle from a safe distance behind a rather thick grove of trees which lay above where the battle was taking place on a higher ledge. As they looked on to see the destruction and pain unfolding before them, they could only stare in horror hearing the painful cries and even specks of drawn blood spewing across the landscape in different places, or even dripping from freshly made wounds made by one another, all because of the people who made them fight one another…..
Cera covered her mouth sickened and heartbroken, "This….this is horrible…." she breathed as Miku narrowed her eyes seriously.
"I know what you mean." she replied solemnly before eying the battle more closely and noticing something she had to let her partner know, "But do you see now Cera? Take a closer look, do you see what I see?" As Cera looked her eyes widened to see each of the D team crying out with concern and care for their own partner dinosaurs, who not only fought for them but were also their irreplaceable partners and friends….In contrast to the Alpha gang who forced their dinosaurs to fight and had little to no emotional bond between them, the D team each had a unique but strong connection with their partners….on a level almost unimaginable for a human and a dinosaur….in fact….she had to admit that connection was the same as her own.
As she closed her eyes in thought then opened them firmly, "I….I get it now…." she said standing up and hardening her expression knowing what she had to do, "I can't just stand back and not do anything….I've got to help somehow!" she said firmly before gritting her teeth with frustration feeling helpless, "But….how?" As she asked herself that and thought carefully, considering she was still a person and Miku a minuscule dinosaur….there's no way either of them could do anything in their current state….and they had no weapons either…or did they?
She then recalled a certain device she brought with her, "Wait….maybe my dinoshot…." she then plucked the gun shaped device from her belt and eyed it carefully, "I remember now…..how to use this….."
Mike nodded too with confidence having remembered what it did too, "Mhmm, yes I'm certain when you use it in the other direction I'll become strong enough to fight!" she squawked flaring her feathered arms.
As she said that, Cera heard the ground shaking through the foot stomps from the massive dinosaurs below, as well as their loud roaring which made her feel a bit uneasy as she eyed her partner who sat comfortably on her shoulder. "Are you sure you want to do this Miku?" she asked with concern, "Those guys are much bigger than you are….With just one stomp they'd crush you into a pancake….What if…What if you get hurt or worse?"
"I'm fully aware of the risks Cera," Miku responded understandingly before narrowing them with conviction down at the battlefield, "But if we don't do this then they're all done for." She replied closing her eyes, "Even if we dislike fighting, we can't keep running and avoiding battles forever. At some point we'll have too take a stand and fight ourselves, it was unavoidable form the start." She then turned to Cera who stared back, "And besides, it's better to be now than later right? Also, though my memory's still a little fuzzy, you're pretty good at using it yourself, I'm sure you do too."
Hearing her partner's willing choice Cera finally accepted, "I understand…." she breathed now feeling assured of herself too as Miku flared up her wings and feathers ready for battle!
"If that's the case then I'm with you every step of the way."
Cera nodded, "Let's do this!" she called out as she pressed a button on her dinoshot, causing Miku to change into a form of shining rainbow light before returning to her hand in the firm of a similar sized card! "Alright then, here goes." She thought to herself as a latch opened on her dinoshot, "Dino slash!" She called out slashing the card across causing bright light to erupt from he device! "Microraptor! Shine!"
As the light died down, a white micro raptor, no bigger than a falcon stood in front of her, shaking herself as if she was just waking up. Each of her four limbs, having the taloned fingers/toes on each was heavily feathered in white feathers, with smaller feathers that nearly resembled fur covering the rest of her skin, and a set of long twin-tail like feathers sticking up from her head. The tail, which made up half her body's length, had a small batch of regular feathers on the tip that would aid in movement while airborne. She also had a small tuff of feathers that resembled hair on her reptilian head and she let out a small yawn that showed off its small, yet sharp teeth.
"You ready for this Miku?" Cera asked as her partner then looked at her with beady yellow eyes, and nodded firmly, "Alright, now go get em Miku." The young raptor cried out as she took off from the ledge and landing gracefully into the treetops below right where the red tyrannosaurus was closing in on the now wounded triceratops. Observing her surroundings and seeing the suspicious devices planted around the area, Cera knew exactly what she could do next, "Now it's time to even the odds…." She thought firmly as she leapt down rather skilfully off the rocky ledge she stood before sliding down and heading towards the battlefield from the sidelines!
And thus concludes chapter 3 hope you enjoyed it, also hope I got the characters right too. Sorry it took so long, had a lot of things going on for me nowadays.
This chapter also features the alpha super moves, though more like alpha machines, used in the arcade and DS games, considering they have very sneaky effects and that the Alpha gang don't play fair. As featured here shows the D team's first meeting with Cera and Miku, and now despite what she said to them it's now up to her to rescue them. As for why she's very sensitive about dinosaurs, it's based on an OC season 3 that will go about her backstory, if I manage to get that for that is.
Stay tuned for the next chapter. Also with new year's coming soon I wish you all a happy new Year!
P.S-I hope to make this story a collab because I know realise it will be quite a long one to do, will welcome writers who would be interested, since I tend to be packed lately. Also, would you want Cera to use other dinosaurs too or stick with just 1 partner as the D team does?
In response to the reviews I hope I didn't disappoint.