Dinosaur Queen

by HunterHQ

A young girl named Cera and her partner Miku awaken without a clue as to where or when they are, even as to who they are. Join them on their journey as they work together through trials of many kinds to dig up their past and piecing it together, while battling foes across space and even time itself!

7. Game On!

Chapter 7

Game on!

At the D lab, the D trio and their partner dinosaurs had just entered to find Cera standing by 1 of the tables as she seemed to be staring rather intently at something much to their curiosity. "Hey Cera what'cha doing over there?" Max asked as he and the others walked over to where she was, as she and Miku both looked up at them.

"Oh guys," she said acknowledging their presence, "I was just taking a look at a handful of the cards you managed to acquire." she said spreading out carcharodontosaurus, saltasaurus, styracosaurus, utahraptor, maiasaura and ankylosaurus across the desk. "And after going over them for sometime, I noticed something rather familiar about them….."

They blinked their eyes curiously, "Familiar?"

Rex suddenly widened his eyes upon realisation, "Wait, as in you actually remembered something about yourself!?" he gasped as the others soon followed his expression.

"AH!"

Cera then shook her head rather reluctantly, "Well no not really, though I wish I did….." she said looking away a bit before eying the cards on the table, "It's more like something I knew once before but not about memories as to who I really am."

"Oh….okay then." said Max as he and his friends all felt a little let down, but happy nonetheless.

"So then what did you figure out?" Zoe then asked as Cera smiled in response.

"This." she said showing off the 6 dinosaurs in her hand, "Take a close look at these 6 dinosaurs I got here. Tell me, what do you see?" She asked hoping they'd be able to guess it to make it more fun.

As they all narrowed their eyes and focused, they couldn't quite see what the puzzle was, though Zoe blinked her eyes and smirked feeling confident over her answer she decided to keep it to herself letting the boys have a shot at guessing it. "Umm….I see 6 dinosaurs we managed to rescue a couple of weeks back?" Rex asked.

"And I see how some of them really gave us a run for our money too." Max followed.

Cera smiled though it was a bit of a disappointed one, "Well…yes….but there's something else too, can you see it?" she asked again.

Taking a closer look Max hardened his gaze and placed a finger to his chin in thought. Staring intently a bead of sweat ran down his cheek before hitting his fist into the palm of his hand, "Ah I get it now."

Rex turned to him in surprise, "Oh! You figured it out Max?"

Max smiled, "Not a clue….." he chuckled as Rex sweat dropped in response.

"Figures….." he sighed.

"Well it's not like you're coming up with anything yourself!" Max growled back in response shaking his fist in frustration.

Zoe facepalmed in dismay at their childish behaviour and ridiculous answers, "Oh come on guys, isn't it obvious?" she said as they turned their attention to her.

"Huh?"

"Look," she said picking up the 6 cards and flipping them over, "Each of these dinosaurs represents one of the 6 elements represented by the stones." she explained, "Fire, water, earth, wind, grass and lightning."

Cera smiled pleased that Zoe got the right answer, "Yes, that's exactly right." she said as Zoe playfully smirked at the 2 boys who huffed in response.

"Ah…..How did we not see that before?" Rex wondered.

"Heh I knew it all along." Max boasted smugly folding his arms behind his head, "I was just testing you."

"Yeah right….." Rex grunted narrowing his eyes unbelievingly.

"Sometimes you've just got to look beyond just the surface and think a bit more ahead." Cera explained as she took the cards from Zoe and arranged them rather unusually to them on the table, "Also when I took a closer look at them, I also noticed that each of these dinosaurs seemed to have type matchups with one another too."

The D team members blinked their eyes curiously, trying to figure out what she meant, "Type matchup?"

"Look at it this way." She explained taking the saltasaurus and carcharodontosaurus cards and holding them up, "Water puts out fire, everyone knows that right?" As she said so they nodded. After that she picked the styracosaurus up and held it with the saltasaurus, "But, water also conducts electricity."

"Yeah that makes sense." Max mused having recalled Chomp's lightning based attacks having much greater effect on water dinosaurs like Spiny and Baryonyx compared to most others when they fought together.

"Looking at it logically, I also found out about this too." Cera mentioned picking the ankylosaurus next, "Earth grounds electricity, so it would make sense lightning dinosaurs may be at a disadvantage against earth ones."

Max placed a finger to his chin in thought, "Now that I think about it, Chomp's moves didn't seem to have as much effect on Tank compared to Spiny so that makes sense." he said in agreement.

"Also Ace's wind attacks didn't seem to do as much damage to Terry as it would to other dinosaurs," Rex followed remembering their battle at the London museum, "And when he took a volcano burst straight to the face he couldn't last more than 2 seconds….." He added, also recalling the incident with the acrocanthosaurus, where his cyclone only served to whip up the flames even more so.

"Whoa, how did we not notice that before?" Max breathed in amazement, a feeling which was mirrored by the others present in the room, most of all was Reese who was at her table listening in to every word said.

"Overall here's what I managed to piece together." Cera concluded as she pointed out to the cards 1 by 1, "Water puts out fire but also conducts lightning. Next, earth blocks lightning, but grass grows over earth and holds it in place. Finally, wind scatters grass yet it also spreads and even strengthens fire." She explained much to the amazement of the D team, as they stared with unblinking eyes at her theory. Reese herself was rather intrigued by her logic that she wasted no time trying to add it all to the manual, which was untouched for quite some time until now.

"That's…..quite a lot to take in…." Max commented, his head spinning from the massive influx of new knowledge into his brain. He used to think battling dinosaurs was fighting till they turned back to a card for sometime, now with this it makes battles much more complex that they really are, no doubt with the potential to be something much more…

"Hey Cera, how did you figure this all out, on your own no less." Zoe asked curiously as Cera simply smiled.

"Well I didn't really do this all by myself." she said scratching the back of her head before letting her partner hope right into her hand as she brought her to her shoulder, "Miku helped me out a little too." As she said so, the little microraptor chirped with a nod.

The rest of her friends raised an eyebrow upon her statement, "She did?"

"How?" They asked rather suspiciously as Cera suddenly blinked on alert realising what she had said.

"Oh she kinda….gave me a hint here and there after we started picking through them…..hehehe…." she laughed nervously in response as Miku winked playfully to her as Cera nodded back, "Yeah, and after thinking it all logically this all just clicked together."

"I see….." said Rex thinking there may be more to what Cera was letting on, but decided not to poke at it any further out of respect.

Cera then lowered her hand and allowed Miku to hop onto it as she raised her up like a bird, "As for Miku though, from what I can tell she doesn't seem to have any sort of strength or weakness to any of these attributes." she said as her partner brushed herself with her arm, "In fact, even we don't know what she's truly capable of just yet, but I know it'll be something great." she said with a smile.

"Another piece of valuable knowledge I ought to add to the manual…." Reese thought to herself as she made another note down.

At that moment, Max patted Zoe and Rex on the shoulders getting their attention, "Hey guys, mind if you come over here a sec?" he asked rather seriously as they turned rather uneasy in response.

"Oh okay…." They replied as they came together in a group huddle to discuss something amongst one another, to Cera and Miku's interest, though at the same time feeling a bit offended that they were whispering right in front of her, showing that they may not trust her about something or that they weren't including her despite being part of the same team.

"Her microraptor has the same element as that doctor's pachycephalosaurus, therizinosaurus and deinonychus." Max pointed out rather suspiciously as he narrowed his eyes, "You think it could be a coincidence?" he asked which earned him a couple of serious glares from his friends.

"Max, you're not actually suggesting….."

"N…no of course not!" he waved his hands frantically, "It's just…it can't be a coincidence right? The fact she lost her memories yet she seems to know a lot about dinosaurs….even understanding them…." he replied scratching his cheek stating the facts that shouldn't be overlooked, something which Rex and Zoe took to mind.

"I see what you mean….." They became rather downcast at the possibility, but Max then brightened up deciding to support the and be optimistic instead.

"But I'm not going to point any fingers," he said, "Cera's a friend I know it, and I just know she loves dinosaurs as much as we do and wants to help protect them against those who would misuse them." he said as they nodded back at him in agreement.

"Yeah, guess you're right…."

"Sorry guys….." he then apologised hoping he didn't create any tension or distrust between them, though fortunately they smiled back showing they forgave him.

"Umm….is there something you guys are talking about I ought to know?" Cera then asked curiously as they quickly sure d around putting on as convincing a poker face as they could to show they weren't suspicious at all.

"Well Cera," Max asked rather uneasily, "We were curious as to what made you decide to do this in the first place?"

"It's not like you needed to, you're already a part of this team." Rex followed as as their friend decided to give it a little thought, before coming up with an answer of her own to respond with.

She smiled and clapped her hands together, "Well I just thought maybe I go over some of the cards to pass the time and all, since we have nothing better to do at the moment." she said. "Also from what I can tell there's only so much we all know about the cards now so I thought maybe I try to take a crack at it here and there." As she continued her expression gained a slight hint of sadness as she came to another bit she let reluctant to speak about, "And the fact dinosaurs seem to jog at least bits and pieces of what I remember….." As she said that she put on another positive expression as quick as she could to avoid giving herself away, "I thought maybe studying the dinosaurs we have now would give us a better idea of how they would rect and fight, that way we can prepare for any other future battles ahead, plan out strategy better so we can end the fights more quickly and reduce any collateral damage or putting innocents in danger. Not to mention we wouldn't need to make the dinosaurs suffer as much too, as well as avoid drawing too much unneeded attention." she added at the end as she twirled a bit of her hair with her finger as the D team gaped at her speechlessly at how selfless she was….which made Max feel rather guilty about doubting her earlier.

"Wow….that's…..very thoughtful of you Cera….." said Zoe as Max smiled in response before putting an arm around her.

"We're really lucky to have on board with us, you'll definitely be a lot of help to the D team in our quest to save the dinosaurs!" he cheered as Cera couldn't help but blush at feeling welcome with so many glad expressions around her.

"Unlike you lot," Reese interrupted having finished writing in her book and putting it away, "She's doing something very productive with her free time, unlike the rest of you who spend too much time watching TV or reading comic books which rot your minds." she said with disapproval, as they took it to offence.

"Hey! You don't know that until you try it yourself!" Max yelled shaking his fist out before she shot him a glare which silenced them and their dinosaurs on the spot! It even made Cera herself shiver despite it not being directed towards her.

"That was just low…." Rex sighed turning away unable to face his failure.

"Was that really necessary Reese?" Zoe pouted before quickly whispering into Cera's ear, "At least I'm better than those 2 in any possible way." she said pointing to Max and Rex behind her with her thumb.

Getting over it, Max then huffed as he folded his arms behind his head, "Still if you ask me I'd say this just complicates things a little too much," he said rather snobbishly, "All we've got to do is just beat the dinosaur with everything we've got and that's that." he added with a grin as the others turned to him and he became the focus of everyone else's attention.

"Max, you really should give her more credit." said Zoe.

"She went through all this effort for the team, we're lucky to have on our side to help us be ready for anything." Rex added in agreement helping to make Cera feel more appreciated herself.

"Oh yeah?" Max then grinned as he began to open up the small hip pack he was carrying and he began ti pull something out of it, "Heh, well I know another way we can be ready ourselves! Check this out!" he boasted with confidence as he unravelled a poster he got from the mail earlier in the morning as he flashed it to his friends as they took a closer look at it. It was bright red and flashy, with a green t rex and a red triceratops facing off with one another with a big title in the center of the poster.

"Dino Might tournament at the arcade clearance sale down at the Megamall?" Cera said out loud as she read it.

"Isn't it that video game where you play against one another as dinosaurs?" Rex questioned, "How's that supposed to be of any help at all?"

"Duh? Why try to guess how a dinosaur would act when you can experience being one yourself!?" Max responded, "It'll get us some much needed experience on dinosaur fighting and maybe teach Chomp and the others a few new moves from what we learn there!" he said before grinning with excitement and jumping up, "Not to mention whoever wins that tournament gets anything from the arcade store free of charge! It's basically like getting 2 prizes for the price of 1! Oh man I am so gonna ace that!" he cried out at the top of his lungs as Chomp jump up energetically feeling his partner's enthusiasm and catching it himself. "Heh, and they say I'm not well prepared Chomp, hehehe…." he chuckled as they both ran off out to the mall, dropping the poster as he left, with his friends staring at him with dismay as he left.

"He didn't listen to one bit of what I said did he?" Cera asked.

"Nope he didn't….." Rex face palmed.

Zoe then placed a comforting hand on her shoulder as she smiled to her friend along with Paris who chirped, "But we did, thanks for the advice Cera, we'll keep all that in mind the next we go up against a dinosaur." she said as Cera nodded in acknowledgement,

"Mhmm. Thanks you guys. I feel really appreciated to hear that." She said before recalling the poster Max left behind and picking it up for a closer look, "Still there really isn't much going on, maybe a trip down to the mall should be interesting since I haven't gotten used to Sanjo City just yet." She said rolling up the poster and putting it at the side.

Zoe's eyes then brightened with excitement as she said those words, "Oh you'll love it for sure!" she cried out taking her hands in with her own while staring straight at Cera rather uncomfortably, "In fact, I know this really awesome jewellery store and fashionable boutique we can both visit to try on all sorts of cute outfits and stuff! I'll be your tour guide to the greatest place here in town! Now come on let's go!" she said before tugging on her friends' hand and dragging her along for the ride!

"H….Hey!" Cera couldn't fond the strength nor the time to react as she was pulled along for the ride by an overenthusiastic Zoe and Paris, leaving Ace and Rex behind who sweat dropped at the drama that just played out.

"Oh boy, we'd better follow them so that they wouldn't spend over our allowance…." he said to Ace as they both hurried off after their fiends not wishing to get left behind in the dust.

"Have fun now….." Reese smiled as she returned to her work, letting out a sigh of relief now with the peace and quiet.

(Meanwhile)

In their room, both Rod and Laura both sat at their tables working on their homework as usual. As Laura hummed with enjoyment as she began solving several math equations, Rod kicked his legs back and forth as he entered an internet site to help with his research. He got along quite fine and smiled to see he had made great progress, till several pop up ads suddenly opened up in his screen much to his annoyance, "Tch! Stupid pop ups, get out of my face!" He hissed in annoyance as he began to close them down, "Man I should really install a pop up blocker one of these days….." he thought to himself knowing exactly what to do….till a certain ad caught his attention and he stopped himself from clicking the close icon just in time! "Whoa!" he gasped as he widened his eyes at what he saw on screen before flipping his laptop around. "Hey Laura check this out!" he cried out catching her attention.

"Hmm?" As she looked from her screen to see her brother pointing frantically at the ad depicting Dino-Might on it, she couldn't help but giggle in amusement, "Oh silly Rod, I know you love video games as much as I do, but you do realise Helga would never let us skip homework and studies for something like that right?"

"Not that Laura! This!" He said pointing at the lower side section of the ad as Laura leaned in for a closer look.

She squinted her eyes a bit while reading it out loud, "Clearance event? Win the tournament and get any prize free of charge?"

Rod nodded, "And take a look at what they have on offer." he grinned as he clicked on 1 of the prizes available, which displayed a card folio on it, which seemed to have blurry but unmistakable images of dinosaur cards in them!

"Whoa! Is that another card folio!? No way!" Laura gasped covering her mouth in amazement at their lucky find, in a pop up of all things.

Taking his computer back, Rod took a closer look and began digitally enhancing the image. As it cleared up, the image of the cards was still rather blurry but was good enough for him, "Looks legit to me," he said before closing his computer and taking it with him, "Maybe if we can get permission from gramps we'll have a valid excuse to skip today!"

"Hmm, that does make sense….." Laura thought out loud to herself as she and her brother got off their seats, "Also, we should at least check it out." She said as they both left their room and their homework on the table. Little did they now was that Seth was listening in to their new discovery from a monitor down in his lab, and the news of a possible opportunity caused a devious smirk to come across his face.

In another room, Dr Z was lying down in bed taking a nice long nap and was settling into a pleasant dream, when the sounds of approaching footsteps followed by the opening of his room door caused him to open his eyes.

"Grampa! Grampa!" a pair of voices called out to him as he sat up groggily.

"Urgh…." he rubbed his eyes and was about to turn grouchy for having his rest disturbed, but calmed down upon seeing his grandchildren had come to visit him, "Oh? Ah it's you two! Glad to see you both are feeling much better." he said with a smile to see his young grandkids now active again like they should be. "Wish I could say the same for myself though….." he then frowned after checking the condition of his own back which seemed to be as sore and stiff as it ever was.

Rod and Laura looked to one another and smiled, "Hee hee, well we know something that will cheer you up for sure!" Laura giggled with glee before Rod flashed the computer screen to Dr Z. "Ta da!"

"Huh?" Dr Z leaned in closer for a better look before raising an eyebrow at them both with suspicion, "A video game contest? Just how will this make me feel better?" he asked, "Normally I wouldn't be on board with Helga but shouldn't you be working on your assignments by now?"

"Not that grampa!" Rod called out, "Take a closer look at what they have as a prize!" He pointed out at the digitally enhanced image of the prize section of the website.

"Hmm?" As Dr Z squinted his eyes and took a closer look he then widened them in amazement, "Ah! It's another card folio and it seems to be fully loaded with cards!" he cried in surprise.

"I came upon this as a pop up ad while doing research, guess good thing I didn't click this off before getting a good look at it." stated his grandson.

"So what do you think? You think it's for real?" asked Laura.

Dr Z folded his arms in thought, contemplating whether this could be counterfeits or not….in any case it was worth investigating, "Hmm….well there's only 1 way to find out!" he then pointed out to the sky as he issued what may the kids' first mission granted by him, "Go you two! Your mission is to win this silly little tourney and bring me back that card folio!" he proclaimed as they both stood firmly like soldiers!

"Right!" They said together before turning around to leave.

"Not so fast!" A voice suddenly spoke out from nowhere catching them by surprise.

"Huh?"

Suddenly bursting into the room were the 3 members of Dr Z's elites, or in other words his former elites, "Never fear the A team is here!" Ursula, Zander and Ed chanted together in unison while striking poses, much to the letdown of Dr Z and his grandchildren thinking it was someone important.

"What are you 3 stooges up to now?" he mumbled raising an eyebrow, his mood turned sour the moment his eyes made contact with them.

Ursula then skipped towards his bed and leaned in towards him with a bright smile, "Dr Z, there's no need to trouble the children when they clearly have so much homework to do." she said sounding lovingly.

"Which is why we, your faithful favourites, have volunteered ourselves to retrieve that card folio for you!" Ed bowed.

"You can leave this to us for sure! We won't let you down!" Zander proclaimed placing a fist to his chest ready for duty!

Dr Z suddenly gained a rather sinister smirk across his face as he began to chuckle with maliciousness, "Leave this to you? Faithful followers!? Ha! You must be joking! You 3 numbskulls couldn't even find your way back home without breaking something in the process, let alone play a video game!" he laughed before turning vicious much to their horror, "What makes you think I could ever trust this to you!?"

They huddled together in disappointment at his lack of faith in them, "W…well it's because…"

"I wasn't asking!" Dr Z cut Ursula off as she twiddled her fingers.

While he continued to berate them, Rod began whispering an idea into his sister's ear, and a bright smile came across her face highlighting her agreement with it, "Good idea right?"

She nodded, "It could be a nice warmup for the tourney later."

"Then it's agreed." Rod grinned as he stepped in between the bumbling trio and their bedridden grandfather. "How about we decide this with a game then?" he called out as they turned to him with interest at his words.

"Oh?"

Ursula and the trio grinned seeing this as an opportunity to one up the kids, "Go on we're listening…." she grinned rubbing her hands together.

Rod smirked, "That old seabird game I made, this time we'll let you be the eagle for a change." he said as the trio gasped in amazement.

"Huh!?" Even Dr Z was quite surprised to hear his grandson be so generous, he was used to giving handicaps to make the match more challenging and enjoyable but this caught him off guard.

"If you beat us then you'll prove that you've got the skills you need to blaze through anyone in that tourney." Rod grinned while pointing to himself with his thumb.

"But if we win, you keep your noses out of our business till we get back home." Laura added brightly with a light chuckle, "Plus giving you a handicap ought to be a nice warmup for us too." she sang.

"So what do you say? Think you're up for the challenge?" Rod asked as the trio all grinned and snickered deviously at this opportunity, there was no way they could possibly lose now!

"Hehehe, you might as well quit right now, because you just dug your own grave!" Zander snickered rubbing his hands together.

"And a very deep one too!" Ed followed punching a fist into the palm of his hand.

"By the time we're through with you, it'll game over before the game actually begins! Hahahaha!" Ursula laughed boastfully holding her head high up.

"Talk is cheap, we'll see who really has the skills to win." Rod replied undeterred as he and Ursula both looked one another in the eye, neither one of them backing down from the fight!

"You're on and you're going down!" Ursula responded as they all exited Dr Z's bedroom for the main hall to play!

Dr Z with interest began to push himself up to follow them, "Now this I ought to see….." before he could pull himself up, a sudden strike of pain followed by the sound of his back snapping echoed throughout the room!

CRACK!

"EEEK! If only my back wasn't hurting….." he began tearing up before slumping flat onto his bed once more, left alone in his room.

At the main hall, Rod and Laura both finished setting the game's rules and round before they began their deciding match to see who would go on the mission. Ursula's side had a massive handicap with 3 controllers at her side, each operated by herself and her 2 lackeys, whole Rod and Laura operated at the other end. "Enjoy your loss pipsqueaks!" Ursula yelled out as the eagle took into the skies ready for battle!

"I believe that's our line." Rod replied back as their albatross got up into the air with them! The fight began as both birds began swooping at one another, as the eagle struck out with strikes with its wings and claws, the albatross was able to skilfully dodge at every last second much to the surprise of the A team.

"Grr! Hold still you little runts!" Zander grumbled in annoyance as Rod and Laura's strategy to frustrate them was progressing quite well.

As Ed began to sweat seeing their bird was losing stamina, he noticed their power gauge had reached maximum! "Hey Ursula!" he cried out, "The special attack meter's all full now!"

She grinned hearing his words, "Perfect! Now's the time to finish them with out special move!"

"Here comes the dive bomb!" Zander announced pressing the button as the eagle flew up to the sky and struck down like a torpedo!

"Here it comes Rod!" Laura cried out as her brother grinned seeing it at the moment they were waiting for!"

"Perfect." he smirked as the eagle closed in on their albatross!

The trio began snickering with delight knowing their victory was within their grasp! But at the last second the albatross swooped out of the way causing their eagle to bash itself straight into a cliffside and getting its head stuck!

"Gah!" They gasped in alarm to see their ultimate move turned into an ultimate fail!

"We sucked you right into our trap!" Laura called out as she and Rod grinned to their now panicked foes who began pressing all sorts of buttons or tugging at the controls in several random directions!

"Hehe, now for our special move! Go Albatross kick!" upon Rod's commands, the albatross struck out forward with its foot ready to bring it down upon the now trapped eagle!

As it closed in, Ursula's heart began to race and she sweated profusely before turning to her underlings who were still messing around with the controls! "Zander! Ed! Get us into the air now!" she yelled.

"I'm trying!"

"This game's controls are out of whack!" They both cried out pulling at the control sticks and pressing the buttons to no avail! By the time they managed to get their eagle free, the albatross delivered a swift kick to its head, knocking it out cold and taking the A team out of the match for good!

"Ack….." their jaws dropped and they turned pale as they could only stare unblinkingly and speechlessly at the sight of the wimpy albatross flapping its wings and standing triumphantly over their utterly defeated eagle.

"And that's game." Rod grinned victoriously as he snapped his fingers, "Now if you'll excuse us, we have a real match to win. Let's just hope it won't be as easy." He said as he and his sister began to exit the room with a new victory under their belt, "Maybe there'll actually be some real competition when we get there Laura." he said to his sister who folded her arms behind her head.

"I sure hope so Rod, that didn't even make good practice." she added boredly as they left the trio gritting their teeth and shaking their fists at them bitterly.

"Grrr…!"

As they made their way through the lower levels to the hangar, the pair of siblings was stopped by a famailr voice which came out of nowhere, "Ah, Rod and Laura, just the two I was looking for."

"Huh?" As they both turned around they saw Seth walking towards them calmly with his hands in his pockets. "Oh hey Seth, what's up?" Rod asked curiously.

"Rod and I have to be going somewhere now, grampa sent us on an important mission!" Laura cheered.

"Did he now?" Seth smiled, "Well in that case, you'd better not forget these." he said taking out a pair of alpha scanners from his pockets and handing them to them both.

They both blinked their eyes in surprise, "Huh? The alpha scanners?"

"We're only going to go enter some gaming tournament, no biggie, it's not like we're going to fighting any dinosaurs right?" They each asked.

"Perhaps, but a little insurance wouldn't hurt now would it?" Seth replied as he held out a pair of move cards, a fire and earth one, in between 2 of his fingers, "I've even taken the liberty of adding in a few new kicks to your arsenal now. I trust you'll be most pleased." he said handing them both to Rod and Laura respectively.

"Magma blaster and spike arrows?" Rod asked as he recognised them both.

"Whoa! Those are the move cards belonging to Saurophaganax and Stegosaurus!" Laura gasped before grinning excitedly, "Hee hee, with these there's no way we'll lose!"

"I'm glad you agree Laura," Seth said feeling glad she was satisfied before looking to her brother, "Surely you feel the same way too Rod. Especially since you'll also be having this too." He said reaching into his pocket again and handing him the triangle shaped move card he developed.

Rod blinked his eyes in surprise as he gazed upon the move card Seth held, "Huh? You're giving us the velociraptors again?" he questioned rather suspiciously as he eyed it.

Seth narrowed his eyes seriously sensing Rod's untrusting behaviour, "Is there a problem?" he asked with a very firm expression which sent a small shiver down Rod's spine as his eyes met the older man's glare.

"N…no of course not." Rod shivered as he took it without asking any further questions, he could tell though Seth was usually quiet and moody, to getting him in a bad mood would no doubt be almost as bad as getting on Helga's nasty side. "It's just, all this seems a little overkill for some measly contest." he said before putting on a strong front to show they his confidence, "Also, we're plenty strong on our own, those D team losers don't stand a chance!" he grinned pumping his arm.

Seth smirked in response, "Heh, I wouldn't be so sure about that….." he scoffed as he began turning around.

Rod raised an eyebrow with suspicion as to Seth's words, "Huh? What's that supposed to mean?" he questioned, feeling offended that Seth would have little faith in his and Laura's abilities, especially when it came to technology and games.

Seth himself knew the pair of kids were confident, and their skills were indeed top notch to back up their claims, but he knew that their adversaries had a new ally that even that had little knowledge of, so he decided to let them off with advice and a warning. "You probably wouldn't believe me if I told you, it's better for you both to experience it for yourselves first hand." he said with a small smirk before stopping to turn to them, "So I'll say just this. There's recently been a new face in the D team's ranks, and mark my words, she isn't one to be underestimated." he said raising questions amongst Rod and Laura.

"New face? You mean like they've got a new member on their team?" Laura blinked.

"So they've got one more on their side, no biggie." Rod shrugged his shoulders.

"We'll see….." Seth replied, "In the meantime I'll be sure to cover for you from Helga till you return home, so you can rest easy knowing she won't be bothering you anytime soon." he concluded, "And with that, I'll be taking my leave. Good luck now." he said as he left the premises leaving the 2 kids with more questions than they started out with.

"What's that all about?" Laura asked her brother who folded his arms behind his head in a laid back manner.

"I don't know, Seth's always been keeping to himself and from the rest of us since forever. Sometimes even I don't know what he's thinking…." he replied sounding rather uncaringly, "But, as long as he's doing all this to help gramps obtain his dream and help us go home to mom and dad, I'm willing to do as he says."

"Guess you're right about that Rod." his sister replied before smiling with energy, "Oh well, we've wasted enough time with chit chat, come on! We've got a game tournament to win!" she cheered while her brother grinned deciding a little game should get them both a little more psyched before their big challenge.

"Hehe, how about we start by racing to hangar? First one there gets to call shotgun in the driver's seat!" he declared as they both got into starting running positions.

"Hee hee! You're on! Whee!" Laura giggled then cheered as they took off for the elevator leading down to the hangar.

Observing them from a distance at the far back, the A trio popped their heads out from behind a corridor, with furious expressions of anger and spite, "Tch! Just look at them! Acting all high and mighty just because they beat us in 1 lousy video game!" Ursula hissed through her gritted teeth.

Zander gained a tic mark on his forehead and he began shaking his fist out in anger, "Yeah! They probably rigged it against us too! No way a couple of snotty brats like them could ever beat experts like us!" he growled as the elevator door closed behind Rod and Laura.

"At this rate they could steal our positions as Dr Z's favourites and most trusted…" Ed muttered sadly before a scary thought popped into his mind, "Eventually they could even be our superiors!" he gasped in horror clutching his face in!

"Grrr…..oh the thought of that is just making me burn up inside!" Ursula growled as she began to pop her knuckles, before suddenly gaining a sinister smile on her face as she hatch a new devious plan to get back on Dr Z's good side. "And you know what? I'd say instead of moping around, let's do something about it!"

Her 2 friends looked to her curiously, "Oh yeah? What's that?" asked Ed.

"Another one of your bright ideas Ursula?" Zander followed.

"Ahahah! My brightest one yet!" she laughed sinisterly, "For now we'll just tail them and let them do all the hard work of getting that card folio for us while we sit back and relax! Then when they least expect it, we'll sneak in and snatch it from right under their little noses! And all the glory that comes with it!" she proclaimed, "Oh how I look forward to seeing their helpless expressions when we return victorious!" she laughed as Ed and Zander both cheered in agreement.

"Yeah! That could actually work!" Ed cried out.

"Not to mention the rewards and promotions Dr Z will give us too! Soon we'll be on the way to being top executive or something!" Zander noted as he began to do a rather jolly jig to show his happiness and excitement.

"And best of all, we'll be able to boss them around and make them do as WE please! Ahahaha! Sometimes I even amaze myself." Ursula laughed to herself snobbishly as Ed and Zander both held their arms up and jumped up and down, showing how much they wanted in on Ursula's plan.

"Well then, count me in!"

"I'm all abroad chief!"

She grinned seeing everyone was on board, "Excellent, now come! Victory awaits us!" she declared pointing up to the sky as the trio charged forward towards the elevator!

(Later)

At the mall, Zoe dragged Cera through all sorts of stores hoping to bring out her inner girl as she so claimed, much to the latter's confusion. Their first stop was, to a beauty parlour which wasn't exactly her cup of tea having been forced through several treatments and makeovers, though she bore with it since Zoe seemed to enjoy it that much, though Paris and Miku didn't as the green parasaurolophus began sneezing quite violently after being sprayed with perfume, while Miku ended up being coated in white powder till she looked almost like a dust ball herself! Finally after exiting a popular boutique, now carrying several bags of exclusive clothes that were on offer, Zoe giggled and jump energetically having the most fun she had in ages.

"Now wasn't that just exciting Cera!?" she cried out with Paris following her, as Cera panted rather tiredly, having managed to get back to her usual look at last after trying on so many outfits due to Zoe pressuring her into doing so with her critical fashion sense at every single detail from the colour down to the cutting.

Despite all that she put on a tired but sincere smile for the fact she at least was able to make her friend happy, and to some extent herself, "Hahah yeah I guess it was…." she sweated tiredly as Miku narrowed her eyes with annoyance at Cera's overly selfless attitude.

"If you like that you'll love this!" she grinned, "There's this jewellery store just down the block and I was thinking we head there next and-"

"Actually Zoe," Cera cut her off wanting to do something a little different herself, "I was thinking of checking out the arcade with the guys and seeing what it's all about." she said.

Zoe widened her eyes with shock upon hearing those words, "Say what!?" her mind was blown, never before had she imagined a girl would actually want to dive into the boorish things that the boys were so into….to her it felt almost like a living nightmare!

"That video game flyer Max showed us earlier kind of intrigued me," Cera replied, "I'm curious as to see what kind of dinosaur game they came up with, not to mention what other games and entertainment they have in store too."

"No way….." At that moment, Zoe fell to her knees and began to tear up rather comedically, "I can't believe you'd choose going over to some silly video game tournament! How could you? I…I thought we had a connection?" she cried out as tears watered out from them.

"Ehehehe….we do Zoe honest." Cera scratched her head while sweat dropping at her friend's overdramatic behaviour, "Not that it's bad or anything, I enjoy it. I just thought we might try something different now and then, I'm sure even you'd get tired of doing the same thing everyday right? It's just not as fun as interesting after a while." she said backing up her point as Zoe wiped away her tears and sniffled bitterly.

"I….guess you're right…." she pouted looking away. As Paris came in to nuzzle up and comfort her.

Cera then stepped up toward the arcade entrance, which glistened and shone with a bright sign with several ads for games or prizes on display at the window display, along with a massive poster depicting the new release of Dino Might, "Besides, it looks pretty cool and while we're here I hope to experience everything Sanjo City has to offer," she said as Miku chirped and tugged at her ear getting her attention. "Ah yes, you too Miku. Come on, let's go have some fun." She said as Miku jumped up with excitement and they both went inside the noisy and bustling gaming corner.

As she past through the doors, Zoe picked herself up and turned rather serious as a result, "I'd better go with her so she doesn't end up like those immature boys….." she said firmly as she marched right inside after her.

(Meanwhile)

Nearby at a clearing in the Central park, obscured by a grove of thick trees, a sleek streamlined jet with pterosaur shaped wings on its side (The black jet Seth used during metal imbalance) landed smoothly as its upper section opened up, with Rod and Laura jumping out of it. After landing they each did a little stretch after being cooped in the driver's compartment for some time during the trip before deciding to get to work.

"So, where do we go from here?" Laura asked her brother who took out his alpha scanner and he began dialling on it.

He narrowed his eyes as a blimp appeared on the map screen and he smirked to se they were pretty close to where they needed to go, "According to the address, the arcade is right at the megamall which isn't very far from here." he said pointing right ahead of them.

His sister smiled in response, "Well in that case," she snapped her fingers and a blue alpha scooter ejected out from the jet's storage compartment which they both hopped on as it sped to them. "Lead the way big brother." said Laura cheerily as Rod began to start up their ride.

"With pleasure." he said as they sped right ahead leaving their jet behind.

A few moments after they left, a set of banging noises could the jet's underside, it then opened up and 3 people were sent rolling out of it. Zander and Ursula first rolled into a tree before Ed came tumbling down on top of them! "Gaah!"

"Uff….that's the last time we cram ourselves into the trunk of any transport." Zander wheezed feeling himself crushed under Ed's massive weight.

"Same here Zander….." Ed whimpered feeling too weak to move a muscle.

Underneath them both, Ursula fumed red and steamed having been the one to receive the most punishment. Feeling her face squashed into the ground she summoned up all her inner rage and strength! "Grrgh! Stop your bellyaching and get up you clowns!" she roared as she threw them both off with all her might!

"AAAAH!" They cried as they tumbled away and into another tree, the impact sending a bunch of leaves to fall on them both!

"Rod and Laura already have a head start! You want them to beat us to the reward before we do!?" Ursula growled as they both sprung to life almost instantaneously!

"Gasp!" They jumped up and shook their fists filled with motivation

"No way!"

"They're going down!" They growled gritting their teeth with fury as Ursula snickered seeing their fiery determination was exactly what she wanted out of them.

"Glad to hear it, now come on team! Move out!" She announced pointing out in the direction the 2 siblings went as they trotted after them.

(At Zeta Point)

Back at Zeta Point, Seth was walking down the corridor back to his laboratory to initiate his next stage of his experiment. In his mind he felt confident that the 2 children, despite their young age, were more than capable of securing the card folio along with several new potential test subjects that will serve as the chosen ones to save the dinosaur species from extinction by surviving the event that wiped them out thereby enabling new possibilities to be made as a result. The thought and potential results actually excited hm somewhat though only hinted by a smirk he had on his face. His train of thought was interrupted by the voice of someone familiar but no less than a nuisance.

"Seth!" Helga bellowed as she stood behind him, his smirk vanishing as he turned around to face her.

"State your business Helga," he replied, "You know I am a busy man and I have a lot of work to do." he said as calmly as he could while doing what he could to hide his hatred from the housemaid robot.

"Don't play coy with me! You know exactly why I'm here!" she yelled pointing out at him angrily, as Seth narrowed his eyes firmly. "Where are Rod and Laura? They should be studying and doing homework right now."

Seth said nothing at first before replying "Isn't being their keeper your task? What they do is none of my concern." he said.

"I know very well that they have been hanging around with you lately and that you are not best of influences." she responded in accusation as she hardened her expression furiously, "There wellbeing is my priority, so I suggest strongly that you tell me the truth right this instant! Or else there will be big trouble for you!"

Seth once again remained silent, he knew he could easily deal with her at his leisure but in his mind he knew that now would not be the best of times. So then, decided to tell her the absolute truth, "If you must know Helga, Dr Z just sent them on an important mission to retrieve dinosaur cards, that is all you need to know." he said.

His answer seemed to only infuriate Helga all the more so as she returned his answer with an angry yell, "Do you take me for some kind of fool!?"

"No I do not, which is why I have proof right here." he said as he took out a tablet from his trench coat and began dialling on it. It then depicted the very scene that took place moments before he sent his 2 grandchildren out on their mission.

As the recording completed its run, Helga hardened her gaze looking at the tablet then to Seth and back again. Neither one seemed willing to give in, and with the silence came great tension in the air as the 2 of them faced off.

"….."

After several minutes, Helga finally deemed it legitimate as she closed her eyes calmly, "Very well, if that is what Dr Z wishes, and as long as they are home in time for dinner and their assignments then so be it." she replied as she turned around smoothly before walking off. Before she exited the corridor though, she shot Seth a final backward glance before walking away, "But don't think you're off the hook just yet. I've got my eye on you, if you try anything to harm them, I will make you pay…." she thought hinting she still didn't trust him.

As she exited the premises Seth smirked to himself in amusement, "That went much better than I expected." he thought before turning serious, "But she is much sharper than she let's on…..I'd best take precaution in the event she does get too nosy for her own good…." he then turned around and entered the elevator that wold take him to his laboratory, as it descended his smirk turned rather malicious as a result. "Now I move on to the next phase of my experiment." he thought to himself as he held out the dinosaur cards of both stegosaurus and saurophaganax in his hand.

(At the megamall)

Meanwhile back at the arcade, both Cera and Miku looked around in amazement with wide and amazed eyes at the wonders of the arcade, with a bright array of flashing lights from the ads and signs leading to a wide variety of gaming booths from racing, shooting and fighting to simpler pixel type ones or even grab the prize with the claw. There were also a number of different ticketing booths where you could trade in money for game tokens, which you could then use to win tickets that you could then trade in for various prizes, which ranged across the different booths from household video games, gaming systems or other simpler prizes like trading cards or stuffed animals. It truly was a kid's dream come true in this colourful and bustling new atmosphere for Cera, "Wow look at this place…it's just….amazing…." she breathed in awe as she and Miku's eyes glistened in the light.

"If you find noisy and being surrounded by geeks on every corner then goodie for you…." Zoe muttered covering her ears unable to bear with the loud noise coming from the games or even from the crazed gamers and nerds who screeched with excitement when they won. She even shuddered as some of them even from the seating areas flashed her a couple of suspicious or unnerving looks, prompting her to hurry up and stick close to Cera. Apart from her, even Paris didn't find the environment very favourable as the loud noises and music disorientated her some what causing her to shake her head quite frequently.

As Cera looked around she could feel her heart race with excitement, "Wonder where we should start? Oh I just can't decide…." she said to herself out loud as though she were enticed or in a trance under some spell.

Zoe sweat dropped seeing the way she was behaving, "Oh no I'm losing her….I'll have to act fast!" she thought to herself in a panic before tugging on her friend's arm, "Say Cera, how about we find Max and Rex first then we decide on what to do next huh?" she suggested hoping to get her mind off the video games' enticing advertising. She was going to make it her mission not to let her new friend end up like how Max and Rex had fallen in her own opinion.

Thinking it over, Cera then nodded much to her relief, "Hmm, sounds like a good idea…." They didn't have to look far though as the 2 boys in question suddenly ran up towards them in a frantic with Ace and Chomp trailing behind them!

"Hey guys!"

"Check this out!" They each cried out panting with exhaustion, even somewhat dripping with sweat too.

"Huh?"

"Max? Rex? What's gotten into you guys?" Cera and Zoe asked curiously to see them so panicky, as if they were being chased by a lion or something similar.

Suddenly the boys took hold of the girls' arms and pulled them along! "No time to talk! Come here and see this!" They said as they dragged the along for the ride!

"H…hey wait!" As they came to a stop near one of the prize booths which was lined with several dinosaur related prizes like stuffed toys or books, they looked down to one of the lower levels-

"Ah! No way!" Zoe gasped in amazement, "A card folio….with dinosaur cards!?" she was taken aback by surprise to think they'd actually find another.

While she did that, Paris, Chomp and Ace were tapping their heads and feet at the glass for a better look, till Cera gently moved them aside for a look herself. As she did, Miku scurried out from her hair to take a closer look herself.

Narrowing her eyes she managed to make out a couple of the cards that were currently on display in the folio behind the display glass, which included a siamotyrannus, olorotitan, polancanthus and move card with a pair of troodon in it, which she seemed to recognise as move block. "These cards…..I feel like…I've seen them someplace before…." she breathed to herself as her eyes locked onto the cards and she didn't take them off for even a second.

As she did that, Max tapped at the desk in front of them where a plump man with his back turned towards them was. "Say sir, excuse me." He called out as loud as he could over the background noise of the arcade, which fortunately was enough for him to hear as he began to turn around.

"Yes? How may I help you?" he said politely as he showed them his face, which took all 4 kids by surprise.

"Whoa!"

"No way!"

"Ah!" They gasped in surprise as the old bearded man smiled to see them again.

"Oh it's you 3, it's been a long time." he chuckled in amusement before turning his attention to Cera who too was just as surprised as her friends were, "Ah! And to you too young lady, it's quite a surprise to see you again too." he added as she waved slowly to him politely.

"Y…yeah, it is…." she said.

Upon hearing what they both said to each other, the other members of the D team looked back and forth between the 2 in confusion, "Huh?"

"Wait, you two know each other?" Zoe and Max both asked curiously as Cera turned to them all.

"I was just about to ask you the same thing you guys." she said as her friends decided to go first.

"Well, we met him not far from here a couple of weeks back, he gave us a card folio loaded with several move cards and a ceratosaurus." said Max.

"Then we also came across him in Bali when we were out looking for a daspletosaurus." Rex continued.

"I see…." Cera relied with interest.

"How about you?" Zoe then asked, "How did you both meet?"

Cera then drew a hole in the floor with her shoe as she tried to remember everything she could before saying her piece, "Well you see….." After a while she began to retell her story over from how she first woke up without any of her memories with Miku, then they came across this very same man who gave them a roof to live under days before her fateful encounter with the D team, "And that's about it." After she finished they were at quite a loss for words as they look back and forth between Cera and the man before finally looking towards him who smiled quite warmly at the 4 kids before him.

"Wow, that's actually really nice of him to do all that." said Max surprised there were actually such good people out there who'd be willing to go out of their way to help others like Johnny just did for Cera.

"You really were lucky back then." Rex nodded in agreement.

Cera scratched the back of her head sheepishly, "Hehe, yeah I guess when you put it that way."

"Ahahaha, this is quite a small world isn't it?" Johnny then laughed out loud caching the attention of the 4 kids, "It's good to see you've made some great friends since we last met." He said as Cera smiled in response remembering his words from back then, had he not given her a place to stay while there she wouldn't have been able to meet Max, Rex and Zoe in the first place. Something she would treasure in her heart forever. "But enough catching up, how may I help you kids?" He then asked them.

"Well for starters," Max spoke first, "If we could ask how did you manage to get your hands on all those cards?" he asked.

Upon Max's question he folded his arms and closed his eyes in deep thought. For several minutes he remained as he was, silent and almost motionless, Zoe even thought he would be sleeping, but before she snap her fingers in front of his face he then opened suddenly to her surprise as he said "Hmm….well…."

"Y…Yeah?"

"I forgot…." he said at the end as they all groaned in dismay or faceplamed.

"Guh….."

"Guess nothing's changed since then…." Max muttered with a sigh.

Rex then walked up to the counter and asked up close, "S…say, you wouldn't by chance have any more of these would you?" he asked as the old man then shook his head.

"Hmm…nope I'm afraid this is my only one left. Sorry to disappoint you children." he said.

"I see…." Rex replied feeling somewhat suspicious though it didn't seem like the guy was hiding anything else.

"Well in that case, how many tickets would that book cost?" Cera then asked politely as the man faded his arms in thought again.

"Hmm….if I were to put a price on it….." he said stroking his beard before giving them a grin and thumbs up! "Just for you kids, how about 500 tickets? That's my best offer."

"500!?" They all exclaimed with widened eyes and hung jaws!

"B…but we love dinosaurs, you even said so yourself and you were willing to give them for free last time remember?" Max stuttered.

"True…." Johnny responded politely as he folded his arms and sat back in his seat firmly, "But that was then and this is now. And right now I'm rather short on cash, after my last move I accidentally lost all my earnings and now I have to work all the way from scratch again." he answered as Cera tilted her head away and whistled calmly.

Now having realised the money box she found in the lodge was left there by accident and not on purpose, she had reason to worry, "Is that a fact?" she said having spent nearly all of it after she and Miku got their hands on it.

Johnny then turned his attention back to the 4 kids, "Anyways, now I'm doing everything I can to scrape a living just to get by, a man's gotta eat right?" he said as they looked to one another in thought.

"I see…."

"We understand…."

Reaching into his pockets and pulling them inside out, seeing they were empty, Rex sighed, "Even with all our allowances put together there's no way we can play enough games to win that many tickets…." he said.

"Someone would have already earned enough long before we do….." Cera added in disappointment, also worrying what if the wrong hands were to obtain those cards…..

"Isn't there some other way we can get it?" Zoe then asked as she looked at Johnny pleadingly.

Johnny folded his arms and thought for a moment once again, "Hmmm…." he folded one leg over the other and remained still for every minutes before open his eyes firmly and answering them, "As a matter of fact, there is."

They all widened their eyes and gasped, "Huh!?"

He stood up and showed them to the ride side of his prize booth, "It's really rather simple, once you take a look to your right of course." As they directed their attention to the side they widened them in amazement to see a prehistoric forest themed section with the sign showcasing a T rex facing off against a triceratops, the entrance being the mouth of a dinosaur skull and after passing through there were various gaming seats and arcade game booths spread out around that section. "Behold! The Dino Might competition!" Johnny proclaimed proudly as the eyes of the dino skull entrance lit up and a roar sound was played followed by the screeching sounds of pterodactyls for added effect!

"Of course!" Rex gasped in realisation beating his fist into the open palm of his hand, "The arcade is having a clearance event and whoever wins gets any one prize they want!" he said as Johnny nodded with a huge grin on his face.

"That's right!" he bellowed loudly, "If you kids want to win big then you've really got to win big!"

Max then grinned eagerly as he tensed up his arms and felt his spirit all fired up! "Then sign me up!" he said charging at the front desk, as Johnny handed him some registration forms which the young Taylor filled in quickly.

"Hey, don't leave me out of the loop!" Rex called out as he came in next after Max, feeling excited himself.

Zoe lowered her head and sighed shaking her head, "Never thought I'd say this…." she groaned before opening her eyes firmly, "But count me in too!" She said with determination, surprising Max and Rex for a moment before they let her through to enter.

Cera smiled seeing everyone was getting psyched for the games as she finally stepped in herself, "It'll be so much more fun if we're all playing, where do I sign?" She asked as she had her turn at last.

As Johnny handed her a form he pointed it out for her, "Just here….here….and here." he said as she filled in her details and he collected them all in a neat pile, "And with the you're all set!" He said before allowing them inside the dinosaur zone of the arcade!

As they entered they were surrounded by several girls and boys who too had entered the tourney hoping to win other prizes that were up for grabs at Johnny's prize counter. Some of them were dinosaur fans too based on some of their clothes such as hats or shirts which depicted dinosaurs on them too.

Seeing so many competitors made Max punch his fist into the palm of his hand with eagerness, "Heh, if all we've got to do is win then you might as well give it to us, cos it's as good as ours!" he boasted with a big grin on his face, "It's not like there's anyone around here who can handle dinosaurs like we can, right gu-" Suddenly both Zoe and Rex's hands covered his mouth, plugging the boy's mouth before he could finish! "MMPH!"

"Be quiet Max…." Zoe hissed at him in alarm as others around began eying them weirdly.

"Hmm?"

"Huh? What did he say?" They asked as Rex let out a nervous laugh.

"What he meant to say was we're really good at video games, not to mention we know a lot about dinosaurs, so there's no way we'd lose." he said.

"Oh yeah? Guess that's because you haven't met us yet." a familiar voice said to them which them all perk up with alarm.

"Gah!"

"That voice…."

"No way…." As the 3 D team members, followed by Cera turned to look to the entrance of the dinosaur zone, they widened them in surprise to see none other than Rod and Laura standing before them!

Rod waved a hand to them, "Hey there losers. Surprised to see us again?"

"Miss us? Cos we sure did, kicking your butts for the umpteenth time that is!" Laura smiled innocently though her true face behind the smile was far more sinister.

Sensing something off about them, Cera tensed up and remained on high alert while Miku quickly hid inside her hair nervously.

"You again!?" Max yelled in annoyance.

Zoe clenched her hands into fists, "Why do you always have to keep showing up and getting in our way!?" she cried shaking them at the kids who scoffed in turn.

Rod smirked in response to Zoe's rant, "Heh, I believe that's our line." he snarked.

"We told you, those cards are ours so that makes YOU the bad guys and not us!" Laura pointed to them as they hardened their expressions in turn.

"So why don't you just beat it already?" Rod followed, "We already know how this is going to turn out." he said shaking his head pityingly to them all as they and their dinosaurs tensed up and gritted their teeth in annoyance.

As far as they were concerned the dinosaurs didn't belong to anyone, and even if they did belong to the alpha gang once as they claimed they'd never let them use them however they wanted.

"In your dreams!" They yelled as Cera looked to them and back to Rod and Laura a few times in confusion.

"Umm, you know these kids?" she asked curiously.

Rex narrowed his eyes, "I wish we didn't." he said in a hard tone.

"Those 2 are Rod and Laura," said Zoe, "Their grandfather happens to be the leader of the Alpha gang…."

As those words left Zoe's lips, Cera's eyes widened in shock, "The alpha gang!?" she gasped as she quickly turned to the smirking pair of children, "So then, they're in league with those goons we've been fighting before!?" Inside she felt rather outraged that they would even let children be part of their group, even if they were family.

Rod gained a rather offended scowl as he then folded his arms on his hips, "Hmph, you'd better not put us in the same group as those 3 clowns." he said firmly.

"Yeah, because compared to us they're simple henchmen, and we're like…high ranking officers!" Laura followed as she cheered with energy in her tone.

"When you put it that way sis, I guess it makes sense." said her brother who then smiled, as he looked to her and she smiled brightly for being praised.

Cera blinked her eyes, "Siblings?" Inside she was also worrying for their future being amongst such awful people.

As Laura focused her eyes on Cera she then whispered in to Rod's ear, "This must their new friend Seth told us about." she said as her brother smirked unimpressed.

"Heh, she doesn't look like much, bet I could wipe the floor with her way easier than them." he replied as he took a look around the game booths then to the front of the prize corner, "So anyways, all we need to do is win this silly competition and then we get any prize we want huh?" He then smirked with confidence, "Heh, that card folio is as good as ours." he said which further aggravated the D team who shot them fierce glares and tensed up their hands into fists.

"Oh ho ho! Very bold words for someone so young." Johnny laughed as he stepped in between them all, "Why not prove your mettle by winning your way to the top of the dinosaur world! Prove you have the skills worthy of being called the dino master and the prize is yours!" he proclaimed as he looked to all the other people gathered in the arcade as he made the announcement, "That includes all of you too."

As all the other bystanders cheered or applauded with excitement thinking it to be a simple game, the D team remained serious and kept their eyes firmly fixed on Rod and Laura who seemed to be filled with confidence themselves, and they knew full well they had the skill to back it up.

"Heh, in that case sign me up!" said Rod as he went up front to register with Laura trotting after him.

"Me too!" As they walked towards the counter they gave another smirk to the D team as they were angered even further, knowing their mission to win the tournament to save the cards had just become that much more important.

As all the competitors took their seats, Johnny stood at the front and announced to all who were present, "The tournament shall soon begin! May the best dinosaur win!" he bellowed as everyone cheered and roared with excitement before hurrying over to the first game booth they could get their hands on!

As they all sat in place, Rod called out to the D team who were sitting opposite him and Laura, "You guys better not lose in the first round, not before we kick your butts out of here and into extinction." he said mocking them.

"As if! Those cards aren't yours!" Max yelled agitatedly.

"Not if we have anything to say about it!" Rex concluded while Zoe simply shot them a fierce glare.

In response Rod grinned along with Laura, "Hehe, in that case, challenge accepted." he snickered as they got into their full on game mode.

Cera meanwhile decided to stay out of the crossfire and focus on putting together a possible strategy with the dinosaurs available for choice, which ranged from a T rex, triceratops, utahraptor, ankylosaurus, allosaurus, iguanodon, pteranodon, stegosaurus and apatosaurus.

"Hehe, it's no contest which I'll choose!" Max chuckled making his choice, "This is for you Chomp!" he said choosing the triceratops.

"Hehe, I think I'll go with the apatosaurus for a change." Rex thought deciding to try something new.

"I'm all for the iguanodon!" Zoe cheered as she picked it seeing it to be quite similar to Paris in a way.

As Rod looked over the choices available he popped his fingers as he got into the spirit of things, "Heh, it's like this game was made perfectly for us eh Laura?" he said to her sitting next to him as he chose Tyrannosaurus as his dino, confident his experience in handling Terry would give him the edge he needed.

Laura smiled as she nodded at her brother's statement, "Mhmm, I couldn't have said it better myself." she said cheerfully as she selected ankylosaurus seeing it was similar to Tank whom she had skill in using for some time.

As everyone made their choice, Jonathan stepped forward to a dinosaur egg shaped roulette, similar to those used in gaming casinos, which he activated "Now the wheel of destiny shall spin, who shall be the first to meet on this fateful field of battle!" he announced as he pressed the button and it began to spin. Everyone fixed their eyes upon it as it began to slow down, tensing as it finally landed. "Our first battle shall be between Rod and Max!" Johnny announced as their seats lit up, "Now let the battle begin!" On their screens, Rod and max each had a 1st person view of their dinosaur facing the other while a larger screen up front was displayed for everyone else to see.

Their dinosaurs faced off and roared at one another in a prehistoric volcanic field as Rod and Max faced off.

"Heh, looks like this match is in the bag before it even starts!" Max grinned while Rod simply shot him a simple smirk.

"Oh we'll see about that." he said as their dinosaurs charged ahead, Max's triceratops charged and knocked the T rex to the side and almost off balance!

"Oh yeah! Go get em triceratops!" Max pumped his arms as he pressed the attack button over and over again, with Chomp barking with excitement as Max gained the advantage! Eventually he was able to back Rod against a large boulder and Max grinned with excitement as he had him cornered! "One more attack should do it! Charge!" he commanded as his trike roared and charged full power right ahead!

At the last second, Rod smirked deviously as his plan fell into place! "Heh, you fell right into my trap! Now!" he cried out pressing a button making his rex jump over Max's dinosaur!

"Huh!?" Max gasped in alarm as Rod evaded his attack and his trike ended up getting its horns stuck in the boulder! Max's eyes widened as his heart raced seeing the tables had turned in an instant! "No! Get out quick!" he cried out anxiously mashing buttons randomly as fast as he could but nothing he did seemed to help dislodge him from the rock! He was a sitting duck!

"Heh, your attacks are way too predictable, I could read you like a book!" Rod taunted as he had his t rex walk slowly towards Max's helpless triceratops.

"Grrr!" he grunted knowing now he was at Rod's mercy, "Come on! Move!" he cried out smashing his hands on the controller but still to no avail! His heart skipped a beat as he noticed Rod's special attack bar had just filled to its maximum!

"Now finisher move!" Rod cried out as he pressed the button, "Cretaceous crunch!" His tyrannosaurus roared ferociously as it grabbed the trike behind the frill and with immense force dislodged it from the butler while snapping its horns off in the process like twigs! It held up the trike high above its head in its jaws, struggling helplessly before smashing it down on the ground, causing he ground to shake and crack, snapping its' prey's back in the process before stepping over it in triumph!

GAME OVER

Max's screen lit up as he crunched up his hair in anguish, "NO!" he wailed as he pounded his hands on the game console repeatedly while Chomp whispered in sadness. "I can't lose! Not this soon! It's gotta be rigged!" he yelled beating on his own legs while seated, before running up to Johnathan clapping his hands together pleadingly, "Hey mister, you've gotta give me a rematch! Please…." he said with teary eyes, though unfortunately he was met with a firm expression and a shaking head.

"Sorry no can do, a loss is a loss." he said as Max slumped down defeated, with Chomp bouncing to his side and nuzzling at him hoping to comfort him. "Let's give it up for our first winner! Rod! Who skilfully lured his foe into a false sense of security before delivering a destructive counterattack while his guard was off!" Johnny then announced as Rod then smirked proud of his victory, his own screen saying YOU WIN!

As many of the other competitors began to applaud for his stunning victory he could help but stand up and wave to them all, "Ahahah, thank you thank you." he said bowing to them before grinning mockingly at Max, "Better luck next time, or should I say never hehe." he said as Max clicked his tongue bitterly.

"Ngh….."

"I knew Max should have had a little strategy before hand." Rex facepalmed seeing they were now down 1 dino user.

Zoe shook her head in disappoint, "Charging head first is just like him, too bad he doesn't think first otherwise he would have seen that coming." After that though she smiled as she looked to see the roulette spin and land n the next 2 competitors. "Oh well, looks like it's me vs you next Cera." she said to her close friend who nodded at her back.

"Mhmm. No matter who wins, it'll be up to them to beat those kids." she said to Zoe.

"So let's make the most of this round and get each other ready, so no holding back now."

"Was about to say the same thing." They said to one another as an open plains area showed up and their dinosaurs, an iguanodon and utahraptor appeared opposing one another. The battle between the 2 girls was rather fierce as Cera's frontal assaults were kept at bay with Zoe having her iguanodon shake its arms and dumb spikes fiercely warding off her advances. After that she was lucky to have her tail sweep over Cera's dinosaur and it fell to the ground!

"Alright! I've got you now!" she cheered as she prepared to have it stomp on the utah! Cera however was quick to respond as a series of buttons she pressed let her raptor jump up in time and speed away out of the forward crash! "What the!? How'd you do that?" she gasped in alarm.

"I just got a feel of my dinosaur's strengths and weaknesses," Cera smiled, "As well as yours too." her words made Zoe shiver nervously as her iguanodon couldn't keep up with Cera's quick footing!

"Urgh…take this!" Zoe cried out desperately as she had the iguanodon do another front slam!

"Now special move!" Cera countered pressing the move button, "Somersault kick!" she commanded as she charged in right when Zoe was about to do a front slam!

"Oh no!" she gasped seeing she walked right into Cera's trap, as the raptor jumped upwards and delivered an astounding kick upwards at the iguanodon's head from below, causing it to all backwards and out of the fight!

"Winner! Cera!" Johnny cheered as everyone applauded in response.

At their side Laura and Rod carefully observed her chosen moves and skill and they had to admit she definitely showed plenty of promise, "Hey she's not half bad Rod." Laura commented nodding with approval.

Rod however then shrugged his shoulders unconvinced that it was skill and more on luck, "Yeah? Heh when it comes to it, I'll take her out before she even has a chance to move." he smirked feeling confident he could still trounce her easily, since she didn't have a dinosaur with her, so she probably didn't know how using one would really be like….or so he believed….

Zoe slumped down with disappointment, "Aww I lost…." she sighed before picking herself up again, "Oh well, video games aren't my strong suit anyway…." she said going back to her perky self.

"Guess that means you need more video game training," said Max to her as he stood beside Rex.

"Maybe we could give you some pointers next time you come over." They each said as she scratched the back of her head nervously.

"Ehehe thanks but I think that's one type of practice I'd pass up on…." she laughed before shaking Cera's hand. "Good luck Cera."

Cera nodded back to her firmly, "Mhmm, I'll do my best. I promise to win for us too." Inside though she could feel her heart beating uncontrollably as a smile slowly came over her face, "I can't believe I'm saying this….but..this….is actually pretty fun…." the intensity and excitement of the game where she could use dinosaurs to their fullest potential, followed by the fact there really was no one getting hurt needlessly….she could feel as though she experienced this one before….though where? She then wondered…..

As the progress continued, Rex unfortunately suffered a rather hard loss to Laura, who's ankylosaurus delivered a tough blow to his dino's front and back legs and out manoeuvring him and he collapsed. He was then wishing he chose the raptor since it was fast like Ace was. Laura didn't have much time to celebrate though as the system pitted her against her own brother. They wished each other the best and they fought hard with one another, till eventually Rod was able to grab Laura's tail and throw her into a rock wall before delivering the finishing strike on her unprotected side!

At long last was the moment of truth.

"And now we move on to the final round! Who shall emerge victorious as dino master!?" Johnny announced as they were soon brought down to 2 competitors only, "Shall it be Rod the Rampaging Ravager?" He said showing off to his left side first as Rod waved his hands out and received many claps and a cheer from Laura.

"Yay!"

Followed by some thumbs down by the D team. "Boo!"

Johnny then shifted to his right side, "Or shall it be Cera! The Cretaceous Queen!?" he announced as she blushed shyly and just waved modestly.

As others clapped pressingly for her making it far with great skill, her fellow teammates and dinosaurs cheered for her, "Hooray!"

"You can do it!

Followed by Laura doing a thumbs down herself, "BOO!"

As they took their seats, the screen materialised in a dense jungle like battle field with Cera's utahraptor and Rod's tyrannosaurus facing one anther for 1 final epic showdown for the title dino master! "Heh, you did well to get this far newbie, but you're going to wish you didn't." Rod spoke out with a confident smirk while Cera flashed him a serious glare.

"We'll see who's going to wish they lost in the preliminaries soon." she said as both her and Rod readied their dinos for battle.

"Let the final match begin!" Johnny announced as the countdown began and the match took off!

"Go T rex!"

"Onward utahraptor!" They each cried out as their dinosaurs charged forward and everyone looked on with sheer anticipation over who between these 2 gifted dinosaur handlers would be able to emerge victorious!

The D team especially as they held on tightly to their partners and sweated anxiously for their fired to win the cards.

"Come on Cera!"

"We're counting on you!"

"You can do it!" They cheered as they motivated her to have her raptor start with a slash and dash! Outflanking Rod's t rex as its' bite missed and she was able to deliver a cut to its leg! Though the damage it inflicted was merely superficial.

"Heh, you can't expect those puny claws to do you any good now do you?" Rod smirked as his rex tried to stomp on the utah, though luckily it was able to jump out of the way in time as the ground where it stood cracked under the massive force of the Rex's heel!

Cera swallowed hard, "Whoa that was close." she breathed anxiously as a bead of sweat dripped down her cheek, clearly she had underestimated Rod's capabilities.

"A lucky escape, but you won't win that way." Rod yelled out as his t rex launched assault after assault mercilessly! Tearing through trees and smashing boulders as if they were twigs and pebbles, Cera desperately avoiding each attack barely as they came! Even she felt herself driven into a corner as she began to tire out and only just barely managing to press the right buttons in time!

At the sidelines Max, Rex and Zoe looked on intently at the nail biter of a match going before their eyes, "She can't just keep dodging…." Rex commented, "She has to attack at some point."

"Yeah, but what can she do with a raptor?" said Max, "No way would they ever fight a tyrannosaurus in real life." he added at the end feeling doubtful of her chances.

Zoe tightened her grip on her knees while Paris stayed nuzzled in on her lap, "I'm sure she's got some plan, otherwise she never would have made it this far." she said feeling hopeful as the others looked to her and back to the match.

"I guess you're right." Max admitted as he tensed up and tightened his hold on Chomp who was beginning to choke by his friend, "Though it doesn't look very well now."

Rod then gritted his teeth impatiently as he noticed the countdown had now reached its' half mark, "If you think you can win just by dodging my attacks and waiting it out till the time runs out, I won't let you!" he yelled with aggression in his tone, "I'll stomp you flat before that happens!" As his attacks continued to press on, Cera narrowed her eyes seriously, finally realising a possible counterattack she could implement after seeing the t rex's only 2 weak spots. It would be a very daring and crazy move, with a low chance of success if Rod were to pick up on it, but it was he only hope as she was slowly losing cover to get behind in time to avoid an attack!

Seeing the battle turning well for them, Laura sat down and wiggled her legs playfully without a care in the world, "Heh, I guess we were worried for nothing after all, just wait till we bring the news to Seth and grampa." she giggled to herself as she sat back and relaxed at her seat.

Finally, Cera found herself trapped at the base of a massive rock wall with Rod having just cut off all possible route of escape for her, as he grinned eagerly for the final attack! "Hehe, I've got you cornered." he snickered as the D team cried out.

"Oh no!"

"I can't watch!"

"Tch! She's finished…."

Rod pressed his special attack button, "Here goes! Finishing move! Tyrant's roar!" he cried out as his rex reared back and prepared to unleash a devastating blast from its jaws.

As everyone covered their eyes or cried out, Cera surprisingly smirked seeing Rod behaved exactly as she had hoped for! "Got ya!" she cried out as she had her raptor charge straight ahead and run underneath the t rex's legs!

After that it let out a powerful roar and blast of wind which punched a huge crack into the rock wall, "What!?" he exclaimed as Cera's raptor miraculous escape got behind him and dodged his best attack!

"No way!" Laura soon followed nearly falling off her seat!

Cera was only getting started as she pressed some more buttons causing her raptor to leap right on top of Rod's back!

"She got on top of him!" Max pointed out as Rex and Zoe gasped in amazement.

Rod tried pressing several buttons as his t rex slammed itself into the wall or thrashed about but Cera's claws dug deep and she codlin;t be dislodged, "Gah! I can't shake her off!" he yelled in frustration and annoyance while pressing buttons in a frantic.

"In the one place you'll never reach." Cera then voiced out as he then gasped in alarm.

"Tch! Is this what she was planning from the start!?" he breathed seeing she had begun digging her claws into his dinosaur, causing it to roar in pain as apparently she got him in a vulnerable spot!

"Get her Rod don't let her beat you!" Laura cheered for her brother.

"That's what I'm trying to do!" he yelled angrily as his dino still made no further progress in getting off its attacker, as his pressing soon turned to forceful slamming, evident by him sweating hard and gritting his teeth, "Grr! Get off!" he yelled as Cera smirked in response.

"As you wish." she said as she had her raptor dig into the rex's back, driving it forward until it tripped over several trees it knocked over earlier before jumping off to safety!

"Ah!" Rod gasped in alarm as his rex crashed to the ground on its' side much to the amazement of everyone present in the room! Now the tables were turned, as Rod found himself the hunted and Cera's raptor closed in on him! "Get up! Get up!" he cried desperately, but his t rex struggled over and over to no avail of getting up! "Urgh! If I was using Terry he'd be up on his feet in a flash…." he thought having trained him to use his legs to stand up again, in the event he ever fell down in full sized form.

As Rod's tyrannosaurus turned around to force itself up, Cera finally saw that window of opportunity! Getting close, she narrowed her eyes and pressed the final attack button as her raptor screeched launching itself high into he air! "Finishing move! Raptor meteor!" she called out as the raptor shot down its killing claw and drove it straight into the Rex's chest as it roared out in pain, spitting out blood much to everyone's amazement!

"AH!"

"Whoa!"

After roaring in agony, the rex let out a final breath before it then collapsed motionless on the ground, and Cera's raptor stood upon it and screeched triumphantly.

For several moments everyone stayed speechlessly, some with widened eyes and shocked expressions….unable to describe what their eyes witnessed, it was so intense everyone else in the arcade had gotten off the games they were doing to come see, and it definitely was beyond anything they were expecting. Even Johnny himself had a hanging jaw before pulling it up and stepping out to announce before the situation got anymore awkward, "A devastating combo with a critical move right to the opponent's weak spot! We have a winner! Cera!" He bellowed as everyone snapped out of their trance and cheered at the top of their lungs!

"HOORAY!"

The D Team jumped up for joy and even hugged each other as they cheered, "She did it!"

"I knew she could!" As they did so, their dinosaurs ran around and jumped up with excitement, Cera though slumped back into her seat panting with exhaustion before smiling at Miku who popped her head out to smile and congratulate her.

"Heh….that was…a good game…" she smiled before resting easy.

The only ones who weren't enjoying the moment as everyone else however, was Laura and her brother Rod, who sat down staring at his screen which said Game Over, he couldn't comprehend what he just saw, "No way….I lost….." was all he could force out from his voice. Never before had he been beaten so utterly in any game till now, to him, this was an all new experience for him and he had no idea how to react or respond to it.

Max then smirked as he walked up to Rod and burst into laughter, "Hahahah! Who's the loser now huh!?" he said mockingly while pointing to the defeated second place finalist who hissed back at him with a begrudging expression.

He blinked his eyes snapping out of his faze before glaring back at Max, "Grrr….." he grunted and clenched his fist before regaining his composure and folded his hands on his hips, "Heh, guess it takes one to know one." he said smirking at Max who sweat dropped and fell down comedically.

"Ack!"

"He's got a point there Max….." Rex commented as he and Zoe shook their heads in disapproval at him, as he picked himself up and shook his fist at them angrily.

"Hey whose side are you on anyway!?" he growled fuming up before shaking his head clear, "Aww just forget about it, all that matters is that we won and that the cards are ours now." he said before pulling a face at Rod and Laura, "Hehe, better luck next time." He grinned as he began to stick out his tongue at them, while Cera, Zoe and Rex simply stared at his immature behaviour.

Rod scoffed uncaringly as he turned around to take his leave, "Hmph….don't count your victories just yet, no way you're getting rid of us that easily….." he said as he made his exit with Laura through the arcade entrance.

Once they were out of sight, Laura ran out in front of her brother and cried out, "Rod! How could you let her beat you like that!? She doesn't even have a dinosaur and yet she mopped the floor with you!" she cried.

He then sweated nervously and shook his hands out, "C…calm down Laura, I didn't expect her to be that good honest! She just….caught me by surprise that's all…." he said uneasily while his sister simply raised an eyebrow at him.

"Right…."

Rod then folded his arms in deep thought, "Still, who is she? And how did she learn to play like that…" he thought to himself with a serious expression, while Laura lowered herself forward with a frown.

"What are we going to do now? When grampa finds out about this…." She sighed deeply, only to be interrupted by Rod getting her attention after a pat on her back.

"He won't, trust me, this game isn't over yet." he said encouragingly to her before grinning rather deviously, "It's only just begun."

Back at the arcade, Johnny the arcade manager congratulated the entire D team at the awarding ceremony where all the other competitors were applauding and praising them, though most of all Cera, who was crouching down while hiding behind the backs of her teammates as they tried to protect her from the paparazzi, while also hoping to get as much attention themselves though hand waving or jumping up and down while striking poses. "To the victor goes the spoils. The cards are now yours." he said, "As you were able to pull off an astounding victory, I'll even throw in this bonus prize special collector's pack for the newest and hottest show Dino Troopers!" He proclaimed loudly as he passed on the book and dino trooper deck box to all 4 of them as they took it and jumped up joyously.

"Awesome!"

"YAY!"

A little while later after managing to get out of the crowd's fanatical behaviour as well as sneak Cera out without notice, the D team had finally managed to exit the arcade and were now on their way towards the train station and then back home in triumph. While of course giving Cera some compliments and congratulations of their own, "That was incredible Cera, I've never seen anyone play that well before." said Rex as he walked beside her.

"Yeah, not even a real utahraptor would make the moves you did back there." Max commended as she blushed red with embarrassment.

"Hehehe….oh it was nothing really…." she said, "I'm just glad we were able to pull it off."

"Where did you learn to play like that?" Zoe then asked with interest as Paris barked looking up at Cera.

"Yeah, it's like you're some kind of video game prodigy!" Max added on before clapping his hands together in a begging position, "You've really got to teach me that critical move there! Please pretty please?" he pleaded with puppy dog eyes, much to Zoe and Rex's embarrassment.

She chuckled nervously"Ahaha…it's actually not as complex as you think. You see-"

"Celebrating your victory so soon?" A familiar voice interrupted them as they turned in the direction it came from.

"Huh!?" They gasped in alarm to see Rod and Laura were speeding towards them on an alpha scooter!

"Hope you don't mind us crashing the party!" Rod called out as Laura reached out her hand and snatched the card folio right out of Cera's arms much to the surprise of the D team!

"Ah!" The D team failed to respond in time, and before long the duo of kids waved the card folio playfully in front of them much to their frustration and annoyance.

Zoe gritted her teeth angrily, "Hey! We won those fair and square you weasels!" she cried out.

"Now give it back or else!" Max then threatened shaking his fist furiously.

"Hee hee, sorry but that's a big no no." Laura giggled wagging her finger.

"Besides that wasn't even a real victory," Rod followed, "There's no way any of you guys could ever beat us if we fought for real and you know it." he said smirking at them while shrugging his shoulders mockingly at the D team.

"So I'm afraid the prize goes to us once again! Catch you later losers!" Laura sang as the 2 of them sped off in the direction of the park where they parked their aircraft!

As they sped off leaving the disoriented D team and their dinosaurs in the dust, they looked on furiously at their foes getting away with pulling wool over their eyes out of the blue, "Why you! No way we're just going to let them get away with that!" Max yelled.

"Yeah, not with all the hard work we put into getting those cards the first place!" Rex followed pumping up his arms into fists.

"Come on! Let's go after them!" Zoe cried as they prepared to charge forward, but Cera held back as a better solution came to mind.

"Guys! Wait!" she called out stopping them in their tracks, "It's obvious we'll never catch up to them on foot! We'll have to think this through carefully."

Max widened his eyes in alarm, "Carefully!?" he exclaimed, "Those creeps just got a head start on those really fasts cooters! We can't waste time contemplating, I'm going on ahead!" he yelled impatiently before taking off after the siblings its Chomp hurrying after him!

"Max wait!" Rex cried out chasing after his friend with Ace, while Zoe stayed behind momentarily, looking back at Cera them towards the front where her fiends were heading, before finally making her decision on who to follow.

"Sorry Cera, but this time I'm with Max, we can't afford to sit back while they get further every second." she said sadly before smiling lightly to Cera, "But if you do have a plan, feel free to let us in on it, in the meantime we have some thieves to track down." she said.

Cera nodded understandingly, "Alright then….You guys go on ahead, and good luck, the meantime Miku and I will think of something, I promise." she said placing a hand on Zoe's shoulder who nodded in response before she hurried after the boys together with Paris. After they both left, Cera brought up the map on her dinoshot as she began drawing her finger over the Sanjo City map, estimating Rod and Laura's most likely destination as well as their most likely route, "Let's see now…..from what I've leant so far the alpha gang wold have to land their transport somewhere large but also well hidden….." she mouthed out tracing her finger to the park before bringing it to her current position and the direction they took off in, "The best place for that is somewhere in the central park of Sanjo City….so if they were to take the quickest route….." After calculating inside her mind she pinpointed it on a certain dot on the map, "Here!" She said so as she looked to Miku who nodded to her, apparently knowing what she was thinking. "Alright, now to bait the trap….." She thought to herself as she pressed a button on her device which returned Miku to a card, "Let's go Miku. Dino slash! Micro raptor! Shine!" she chanted as bright light erupted from where she was!

(Meanwhile)

Rod and Laura sped along the busy street avoiding incoming passerbies and vehicles with ease, taking the shortest route possible to get back to the park and then to their ship which was docked at the most secluded section, "Hee hee, that was easy as pie!" Laura giggled in amusement as she clutched the folio with one arm while securing herself onto Rod with the other.

"Yeah, way easier than any other mission we've had so far." Rod snickered in agreement, "I could get used to mopping the floor with the D team any day."

"Oh just wait till grampa sees all these cards he'll be so happy his back could fix itself just fine." said his sister as she decided to take a sneak peak at the cards inside to see their haul. As she began to skim through, she blinked her eyes in surprise noticing something rather peculiar about the cards they had now acquired, "Oh?" She then patted Rod on the back getting his attention.

"Hmm? What is it Laura?" he asked.

"Say Rod, you've got to take a look at this….." she said showing him the book as he raised an eyebrow in confusion as to why she would want him to stop over something so small when they're so close to victory. She then shook it in front of him more thoroughly, "Come on please! It's important."

"Sigh….alright then…." Rod sighed as he set the scooter on brakes and they came to a stop near the entrance to the park, "What's so special about these cards? They're the same cards as they always are aren't they? Nothing to sneeze at."

"Y..yeah I know that." she replied, "Still, you really should check out these dinosaurs here…..I don't recognise any of them." As she said that Rod took the book and opened it up. As they both looked through, what they found came as quite a surprise. On pretty much every page of the book was stacked with dinosaurs they need came across before, some of which included nodosaurus, centrosaurus, alioramus and liliensternus. Also there were also a number move card dinosaurs too such as tapajara dive, skydive with a quetzalcoatlus, and special recovery with cryolophosaurus on it. They were so deeply intrigued by their find they didn't realise they were being watched high above them by a pair of predatory eyes, locking on to the book.

"I don't recognise any of these at all from the cards grampa and his old friends made….." Laura commented flipping through page after page, dinosaur after dinosaur.

Rod narrowed his eyes with suspicion, true there were a great many cards that were scattered across the globe when their base had an accident, maybe they would miss a dinosaur here and there but there was no way they'd miss this many. "Yeah you're right Laura…..you think these could be fakes?" he suggested thinking something was definitely wrong with this picture.

Laura checked the backside of some of the cards and they seemed to be real in appearance, "I don't know, they could be or maybe not…." she said putting it back in.

"Guess we'll have to find out when we get home then." Her brother replied as he prepared to start up their scooter once again. Before he could move again though, a figure behind the corner of a nearby building pressed a button on a gun shaped device, disabling her cloaking function, as it did-

Blink Blink

"Huh? What's this?" The siblings took out their alpha scanners to see they were glowing, as they zoomed in on the beacon it depicted a signal was coming not far from where they were! "A dinosaur here?" Rod questioned.

"Could be belonging to those D team kids right?" Laura then called out, "Maybe it's a trick! Or maybe the scanner's just malfunctioning!"

Rod shook his head uneasily, "N…no…this signal says it's brand new….and it's…." The signal then appeared to be moving, until it appeared to be almost right on top of them, "Coming closer?"

A light breeze soon blew across them, and without warning a sudden blur swooped down from above them with a loud shriek!

SHRIEK!

"AH!" They had no time to react as the card folio was snatched right out of their grasp!

"H…hey!" Laura cried out, she and her brother widened their eyes in surprise to see a small white and feathered dinosaur had grabbed the book in her jaws, she glided across the wind currents till she perched on the arm of a person. As the looked they recognised her as the new girl with the D team, Cera.

"Great job Miku. Just like we planned." she said praising her partner by scratching her under her chin and she cooed in amusement while shaking her feathers playfully.

Rod and Laura were both taken aback in more ways than they could believe. "No way….She has a dinosaur?"

"It's a microraptor….But that wasn't one of the original cards, what's going on here?" As Cera took out her dinoshot and returned Miku to her chibi form, they snapped put of their faze before yelling out at her in anger, "Give that back! We stole it fair and square!"

"There's nothing fair about stealing," Cera replied seriously narrowing her eyes at them, "I thought you kids should know better than that, didn't your parents ever taught you that? If not then they really need to do a better job at it." As those words left her lips, both Rod and Laura turned serious….the fact she actually brought up their parents and pretty much insulted them….They both felt anger boiling up inside themas their expressions hardened. "I thought you children would be different from the Alpha gang we know," Cera continued before shaking her head in disappointment. "But I guess I was only kidding myself, you all really are alike…..thinking of just using dinosaurs as mere tools and nothing more. How disgusting….."

"How dare you…." Rod suddenly said in a low tone catching Cera by surprise.

"Huh?"

"You know nothing about us!" he yelled furiously, "We were thinking of letting you off easy, but now you've made this personal!"

"We're gonna get you for that!" Laura followed as her brother started up the scooter's throttle and charged straight at their enemy!

"Oh dear…." Cera breathed before turning around and making a run for it, knowing it just got serious!

"Come back here!" They zoomed after her but luckily, after several quick manoeuvres and last minute turns she was able make a break fro an alleyway and hide behind a large dumpster sitting at the side, as she covered her mouth and Miku his inside her hair, making as little noise as possible as well as less movement as she could. The alpha scooter with Rod and Laura on it came to a stop right at the entrance to the alley way, they looked around fiercely with vengeful expressions and only became ever more frustrated to discover they lost sight of her and that her trail was now cold "Where did she go!?" Laura cried out, her tone betraying a sense of vengeance that she and her brother had, that they wanted to take out on this stranger who dared insulted their parents whom they loved more than anyone else…..

"Grr, she couldn't have gotten far, let's keep looking." Rod grunted as he sped along the path of the alleyway, missing Cera and Miku as they came out the other end and took off the other direction….

Realising they were gone, Cera let out a loud gasping finally able to take a breath after holding it in for so long. Miku too gasped for air after she poked her hair out of her partner's hair, it wasn't just that, Cera could feel her own heart was racing uncontrollably and she could feel herself sweating like crazy while in a panic…."Huff….they're fast that's for sure….no way I'll be able to outrun them for sure….." she panted before bringing a finger to her chin in thought, "But if that's the case….." As she began to think her next move, which wasn't easy due to the pressure she was under as each thought was constantly interrupted by her fear of being spotted as she couldn't help but look at all directions around her every few seconds to make sure they weren't spotted. She was about give up and make a rush to the outside, when Miku began to chirp something to her.

CHIRP CHRIP

After listening in to what she had to say, Cera smiled with relief agreeing with what she had in mind, "That could work Miku, heh, they wouldn't see it coming." she said as she placed the book down on the floor and began to search up something in her pack, "Thanks a lot for the idea Miku, glad I have you with me." she said thanking her partner as she took out a deck box that was given to her right before she left the arcade earlier. It was then she narrowed her eyes in serious thought, how the alpha kids took offence to her words earlier, could there be more to them than she first thought?

(Later)

Moments later Cera stood alone in the middle of Central Park, tapping her foot repeatedly on the ground while waiting frantically for her friends. "Where are they?" she asked as her heart began racing and she began to sweat rather profusely. Not long ago she contacted them via communicator to inform them she had the cards and now wanted to meet with them as soon as they could, so they could regroup and stand a much better chance at protecting it against the alpha gang. Though sometime had passed and she was beginning to worry, "I told them to meet us right here, hope nothing bad's happened….." Miku popped up on her shoulder and nuzzled her at her cheek giving her some comfort, though she still feared the worst for her fellow teammates and friends, evidenced when she swallowed rather hardly. She was about to call them once more, when a familiar voice cried out to her from behind.

"Hey Cera!" Her ears perked up upon hearing Max's voice.

With a bright smile she turned around to see the rest of the D team and their dinosaurs running towards her, "You guys came." she said with a sigh of relief.

They smiled back at her feeling relieved too, "Of course did." said Max.

"When we heard the news we came as soon as we could." Rex followed.

"Have to say, being able to snatch the card folio from those 2, we didn't think you'd be able to pull it off on your own so easily." Zoe commended feeling most impressed.

Cera scratched the back of her head, "Oh it wasn't easy that's for sure." she chuckled nervously, "For kids they really are tenacious….But nothing I couldn't handle." she then added at the end as she folded her arms with confidence, though at the back of her mind, she had an uneasy feeling that there was something about them too…..something a little more than what she initially assumed them to be.

"Good to know." Rex said with relief, he and the other D team members unaware of Cera's hidden feelings. "So where's the book now?" He then asked.

Cera smiled as she reached into her back hip pack, "Right here." she said taking out the red book and holding it out to the others who gasped in amazement.

"Ah! You actually got it!" Max cried out in amazement.

"Told you a proper plan can do anyone some good now and then huh Max?" she said playfully elbowing his side while he sweat dropped seeing Zoe and Rex's grinning tease faces directed at him.

Seeing he couldn't deny it, he twiddled his fingers and pouted, "Yeah, I guess so…." he said with great discomfort.

"Heh! Guess it's a good thing we have a backup plan ourselves!" A familiar voice laughed catching all of them by surprise!

"Huh!?"

As they turned around to look they saw Rod and Laura both on their alpha scooter blocking their only way out of the park and holding out a pair of alpha scanners! "Going somewhere?" Laura smirked.

"Too bad we can't just let you walk away after that stunt you pulled. So let's settle this properly!" Rod yelled out as he and his sister held out a pair of cards!

"Alpha slash!" They both called out slashing their cards!

"Blaze Tyrannosaurus!"

"Shake em up Saichania!" Both their dinosaurs appeared on the field and roared viciously, their presence causing other people and passerbies to run away in a panic! Soon the park was clear and devoid of all people, all except for the Alpha duo and the D team who stared down facing one another.

"Grrgh….Why don't you guys just back off already!?" Max yelled shaking his fist in anger as his friends all carried firm expressions as he did.

"Yeah, there's no way we'll ever hand the cards to you!" Zoe yelled defiantly.

Laura smirked in response, "We know that, which is why we're left with no other choice but to use a little brute force. Don't blame us for what's about to happen." she sang.

Rod grinned, "Once we beat you guys down we'll be more than happy to take those cards off your hands, or better yet, we only just need one of your dinosaurs to make the others surrender, perhaps then you'll be willing to negotiate a trade. Your friend for the folio." As he said that, their dinosaurs barked and became more agitated knowing what they were planning, and they weren't about to have any of it.

"Now that's just low…." Rex narrowed his eyes with disgust, a feeling and expression mirrored by Cera who stood by him.

"I agree…." she hissed clicking her tongue.

"So what will it be? Think you guys have what it takes to be a real dino master? Hmm?" Rod taunted as their adversaries readied themselves for battle.

"Tch! Guess we've got no other choice but to fight guys." said Max.

"Seems that way." Cera added as their leader turned to them all.

"You ready?"

They nodded, "When you are Max!" said Zoe.

"Alright, then let's do this!" The 3 of them returned their dinosaurs to card form before slashing them across their dinoholders!

"Dino slash!"

"Go triceratops! Roar!"

"Carnosaurus! Blow them away!"

"Parasaurolophus! Bloom!"

As their 3 dinosaurs appeared in their true full sized forms, the sky turned multi coloured and the park vanished, now to be replaced by a grassland terrain surrounded by many prehistoric plants. The sight of it made Miku and Cera widen their eyes in amazement as they looked around their surroundings, "A battle field…..incredible…." she breathed….feeling as though she somehow experienced this before….but how…..

"Stand back Cera," Max said to her as she turned to him, "We'll handle this." he said firmly and she nodded trusting them.

"Alright. Good luck you guys." she said wishing them the best as they nodded back with a smile.

Wasting no more time, Rod and Laura sent in their dinosaurs for a full on assault! "Go get em! Terry!"

"You too Tank!" They called out as the t rex and saichania charged ahead, with their rivals charging towards them!

Chomp and Paris engaged battle with Terry, with Chomp attacking head on and their heads colliding in a tie, before Terry could get a bite on Chomp's horn Paris quickly came in a full forced charge before knocking him over from the side into a rock!

Meanwhile, Ace effortlessly jumped out of Tank's clubbed tail multiple times before getting a bite in on her front leg! Though she was quick to react as she shook him off and mounted a charge with her spiked back, only for Ace to leap over her and land on the other side!

"Heh, we've got you guys outnumbered so this shouldn't take too long." Max pumped his fist and grinned with confidence.

Rod narrowed his eyes as a drop of sweat fell from his cheek, "Hmph, numbers don't mean everything you know." he said.

"Especially when you've got tricks up your sleeve." Laura cheered which seemed to set Max off a little.

"Oh yeah!? Tell that to this!" He yelled taking out a move card! "Electric charge!" As he slashed the card, a lightning bolt dropped from the sky as Paris stepped out of the way, letting her friend charge straight into battle with his now electrified horns!

Rod sweated and gritted his teeth anxiously but Laura quickly stepped in with a move of her own, "I've got your back Terry! Earth barrier!" Tank quickly disengaged from Ace as she leapt in front of Terry, slamming her forelimbs into the ground and causing several rocks to fly up into the air before they covered over her till she was encased in a crystal like armor which easily deflected Chomp's charge and sent him flying back into Paris!

"Chomp!" Max cried out as Zoe covered her mouth in shock.

"That looked like it really hurt too…." she said.

Cera cringed at the sight, the thought of running straight into a wall and having the force deflected back at you was not a sensation anyone would enjoy. But after that passed, she became rather surprised at the kids' teamwork with one another, as well as sensing a bond between both them and their partners, "The way they're communicating and working with their dinosaurs….it's completely different from the Alpha gang we know…." she said as Miku chirped feeling impressed.

Hearing her words, Rex decided to put it into practice as he took the lead next. "Okay guys, let's regroup show them some real teamwork!" He called out as Max and Zoe nodded in agreement with him.

"You got it!"

"Alright!" They called out as their dinosaurs regrouped together for a final attack!

"Together now! Lightning strike!"

"Metal wing!"

"Cyclone!" They call called out as their dinosaurs began to shine with power surging through them!

Seeing this as an emergency, Laura cried out to her brother with urgency, "Rod! It looks like a good time for that secret weapon!" she suggested.

"I'm way ahead of you Laura!" he called out with a grin as he took out a move card from his scanner, one which Cera's keen eye caught sight of.

"That card…a triangle shape?" she questioned knowing it wasn't natural.

"Go critical block!" As he slashed the card, the 3 velociraptors appeared before them which charged ahead, splitting up before each latching onto one D team dinosaur, snapping at, clawing or charging at them causing their moves to get cancelled out!

Max sweated and gritted his teeth with frustration to see their efforts get blocked, "Oh man not that move again!" he grunted as Rex and Zoe tried desperately to regain control of the situation.

"Shake em off Ace!"

"Paris!" They cried as the raptor's cunning and agility easily kept them out of harm's way by lathing onto the far back of their enemies where they had no hope of reaching or shaking off!

Meanwhile as the ferocious battle ensued, Cera took notice of a certain malevolent aura emanating from each of the 3 velociraptors as they continued their merciless assault, "That move card…..the raptors….." She gritted her teeth with anger as she clenched her fist, "They no doubt suffered horribly…." she hissed under her breath.

Meanwhile Rod and Laura both smirked with amusement to see the tide of the battle was turning in their favour now, "Now to turn the tables on you! Blazing spin!" Terry erupted with flames as the velociraptors quickly broke off their attacks and cleared out! Terry then fired a set of flames from his mouth which enveloped Chomp, who screeched in pain before being grabbed by the neck! He then picked him up, spun him around and round before throwing him with all his might towards Ace and Paris who were bowled over by Chomp as they fell to the ground heavily beaten!

"No!"

"Get up Paris!"

"Ace hurry!" The D team all cried to their partners in horror as they struggled to get back to their feet in time.

Cera could only look on as though she was traumatised by the immense pain and suffering the dinosaurs were going through in the battle, and they weren't about to stop anytime soon….as she turned to see Laura hold up another move card in her hand!

"Like we'd give you a chance to fight back!" she yelled out slashing the card, "Spike arrows!" Tank's back surged with energy before the club on her tail glowed and began shooting out a powerful barrage of spiked arrows as fast as a machine gun did! A barrage of spikes shot up into the sky before raining down upon all 3 o the D team's dinosaurs as they all roared and cried out in unbearable pain of being impaled!

Max widened his eyes, "Ah! That move!" he gasped recalling it to be the one stegosaurus used back at Cambodia.

As Paris and Ace remained down on the ground due to fatigue and exhaustion, Chomp struggled wobbly to get to his legs, though his breathing grew deep and at this rate he too would be brought to his knees once more…..

Rod smirked seeing their foes were now on their last legs for sure, as he took out another move card, "Now to finish you guys off with Magma blaster!" He called out as he prepared to slash the ultimate fire move for Terry to unleash!

"Grrr….." The D team eyed them begrudgingly, not only did they manage to take 2 dinosaurs from them but now they were even using the moves of the dinosaurs they caught….that really was throwing salt in open wounds. To make matters worse, the velociraptors began regrouping around with terry and Tank as they began watching he D team's partners, eying them closely and waiting for the moment they would try any last desperate moves before sealing them off for good, along with their fates!

"As long as those velociraptors are out there, any attack we try to throw out will get blocked….." Max hissed knowing the alpha gang's seemingly full proof strategy.

"They've got us pinned down." Rex huffed as the pressure began getting to him.

"Is there anything we can do?" Zoe asked anxiously, "It….it can't end this way!" she cried out as Cera decided enough was enough, as a shade covered her eyes and she suddenly revealed them to be filled with rage.

"That's enough!" she yelled out catching everyone's attention as she began stepping out onto the battle field.

"Huh?"

She turned and shot a fierce glare towards Rod and Laura, "Those velociraptors, there's no doubt about it, you guys did something to them didn't you!?" she yelled furiously with glaring eyes. An expression which made the rest of the D team rather uneasy, recalling how much she detested seeing dinosaurs hurt unnecessarily….Laura especially as she actually began to shake a bit with fear.

Rod however scoffed in response, "Hmph, what's it to you? We didn't do anything to the dinosaurs, we're just using the cards given to us and nothing more." he said which further infuriated Cera.

"Tch! Guess it does pay to be ignorant then….." she said hissing through her gritted teeth, "The fact remains you're using a dinosaur that was no doubt forced under experimentation against it's will! And no doubt if you got your hands on more dinosaurs you'd make more suffer!" she yelled out before glaring at them with a firm glare, "Well not on my watch! I'm going to make sure you don't leave here with any of these cards!" She growled holding out the card folio and tossing it behind her as she took out her dinoshot, which caught their eye with interest.

"Huh? What's….that?" Laura asked uneasily.

"I don't know…." he brother answered narrowing his eyes, "But from the looks of things, we're about to find out…."

Max swallowed hard as a drop of sweat dripped from his cheek, "Whoa, I didn't think Cera would get so riled up like that….." he said uneasily.

"Me neither." Rex added, now they knew she took matters with dinosaurs more seriously than any of them ever could….but why?

Pressing a button on her dinoshot, Miku transformed into a beam of light before returning to the form of a secret dinosaur card, "Let's go Miku!" She called out as she slashed the card on the opened end of her dinoshot! "Dino slash! Microraptor shine!" As her dinoshot shone, Miku appeared before her in full dinosaur form as she flared out her wings and shrieked!

Everyone gasped in shock to see Cera was taking it to the battlefield now, though Rod was the first to recover as he smirked, "Check it out Laura, looks like she wants to play too." he said mockingly.

Laura narrowed her eyes seriously, "We admire your spirit but you're way out of your league here. Go climb a tree or something unless you want to get squished." she said deciding to show a little mercy since they were up against a minuscule foe.

"I'll be the one doing the squishing here." Cera hissed under her breath as she prepared to fight.

"Cera wait!"

"You can't fight them head on like that!"

"Don't worry you guys, I know exactly what I'm doing." she replied to them firmly as they held back deciding to trust her. She took out a move card and without warning or giving the velociraptors time to react she slashed it! "Time to fight fire with fire! Go move block!" Miku shone brightly, which disorientated the dinosaurs out on the field as they shook their heads and roared out, even facing the others to cover their eyes!

"Argh! That light….."

As the right died down, everyone looked on in amazement to see a pair of troodon had materialised before Cera and Miku! "Whoa! Those are troodon!" Rex gasped.

Rod and Laura widened their eyes in shock, "No way!" The troodon duo snarled against the raptor trio before both sides charged one another and engaged in up close combat! One faced off 1 raptor while the other troodon fought against the remaining 2. Yet despite the difference in numbers, the fight was pretty much even as the larger troodon were able to quickly anticipate and outmanoeuvre the raptor's attacks much faster than the raptors could to the troodon's moves! As the engaged in biting and slashing everyone looked on in amazement to see the clashing between them!

"Look at that, they're outnumbered and yet they're fighting evenly with the velociraptors!" Max gasped.

"Not quite," Rex corrected, "Troodon are supposed to be really smart amongst dinosaurs, even outclassing many of the raptors in terms of intelligence. No doubt they must have some sort of plan…..like Cera…." he then realised as he saw Cera focused completely on the battle as if she knew exactly what she was doing from the start.

"Did Cera get that from the card folio?" Zoe then asked.

Rex narrowed his eyes, "Looks like it, with so many cards in there we should be lucky she picked a good one." At the back of his mind, he also suspected that maybe she might have known this would happen in advance, and just so happen to know the right card to use….

In the end the first troodon was able to sidestep its' opponent before snapping at its jaws and bringing it down, while the other one struck forward and took both its' rivals out with a claw swipe, causing the trio to return together as a single triangle shaped card.

"Alright!"

"They did it!"

"Woo hoo!" The D team cheered as Cera smiled feeling victorious, mush to the discomfort of Rod and Laura.

"No way, she beat the velociraptors!" Laura cried out in disbelief.

"Tch!" Rod clicked his tongue in frustration took out his grappling claw and tried to shoot it out to retrieve the triangle card, but in the blink of an eye, 1 troodon sped ahead and snapped on it and yanked it out of his hand to his surprise! "H…Hey! That isn't yours!" he yelled as it ripped apart the claw to pieces before stomping on it!

After that the other snapped up the triangle card in its jaws before it and its partner sped over to the D team's side, "Give that back!" Laura yelled out as they handed Cera the card.

As she reclaimed it, the troodon returned to card form as she narrowed her eyes firmly against her foes, "You've made enough dinosaurs suffer for one day. There's no way we're letting you take this!" She yelled defiantly flashing the card at them as they gritted their teeth in frustration.

Her team mates rushed over to her and praised her with many encouraging words or friendly pats on the back, "Awesome Cera!"

"Great job!"

"Nice!" They each praised as she smiled and blushed shyly.

"Aww thanks you guys….it really means a lot." she said. Though their moment was cut short by a loud roar on the opposing side.

They quickly turned to see Terry and Tank back again, now enraged along with their owners who were now intending to pull out all the stops from this point forward! "Hey no fair! You stacked the deck against us!" Laura cried out.

Rex narrowed his eyes, "You guys are one to talk! Not only using that critical block move again on us but even having the nerve of using Saurophaganx and stegosaurus' moves too!" he yelled.

"He's….not wrong there…." Laura muttered having been stand corrected.

Rod clicked his tongue seeing they were beginning to get on his nerves, "Tch! You may have beaten the velociraptors but your dinosaurs are now on their last legs!" he yelled as he had Terry prepare to charge in for one final attack!

Cera hardened her gaze as she prepared for a countermeasure, "Not for long!" she said turning to her partner, "Miku! Energy equaliser!" Her raptor shone brightly in light as she took to the air and glided to Chomp, resting herself on his back behind his frill as she began to charge him with her own energy! He glowed in bright rainbow light before shaking off the spike arrows and roaring with power!

"Alright Chomp!" Max cheered shooting his fist to the sky as Zoe and Rex smiled with relief.

"Grrr!" Rod gritted his teeth even more frustratedly, while his sister Laura stood back blinking her eyes in disbelief.

"The way she handles and communicates with the dinosaurs….just…who is she?" she asked herself. She didn't have much time to wonder as Max called out his attack to Chomp!

"Now let's go and finish this!" he called out as his triceratops roared and charged ahead into battle against Terry and Tank!

"Oh yeah?! Take this!" Laura countered slashing a move card, "Earthquake!" Tank surged with energy as she rose up onto her hind legs and and slammed onto the ground causing a massive crack in the ground to open up towards Chomp!

"Thunder bazooka!" Max countered as he slashed his move, allowing Chomp to leap over the fissure and spin while surging with electricity!

"No way!" Laura gasped.

Rod clenched his fist, "Grrgh! Let's see you top this! Magma blaster!" he yelled slashing the move, as Terry gathered fire in his jaws and slammed his foot in the ground before firing it at full force! To his surprise, Chomp effortlessly speared through the flames! "Impossible!" Rod gasped with Laura as Chomp finally powered on through and collided with Terry and Tank, firing them backwards into one another before colliding through a large rock and returning to card form.

"I don't believe it!"

"Tch! Not once but twice we actually lost!? To them!?" They cried out in exasperation, "This really isn't our day…." Rod groaned faceplaming as the battle field disappeared and they returned back to the park.

"Woo hoo!"

"We did it! The cards are now ours!"

As the D team celebrated their victory after their partners all returned to card form, Max laughed out loud and pointed at their defeated opponents, "Ahahah! In your face!" he laughed much to their annoyance.

"Grr! This isn't over! Not by a long shot!" Rod yelled as he and Laura reclaimed Tank and Terry's cards.

"Ahahaha! Oh you couldn't be more right!" a female voice laughed out of nowhere catching everyone's attention.

"Huh!?" As they all turned to the side they caught side of the Alpha trio, standing at the other side of the park staring mockingly at them much to their dismay.

"Not you guys!" Max yelled in annoyance.

"And the old lady too!" Zoe followed which caused a huge tic mark to appear on Ursula's forehead!

She turned red and steamed, "Hey! How dare you!? How many times do I have to tell you not to call me that!?" he growled with Zander and Ed trying hard to hold her back and restrain her. After she calmed down she grinned sinisterly before flashing a certain book in her hands, "Anywho, looking for this?" she sang as her 2 henchmen snickered deviously.

Cera widened her eyes in shock, "Gah! The card folio!" As she turned to look where she tossed it earlier in the battle she saw it was gone! Turning to the thieves she and her teammates hardened their gaze and turned furious knowing they were purloined when they least expected it!

"Give that back!"

"We won it fair and square!" Max and Zoe each yelled.

"Perhaps, but you made a deal with Rod and Laura, not us." Ursula wagged her finger playfully, "So I'm afraid that doesn't count." she sang before sticking out her tongue and making a face at them.

"Unlike the last card folio, we'll make sure this one is locked up secure so there's no way you'll see it again hahaha!" Zander laughed joyously while Ed simply, grinned.

Zoe gritted her teeth in frustration, "Tch! You guys are the worst!" she hissed.

"I can't believe they just took it when we least expected it." Rex huffed in annoyance.

Rod and Laura weren't having it any better either, "They actually used us as a distraction….That's just sneaky…." Laura breathed as she frowned with disappointment.

Her brother shook his fist out in anger, "Hey! We had a deal remember! That you'd stay out of our business!" he yelled.

"And let you fail Dr Z?" Ed answered back as Rod fell silent at his words.

"You know we did think of that at first, oh how mad he'd be and the trouble you'd get yourselves into." Ursula giggled as she tingled with excitement, "But then we decided bigger picture, why do that when we could simply swipe the glory from right under your noses!"

"Which we just did!" Zander called out as they turned around to the their leave! "And now we're off!"

"See you wouldn't ever want to be you!" All 3 of them said as they took off behind the trees as fast as they appeared!

The D team charged straight after them in pursuit! "Hey get back here!"

"Stop right there!" they cried out hoping to close as much distance as they could before it was too late!

As Rod and Laura remained back where they were, they began contemplating whether this may have been a good or bad thing. Thinking it over carefully, Laura tugged her brother's sleeve catching his attention, "Hey, even if it was sneaky, at least we got the cards in the end so I guess that counts for something right?" she said hoping to encourage him and lighten the mood.

"I guess…." he replied before smiling back, "Heh, better luck next time for us I guess." Noticing Cera was still rather close to them, he narrowed his eyes and yelled out to her, "And you." As he said so firmly, she then stopped in her tracks momentarily as her firm eyes met theirs. "I'm sure we'll be seeing more of you later on, if I were you, I'd watch your back. Next time, things will be very different." Rod concluded as he and Laura took off on their scooter and disappeared from sight.

After they left the premises, Cera narrowed her eyes firmly before smirking to herself along with Miku before she ran off to catch up with the D team who left them behind.

A little further into the distance she found all 3 of them searching around the glade of trees they ended up at, as they each were on edge and scouting out every inch of terrain for any sign of the alpha gang, even shouting out old lady a few times didn't do them any good…surprisingly….as they sighed in defeat knowing they were long gone by now.

"GRARGH! I can't believe they got away from us!" Max yelled in frustration as he fell down to the ground punching it repeatedly, as Zoe and Rex looked on. They too were angry and frustrated having lost so many cards, but not to the extent Max was. Cera looked on sympathising with him as she walked up to him hoping that what she had with her would cheer him up at least a bit. As she came closer he heard him breathing heavily, "We had them….we had them! And now….they're…." Chomp barked sadly as he came up to Max's face and nuzzled him, while Ace and Paris held back by their partners' sides.

"Actually guys." As she spoke up they all looked to her, confused as to why she was smiling brightly as she began reaching into her hip pack, "We're the real winners here, and here's proof of that." as she took out a deck box and opened it, she poured out a couple of cards revealing them as a couple of dinosaur cards which included a sauropelta and an archaeopteryx charm move card!

The entire D team was taken aback by surprise as their eyes widened at Cera's unexpected gift.

"Whoa!"

"No way!"

"Are those-"

Cera nodded, "Mhmm, all the cards, every single one from the folio." she answered as the D team shook emotionally before taking hold of some of them joyously. Some of them even went to hug Cera closely to show their thanks, as she blushed and patted them back.

"This is awesome!"

"Good job Cera!"

Rex then stopped his celebrating and asked with suspicion, "But wait…how did you get them?" he asked pointing out to her as the rest of the D team quieted down and turned their attention to her.

In response she giggled cheerily while scratching the bad of her head"Hehe, like I said, it was part of my plan."

Flashback

A while ago, while she was in the corner hiding from Rod and Laura, she and Miku decided to take an extra step for safe measure, by quickly emptying the cards from the folio by shaking them out. After gathering them up as fast as she could she took out a certain deck box she picked up while at the arcade, and after taking out the cards that were in it, she replaced them in the card folio before securing every last card from the folio in the deck box before contacting the D team she acquired the book.

(Present)

As she finished her story the entire D team was stunned speechless with amazement at her quick thinking and unexpectedly successful backup plan under such short notice and pressuring conditions, not even they could have been able to have plan out as calmly as she did.

"Whoa, now that's really thinking several moves ahead…." Rex commented, even he was impressed despite being the most level headed and tactical of the group.

"Yeah no kidding…." Max followed.

"Wonder why I didn't do that the last time…." Zoe thought to herself while feeling guilty. Sure she may have had less time to react but she knew she could have done better. A mistake she wasn't abut to repeat again.

"I leave nothing to chance and neither should you guys," Cera explained looking to them all, "Even if something seems unlikely it's usually best to anticipate anything that might happen no matter how unlikely it is, after all it's better safe than sorry right?"

Max scratched the side of his cheek sheepishly, "Yeah I guess so…." he said trying to avoid eye contact. Before sucking it up and deciding to apologise for being wrong, "Sorry Cera….You were right, maybe holding back and thinking things through more carefully may turn out to be more beneficial in the long run…..I understand it now." he said as Zoe and Rex smiled seeing him acting more humble.

Cera patted him on the shoulder showing she accepted, "It's fine Max, what's done is done, and all that matters is that you learn it now." she said before looking to everyone else, "If you ask me, looks like we've all learned a valuable lesson here if you ask me."

Everyone nodded, "I agree." said Zoe before she widened her eyes upon realisation, "But wait." She then tugged at Cera's shoulder making her turn to her, "Why didn't you tell us about this earlier!?"

Max and Rex both mired Zoe's expression before focusing their attention on Cera herself, "Yeah why? I thought we were a team." said Max.

"If you had the cards all along, then you had us all worried for nothing right?" said Rex questioning her.

"Hehe…sorry about that," she sweated while scratching the back of her head," Like I said, I didn't want to take any chances and risk giving them away, sorry about worrying you guys like that…..though as they say sometimes to trick your enemies you might need to trick your allies too. Though I don't usually approve of it at least it does work in the most desperate of situations." she said chuckling nervously as the res too the D team squinted their eyes at her, disappointed for being tricked before coming to a reasonable resolve.

"That makes sense….."

Taking a handful of the cards, which included a dacentrurus and arrhinoceratops, Rex looked up to Cera curiously, "Wait a sec, if the cards are here then, what did the alpha gang just take?" he asked.

"Oh just a little surprise I cooked up on the spot, one they won't forget. Hee hee." she giggled with a playful wink knowing the alpha gang were no doubt going to love the surprise she left them in place of the cards, which were no doubt going to be better than leaving them empty handed after all their hard work.

(Later that evening back at Zeta Point)

"You buffoons! How dare you sneak off behind my back?! Especially on a mission I did NOT assign you on!" Dr Z yelled, with great displeasure while he lay in his bed, at the A team as they sweated profusely at him berating them. When they stood before him with the card folio they expected to be showered with words of praise and admiration, instead though they were rewarded with harsh words and the potential of severe punishment much to their shock.

"W…With all due respect Dr Z…." Ursula started out, her voice shaking as much as she was.

"Rod and Laura were about to lose the cards if we hadn't stepped in." Zander followed kneeling down.

"Sure we may have to sneak behind your back….again….but this time it was for a good reason!" Ed concluded while grovelling before Dr Z like a begging dog!

"All that matters is that we have the cards and the brats don't. Ta da!" Ursula sang while flashing the closed book before him.

Thinking git over and scratching the side of his head, Dr Z took a calm breath deciding to forgive them for disobeying him. "Hmm….very well then I'll let you 3 off the hook. Good work….." he said folding his arms with small pleased smile, as the Alpha trio brightened up and began dancing up and down with each other in celebration.

"Why thank you Doctor!"

"We knew there was still kindness deep down somewhere in you!" In fact, they could see smooth sailing for their future and maybe even better treatment too, they probably wouldn't need to babysit him anymore and they could pile all those chores and punishments on Rod and Laura however much they wanted! The possibilities were endless for them, and they decided to increase it all the more so-

"In fact, once you see these cards they'll cheer you right up and set your back straight once again!" Ursula grinned handing the book to Dr Z who took it eagerly with excitement.

"Oh boy oh boy! I can't wait to see what new dinosaurs begging for me to add them to my kingdom!" he thought to himself as began to open the folio slowly, cherishing every second of it like a child would over a birthday or Christmas present, "Come to me my little darlings! Come to-" As he finally opened the book, his face turned stone cold and his jaw dropped speechlessly, "GAAAAHHH!" he screamed as he looked through all the pages of the book, each page turning becoming slower and slower with each one and his expression turning more grim and cold with each one.

Oblivious to Dr Z's sudden change in behaviour, while still fantasising about their possible promotions, "What do you think Dr Z?" Ursula smiled brightening up with Zander and Ed grinning like eager kids, "I take your silence is because you're stunned beyond belief at the success we've returned home with?" She said as she and the men leaned in closer on his bed hoping to get a glimpse of his pleased expression.

"Oh I'm stunned beyond belief alright…." he said in a rather low tone which put them off. They took a few steps back as they noticed him increasingly shaky, as he lowered the book his expression hardened into one of madness, with his face streaming pure red and veins popping up al over his near bald forehead! He began gnashing his teeth like a crazed animal about to snap and they could hear not just the grinding but also the sounds of growls coming from him as well, "Grrr….." they read the signs….and they no doubt didn't bode well for them…

"Umm Dr Z…." Ed squeaked slowly, "Why are you?" Cutting him off he threw the book at full force without warning, leaving only a fraction of the second for the trio to jump out of the way frantically!

"GAH!" They cried all on the ground covering their heads, also skipping a heartbeat as the book slammed into the wall leaving behind a few cracks and even a dent in it!

"Is this some kind of joke!?" Dr Z roared at the top of his lungs, "You dare get my hopes up only to smash them down once more!? Only I can get that low and no one else!" he screamed at the top of his lungs while slamming his fists into the bed and his pillows.

Confused to his behaviour and what he said, they began crawling towards the book which lay open on the floor, "Wh…what are you talking about Dr Z?" Asked Ursula as she took hold of it and the others gathered around her to see what the problem was, "I thought these dinosaur cards would-" Upon sight of the book's contents they all turned pale and stared speechlessly into it. The folio was indeed loaded with cards, but not just any cards….and certainly not dinosaur cards…..

Every page was loaded with trading cards of the popular actions series known as Dino Troopers, with character cards depicting the troopers like red and blue, even some of the villains they fought, even with special power up, weapon or field cards that came with the entire set too.

They were stunned beyond belief, with their hopes all crashing down and sinking into the abyss once again….though what they suffered was nothing compared to Dr Z, as the sheer shock of being betrayed by his own henchmen suddenly sent a shock of pain though his spine, which caused in a massive crack that echoed throughout the halls of Zeta Point!

SNAP!

"GARGH! My back hurts even worse than ever!" he screamed at the top of his lungs while grasping his backside! The Trio huddled together shocked they hurt their beloved boss, who stood up on his bed and glared furious dangers at them! "And it's all because of you!" he pointed at them as they shook their hands out frantically!

"N…No Dr Z! We can explain!" Ursula cried out.

Zander flashed the folio out, "Yeah! These are just super rare dinosaurs unlike anything you've ever known before!" he said pointing out to a card depicting the 5 dino troopers together in their heroic poses.

"See, this one even comes with a fancy move card too!" Ed cried out flashing a card showing the dino trooper villain unleashing wind from his chest.

Dr Z gnashed his teeth having none of their excuses, "I'll show you fancy moves!" he growled before grinning deviously with just the appropriate punishment to deliver them! "Right after I have Helga stuff you 3 to the brim with MUSH!" he laughed maniacally as the Trio turned pale and shivered down to their spines!

"NOOOOOO!"

Meanwhile, Rod and Laura both were heading back to their room per Helga's instructions, as the sounds of despair echoed through the hallways. Picking it up, Rod couldn't help but snicker with delight as he folded his arms behind his head, "Hehehe, guess it was nice of them to take the fall for us huh Laura?" a few moments passed and she didn't reply much to his curiosity. As he turned to his side he could see that though Laura was focused in front of them, no doubt her mind seemed to be somewhere else, "Laura?" he asked again before noticing she seemed to be thinking to herself, as well as quietly thinking them out loud. "She has some nerve talking to us like that…..about our parents and then judging us about how we handle dinosaurs." she whispered seemingly angrily under her breath, "We're just doing what we can to get all our cards back that we lost, if anything they're the bad guys not us." Then her expression became somewhat doubtful after recalling what Cera mentioned to them on the battlefield, "But then, she does seem to have a way with the dinosaurs too….not to mention….is what we're doing really right though?" Upon recalling her words, Laura remembered how Seth modified the velociraptor cards to make then stronger, sure they were a means to ensure they got back all the cards but now she was beginning to have second thoughts herself on what was right and wrong….

Her train of thought came to a halt when her brother began waving his hand in front of her eyes while calling out to her once more, "Hello? Earth to Laura?"

"Huh?" she blinked and shook her head clear before turning to her brother who was eying her rather curiously. "Oh sorry Rod, I was just thinking just now." she responded with almighty smile though her brother could see right through it.

"About what?" he asked raising an eyebrow before realising it himself, "Wait, you're not talking about that girl were you?" he asked.

She nodded, confirming his suspicions, "If I remember, her name was Cera." she said bringing a hand to her chin in thought.

Rod then folded his arms in response, "Have to admit, for a new kid she sure knows how to handle dinosaurs pretty well, not to mention she did have some skill in that video game too." he smirked seeing now he finally had someone worth acknowledging as a proper rival, sure it meant they'd be having more trouble capturing dinosaurs but at least now the game would be a tad bit more interesting for them.

"Oh? Sounds like someone's got a little crush." Laura grinned cheekily as her brother suddenly turned red in embarrassment.

"Wh…what!? Where'd you get that idea!? It's nothing like that! Don't be ridiculous!" he cried out flustered his sister would bring it up like that."

"Uh huh….."

"Besides she got the cards in the end no doubt, so many dinosaurs none of us have ever seen before! Not to mention they even got the velociraptors too, they're one step ahead of us now!" Rod followed it up angrily.

Laura lowered her head in thought, "I guess when you put it that way." it was then she brightened up and smiled back at him as they made it to their room, "Guess that means we'll have to try harder huh?" She said as they went inside to get back to their computers. Little did Rod know was that his sister said that hoping to lighten the mood and amuse herself, because Cera's words about them manipulating dinosaurs still stuck to her like glue on paper, and even her little joke she still couldn't shake the fact that Seth no doubt knew a lot more than what he was letting on…..

Little did they know however, was that Seth himself had overheard every word of there conversation through one of the monitors. He narrowed his eyes in a firm gaze, the news that his modified velociraptors were defeated had proven to be quite unsettling to him, the fact there there was someone who could actually throw a wrench into his plans was something he couldn't overlook….as he returned to his work deciding to double his efforts from this point on.

(Meanwhile)

That evening at the D lab, Reese was busy doing some scans on the triangle shaped velociraptor card the D team acquired. While she knew there was still so little they knew about the cards, she knew that this one was no doubt abnormal, which were near similar to Dr Z's secret dinosaurs which had moves programmed into them, whereas this one was a move card capable of multiple moves at once. Whoever made this card was no doubt a genius, but also very threatening if they were on the side of the alpha gang. The recovery of this new card was no doubt a victory for the D team, but chances are this could only be the tip of the iceberg for what the alpha gang may have in store for them in the future if they were to get their hands on more dinosaurs, so she made it her mission to prepare them all for the worst.

Meanwhile, Rex and Cera were busy sorting out the cards they gathered from the folio and arranging them in order before adding them to their ever expanding collection of cards. "We sure got a really big haul didn't we?" Cera mentioned as Miku pushed over a prosaurolophus card to her, which she took and arranged next to an edmontosaurus and lambeosaurus.

"Mhmm. And it's all thanks to you." Rex replied with a glad smile as he took a chasmosaurus and an opisthocoelicaudia from Ace, who held the cards in his teeth, before putting them in their respective piles.

"And that's checkmate….again." Zoe's voice could be heard from across the room as she beat Max at chess once again, this time in record time and in record number of moves too. Next to them, Paris and Chomp were having a wrestling contest only for Paris to have gotten the better of Chomp, anticipating his charge and thrust before countering and now flipping him over and her pinning him down!

Max gritted his teeth in frustration, "Aw man! Not again!" he cried out grasping his hair in bundles before slamming his fist defiantly on the table they were at. "Rematch! Now!" he growled slamming his hands while Chomp barked at Paris defiantly, refusing to accept defeat.

"Come on Max," Zoe sighed shaking her head feeling almost sorry for him while still admiring his determination to never give-up, "I won like 5 games out of 9 straight through already." she said telling him to give it a rest while Paris hummed cheerily.

"Then let's make it 6 out of 11!" he demanded as Zoe sighed once more seeing no other way to dissuade him.

"Boy Max sure is trying hard isn't he?" said Cera as she and Rex observed from afar as they rearranged the pieces on the chessboard, and Paris and Chomp took their positions on opposite sides of the room.

"Sure is a glutton for punishment that's for sure." Rex chuckled in amusement as their respective matches began once more, "Though it may be a while before he finally gets the hang of strategising, and to use his head the right way." he added at the end as Cera and Miku both nodded in agreement.

"So true."

At their table, Zoe managed to corner Max's king with a queen, rook and bishop surrounding him on all sides, "Looks like you lose again Max." She snickered beating him once more completely and utterly, once again breaking both her records in time and number of moves.

"NOOOOOO!" Max wailed in despair falling backwards onto the floor while throwing a tantrum, while Chomp cried out in defeat with Paris lying on top of him again, as everyone else laughed in amusement.

And thus concludes chapter 7. This is might be the biggest chapter I wrote for this story so far and I enjoyed it very much, hope you all did too.

It was based off my thoughts on Downtown Runaround on what the D team could have done when they had the card folio instead of losing it to the alpha gang one time. It also shows Rod and Laura meeting Cera for the first time and them acknowledging her as someone to take seriously, as well as them using the move cards they got from stegosaurus and saurophaganax. The D team also manage to recover the velociraptors too in this chapter since they were never seen again after episode 37 Duelling Dinos, so wanted to address that here.

As for the dinosaurs seen here, the card folio will contain all the dinosaurs that are in the DK universe except the ones that weren't shown in either the anime or in this story to come, for example others I hope to use in OC chapters such as irritator, aren't in the folio they acquired, also these are several of the cards that Cera lost as well the first time before her memory was wiped clean. If this confuses you feel free to PM me so I can better answer any queries you may have.

Just to let you know I don't plan on writing every single episode from the anime, such as lights, camera, destruction for example, though they will get mentions of it in my OC chapters. But I will be doing mesozoic mess in a couple chapters later.

In response to Drew Luczynski, well they didn't show it true but maybe I can make it more evident in season 3 (my own after season 2), also what sort of shipping war are you talking about?