Chapter 4
Pre-history in the re-making Part 4
Things were looking grave for the D team as they each grunted with frustration and anger, while each of their dinosaurs was driven further and further back into a corner. Chomp struggled to get to his feet after being battered about but Terry badly, Ace lay on his back in a doozy after being spun and thrown into the rocky walls by Tank, while Paris was almost unconscious herself after suffering multiple attacks to the head by Spiny's tail and from the mental fatigue she experienced from the confusion machine!
"This…can't be how it ends…." Max grunted angrily as he and his teammates sweated anxiously, as their enemies closed in for 1 final attack. They closed their eyes bracing themselves or not wanting to see anymore, till suddenly-
BEEP BEEP
"Huh? What the?" As they looked to their now blinking dinoholders, they widened their eyes in surprise to see a signal coming not far from where they were now. "Another dinosaur….here!?" Max then exclaimed as his fiends mirrored his expression of frustration and shock.
"Tch! Of all the worst possible times, why did it have to be now!?" Rex hissed in annoyance.
"Eheheh! With the brats all but helpless and at our mercy, all I need to worry about is what to wear to the victory party later." Ursula chuckled while Zander and Ed grinned.
"Finally, we're getting our tickets out of Loserville!" Zander cheered jumping up and down with excitement.
Ed's eyes welled up with tears as he began sniffing tears of joy, "Sniff….I'm getting so emotional I could just-" Before he could burst into tears though, his scanner suddenly received the very same signal as the D team did, as he then widened them in surprise. "Whoa! Zander you seeing this?" he gasped tugging at the skinny man's arm as he looked down and took a step back in surprise.
"What the!? Impossible! There's really a dinosaur here!?" he gasped before turning to see Ursula who was still hurling all kinds of insults at the D team, oblivious to the new dino signal they detected, "This really is our lucky day Ed! 4 dinosaurs for the price of 1! Woo hoo!" He cheered while Ed trotted over to tell her the news.
"Hey Ursula! Look at this!" he cried out causing her to yelp with shock before she turned to them with snarling red eyes!
"What is it!?" she suddenly snarled causing the 2 men to jump back in a fright! "Don't you know it's rude to interrupt a woman when she's having a moment!? Can't you see me gloating over here!? Shouldn't you be too!?"
"Y..yeah but first, you've gotta check this out!" called Ed shivering as he held out his scanner to her, as she took it and had a closer look.
"Huh!? No way! There's an actual dinosaur close by?!" She gasped before turning around and shrugging it off to the others' surprise, "Oh who cares about that?"
"Eh?" They asked in confusion.
"Right now we've got way bigger fish to fry boys, and by fish I mean we've got 3 dinosaurs ripe for the picking in front of us now!" she grinned pumping up her arm with energy and confidence seeing their enemies now on their last legs and victory within their grasp, "They won't last much longer, once we're done with them we'll deal with that other dinosaur soon after." she said as the other 2 men nodded in agreement.
"Good point."
"In that case, let's wrap this up now!" They each said as Terry, Tank and Spiny all roared before charging head towards the D team and their now helpless partners!
They then looked up from their dinoholders after hearing the roaring enemy dinosaurs and they once again became anxious and agitated, "Urgh…."
"No!"
"Hang in there!"
Terry roared out baring his jaws wide ready to snap close on Chomp's now exposed neck, when suddenly a large tree right next to him began to rustle and catch his attention, causing him to stop suddenly in his tracks, as Spiny and Tank soon followed as they turned to their comrade, puzzled by his sudden change in behaviour.
"Huh?"
"What the?" The D team blinked their eyes in confusion, while relieved the Alpha dinosaurs stopped they still were curious as to the reason behind it.
The Alpha gang stared in surprise themselves before Ursula then yelled out in impatience, "Terry! What are you doing!? Stop trying to hunt for squirrels and just finish off that triceratops now!" she growled stomping her feet in a tantrum.
Blinking their eyes and squinting their gaze, both Zander and Ed took a closer look at what was rustling inside the tree, before they noticed something white and feathery was scurrying about in the branches, "Err Ursula?" Ed then pointed out.
"Tch! What is it now you dolts?" she hissed in annoyance as a tic mark appeared on her forehead.
"I don't think that's a squirrel…." Zander answered as a small white dinosaur quickly scurried out of the leaves and appeared onto the branch that stuck out of the tops till it hung from the end right in front of Terry's face! It was white with a scaly face and long father appendages flowing from its head as it then stood up and flared its arms and hissed!
Everyone then widened their eyes in surprise at the sight of the new arrival, "Hey! Would you look at that!" Max gasped, "It's a microraptor!"
"No way! It's so….small…."
"Yeah, and it looks so….pretty….." Rex and Zoe breathed in amazement being the smallest dinosaur they had ever seen, not to mention it was courageous baring its teeth in front of Terry!
As Max blinked his eyes and took a closer look at the new dinosaur, he then felt as though he recognised it from somewhere, "Wait a minute….that coloration….could it-"
Meanwhile the Alpha gang stood back and Ursula grinned rather deviously, "That's what the scanner picked up? Heh, this will be easier than taking candy from a baby," she snickered before paying it no mind and turning her attention back to the D team's partners, "Not to mention swiping those kids' dinosaurs."
"Strange…." Zander scratched his head curiously, "I don't remember a microraptor being one of the dinosaurs that were among the cards we lost."
"Yeah, Zander's got a point there." Ed muttered in thought as to how this was possible.
"Oh who cares about that?" Ursula interrupted shrugging it off, "A dinosaur's still a dinosaur, and after today we'll be leaving with 4 new ones just for Dr Z!" she proclaimed with excitement, "Now let's wrap this so we can all go home and-"
Before she could finish though, the raptor flared up her wings and snarled viciously before she launched herself from the branch straight towards Terry's face to the bewilderment of the D team and Alpha gang!
"Huh!?"
"Is it actually planning to take on Terry!?"
"That's crazy!" The D team gasped in disbelief.
While Ed and Zander widened their eyes in bewilderment, Ursula on the other hand began laughing uncontrollably, "Ahahaha! Not very smart are you, you little pipsqueak! You're cute, and you definitely have spunk for something so puny, but for disrespecting the alpha gang you must be punished!" She proclaimed, "Terry dear! Snack time!" Upon her command the red t rex roared ferociously and opened his massive jaws wide!
"EH!?" Her teammates then turned to her.
"Ursula wait! Isn't that literally overkill!?"
"We're supposed to capture dinosaurs alive remember!?" Ed and Zander gasped as Terry charged forward as the microraptor swooped straight towards his opened jaws!
"Oh no!" Rex gasped.
"I can't watch!" Zoe covered her eyes.
"STOP!" Max yelled almost tearing up at the fact they were unable to do a thing….but what happened next completely caught them all off guard.
The raptor narrowed her eyes clearly having expected this somehow, before skilfully moving out of the way of the rex's snapping jaws, a powerful flap propelling it upwards and out of reach as they snapped close! After that she swooped right down and planted herself ontop of the massive carnivore's head and face as everyone gasped in surprise and amazement!
"Huh!?"
What happened next came as even more of a shock, as the microraptor shrieked and shone brightly in a rainbow aura, while Terry glowed dark red! There was a massive transfer of energy from the larger predator into the feathered raptor as the red aura was slowly being absorbed into the rainbow one, as the raptor's eyes glowed and she shrieked fiercely, Terry on the other hand shook his head and thrashed about roaring in pain!
"What the!?"
"No way….." The rest of the D team were stunned in absolute amazement.
"Whoa! Is that puny dinosaur actually hurting Terry!?" Gasped Ed in surprise as Terry tried frantically to shake off the microraptor's grip on his face, while slowly weakening with every second passing! Spiny and Tank hung back knowing that off they tried to interfere they'd only getting themselves in a rough beating by Terry's thrashing.
"I've heard of big things coming in small packages but this is ridiculous!" Gasped Zander never being more shocked before.
Ursula on the other hand wasn't about to have any of it as she flared red and stomped her feet, "Grr! Terry! Shake that little pile of fluff and feathers off this instant!" She yelled impatiently while steaming madly, as her alpha scanner flashed red signalling Terry's power levels dropping dangerously low.
"Yeah, the worst it can do is make give you bad allergies so come on!" Added Zander.
Terry roared and shook more violently as he felt his energy getting closer and closer to critical levels. He then opened his eyes and charged forward while lowering his head, hoping to smash it into he rock wall ahead of him and his parasitic foe in the process! Quickly reacting, the raptor leapt off him at the last second as he ended up smashing his own head into the wall, disorientating him as he stumbled backwards dizzily, while the microraptor swooped upwards and attached herself to the back of the neck this time, flashing rainbow again as Terry once more roared out in pain, this time feeling a terrible headache.
Meanwhile in the thick undergrowth nearby, Cera observed carefully while being well hidden, downwind where her scent wouldn't be picked up as she said nothing but continued to oversee the battle as Miku continued her work on the much larger carnivore, "Almost there...just a little more..." she thought seeing the process was almost complete. After that, knowing her partner had everything under control now, she returned to dialling on her dinoshot trying to find the right frequency as she looked above her to see the electric generator which hung above her on the rock walls.
After losing his will and energy to resist, Terry eventually slumped forward, lowered his head to the ground and stopped moving, staying still in place for a few moments before his eyes opened up now glowing red! He then reared up and let out a loud terrifying roar before turning around towards his owners and snarled at them menacingly while baring his fangs!
"Umm why is Terry looking at us all of a sudden?" Asked Ursula rather nervously turning pale, as the T. rex edged in closer to them as saliva began drooling down from his teeth.
"Is he smiling? I don't like the look of that one bit..." suggested Zander hoping to see things on the bright side while his heart raced uncontrollably.
"Maybe he's happy to see us? And wants us to give him some love?" Added Ed twiddling his fingers and being close to wetting his pants.
As he said that, Terry let out a vicious roar and charged straight at them, "Aaaah!" They screamed as their own dinosaur began to chase them all around the area and they had several close calls as he tried snapping his jaws at them! He bowled over rocks and used his tail to tear down several trees as the trio scurried about like rats doing everything they could to avoid getting eaten alive! Terry's jaws nearly snapped up Ursula's green hair, Zander was barely able to avoid getting stepped on, and Ed ended getting blown away from the force of a tail swipe!
Spiny and Tank stood back in confusion unable to comprehend what they were seeing, while the D team held back and simply stared, "I don't believe what I'm seeing…." said Zoe.
"Me neither…." Max added as he sweat dropped.
"Can't believe they forgot about us like that…." said Rex. He knew the Alpha gang were the brightest bulbs in the house but this was taking idiocy to a whole other level, "Maybe it's best we stay out of the firing zone for now…."
"Mhmm…." His friends nodded with him.
Meanwhile the alpha gang managed to scurry up a rock ledge out of the reach of the massive tyrannosaurus as he jumped and snapped his jaws barely missing them! "EEK! Terry snap out of it you dimwit! We're on your side remember!?" Shouted Ursula to no avail as the T. rex's Jaws barely missed her long green hair!
"Is this the thanks we get for feeing and cleaning up after you for so long!? Talk about being ungrateful!" Gasped Zander shaking his fist in frustration!
Ed then took notice of the small dinosaur attacked to Terry's face which was glowing red instead of white, "Ursula! I bet that microraptor's behind this, no doubt it's making Terry go crazy or something!" He shouted out pointing to the raptor on Terry's neck as he tried to avoid getting squished by Terry's foot.
"Well if that's the case then I'll take care of it in an instant!" She replied taking out a card, "Go volcano burst!" She shouted slashing the card on her alpha scanner! Terry then flared up as he began to charge up fire in his mouth and swing his head around before firing it!
At that moment Cera who had just finished her work, then smirked to herself in amusement, "Heh you guys just made things a whole lot worse for yourselves." She thought, "Let em have it Miku!" She then called out on her dinoshot as her raptor caused Terry to turn his aim towards he bumbling trio and fire the flames at them!
"Aaaah!" They screamed as the fire immediately enveloped them and they came out all charred and singed in so many places! "We've just got our gooses cooked..." they groaned before the rock ledge they stood on crumbled and they crashed down to the ground.
Brushing off the soot from her face and pulling herself out of the rubble first, Ursula then streamed with rage, "Grrr...why you..." she growled clenching her fist, "No one messes with the alpha gang and gets away with it! Nobody!" She then motioned to her clothes and blackish skin and face, "This crime against fashion will not go unpunished!" She then turned to her two underlings and glared at them as they dragged themselves out while completely covered in scrapes and bruises, "Zander! Ed! Call Spiny and Tank and tell them to get their butts over here right now!"
They both were taken aback by her orders, "Say what!? You want us to attack Terry!?"
"But what about those kids? We have them on the ropes?" They gasped.
"Forget that, this is now!" She yelled, "Besides I am not about to let this little feathery pest get away with ruining my once in a lifetime face and my fashion!" She ranted before snarling at them like a feral beast! "Don't just stand there you idiots! Do it now before I use you both as meat shields!"
"Y...yes ma'am!"
"On the double!" They both gasped frantically as they took out their scanners and dialled on them, not wanting to end up in Terry's belly at all.
"Spiny! Get over here and kick some sense into Terry!"
"You too Tank!" They each yelled as the other 2 dinosaurs roared and raced towards them!
The D team couldn't believe their eyes, "Are they seriously going to attack their own dinosaur like that!?" Max gasped.
"Guess among alpha gang there's no honour and trust between friends." Rex narrowed his eyes feeling disgusted as they closed in on the brainwashed Terry. Even if it was to snap him out of mind control, the fact they'd even resort to attacking their own dinosaur was unthinkable!
At that moment, the electric generator suddenly sparked and surged with energy before suddenly exploding! The paralysis machine then fired a surge of energy freezing Spiny in place as he roared in pain and stumbled forward while the confusion machine too fizzled up as it fired sound waves which disorientated Tank as she thrashed about shaking her tail and roaring in a fury before they both then exploded too!
The D team once again were taken aback by another set of unexpected events, "Whoa! Didn't see that coming!" Max gasped.
"Yeah neither did I!" Rex followed
"Talk about a lucky break too!" added Zoe at the end before looking concerned as she noticed their dinosaurs were still lying down heavily beaten, "Oh if only Paris and the others could fight….." she sighed seeing her partner was still too weak and unable to heal the rest of their team.
"Yeah…." Max narrowed his eyes, as much as he hated sitting on the sidelines doing nothing there really was nothing they could do but hope that their good luck doesn't run out yet.
"What the!?" Ursula's jaw dropped upon seeing Spiny and Tank getting the receiving end of their own machines as she then hammered a fist into Zander and Ed's heads!
"OW!"
"Didn't you buffoons get those machines fixed so they WOULDN'T malfunction!?" she yelled as the 2 of them cowered and whimpered with pain, covering over the massive bumps that had just emerged from where she hit them!
"W…we did honest!" Ed whimpered.
"We even went a step further and upgraded their life expectancy with upgrades and improved safety protocols." Zander added twiddling his fingers.
"Then explain why they just fired on OUR dinosaurs!" Ursula yelled once more losing her patience, as well as her grip on sanity.
Ed then raised his hand up slowly and reluctantly, "Maybe because the upgrades were the cheapest we could afford?" he suggested. Before Ursula could give them another beating, Miku suddenly turned Terry towards the face of the mountain as he suddenly began smashing his face into it multiple times against his own will much to his owner's horror!
"Terry!" Ursula cried out as Zander and Ed also shuddered seeing now they were losing their edge again! "Argh! No no no! Not now!" she then exploded nearly pulling out her hair and losing all sense of self control, "Why do these things keep happening to us!?"
"Guess those who are failures are destined to fail again no matter how hard they try." a voice suddenly spoke to them from out of nowhere.
"Huh?" The 3 of them looked around in surprise wondering where the voice came from, before realising it came from 1 of their alpha scanners. As they switched it on, they were surprised to meet with an unfamiliar face on the monitor, a red haired girl to be precise, who seemed to be smiling at them mockingly. "Wh…Who the heck are you!?" Ursula exclaimed.
"And how did you get on this frequency anyway!?" Zander asked who was even more taken aback.
The girl on the other end simply smirked and shrugged into her shoulders, "Oh please, I didn't even break a sweat hacking into this com." she said cockily, "Not to mention, turning your own machines against you and summoning my microraptor was even easier than that."
The 3 goons widened their eyes, "Say what!?"
"You hacked into our machines!?"
"And summoned that dinosaur that ruined our entire strategy!?" They never imagined some stranger from out of nowhere could possess such skill, not only hacking into their com links and devices but even summon a dinosaur of her own!
"Hmph, I'd call that cowardice and pathetic." The girl narrowed her eyes in disgust, "For the record, the way you guys handle and treat your dinosaurs really does leave something to be desired...You really are scum of the lowest caliber…" she then said shaking her head in disapproval.
"How dare you!?" Ursula growled tensing her fist and causing a knuckle to bulge as the other 2 men steamed with rage! "When we find you, we'll be sure to make a living fossil out of you!"
"Oh I highly doubt that." The girl closed her eyes and stated undeterred, "With your cowardly machines now out of commission, I'd say your big plan just blew up in smoke. Face it, you guys are finished." As she said so, the microraptor glowed which caused Terry to roar and charge ahead towards his weakened comrades! As Tank thrashed about, her tail ended up sweeping Terry off his feet as he crashed down ontop of her and knocking the paralysed Spiny over in the process! At the last second the white raptor launched herself off his head and glided safely out of harm's way.
"AAAAAAHHHH!" They cried out in shock to see their dinosaurs now on the losing end once more!
As the D team looked on in amazement, still trying to process what was going on with the Alpha gang all of a sudden, Zoe suddenly looked up and pointed up in surprise. "Hey guys look over there!"
Her friends looked up as well and they too were surprised to see the white microraptor coming straight for them!
"Wh…what's it doing?" Max asked.
Rex gritted his teeth unsure of what to expect, "I don't know, but it seems to be heading straight for Paris!" he pointed out as the gliding dino changed direction and headed towards the green parasaurolophus and landed on her back!
"Hey! You leave her alone!" Zoe yelled protectively as she ran to her partner's side, "She's hurt, and I won't let you-" She stopped in her tracks as the raptor hissed viciously at her while flaring its wings! "Gah!"
"Zoe!"
"Get away from there now!" Her friends yelled coming to her aid. As they came closer they noticed Paris raise her head weakly towards the raptor, as they seemed to exchange a few words in dino tongue for a bit before suddenly the raptor began glowing brightly to their surprise which was soon transferred into Paris who glowed green!
"Huh!?"
"What….the?"
Even the alpha gang were surprised and were taken aback, to see a move they never saw before so it was anyone's guess now as to what would happen!
As the light died down, Paris opened up her eyes and let out a loud cry as she stood up on her legs and trumpeted much to Zoe's joy and relief, "Paris! You're okay!" she cried out hugging her partner on the leg who then lowered her head down and nuzzled her back.
"Alright yeah!" Max cheered holding his arms up.
Rex too was relieved to see she was doing fine, but then his eyes fixated on Paris' saviour, who then launched herself off Paris' back before landing gracefully onto a tree trunk and climbing upwards onto a branch nearby overseeing the battle, "That microraptor….healed Paris?" he questioned.
"Yeah….I guess so…." Zoe answered back as she and Max looked on curiously to see the small dinosaur peck at its wing feathers, pruning them and picking out dirt from them, "But….why?" Noticing her move card in her hand she then shook her head setting he priorities straight, "Never mind, first thing's first!" She said as she and Paris turned to their other allies who were collapsed on the ground with exhaustion, "It's your turn Chomp and Ace! Help's on the way! Nature's blessing!" Paris was enveloped in green leaf energy as she fired a stream of refreshing wind and leaves around Chomp and Ace, healing their wounds and restoring their strength as they stood up and roared energetically!
"Alright we're back in business!" Max cheered seeing his partner now fully restored.
"Great work Zoe!" Rex praised.
"Don't just thank me and Paris," she replied modestly looking up to the tree, "We owe to that microraptor more than anyone else."
"Yeah, we should be thankful it's on our side," Max nodded in agreement as he then eyed is suspiciously as it disappeared further in, "Though I can't help but wonder, why does it look so familiar?" As soon as he asked that he heard a loud roar coming ahead! As the D team all turned they saw Terry, Spiny and Tank get back up on their feet and snarl ferociously at them!
Max then narrowed his eyes, "We'll worry about that later, right now we'll have to deal with these guys first!"
Rex then nodded, "You're right." As he and Zoe readied themselves for battle once more.
Ursula then began stomping her feet non stop in frustration, "Drat! We were so close too! It's not fair!" she screamed as she scrunched up bits of her hair in her hands and was on the verge of pulling them out!
"Maybe we should put the victory cake back in the refrigerator now." Ed suggested.
"In fact, let's take this as a lesson to never celebrate prematurely." Zander added at the end knowing how this would end now.
"And with that I'll be taking my leave. Good day to you all, especially you old lady." The girl on the scanner replied casually as the signal was lost and the screen blanked out.
"H…Hey! You get back here right now! Grrr! How dare she hung on me!? And HOW DARE SHE CALL ME OLD!" Ursula quickly growled before gritting her teeth and flaring up with rage! "That does it! No more playing around! No one messes with the alpha gang like that and gets away with it! NOBODY!" she road as Zander and Ed both hugged one another in terror! "I sweat I'll hunt you down to the ends of the earth for this disrespect! But for now Terry! Spiny! Tank! Don't let those little runts beat you when we're so close! Attack them now!" She ordered as their dinosaurs charged forward together!
"Here they come again guys!" Rex warned as their enemies closed in on them.
"Then let's try this one more time!" Max yelled taking leadership and initiative without hesitation before turning to his teammates, "You ready!?"
"Yeah!"
"They won't get the drop on us again!" They each said.
"Alright! Let's do this together!" He grinned as Chomp, Ace and Paris charged ahead too!
"Ladies first! Metal Wing!" Zoe cried out as she slashed the card across her dinoholder! Paris trumpeted before unleashing the pteranodon trio which took the skies and swooped down in front of the 3 Alpha gang dinosaurs, stopping them in their tracks as they all looked up to see them circling around.
"My turn!" Rex yelled, "Ninja attack!" As he slashed his card, Ace roared before charging ahead and splitting into 5 clones of himself as they circled around Terry, Tank and Spiny and slowly closing in while packing them ever more closely together with each strike!
"Now for the grand finale! Thunder bazooka!" Max shouted as he leapt up and spun forward before slashing his move card, as Chomp roared as he charged ahead and spun round like a torpedo while coated in electricity as he charged straight ahead and knocked through all 3 enemy dinosaurs at once, causing them to roar in pain while electricity surged through them! Sending them flying off into the distance!
"GAAAAAAAHHH!" The alpha gang cried out in a horror as they quickly beat a hasty retreat, "Run away! Run away! Run away!" The back door of the Alpha carrier opened up as they tried to escape, but thanks to their endless string of bad luck, Terry, Tank and Spiny ended up landing on top of the large red ship which caused it to explode in a huge plume of fire and smoke!
BOOM!
As the 3 dinosaurs reverted back to cards, the 3 members of the alpha trio were sent skyrocketing into the sky! "We're blasting off!" They cried before disappearing into the heavens with a star shining right behind them as they disappeared from sight.
"All right!"
"Yeah!"
"Hooray!" The D team cheered victoriously as their dinosaurs roared with triumph before returning to card form.
After they slashed them back into their chibi forms they each fell down all tuckered out with exhaustion, "Phew, I thought we were done for….." Rex breathed a sigh of relief as Ace gasped for air.
"Yeah, never thought the alpha gang would ever stoop to something so low." Max grumbled folding his arms in disapproval as Chomp fell down on his belly and yawned.
"Those guys really are the worst!" Zoe pouted while Paris let out a rather mad bark still feeling agitated after the effects of the confusion machine but was slowly returning to her old self at least.
"You can say that again." Max nodded in agreement as he looked down to their partners with relief, "Let's just be glad Chomp and the others are fine now. Aren't ya buddy?" he smiled as he kneeled down and began scratching the small trike under its chin, who then responded with a joyful yip, tail wag and face licking. "Hahaha! I'll take that as a yes." Max laughed as the herbivore's warm wet tongue brushed across and tickled his face.
Rex and Zoe smiled for Max, but soon Rex's smile vanished and became serious, "But still, we wouldn't have been able to get out of that mess without that microraptor." he said as he then turned his attention to above them, to see the white microraptor still perched in the tree above looking down on them from above. As Max and Zoe followed, her piercing gaze fixated on them like a hawk to a mouse.
"Yeah you're right." Zoe replied in agreement, "But still, where did it come from? And….what are we going to do about it now?"
"Good question." added Max as he brought a hand to his chin in thought. As much as he and his friends wanted to bring it home, they'd have to turn it into a card first, but to battle it seemed wrong, both because it's small and could get hurt and because they owe it after what it did for them. Nevertheless they couldn't just leave it here to be because the alpha gang would be back for it no doubt….it was a predicament….
To their surprise it suddenly leapt up from the branch and began gliding away "H….Hey wait!" Max gasped as he and Chomp chased after it, and the others soon rushed to their feet despite their exhaustion and followed after!
"Come back! Don't go!"
"Quick! After it!" As they raced through the forest, the raptor kept gliding from tree to tree, using each one as a rest stop to gain back some energy before launching itself once more, gliding effortlessly and gracefully far above the D team's reach as they pursued it.
"Man it's fast!" Max gritted his teeth as his feet began to tire.
"Yeah, it's just like in the fossils, microraptor's long feathers on both its arms and legs and perfectly shaped to allow it to glide by catching even the smallest updrafts of air." Rex noted narrowing his eyes and focusing them on its 4 feathered limbs.
"And with it being able to grab onto a tree every few seconds it just seems to get even higher," Zoe added seeing with each tree the raptor seemed to climb higher first before taking off again, "At this rate we'll never catch up to it…." she panted wiping away some sweat from her brow as she slowly began to gasp for air herself.
Max hardened his gaze as he pressed on, refusing to quit as he charged forward as Chimp soon followed his lead. Seeing his determination inspired the other 4 members of the D team to press on despite their fatigue as they continued onwards, after their white quarry…..
In a glade nearby, Cera paced back and forth patiently as she looked around feeling rather restless and worried as much time had passed, "Where is she? She should be here by now….hope nothing bad's happened." she hoped to herself. Having informed her partner Miku earlier to meet at this specific rendezvous point after the battle ended, she had waited here to avoid being detected by the dinosaurs and now hoped to be able to get Miku out before anymore unnecessary attention was drawn to them both. She began to worry and fear she may have been caught….when-
SQUAWK!
"Ah!" Her face brightened up as she looked above her to see Miku land at a large tree which stood right behind her, as she then lowered herself down slowly till she was able to look at Cera at eye level. "Great work Miku, you did better than I expected out there." She said as the raptor nodded and chirped at her, "Let's hope that's the last we see of those 3 clowns for a while too." She said as the raptor launched herself off the trunk of the tree and perched on Cera's arm like a trained falcon, also being careful not to grip onto it tightly with her razor sharp claws. "Alright, now let's get out of here before-"
"Hey wait up!" A voice suddenly shouted out not far from where they stood catching their attention, followed by a few others.
"Over there! I think I see it!"
"We've got it now for sure!"
"Oh dear." Cera then sighed sadly knowing that if she tried to make a run for it now they'd find her anyway…..knowing the jig was up she decided on the next best thing. "I wanted a chance to apologise to them….might as well take it now." She said as Miku looked to her with concern, "You'd better hide for now Miku, it'll make it easier at least for the time being." She said knowing she may have had to spill the beans eventually….so it may have been better sooner than later. Upon her instructions the raptor nodded before jumping back onto the tree and began climbing up its massive height, before looking down with concern at her partner before conceding herself above, while Cera took cover in the underbrush behind.
"It went this way! I'm sure of it!" Max cried out as he burst out of the forest trail and into the glade, as he began looking around he could find no trace of the microraptor anywhere as Chomp too sniffed the air but couldn't get so much as a whiff. "But where is it now?" He then asked as Rex, Zoe, Ace and Paris joined them. After looking around for a few more moments without so much as a clue, Max stomped his foot with frustration, "Darn it! We almost had it!" he yelled.
"Signal says we're right ontop of it." Rex stated looking at his dinoholder.
Zoe placed her hands on her hips and looked around too, "Still, that thing's white as snow, how can we lose it in this green forest?"
As they continued their survey of their surroundings, a voice then spoke out of nowhere catching hem by surprise, "Hey….guys…."
"Huh?" They quickly looked around and went on alert, as they covered each others' backs and their dinosaurs readied themselves for whoever was out there.
"Who's there? Come out and show yourself!" Rex yelled out agitatedly as Ace then snarled.
"It's alright, it's…only me…." the voice replied to them from in front, followed but he rustling of bushes and footsteps on dead leaves on the forest floor. Stepping into the light was none other than Cera herself, now covered in a few leaves and having a twig or 2 stuck in her clothes and hair.
The D team blinked their eyes at their unexpected visitor, as their dinosaurs too calmed down, "C…..Cera?"
"What are you….doing here?"
Cera then turned her head to the side feeling reluctant to answer back at first, "I….was in the area when I saw the sky turn all weird all a sudden and I heard roaring in the distance so I came to check it out." she said as if her voice was being choked, "When I arrived here….well….let's just say it was beyond anything I initially expected….." she said turning away.
"Oh….." The D team then froze upon realising she had saw their entire battle, "So then….you were here the whole time and saw us fight with the alpha gang?"
"From the very start?"
Cera paused before nodding reluctantly, "Y….yes I did….." she said.
"I see…." Max scratched his head uneasily as an awkward silence descended upon both sides. As their dinosaurs looked at their owners waiting for what would happen next, the D team looked to one another, seeing who would volunteer to speak up on their behalf to Cera….the person who disapproved most of dinosaur fights…..After a while and no one reached a conclusion, Max swallowed hard as he took a step forward, "I'll do it guys." he said bravely volunteering and taking initiative as the team leader, as he stepped forward before Cera, who awaited what he had to say. He then took a breath of air before he began to say his piece as firmly as he could, "Look Cera, I know you really hate dinosaurs fighting and seeing them get hurt in battle." he said turning his head away before gritting his teeth and turning to her seriously, "But we wanted to let you know that-"
"There's no need for apologies," she cut him off shaking her head, "In fact, the reason I was out here in the first place was because I wanted to apologise myself, for how I acted back at my lodge earlier….." she said.
The D team were taken aback by surprise by her change in mood and view, "Huh?"
"R…really? You did?" asked Zoe curiously as Cera nodded in response.
"Yeah, I realised at first I may have overreacted just now, I was so caught up in my emotions and assumed you wrong which was why I snapped…." she said feeling regretful as she lowered her head down slightly, "I should have heard it more on your side of the story, as well as maybe heard what your dinosaurs had to say too. Which was why I hoped to find you all and apologise as soon as I could." she said twirling some of her red hair in her finger, "But when I came and saw you all fight against the alpha gang, I realised I had you all wrong." she continued, "It's true battling can hurt dinosaurs too, but that's only part of it. It's why you're battling that matters just as much too," a light smile then came across her face, "And when I saw you all fighting in order to protect your precious partners, I now see that you really did care for them as equals and not just as tools or even animals…..I see now that you really are different."
"Cera…." The D team members slowly smiled with relief as if a weight pressed against their shoulders had been lifted at last, "We're glad you approve of us now." said Rex to her as she nodded.
"Mhmm….Yeah, also I couldn't just sit by and let you all suffer so horribly, so I decided to pitch in and turn the tables a bit by giving those goons a taste of their own medicine." she added as Max and the others were taken aback once more.
"Say what?"
Zoe then pointed out slowly, "Wait a sec, you mean-"
Cera nodded once more, "Yeah, I was the one who sabotaged their machines, causing them to self-destruct and even turn on their own dinosaurs too." While she didn't like it herself, to use such vile machines on dinosaurs there weren't any other options available and it was an urgent situation too.
"Whoa…..I knew that wasn't some random coincidence….but still….whoa…." Max thought to himself stunned before chuckling in response to put on a strong face, "Heh, that's some kind of apology, but we'll take it anyways."
"Yeah, we forgive you, and thanks for saving us too when we really needed it most." Rex followed as Zoe smiled and nodded in agreement.
Soon Cera felt herself at peace and with relief now that she was forgiven herself too, "Phew, thanks, glad we're even now….." she breathed.
Rex then began to ask, "But still, how did-"
She then cut him off, "Let's just say I've….got a certain talent for tinkering with devices and well….." as she scratched the side of her head she knew now was the time. Knowing Miku was watching them, she did a certain eye sign as Miku then acknowledged it and jumped down from out of the tree tops and glided elegantly down before anding on era's shoulder, much to the surprise of the D team and startling their dinosaurs!
"Whoa!"
"It's the microraptor!" Max and Rex gasped.
Zoe then cried out in alarm, "Cera! Get away from the dinosaur! It's dangerous!"
Cera smiled back unworried, though appreciating their concern for her wellbeing, "It's alright you guys." she said before scratching the raptor's chin underneath as she cooed with enjoyment, "Miku would never hurt me, we're best friends after all." she said.
Upon hearing her say that, they were stunned with bewilderment, "Huh!?"
"M….Miku!?"
"What!?" They all gasped.
At that point, Cera reached into her hip pack and slowly took out her white dinoshot, before to their absolute astonishment, pressed a button on it and turned Miku right back into a card, before swiping it across a slot on he device and causing Miku to appear in her small form on her shoulder!
The D team stared speechlessly at this incredible new revelation, "I don't believe it…." Rex breathed.
"That's why she looked so familiar!" Max cried out in realisation punching his fist into the palm of his hand.
"You have a dinosaur!?" Zoe exclaimed as their dinosaurs barked with excitement upon seeing their new friend again, who chirped back.
"Hehe…guilty as charged guys…." Cera giggled scratching her cheek while looking the other direction avoiding eye contact.
At that point, Max just knew he had to know, "Cera…..just who are you?" he then asked, as Cera then turned serious having known she'd be asked this serious question at some point, yet she had no way to answer back.
"I….can't say….even if I wanted to…." she mouthed out uneasily as she drew circles in the ground with 1 foot and tried to avoid eye contact as much as possible.
Upon noticing her change in mood, the D team grew rather suspicious yet also sympathetic with her at the same time, "You….can't tell us?"
"Why?"
"Is it because you don't trust us?"
"No it's not that at all." Cera shook her head before mustering up her courage to force the truth out of herself, "it's just….I don't actually remember that much about myself."
They then turned almost silent upon hearing her words, piecing together what she meant, "Wait so…."
"You've got like….amnesia?" Rex and Max each asked.
"Well…..I guess you could say that, though it isn't just me, Miku as well…." she answered reluctantly, "To tell you the truth," she swallowed painfully, "I don't remember much about myself, or even where I came from. All I know was that I actually woke up not far from around here a few days ago with no clue as to how I ended up there in the first place. All I had with me was Miku and well…this….my dinoshot, which is what I use to call her out. Somehow I still recall how to use it, and that I have some kind of connection with Miku too….as well with a certain understanding of dinosaurs too….but other than I can't recall anything else." She said sadly as if her heart was cracking under the pressure of the inconvenient truth.
"Cera….Miku…." they could tell from her tone that she was truthful and thus had no way to respond back to her properly, "We're so sorry…." while they wanted to understand her they couldn't just sympathise…yet they had no idea how to. Thier partner dinosaurs could understand too the situation as they went silent or whimpered sadly.
"It's okay you guys you don't need to be." Cera replied before looking down at their partners with a smile and reassurance, "In fact, I should be thankful to know that your dinosaurs are in really great care, and if I hadn't heard about you….maybe I wouldn't have had a clue as to who I am or maybe what I'm here for." she said before looking to them all and nodded, "I know the dinosaurs will be safe in your hands for sure."
"Cera…."
She then closed her eyes and smiled once more, "Well then, it was nice meeting you all, guess this is where we part ways….take care and hope we cross paths again some day…." she said as she waved to them and began to take her leave. As she did, Miku turned her head around and waved a feathery hand to Chomp, Ace and Paris who lowered their heads sadly and whimpered.
As she slowly began to walk away, the 3 members of the D team looked to one another seriously and nodded firmly.
Stepping out towards her, Max placed a hand on Cera's shoulder to her surprise, "Now so fast there."
"Huh?" she and Miku both turned to him in confusion.
"You don't actually think we're just going to say goodbye and let go all by yourself now are you?" asked Zoe as she and Rex walked up to them.
"If you really care for the dinosaurs the way we do, I'd say it's safe to say that you're one of us now." Max then grinned eagerly and enthusiastically.
"One of…you?" she then gasped in surprise, "I…don't understand. Me? Join up with you? The D team?" she questioned pointing to herself in confusion, as well as being unable to properly react to the offer she was just given.
"Yeah sure, why not?" Max replied, "You said it yourself, you yourself love dinosaurs and care for them as much as we do. And dinosaurs was what brought us to meet you in the first place! No way this can be just a chance meeting, it's gotta be like destiny or something right?"
Rex then chuckled, "Well destiny's a bit of a strong word….but he's pretty much on the right track."
"Also, the alpha gang probably know about you and Miku after that fiasco just now, so there's a chance they'll be back again." Zoe explained.
"If you stick with us, we can help protect you both, not to mention you wouldn't be alone anymore." Max concluded as he held out his hand to her, "So what do you say? Would you like to join us? Together we'll protect the dinosaurs and find a way for us all to coexist in harmony!"
Cera was tempted to reach out and take the hand, but then she held back uneasily as this was quite a hard choice for her to make, "Hmm…."
"Or would you not like that?" Max then spoke softly as his expression turned downcast. He then took his hand back and scratched his cheek, "It's your choice….and whatever you choose….we'll support you." As the D team patiently awaited for Cera's answer, they held onto the hope that she would accept their offer, while at the same time bracing themselves in the event she declined. Their dinosaurs too whimpered sadly too feeling though she may not accept.
Looking to each of their hopeful yet also serious faces, Cera gave it careful thought, weighing the benefits and risks that may come with either choice…..after consideration she then came to an answer, "Well, I'm not all that sure…." she said uneasily, "If I were to join up with you guys, no doubt we'd be going to face even more danger and battles with dinosaurs down the road….and who knows wha else really is in store for us if the alpha gang were to make us targets too, knowing that we're with you."
As she said that, the D team felt rather downcast and let down, "Oh…."
"That's too bad…I guess…."
"We…understand…." they said as their dinosaurs whimpered.
"But." She then said as they then perked up, surprised to see her now smiling lightly, "I think it'll be more beneficial that way for us all, we'll be able to see new places beyond this area with you…and I'm sure we'll be much safer amongst people we can trust….maybe even friends too…." she said looking up at them with hopeful eyes, "I'm sure we'll even gain new experiences too together and have plenty of fun adventures and memories to make along the way as well, not to mention there'll also be so many more dinosaurs out there to save and people to protect as well. And, I think maybe if we stick with you, Miku and I might be able piece together our past that much easier than if we were alone." she said feeling assured of herself that this was the right choice and she had no regrets about it.
Upon her answer, the D team and their dinosaurs brightened up joyously, "So, does that mean?"
She nodded while smiling sheepishly, "Yeah, I'm more than happy to join you all, if that means you'll forgive and have me…."
"You kidding!? We'd be being to have you on the team!" Max cheered pumping up his arms with excitement while grinning deeply.
"This is so awesome! We finally have another girl on the team!" Zoe squealed, "Someone I can relate to and have great conversations with as well!" she added with brightened eyes as several other ideas like sleepovers and other girly things she can do with another came to mind.
At that moment the boys turned to her feeling offended, "Hey! What do you mean relate to!?"
"Are you implying we don't have great conversations Zoe?" They questioned as she simply stuck out her tongue at them.
"Hee hee, it's a secret."
"Why you!" As they quarrelled with one another as they usually do, Cera couldn't help but chuckle to herself in amusement, also feeling rather touched as she could feel their close ties with one another.
"Hahaha, maybe it was fate in a way that we met up with them huh Miku?" she said to her partner who chirped to her in agreement as she nodded back. Looking back at them she smiled seeing their awkward childish behaviour yet also very strong and close bonds of trust and friendship, "I'm sure if we stuck around with them, we'll find out about ourselves that much easier and quicker….plus it'll make things all the more fun and interesting too." she closed her eyes in thought knowing they just might have a glimmer of hope of piecing together the mystery that is their past.
"Oh I almost forgot, here." a voice woke her from her thoughts. As she opens her eyes she saw Max holding out a small D shaped badge to her.
As she took it and held it close to her eyes and focused her gaze on it, "What's…this?" she then asked.
"It's your official D-team badge! That makes you one of us from now on!" Max answered proudly as Zoe and Rex clapped while Chomp, Ace and Paris all jumped up and down barking with excitement, celebrating her very welcome into the team.
"Welcome aboard Cera."
"Glad to have you."
As Cera looked around her she and Miku were deeply touched with all the praise and kindness she was showered with in the welcome, as she then gripped onto the badge and held it to her heart, "Thank you….I'll treasure this forever." she said before opening her eyes confidently, "I won't let you down and I look forward to saving the dinosaurs with you all."
"Mhmm…." The D team nodded as they all put their fists together, while their dinosaurs jumped together in unison letting out a cheer, together with Miku whom they accepted into their circle of trust and friendship.
"Oh yeah that's right!" Max then brightened up, "You should come back down with us, my dad will be excited to meet you!"
"We'll even pitch in and help you move your things out of that lodge too." Rex followed as Zoe nodded.
Cera smiled gratefully, "Thanks you guys….I can hardly wait."
"Well then, last one to the lodge has to carry the heavy stuff! Hahaha!" Max laughed as he took off downhill with Chomp, as Rex gritted his teeth and charged after him together with Ace.
"Hey no fair! You didn't say start yet! Max!" he yelled shaking his fist after them.
Zoe and Cera stood back smiling in amusement as they ran off while hurtling insults at one another, "Boys, they never grow up will they?" she said shaking her head with a hand on her hip before turning to Cera, "Well then, let's not get left in the dust." she said as they both ran off after the boys.
As they made their way downhill, Cera soon began to remember something important…. a voice which echoed at the back of her mind as if she had heard it in a dream…..
' I could offer you a new start? To rebuild your confidence, your very life, and to acquire strong allies who can help you in the fight to come. Friends and comrades, to aid you in a quest that would be impossible for any one person to undertake.'
Upon remembering the voice and those words loud and clear, she then turned serious, "Maybe this could be the start of something big Miku." said Cera to her partner who cringed onto her shoulder and smiled back at her, "And whatever lies ahead for us on the horizon, we'll be ready for it." She said at the end as she focused her eyes on the lodge that came into view.
(Meanwhile)
Meanwhile that night, back at Alpha HQ things weren't looking up for the bumbling trio when they returned home somehow after crash-landing on the island, while in charred and tattered clothing, they reported everything straight to Dr Z….as a result things were really heading south for them...
"Rargh!" Roared the bedridden Dr Z as screamed at the top of his lungs causing Ursula, Zander and Ed to huddle up like scared puppies! "THIS IS UNACCEPTABLE!"
"P...please calm down Doctor, your blood pressure..." Pleaded Ursula sounding concerned where in fact she was terrified beyond belief as her heart shook like an earthquake, while Zander and Ed both turned as pale as ghosts!
"Calm down!? You expect me to calm down!? Outrageous!" He roared shaking his fists in the air while in bed and his eyes widened red with rage! "First you sneak off behind my back and take my precious devices without my permission, and not only did you get them destroyed you dare come back empty handed!?" He glared daggers which pierced into their very souls, "Give me one good reason why I shouldn't feed you three stooges to Terry and Spiny this instant!" he growled as they huddled up together and got into begging dog poses!
At that moment the door opened and walking in was Rod and Laura in their dino themed pjs and nightwear. Rod had bags under his eyes and his hair was all messy, while Laura was wearing a nightcap and holding a brontosaurus plushie in her arms, "Yawn...grampa...what's going on here?" Yawned Rod drowsily covering his mouth before rubbing his eyes which he opened groggily.
"You're way too loud and we're trying to sleep..." Added Laura barely opening her own eyes.
As they focused better they saw it was the same thing that happened as usual so they shrugged their shoulders, "Oh...so that's it then...here we thought it was something important..." They thought feeling rather irritated they awoke over nothing.
Dr Z on the other hand was so caught up by the 3 stooges before him, he failed to notice his grandkids watching them.
"Y...you don't understand Doctor let us explain!" Begged Ursula hoping he would at least hear them out.
"We had those brats right in the palm of our hands really!" Added Zander shaking like a madman.
"But right before we finished them off some new kid showed up out of nowhere with a dinosaur of her own and she ruined our entire strategy we worked so hard to put together!" Concluded Ed as tears nearly welled in his eyes.
A tic mark appeared on Dr Z's forehead, "I don't want to listen to any of your miserable excuses you pathetic excuses for henchmen!" He shouted, "And of all the excuses you came up with that's the most pathetic of all! Just how much of a fool to you take me for!?" He screeched being irritated beyond belief, "Everyone knows the 6 stones have already been found, so tell me just how it's possible for someone else to summon a dinosaur!?"
Ursula clearly having not accounted for this, then twiddled her fingers unsure of how to answer him, "W...well its just-"
"That was a rhetorical question!" Dr Z yelled interrupting her causing her and her underlings to jump and sweat profusely.
Rod then shrugged his shoulders knowing there was nothing more for them to see, "Yawn...well no point in staying here any longer Laura, lets go back to bed..." He said to her as he began to turn around with her back to bed.
"You're right Rod," she replied yawning in boredom, "Say you wouldn't know where your fluffy earmuffs are would you?" She then asked.
"As a matter if fact I do, come lets get them, we already know how this will end…." Her brother replied as they headed back to their rooms for the night.
As they left the room, Chibi Terry, Tank and Spiny appeared before the trio from under Dr Z's bed, as they snarled and hissed rather aggressively to their horror, "After I'm done sicking Terry, Tank and Spiny on you three, I'll make sure Helga gives you all a generous dose of that 'delicious' health recovery food you tried to feed me this morning hehehehe..." He snickered deviously unable to wait a second longer for his night's entertainment while rubbing his hands together eagerly, "I'm going to enjoy this!"
"N...no Dr Z! Anything but that!" Their pleas fell on deaf ears as Dr Z laughed maniacally as the 3 dinosaurs flashed rather sinister grins before jumping onto their owners showering them with love and appreciation in the form of prehistoric pain!
CHOMP! CRUNCH! SNAP!
"NOOOOO!" The halls echoed with their screams of agony and despair soon after.
Little did anyone know was that the entire conversation was eavesdropped on by Seth himself from his lab as the drama played out on his monitor as he laid down the stegosaurus and saurophaganx cards on a table in front of him, having completed another round of experiments on them. "Hmm...so its true then..." He muttered to himself placing a finger to his chin in thought, as he switched to a different monitor displaying a Dinosaur signal that had recently appeared at the place where the D team and alpha gang fought, one which was completely new and unknown. He then smirked to himself rather sisterly at the turn of events, "Things have gotten that much more interesting indeed..."
And thus concludes chapter 4 and Cera's integration into the D team, stay tuned for the many new adventures they'll have together in facing off against new dinosaurs, the alpha gang and eventually diving into piecing together her fragmented memories!
As for Miku's moves in order of use-
Power siphon-Miku latches onto the face of the enemy and drains its energy and adds it to her own
Parasitic perch-Miku clings onto the neck of the opposing dinosaur's neck and taps into its brain stem controlling its mind.
Energy Equalizer-Miku shines light above ally dinosaurs and shares her energy, best after using power siphon for more effect since she gives up her energy for others.
With new year's now started hope everyone has a great one.
In response to reviews, glad I didn't disappoint and I do hope to be able to continue with this as well. In response to pokemonking0924, I hope to include a few more concepts in the DS later in the story including exclusive dinosaurs.
To anyone who's also interested in helping me out with this collab feel free to PM me, I'll try welcome whatever ideas you can suggest too.