Chapter 18
D Team in Danger
On a computer screen in Zeta Point's underground lab, it displayed the Red Sand Maunsell Sea Fort at the Thames Estuary. As Seth eyed it while standing onboard his floating platform, he then narrowed his eyes and scowled at it, "No…." pressing a button the screen shifted to depict the Flak Towers in Austria Germany, "Not that one either…." he then said shaking his head.
It was early morning, and Seth had worked double time to make up for the delays he experienced due to Helga's unfortunate accident. He had spent months preparing what he believed would be the perfect endgame for the D Team, especially since the appearances of new dinosaurs arose and the D Team's newest recruit arrived on the scene which further increased their strength greater than he imagined. But no more, once he put his plan into action, he was certain they would out of the way for good, and with their stones, cards and newfound knowledge in his possession, he could accomplish his goals without anymore possible hinderances or even take them behind what he initially envisioned. All his preparations were finally complete and that was left was to find the perfect stage to orchestrate it. Somewhere abandoned or not too frequently visited so that there wouldn't be any chance of outside interference.
The screen then depicted the Željava Air Base in Croatia and his mood lightened, "Close but that's not it…." he said pressing the button on his controller once more. Upon eying the next possible location on screen, he then smirked sinisterly seeing it fitted all his needed criteria, "Perfect." He said as he eyed his panels seeing the insertion ports for alpha scanners, "It may have taken me nearly all of yesterday to perfect after that unfortunate accident…." he said rather bitterly recalling how he would have been able to start much sooner had the accident not taken place before smirking once more, "But it'll be all worth it once I put this full proof plan into motion." he said darkly, "Soon I'll have everything I need to make my vision a reality." He said before looking to the side to see a pair of devices, a set of round mines with the alpha logo on it and a mech shaped somewhat like a flying saucer with an antenna sticking out from the top. "Perhaps this can also be a good chance to try out Rod and Laura's new inventions too." he thought as a group of super alpha droids came in to carry the devices over to the transport hangar. With that, everything was now in place as he took his leave.
(Meanwhile)
Meanwhile at the Drake residence, Cera was humming to herself in a mellow manner, and she had good reason to, now that Aki was alright with the dinosaurs and they now had her approval to continue other adventures. Now she was together with Miku, sorting out a number of cards at the desk from Zoe's dinoholder which was sitting nicely on the side. Cera and Miku had both sorted out her cards into a more organised pile, and was about to add a few new ones she acquired from the vault, which included emerald garden, atomic bomb, diving press and death grind. Considering that Max and Rex were the main fighters in the team, she figured Zoe could use a little additional firepower to balance the team a bit more, also she was doing it out of the kindness of her heart.
"Now where's that-" Looking to the side she smiled seeing the card she was looking for, "Ah there it is." she said picking it up and eying it, "Super impact sure is a really powerful move." she noted remembering full well its' power after she used it with Paris against Terry one time. It was at that moment that Miku came hopping up to her with a card in her mouth, which Cera soon took, "And so is big foot assault." she commented as she put both grass move cards next to one another and eyed them closely, "Imagine though if they were used together, imagine all the power these 2 would have when unleashed simultaneously." she thought to herself before chuckling in amusement, "Heh that could be something wouldn't it Miku?" she asked as her partner chirped happily and hoped over to look at the cards herself out of curiosity.
As she came close between the both of them however, she then began to glow unexpectedly much to Cera's surprise, "Wh…What the!?" suddenly she radiated in bright light which caused Cera to quickly shield her eyes as she cried out, "AAAH!" As it died down she saw it was safe to open her eyes again, but as she did she saw something rather shocking on the desk, "H…Huh?" Stepping closer was a single card that was still glowing in Miku's light, but as it died down it soon revealed itself as a single move card featuring both supersaurus and seismosaurus smashing a carcharodontosaurus between their necks! She blinked her eyes in disbelief, staring straight at the card for several seconds before turning to her partner who jumped back at the look she was given, "Miku…..What did you do!?" she cried out as Miku squawked and leapt back in alarm!
Cera then grasped her hair in a panic unsure of how to explain this to her friend, when all she wanted was to do something for her out of good intention, "Oh dear, oh dear, I was only trying to help, how did it end up like this!?" she said to herself sweating bullets. Personally she didn't know if this was good or bad, one thing she could tell was that the card now hosted the powers of both seismosaurus and supersaurus in it and was no doubt far more powerful than either of them put together. On the other hand she felt she shouldn't have touched Zoe's things without her permission, "If Zoe sees this….."
"Cera? Are you upstairs?" A voice then called from outside the room.
Cera widened her eyes and squeaked, "Gah!" frantically she turned over to Miku, "Q…Quick pack it up now!" wasting no time, they quickly gathered up all the cards and shoved them back into her dinoholder and closed it up like normal. Before she could settle it down on the table nicely, Zoe and paris then walked right in.
"Hi Cera." she said cheerily as her friend nearly jumped and turned around smiling nervously.
"Oh! Hey Zoe." she said trying to sound as normal as possible but failing as Zoe instantly knew something was up seeing Cera was breathing fast and sweating on top of that.
"What's gotten you all flustered all of a sudden?" she asked curiously before noticing she had something in her hand, "Hmm? What are you doing with my dinoholder?" She blinked before pointing out at it.
"Huh?" She then looked to her hand and widened her eyes realising she was still holding it the whole time, "Oh!" she then blushed red in embarrassment and began scratching her cheek, "Err…I was just taking a look through your cards and thought maybe I could help give you a little extra kick by giving you a couple more move cards I borrowed from the D Lab." she answered as a few drops of anxious sweat dripped from her cheek nervously, "Sorry about not asking you first but I kinda wanted to surprise you a bit hehe….." she chuckled swallowing hard while Miku shivered in the corner as Paris looked at her, tilter her head with curiosity at the raptor's behaviour, who then hopped around and turned away in embarrassment.
Zoe remained silent and narrowed her eyes at her red headed friend and feathered partner. Both sweated and their hearts raced in anxiety worried as to what divine punishment she would be delivering them at any second! To their relief however, she then sported a cheeky grin, "Hee hee….Is that all?" she giggled much to Cera's surprise and relief, it wasn't the type of reaction she was expecting but she was glad she was off the hook. "It's no big deal. In fact I appreciate the extra help." She then said much to her surprise.
"Hmm?"
Zoe then huffed a bit and folded her arms behind her back feeling slightly insecure, "It's just….lately, I've been seeing how Max and Rex have been putting in far more effort for fighting in the team while most of the time Paris and I usually hang back and support them from afar." she said drawing circles in the floor with one foot, "But lately, I've wanted to do something a little more than that." She then added at the end.
"More?" Cera asked as she blinked.
"Yeah, as in help out in the fighting too as well," Zoe answered, "After all we all need to do our part out there in the field. Seeing how they're so brave and willing to charge into battle, while sometimes I'm the one who needs rescuing too….so sometimes I feel I hold them back." She thought recalling how helpless and in need of saving she was during China being trapped under the great wall, being the first to be captured by the alpha gang on their first trip to Zeta Point, having her dinoholder stolen by Rod and Laura, or when she pretty much let the team down at Brazil all because of her own excitement over a celebrity.
She then shook her head sporting a more determined look, "Now I want to be able to take care of myself. And to be someone they can rely on, that way they won't have to worry so much about me anymore." she said before smiling at Cera, "I guess I kinda thought about that when I see you."
"Me?" Cera pointed to herself.
Zoe nodded, "Yeah, I mean you haven't been with us long but you've done so much for us these past few weeks." she said turning around and looking up in the other direction, "You're brave, smart, and really passionate about dinosaurs as much as we are. It's like an inspiration to the D Team, something we all can learn and benefit from." she said, "Something I want to apply more than anything else."
"I see….." Cera smiled feeling honoured herself as a few thoughts crossed her mind, "It's nice of her to care for the wellbeing of the team. It's almost like I do too." she said putting a hand to her chest before smiling, "Guess that means I'll have to continue to serve as a great role model for her." She then stepped forwards to Zoe and put a hand on her shoulder, "Well Zoe…." she started, "I'll have to say not many people out there would be care that deeply for their friends and take the necessary action to better themselves for it at the same time." She said patting her shoulder, "Keep at it, I'm sure you most certainly can and will. Max and Rex will no doubt be very proud of you for this too."
Zoe then smiled feeling honoured and appreciative, "Aww thanks Cera, that means a lot." she said before returning with a hug of her own, "And of course we'll continue to be at your side through thick and thin, till you manage to get back that memory of yours."
"Mhmm. I won't forget that." Cera nodded feeling mutual before remembering something she ought to be honest, about the move card she unexpectedly created, "Oh yes, there's also kinda something else too…." she then said choking up a bit while sporting an uneasy expression.
Zoe blinked her eyes, "There is? What is it?"
Cera swallowed hard as she mustered all she could to force out the words she wanted, "W…Well you see…." Before she could answer, her dinoshot on her bed started to blink and Zoe's dinoholder in her hand flashed red too catching their attention!
"Ah!" Looking to them they knew what that meant.
"Another dinosaur showed up!" Zoe cried before grabbing her dinoholder from Cera then grabbing her friend's arm, "Save for later, let's go!" She then said urgently passing the dinoshot to Cera,
"O…Okay…." Cera nodded as she helped Miku onto her shoulder and they both headed out to the D Lab.
(At the D Lab)
The D Team soon setup at the D Lab and were now in the main computer room where Reese was typing away, with Johnathan at the far corner lying still on the research table.
"Hey Reese, where are we heading too now?" asked Cera as Zoe's older sister began to zoom in on the exact location, "Hmm…..let me take another look to make sure the readings are right…." After calibrating she then widened her eyes slightly in surprise when she got the result, "Oh my….."
"That doesn't sound very good….." Cera thought uneasily if there was a location that would worry Reese of all people, as they then focused on her upon hearing her statement.
"Umm where is it Reese?" Max asked uneasily.
She then brought it up on screen, "Apparently, the dinosaur signal is coming from the abandoned Saint Nazaire Submarine Base." she answered as they all blinked in confusion.
"Saint….Nazaire?"
"Submarine base?" Rex and Zoe each asked unsure of the location.
"That's one remarkable place you're heading off to now kids." said Dr Taylor as he stepped in eying the map's zoomed in location and they all turned to look at him.
"Oh hey dad." said Max waving to him, "So what's so remarkable about it?"
"Wait….Nazaire…." Rex brought a finger to his chin in thought before looking up, "Does that by chance have anything to do with the Nazis of Germany during the war?"
"Well said Rex." Spike nodded smiling proud at the boy's knowledge in history, "Indeed, in fact that very base, though now abandoned, was one of 5 large submarine bases that were built by the Nazis during World War 2 when the Germans occupied along the Atlantic Coast of France during their regime." he said while folding his arms.
"Whoa, now that sounds like a really hard core place…." Max breathed.
"To think we'll be visiting a place once used for military operations….." thought Zoe as she shivered, "Used by one of the worst dictator to ever walk the planet….." she added at the end while thinking of Adolf Hitler, unlike a t rex, this man was a true tyrant of the human age.
Seeing they were all became rather uneasy, "Well at least it's pretty much empty now and let's be glad we live in a much more peaceful time, right guys?" asked Cera to the others calming their nerves a little more.
"Mhmm…." they nodded, though feeling rather anxious and worried about the thought.
"For now yeah," said Rex, "But with a dinosaur loose there I don't think things will stay peaceful for long."
"Good point." said Cera after him in agreement.
"Well, time's a wasting, let's head out now." said Max as he headed over to the teleporter and the others followed.
"As usual take care kids." said Spike as they all stepped on together, "Wouldn't want to let your mom worry again after she trusted you all to look after yourselves now."
They all smiled and waved to him, "We will dad!"
"Tell her there's nothing to worry about!" said Rex.
"We'll be back before dinner time as usual!" concluded Zoe as they all smiled brightly and became enveloped in bright light.
Cera then looked over to Max feeling much more at ease knowing they managed to finally settle the dinosaur matter with her yesterday, "It's really great your mom's all good with the dinosaurs now Max." she said to him as he nodded back.
"Yeah, and let's make sure we don't let her down." he said as they vanished in the light.
(Later)
Before long a bright light shone at an entrance to the submarine base which was overlooking the massive waterfront leading to the sea. As they arrived, the D Team all turned to stare at the massive line of entrances at the front where many submarines were once docked in the past before being retrofitted and rearmed for battle, "Here we are guys." said Max. Despite being abandoned and in the bright of day, the fact remained that this was a site once used for war so the D Team couldn't help but feel rather uneasy but the eeriness the place gave off.
"Man this place really does look spooky….." Max gulped uneasily.
"Yeah, to think we'd visit a place used for war in the old days….." added Zoe as she looked around nervously while Cera felt rather on edge, being in a place used to develop underwater weaponry to destroy, it certainly had a rather nasty vibe given off, which they could easily feel just by being near it.
"Let's not dwell in the past guys." said Rex bringing them back to the present, "Right now let's focus on finding that dinosaur."
"Yeah." They then nodded deciding to focus on the task ahead as they all went on inside the open entrance they were at.
As they started and passed by the river channel next to the path they were at, Cera then narrowed her eyes and stopped to look at it all carefully, "With all this water we can expect to be facing a water dinosaur." she suspected as the others looked to her considering her theory.
"Heh, good thing we have Chomp for that huh?" Max smirked as he rubbed his partner's head who barked back in enjoyment, "We'll give it a shock to remember by!" he grinned pumping up his fist energetically.
"Wow, Max is actually using his head for a change." Rex commented feeling rather impressed, "Must have been your influence Cera or maybe he couldn't stand losing to Zoe at chess 10 times in a row." he said cheekily as Zoe giggled in amusement.
"Hee hee…Who knows?" she said shrugging her shoulders as Max turned to them with a scowl on his face.
"I heard that…." he grumbled feeling offended, "Instead of focusing on me, how about Ace? Is he up for it though hmm?" he said grinning deviously at the little carnotaurus who stared back at him instead of running away at the word water.
"Oh we got that covered Max." said Rex holding his head up high proudly before leaning down to pet him on the head, "Ace, you're okay with water now right?" In response Ace nuzzled back in Rex's hand and began licking it, confirming his answer as Rex smiled, "Good boy." No doubt him overcoming his hydrophobia would prove to be a great leap for them in their future dinosaur expeditions for sure.
"Alright, if we're already let's get a move on." said Max as he ushered the others to follow him deeper inside the abandoned water base in search of the dinosaur they came here to find before the Alpha gang did.
As they continued on the path they were on, at the far back at the entrance of the waterfront where they came in from, a set of yellow spines peered out from the water surface before slowly then sinking back into the gloom, followed by a blue tail…..
Meanwhile the D Team continued traversing through unknown terrain, looking around them it was hard to believe this old shell of a military base once held great power and evil within its walls. As they all observed their surroundings they soon heard voices of angry shouts of german soldiers and scientific teams arming for battle or the sounds of submarines being deployed for battle. The experience and atmosphere was both eerie and unnerving, "Wow, when you walk through these halls it's as if you can hear the sounds of the past….like the old voices of war still echoing through the hallways…." commented Cera to herself as she narrowed her eyes, "But still, I can feel that something sinister is amidst."
"You know what?" said Rex looking to her and the others focused on Rex, "I think you might be on to something there Cera." He then looked down to their partner dinosaurs who seemed rather restless and on edge, even seeing Miku was on alert to danger herself, "Look at Chomp, Ace, Miku and Paris…."
"You think they don't like this place because of the vibe it gives?" Max then asked, hoping that was the case.
"Or is there something else?" Zoe followed as she looked about uneasily.
As Zoe and Cera went first in front of Max and Rex, a small rock soon fell from above and cracked in front of Rex and cracking into pieces which made him stop, "Hmm?" As he did, so did Max as they both looked up to see where it was coming from.
"What the?" The ceiling suddenly began to crack and break apart, till eventually a massive chunk of it came down to the D Team's alarm!
"GAH! Watch out!"
"AH!"
"WHOA!"
"GAAAAHH!"
They all cried as they leapt away or pushed each other out before the debris collapsed down and caused a massive cloud of dust to erupt as it landed!
After it was over, Max and Rex lay on their backs, with dust and small pieces of rock on them. Fortunately neither of them got hurt by the falling debris as Max soon began to stir first,"Urgh…what was that?" Max groaned rubbing his head sorely as he sat back up and Chomp got back up to his feet and shook his head clear.
"It came out of nowhere…." Rex moaned as he stood up and found Ace curled up underneath him. He smiled glad to see his partner was safe, and so was Max for the most part as they helped one another get to their feet.
They then both looked to the massive rock pile which formed a kind of block in front of them, as they widened their eyes or gulped nervously at the sight of it and how it stretched over the entirety of the walkway and into the channel.
"If we hadn't moved in time we'd be pancakes…." Max gulped.
"Yeah…no kidding…." Rex breathed as he sweated nervously. The 2 of them smiled with relief but soon realised they were only half a team as they widened their eyes in alarm.
"Ah! Cera! Zoe!" They both exclaimed in unison before looking ahead, "Are you guys okay!?"
"We're fine Rex!" A voice responded on the other side of the wall, where Zoe and Cera had just gotten back up with their partners, after their sudden experience with the collapse. Luckily neither of them suffered any kind of injury.
"That's good to hear!" Rex called to them.
"Man…..That was too close for comfort…." Max breathed clenching his hand on his chest to slow down his pounding heart. Picking himself up he brushed the dirt off his clothes and went over to the rubble pile, "This place must be getting old if it's falling apart like that." he said as he looked at the huge pile of rubble which now separated their team from each other as the regrouped on the opposite sides of the line.
"I don't know….." said Cera as she walked over to a wall and began to tap and press on it firmly. She then narrowed her eyes, "Some of this foundation and structure seems relatively stable….I don't think what just happened was natural…." she commented.
"So something caused it to fall on us?" Max asked.
"It's only a hunch….." she replied before shrugging off the thought and looking back to their teammates on the other side of the rubble wall.
"Well in any case, we can't get over it that's for sure," said Max as he then eyed the water channel near them, "And we can't get around it without getting into the water."
"Guess we're going to have to backtrack then." said Rex reluctantly as Max sighed.
"Looks that way….."
"Don't worry!" Zoe cried out to them, "We'll keep in touch over the communicators! That way we'll stay in touch and we can cover more ground more easily!" she said.
Rex and Max then nodded in agreement as they called back to them, "Alright then, take care of yourselves!" said Max as his side of the team ran back the way they came to find another way around.
As soon as they were left alone, Zoe looked over to Cera, "Come on Cera let's get a move on." she suggested.
"Y…Yeah…." Cera replied uneasily, still haven't yet shaken off the feeling that something clearly was amidst. As they continued on ahead, Cera took a little look back at the hole, to see the passing glimpse of a purple spiked tail at the opening before it vanished after she blinked. "Was that?" She shook her head shrugging it off, "Must be my imagination…." she thought as she and Zoe continued along their path.
Back on Max and Rex's side, as they trekked onwards with Chomp and Ace with them, they looked around uneasily within the barren and empty channels of the base.
"We've come in pretty deep and still no dinosaur in sight…." Max breathed, "Not even so much as a growl or footsteps…."
"Yeah, we would've at least found traces of it by now." thought Rex as he looks around to see almost no signs of a dinosaur being present. Ace and Chomp were barely picking up any signs of a dinosaur either as they sniffed the air but could find nothing for miles. "Let's see what the dinoholder says." he said as he brought it up and switched on the screen, only to find it all dark and static instead.
"Huh? That's weird…." Max muttered as Rex continued to dial more buttons on it but no signal came up.
"There's no signal on." Rex narrowed his eyes before putting it away seeing it couldn't help them now and they had to go in blind.
"Really?" Max then tried his too but the result was the same as only static came on. "Hey mine too." he said in annoyance smacking it and pressing more random buttons but still nor result.
Suddenly, Chomp and Ace picked up something in the wind as they became on guard and looked around frantically trying to pinpoint what they just sensed, much to the unease of their partners who could tell they were sensing something no doubt dangerous.
"Chomp and Ace seem to be on edge…." said Rex as he tried to make contact with their other team, "I'll go check in with Zoe and Cera and see if they have anything." As he tried the call function he saw there was no signal either for that, "I can't get a call either." he said uneasily which further worried Max and him knowing this couldn't be a coincidence, considering they were in abandoned base and no doubt all technology here must have been either moved or dead, which meant that someone was or maybe is here with them.
"I've got a bad feeling about this….." said Max as he narrowed his eyes looking around and a drop of sweat dripped from his cheek.
(Meanwhile)
Meanwhile as Zoe and Cera continued down the same hallway they kept a straight gaze forward, suddenly though, Paris then perked up her head and looked around them on alert. Zoe noticed this as soon as she stopped moving with them, as she looked back to see, "Paris? Is something up?" she asked uneasily.
Cera narrowed her eyes knowing what was going on, "She's sensing something…." she breathed before seeing Miku herself was on alert too, her feathers flared and her eyes become slit, "And so is Miku….."
Hearing her say that made Zoe become rather unnerved as Paris and Miku both tensed up agitatedly scanning their surroundings for any signs of trouble, yet they could find nothing, and that was worrying.
The channels were filled with the sounds of silence….almost too much of it…."It's too quiet….." Cera swallowed hard as a drop of sweat fell from her cheek, her instincts telling her something wasn't right. She heard a bubbling sound coming from the channel. As they both looked they saw a few bubbles pop up at the surface, it was too many at once to be a coincidental air pocket escape, it had to be coming from a living creature underneath the waves. As far as Cera and Zoe could tell, there could only be one possibility.
Zoe began to back away from the water's edge slowly and cautiously as Paris and Miku directed their attention and agitation at the water.
Cera had the same idea as she too backed away from the channel, slowly putting as much distance possible, calmly and quietly as she could, "We're not alone here." said Cera hardening her expression before grabbing Zoe's hand, "Quick we'd better-"
Without warning, a massive wave suddenly erupted and swept across the channel straight towards them! "WHOA!" Paris ran ahead but as she turned she cried out loud as she found her partner Zoe, unable to move and frozen in fear, her feet rendered incapable of taking another step!
"Zoe!" Cera screamed out but her words had no effect on her. Gritting her teeth and shutting her eyes tightly, she lunged forward, pushing Zoe out of the way in time!
"Ah!" she cried as she was shoved and then landing hard on the ground with a thud, "Urgh!" As she opened her eyes she then widened them as Cera and Miku found themselves swept in by the massive wave!
"AAAAHHH!" she screamed as the water swallowed her completely and she was dragged underneath the surface in an instant before Zoe's own eyes!
"Cera!" Zoe cried out as Paris screeched in horror to see them both get washed away into the channel! "Oh no! Oh no!" She got up to her feet and ran over to the edge railings, scanning the surface for any sign of her friend who was dragged beneath the waves! "Cera where are you!" she cried out as her heart began to race and panic, with Paris barking out in all directions and their mixed cries echoing throughout the empty hallways.
"GASP! Miraculously, Cera burst out of the water further off from the walkway taking a precious breath of air!
"Cera!" Zoe cried out in relief to see she was still alive, before turning serious again to realise she still needed to get her out of the water soon.
"Zoe! Help!" Cera cried splashing out frantically, with Miku just managing to climb ontop of her head to keep herself from falling back in. Right now she was all soaked and her feathers drenched to the point she looked like a saggy piece of cloth, as she cried out for help!
In response, Zoe reached over to the edge of the railings, "Quick! Get closer and I'll try to pull you up!" she cried out as she held out her hand and Cera nodded, swimming to it as fast as she could, focusing entirely on Zoe's outstretched hand! "Grab my hand! I'll-huh!?"
Without warning, suddenly Cera rose out of the water, riding ontop of what seemed like half of a pod where an engine thruster was erupting!
"Huh!?"
"Wh…What!?" Both girls were shocked at the unexpected development, but not as much when another half of the pod erupted out of the water and then landed ontop of where Cera and Miku were! "AAAAH!" Cera screamed holding her arms out before she was sealed them completely shut inside and the pod jetted away down the path of the water channel till it disappeared from sight, with only Cera's finally cry echoing from it, "HELP!"
"Cera!" Zoe screamed reaching her arm out! She ran after it but then slipped on the moist floor and falling forward! "AH!" As Paris quickly ran up to her side, Zoe could only look on hopelessly as the pod disappeared not the darkness ahead, along with Cera, "No!" she cried out in despair.
Nearby, Max and Rex both stopped upon hearing the echoing cries for help as their ears perked and they looked around on alert, "Hey Rex did you hear that!?" Max gasped in alarm.
"Sounded like Zoe's in trouble!" the blond boy turned to him as he pointed out ahead of them, "It came from over there! Let's go!" he said as they all rushed ahead to see what was up.
Back at where she was, Paris chirped sadly as she came up to Zoe's side, nuzzling at her hoping to give her partner some degree of security and comfort, but her expression and mood became more depressed when she saw her efforts had no effect as Zoe sat down on her knees in despair, shedding several deep tears which dropped onto the floor, "Oh no….Cera…." countless emotions welled up inside her heart, she wanted to protect her friends bu instead ended up letting one of them getting taken away. She also felt helpless and unable to do anything, a failure for letting down Cera and feeling guilty and hateful for herself for letting it happen.
She was about to become eternally trapped inside a prison of regret inside her own mind, when a pair of voices soon snapped her out at the last second, "Zoe!"
"Huh?" As she turned around her face brightened up with joy to see her 2 friends running up to her, "Max! Rex! There you are!" she cheered brightening up with joy as she got up and regrouped with them, "I'm so glad to see you guys!" she cheered with relief as they smiled back at her.
"Yeah, same here with us too." Rex replied with a smile as he and Max brought her in for a group hug.
Max soon noticed they were one person short as he blinked his eyes and looked around, "H…Hey where's Cera?" he then asked finding no trace of her anywhere near Zoe.
Upon being brought back to the horrendous experience she just witnessed, Zoe's expression turned downcast and heavy, as she lost the strength of her arms and they slumped forward, "She….She…." she gritted her teeth painfully and hissed out the words through her breath, filled with immense sorrow.
The boys were taken aback by her change in mood, and they could tell something went wrong no doubt. As much s they were worried to find out the truth, they knew they had to, "What happened to Cera?" Rex asked once more.
"Come on spit it out!" Max cried, their urgency spurred Zoe into screaming with tears,
"She….She was taken!" She yelled painfully before weeping bitterly into her hands as she covered her eyes much to the alarm and shock of Max and Rex!
"Huh!?"
"Say what!?" Chomp and Ace barked in alarm upon hearing the horrific news.
(Meanwhile)
"Urgh….what happened?" Cera groaned groggily as she soon came to her senses. As soon as she opened her eyes she caught sight of her partner who was drenched in water and almost chilled to the bone while nuzzled up in between her legs, "Miku!" she gasped widening her eyes as she brought her up in her hands to her face, "Speak to me! Are you okay?" she begged desperately hoping for signs of life. She feared the worst but miraculously, the little raptor looked to her and chirped making her much more at ease as she let out a deep breath of relief, "Phew thank goodness." she said putting a hand on her chest. As soon as she did, she realised she herself was completely soaked herself, from her hair and down to her inside clothes, "But we're really wet…." she then remembered earlier how she had to push Zoe out of the way of an incoming wave to save her from falling into the water herself.
"Also, where are we?" She then asked looking around, it was almost pitch black inside except for a small bit of light given off from but the smallest gaps inside in different areas, which were no doubt for ventilation purposes. She then pushed out around her but found it to be useless as she was completely encased inside some sort of…..compartment it seemed, "Urgh! It won't budge!" she grunted pushing at it with all her might but made no progress as she topped and breathed rather heavily, "No good," trying another approach she took out her dinoshot, which fortunately was waterproof as she dialled on it hoping to contact the others, only to find it gave off nothing but a static filled screen, "And I can't seem to contact the others either…." she muttered in frustration as Miku lowered her head in sadness, while Cera folded in her legs and hugged them in, "What are we supposed to do now?" she then asked herself.
"The answer is simple, you can't do anything." A rather sinister voice said from outside which caught them both by surprise!
"Ah!" Cera widened her eyes, "Who said that!?" she cried out looking around, trying to figure out which direction it came from. "Wait, that voice…." Cera soon began to recollect that she heard it somewhere before. It didn't take her long though for her to recall whom it belonged to, as her heart skipped a beat, "It can't be!"
"Oh it can." said Seth as he walked up to the side of the capsule and tapped it rather gently to show his prisoner where he was, "So nice of you to drop by right into my trap. I told you that I'd have you in my clutches one day, the only thing I didn't expect was that day to come soon." He said with a malicious grin and tone which infuriated both Cera and Miku inside the capsule.
"You….Seth!" She yelled as Miku flared out her arms and screeched!
"How nice of you remember my name." Seth chuckled in amusement, as he smiled mockingly on the outside at his helpless captive, "Feeling comfortable in there? Not that it really matters….." he said walking away to his floating platform and getting on, "Admittedly I had to take a little cue from Ursula and her 2 dimwitted underlings in order to orchestrate this little convergence." he said as he rose on it and then over her, "And soon your friends, who are on their way here right now to rescue you as we speak, will soon play into my hands."
Cera narrowed her eyes in thought, "So it was a trap like last time. I knew something wasn't right the moment we arrived here.…." she said recalling what happened on the day she first met the D Team.
"Correct, you catch on quite fast." Seth clapped praising her, "However, unlike the last time, the….surprises I've prepared for them are now heavily encrypted with the highest level of security possible." he said pressing a few buttons on his console where the 2 alpha scanners he brought with him were plugged in, "Meaning you won't be able to hack your way out of your little cage nor do anything to save your friends this time."
"Grrr…." Cera clenched her hand into her fist and gritted her teeth.
"Be thankful you wont be able to see what's going on." he said, "Although I'm sure being unable to see their torment won't matter if you'll be able to hear every one of their cries of pain and anguish wouldn't it?"
Cera widened her eyes and her heart skipped a beat at his words before she yelled out in defiance, "They won't lose! Whatever you have planned will fail! They'll stop you and get me and Miku out of this horrible trap! You hear me!? You won't get away with this!" she screamed.
Seth then smirked unconvinced, "Heh, we'll soon see about that shall we?" he said as he pressed a button causing her capture pod to rise up in the air, "Now if you'll excuse me, I have preparations to make, so sit tight while I prepare the perfect stage for your friends' defeat." he said as he took off in another direction till he was out of sight.
"Grrr!" Cera soon knew he was leaving to prepare upon realising the silence that came, "HEY! Don't you walk away from me!" she yelled banging against the sides of the pod with all her might an screaming out at the top of her lungs, "Let me out!" Her cares echoed from within her pod and barely through the room of the base…..
(Meanwhile)
"Are you sure this is the way!?" Rex yelled out frantically to Zoe as she lead the boys down the straight pathway as fast as they could, in fact Zoe was running faster than normal that even Chomp and the others had trouble keeping up, and for good reason too.
"I think so, that's where I saw the pod that took her go." she said to Rex as she sweated anxiously, "It's a straight line so we should be on the right track."
"I sure hope you're right….." said Rex as he soon took notice of Zoe's guilt which was eating her alive from the inside out.
"Oh this is all my fault….how could I let this happen to her?" she breathed as Max came up to her as they ran.
"Easy Zoe, it wasn't your fault." he said.
"Yeah, none of us could have expected this." Rex followed, "Besides, you would have done the same if your positions were reversed right?"
"Yeah that's true…." she said lowering her head, "But if anything happens to her I can't ever forgive myself…."
"We'll find her." said Max to her assuringly as they soon saw a light up ahead. As they came through they found themselves in what appeared to be a docking area for submarines, with a large platform they were standing on leading to a set of stairs and higher platforms while the side was a large channel of water which lead out into the main bay and outside.
"Looks like this is the end of the road." said Max as they looked around to find it completely empty and nothing in sight except a barren area and water to their side of them.
"But still no sign of Cera anywhere….." said Rex as he and their dinosaurs too kept a sharp eye and senses on high alert.
Upon seeing the room was completely empty, Zoe's heart began to race and she turned weak and almost pale, "Oh no did she get taken….." she breathed falling to her knees in despair, as the others turned to her in alarm.
"Don't say that Zoe! We'll get her back!" Max responded as he took her by the hand and looked her in the eye, "I promise!"
"Max…." she breathed feeling reenergised with hope by his words as she stood up again with confidence and energy.
"You shouldn't make promises you can't keep boy." a voice suddenly said catching them by surprise.
"Ah!" As they all looked up at where the voice came from, they widened their eyes in surprise to see a hovercraft float down from a hole in the roof, piloting it was an all too familiar face….
"Nice of you 3 to drop by, I've been waiting patiently." said Seth with a sinister smile on his face.
"You!"
"Seth!" Zoe and Max yelled angrily.
"So this was a trap all along wasn't it!?" Rex added feeling on edge to see the evil man once more.
"Your friend picked up on that much quicker than you lot." Seth scoffed before sporting a rather unsettling expression, "Speaking of her though." Snapping his fingers, a large pink pod descended slowly from the opening in the roof, which had the alpha logo on it and was shaped with a rounded egg shape on top with 3 yellow spikes at the bottom with a engine thruster at the bottom which powered down as it landed on the ground gently.
Show the pod lowering down
"Ah! That's the thing that swallowed up Cera!" Zoe cried out as the others widened their eyes in alarm.
"Say what!?" Max and Rex gasped before turning to the pod in front.
"Cera! Are you in there!?" Max then screamed as loud as he could.
Inside Cera opened her eyes and blinked, "Huh? That voice…." She then banged on the side of the pod with her fists frantically, "Max! Rex! Zoe! Are you out there!?" she cried as Miku squawked as loud as she could in distress from inside!
"Ah! She's alright!"
"Why of course she is." Seth replied, "She's far too important to be wasted on the likes of you, that's why I've decided to take her, where I'll put her secrets to good use." he said raising out his arms, "To pave forth a grand future for dinosaurs and I'll be the one to usher in this new age!" he proclaimed loudly.
"Not if we have anything to say about it!" Max yelled shaking his fist in anger, "We'll never let someone like you use the dinosaurs as mere lab rats to experiment on!"
"And we'll never let you use our friend Cera for something so despicable!" Rex shouted.
"You better let her go right now or else!" Zoe threatened.
"Hmph, bold words." Seth scoffed in response, "Let's see if you can truly back them up." he smirked pressing a button on one of the alpha scanners, a burst of water erupted from the bay next to them! Rising out of the water and onto the land platform was a familiar blue sauropod with yellow side spikes sticking out!
The D Team widened their eyes recognising it instantly, "It's ampelosaurus!" Max gasped taking a step back.
Without warning a wall nearby was then broken down catching the D Team off guard!
"Ah!"
"What now!?" They quickly turned to look.
As the dust cleared, a purple plated dinosaur emerged from the whole created as it roared and flared out its' massive tail spikes fiercely! "And stegosaurus too!" Zoe gasped recognising it.
Both dinosaurs regrouped side by side with one another, as a pair of dark red alpha balls appeared out of nowhere and hovered around them both.
"So those were the dinosaurs the detector picked up…." said Rex as he clenched his fist and hardened his gaze seriously, "And our signals being jammed….no doubt it was because of him…."
"We played right into his hands…." Zoe hissed under her breath as Max gritted his teeth in anger and frustration.
"Grrgh…."
Seth then smirked seeing no doubt he had the upper hand this time around and he intended to press his advantage even further, "I'm feeling quite generous today, so I'll make you a fair deal." he said calmly to them.
Max raised an eyebrow in suspicion, "Deal?"
"I don't like the sound of this…." said Rex out loud while Zoe narrowed her eyes. Cera could tell something bad was going on outside, and it frustrated her that she didn't know anything nor could she do anything to help her friends. TO be stuck helplessly as a hostage frustrated her deeply.
"For the past few days I've been enhancing these 2 dinosaurs with the most advanced modifications I've ever implemented, right down to the cellular level or perhaps even their bones." said Seth gesturing to his 2 dinosaurs as they roared out loud, "And now I see a perfect opportunity to test how far they've come." he then said eying the D Team.
The D Team widened their eyes in alarm, "Modifications!?" They exclaimed.
"How dare he…." Cera narrowed her eyes, thought they couldn't see anything she and Miku could barely hear the voices of the dinosaurs, in pain and suffering under the influence of Seth's experiments and the alpha balls used to prevent them from rebelling or going berserk. Truly out of all the alpha gang he was no doubt the most heartless of them all.
"If you can defeat these two, I'll consider releasing your friend back to you." continued Seth as he smirked in response, "Fail, and not only do I keep her, but I'll also get your dinosaurs and your stones too." He said using his arms out, "After all I'm always looking for new test subjects to improve upon and I'm more than willing to help even your dinosaurs unlock their true potential."
"Grrr!" That was the last straw for the D Team as they armed themselves.
"Forget it you maniac! That'll never happen!" Max yelled.
"We're not going to be taking part in your horrible experiment at all!"
"Yeah! Instead we'll be taking Cera back and those dinosaurs too!" Zoe and Rex followed as there dinosaurs became agitated and shook with rage, "You won't be hurting them anymore after today!"
They returned all their partners to their cards and slashed them in unison, "Dino slash!"
"Triceratops! Roar!"
"Carnotaurus! Blow them away!"
"Parasaurolophus! Bloom!" All 3 of their dinosaurs soon took to the field and roared at their opponents who readied for battle!
"Ready guys!?" said Max looking to Zoe and Rex, "Let's save Cera!"
"Right!" Rex nodded.
"Wait!" Zoe then yelled stopping the boys from charging in. She then hardened her expression mixed with guilt and anger, "I'm the one who lost her, so I'll do it!"
"Zoe…." Max and Rex eyed her understandably as Paris stepped forward while Chomp and Ace backed off.
"Sit tight Cera and Miku! I'll get you back!" Zoe swore out loud as she slashed a move card, "Metal wing!" Paris roared and vowed green as the 3 pteranodons swooped out and began to charge at the 2 enemy dinosaurs.
Seth grinned having anticipated this, "Nice try, but I can see that coming a mile away." he said slashing a move card on 1 scanner, "Spike arrows!" In response, stegosaurus roared as the back plates surged with energy and raising its tail it fired a rapid barrage of spikes from its tail! They shot out fast like a machine gun, quickly dispersing the 3 pteranodons before they could get into a dive bomb formation! They swooped around with speed and agility but the stegosaurus was relentless as it continued firing a never-ending barrage of projectiles! Eventually shining its tail around, the flurry of spikes shot out in all directions, shooting down all 3 pteranodons as they fell from the sky and returned together as a single card!
"Oh no!" Zoe gasped as her move card floated back down. Running over to pick them up-
"Zoe watch out!"
"Get back now!" He friends yelled frantically as she looked up to see the spike arrows coming at her next!
"Ah!" She ran back in time, but soon the stegosaurus aimed its' tail at Paris' feet and soon backed her up against the back wall with a barrier of spikes surrounding her on all sides to keep her at bay and preventing her from getting any closer! "Ah! Paris!" She cried out loud seeing she was trapped.
"With that we'll keep things fair." said Seth to them as Rex and Max eyed him angrily, "2 on 2."
Rex then narrowed his eyes, "Those spikes were moving way faster than the last time I remember…." he thought, "Seth no doubt must have made their moves stronger too…."
"How very perceptive." he answered proud of himself, "And now you'll see first hand how much stronger they have become!" he announced as Ampelosaurus charged ahead at Chomp and the stegosaurus at Ace!
The stegosaurus lashed out its' tail and Ace was only barely able to dodge the spiked end in time! The Ampelosaurus swung out its' tail and knocked Chomp over, but determinedly he pushed himself back up and charged again as the ampelosaurus rammed its head in between his horns as they met in a standoff!
"As they say nothing is perfect and there's always room for improvement." said Seth as he marvelled at the progress his dinosaurs were showing from a safe distance, "Although, with the way my research is progressing, perhaps perfection won't be a mere fantasy for long."
"Fat chance!" Max yelled shaking his fist at the blue haired man, "If anything what you're doing is tampering with nature and twisting it to suit the way you want it!"
"Tampering? I call it improving upon nature." Seth scoffed shrugging his shoulders, "Then again I suppose those with no vision can never comprehend such genius."
Chomp charged again, but this time the Ampelosaurus shifted sides and swung its back spikes at him as they both met in a tie, creating a shockwave which rattled the land and water! They did so again, colliding a second time, but Chomp soon began to push forward with all his might, determined to save his trappedfriends!
"Keep it up Chomp! You've got him on the ropes!" Max cheered joyfully.
Ace meanwhile leapt over the stegosaurus' tail then before it could bring it in again for another swipe, Ace swung out his own tail to knock his foe off balance as it stumbled back and shook its' head in disorientation!
"That's the way to go!" Rex cheered.
"You've got this you guys!" Zoe cried out as Paris bellowed a cheer at their end.
Cera smirked inside her pod knowing what those calls meant, "Heh, looks like Seth's plan isn't falling into place, it's falling into pieces now." she chuckled as Miku chirped in happiness.
Seeing how his dinosaurs were now beginning to lose, Seth then scowled in disappointment, "Hmph, enough playing the odds." he said as he began to type a few buttons on his console before his malicious smirk returned, "It's time to make and manipulate them." He then added before pressing a big red button. A set of floating spiked mines ejected from the lower compartment of his hovercraft which then moved over to where Chomp was, and a floating mech erupted from the water which flew on top of Ace!
The D Team were taken aback by the unexpected development, "Huh!?"
"What's that!?" Rex gasped looking to see the mech float ontop of Ace before firing a set of waves onto him! He roared in pain before suddenly turning into a small grey dinosaur plush toy with orange spikes on its' head! "Wh…What the!?" Rex exclaimed unable to comprehend what he saw.
"Typical Laura…." Seth mused bringing a finger to his chin in thought, "Unusual but no less effective." he then shrugged it off as stegosaurus swung out its' tail and sent the plushie into the wall and as it slumped back down, Ace lay down heavily battered!
"ACE!" Rex then screamed for his partner as the carnotaurus struggled to get back on his feet.
As Chomp charged and clashed in a tie with ampelosaurus once more, the bombs suddenly exploded in his face, using him to back away in pain as the ampelosaurus suddenly swept him off his feet and rammed him into the wall after charging at his chest! "Oh no Chomp!" Max cried out in alarm.
"Rod's invention however may prove useful yet." Seth thought pleased as Chomp kicked his legs out and swung his head forward, knocking his opponent back a bit!
The D Team then turned over to Seth angrily, "Hey! How dare you!?"
"Using your devices to throw us off, didn't think you'd play dirty like the other Alpha gang!" They yelled filled with anger.
"Dirty?" Seth questioned, "Ha, who are you to look down on me?" he then laughed in amusement, "Did you really think I'd leave things to chance and let you leave victoriously? You truly are children if you think I'd ever stoop low to your childish level of play." he said much to the irritation of the D Team as they eyed him with disgust and frustration.
"Grrr!"
"Unforgivable…." Though Cera couldn't see what was going on she could tell Seth was no doubt playing dirty, using the devices he said he encrypted no less. She knew she had to get out there, as she tackled the inside of her pod as hard as she could but to no avail, "GARGH! Let me out!" she screamed from inside.
As Ace began to stagger and the stegosaurus approached him, Rex gritted his teeth knowing he couldn't hold back anymore, "Then we'll just have to finish this now!" he growled taking a move card and slashing it, "Ninja attack!" Ace glowed and prepared to rush forward, but suddenly the mech flew ontop of where he was again!
"Can't have that now can we?" Seth snickered as he pressed the button once more, which turned Ace into a plush toy once more!
"Oh no!" Rex gasped seeing Ace was helpless again!
"You're done for now! Earthquake!" Seth yelled slashing the move card. Stegosaurus bellowed rearing up and slamming on the ground, creating a massive crack in the earth as the dino plush fell in between! As Ace tore himself out, it came too late as the chasm then closed in on him! Crushing him in between as he cried out in pain and turning back into a card!
"Ace! No!" Rex cried.
"Now for you!" Seth yelled turning to Max and Chomp.
"Grr!" Max gritted his teeth in anger seeing he and Chomp were alone now.
"Shockwave!" Ampelosaurus roared as a veil of water erupted and swirled around it before shooting it out and enveloping Chomp! Suffocating him as he struggled for air! "And aqua vortex!" Seth followed up as Ampelosaurus bellowed reading up on its' hind legs and causing a massive veil of water to erupt and swirl around Chomp! Twisting and turning him around before he lost consciousness, collapsing to the ground and returning to card form!
"Chomp!" As they both rushed in to grab their cards they quickly looked back in horror to see ampelosaurus and stegosaurus were now converging on the now trapped Paris!
"And then there was one….." said Seth darkly as his dinosaurs roared out fiercely and Paris was further backed into the corner feeling overwhelmed and fearful!
"Oh no!" Max gasped as he and Rex yelled out.
"Hey! Stop! Leave them alone!" Their cried fell on deaf ears as Zoe sweated anxiously and stepped back feeling trapped, helpless, terrified and unable to do a thing now….
"Nowhere to run now, you all might as well give up and surrender, you can't win!" he yelled as Zoe gritted her teeth hard feeling overwhelmed!
"Urgh…." Thoughts and fears of failing the D Team and that they were doomed now began to paralyse her from moving as Seth smiled darkly seeing he had her right where she wanted him!
Seeing how she was falling into despair, Max and Rex sweated and began to worry before trying to shout out to her, "N…Never!"
"Don't quit Zoe! We have to keep fighting for Cera's sake!" They cried hoping to motivate her to keep trying!
Seth however scoffed at their attempts, "Keep fighting? Ha! You can't even defend yourselves? What can you do on your own?" he laughed out loud with the intention of breaking their last hope's spirit, "Face it, you've failed!"
Max and Rex both felt their anger and spite for Seth reaching their peak upon hearing his mocking and how he intended to get away with what he had done to them and so much more, "How dare you!?"
"You're the worst!" They yelled, but tensed up as the enemy dinosaurs closed in on Paris, who looked around but saw no way of possible escaping from her predicament!
Meanwhile Zoe, who was kneeling down on the ground began to tear up and blaming herself for everything that was happening to them now, "It was all my fault we were in this mess….if I had looked out for myself….and Cera we wouldn't have been in this mess in the first place…" She sniffled bitterly as she clenched her fists and gritted her teeth, "Grrgh…" She was about to give up and believe all hope was lost, when-
"Zoe!" Cera then cried out from the pod catching her attention, "I believe in you! I just know that there's something you can do!"
"That's right!" Max followed supporting Zoe all the way, "We've been in tighter spots before and we made it out, this isn't any different!"
"We know you can do it! As long as one of us still stands there's always hope!" Rex cheered put, " And we're with you the whole way!"
"Now pick yourself up and kick his butt!" They all cheered in unison snapping her out of her thoughts.
"Ah!" She then opened her eyes widely, feeling inspired and moved, "Cera and others still have faith in me and Paris….they're really counting on us…." Her expression turned serious and filled with determination, "Then I won't let her down!" she cried out as Paris roared and broke through the spike arrow barrier before leaping onto the battlefield once more! As Zoe opened her dinoholder to pick a move card, she then saw one new one she hadn't seen before, "This card?" She picked it out and took a closer look at it, "I've never seen it before….wait!" before pondering over what it was or how it gone in her deck, she then recalled earlier in the morning how Cera was sorting out her deck…..
She was unsure what it could do, but the fact remains it was all or nothing now and her hand was no doubt forced. "I've got nothing left to lose now." She thought closing her eyes in thought, her instincts telling her to trust in Cera and play the card. "You asked what can I do on my own?" She said to Seth before yelling out at him, "The best I can! Go! Two Platoon crush!" She announced as she slashed the card with all her might! Paris then roared out enveloped in an aura of leaves, suddenly supersaurus appeared from one end of the room from the aura of leaves and seismosaurus slammed down at the other end! As they both came in, surrounding stegosaurus and Ampelosaurus they were backed up agint one another as both dinosaurs bellowed lowly shaking the entirety of the room itself and causing rocks to fall from the ceiling!
"Whoa!" The D team all gasped at the immense power before them.
"Seismosaurus and supersaurus together!?" Zoe knew the card was special but had no either it would yield such a result!
"AAAAAHHH!" Cera screamed inside the pod with Miku clinging onto her tightly as they were shaken up by the shockwaves from outside. Hearing the cries of supersaurus and seismosaurus from outside, she could only confirm one thing, "Did she play that card?" She asked herself before looking out, "Really wish I could see what was going on," she then smirked with confidence, "But I know it'll be something great."
Seth widened his eyes and gasped speechlessly at what he was witnessing with his own eyes, "Wh…what trickery is this!?" he stuttered feeling overwhelmed by the presence of both giant sauropods!
Both of them lowered their heads down and roared in anger at both enemy dinosaurs before slamming hard down on the ground! Their combined shockwave sent both stegosaurus and ampelosaurus into the air and as they were about to fall down again, the 2 of them were crushed in between both their long necks! The force of the impact shook the land itself as both enemy dinosaurs coughed out a final breath in defeat before falling back down to the ground, returning both to their dinosaur cards!
"I…I did it…." Zoe breathed in amazement as both titans bellowed out in triumph, "I actually did it! Way to go Paris!" she cried out as Paris trumpeted out loud in victory!
"That was…incredible…." Max an Rex were both speechless beyond belief at what they witnessed with their own eyes before leaping up for joy! "Now that's what I'm talking about!"
"Alright! Way to go Zoe!" Rex grinned knowing she could pull it off.
"They did it…." Cera smiled inside her pod knowing the cheers outside meant something great happened and that they won.
The only one in the room who wasn't pleased by the unexpected turn of events was Seth, who exploded in anger and rage, "NO! Impossible!" he screamed slamming his hands on the console, unable to comprehend how they could have overpowered his weeks of experimentation in a single move. He then took a breath and calmed down as he began to contemplate the situation a little more rationally, "Such power….They could never have acquired such strength on their own…." He then looked down to the pod where Cera was held captive inside, "It must have been her. There can be no other explanation…." he then gritted his teeth knowing despite losing the battle he was still the real winner here as he prepared to leave with his prize, "They may have won the battle but they-" Looking up he widened his eyes as a massive tail swing out at him! "AH!" he gasped as he swooped away from seismosaurus' attack on him in time, a second later and he knew his head would've been taken off!
As he recovered from his shock, he gritted his teeth in frustration at the D Team as they set their sights on him next!
"Now give us back Cera now!"
"We won, now hand her back or else!" Max and Rex each yelled, but Zoe had another idea.
"Actually on second thought, we'll be taking her back!" She raised out her arm as Paris let out a loud sonic boom from her crest which caused the rest of the tie bombs, as well as the dino stuffer mech to explode upon overloading! The sounds also began to short out his hovercraft, as he pulled away desperately to keep out of the noise range!
"GRRRGH!" he gritted his teeth as the sound rattled his ears, forcing him to retreat over the water surface where they couldn't follow!
"And these!" Rex yelled as he and Max ran over to grab the stegosaurus and ampelosaurus cards lying on the ground!
Paris' sonic waves also caused the locks on Cera's prison pod to short out, as it soon opened and Cera tumbled forward, exhausted and still drenched!
"AH!"
"Look!" They pointed out catching sight of their now freed friend!
"Urgh…." she groaned weakly with Miku pecking at her face hoping she would wake up.
"Cera!" They all quickly rushed over to her side upon seeing her now out!
Rex then got up to her face and checked her before sighing with relief, "She's alright…."
"Phew, thank goodness…." Zoe and Max felt a weight lifted from them knowing she was unharmed.
They all then sported serious expressions before directing their anger now on the man responsible for this, "Now for Seth." Max then pointed out at him, "You tortured dinosaurs then kidnapped our friend! Get ready because you're going to pay for what you did!" He yelled out as Paris let out a furious bellow, followed by both titan sauropods who were present with her.
"….." Seeing there was nothing he could do about the outcome of this battle, Seth calmly closed his eyes as his hovercraft backed further away from them so they couldn't reach him, "Very well then, there's no sense in fighting a battle that's already been lost." he said disappointed but calm nevertheless, "I'll let you go this time, but mark my words, as long as you have what I want, this battle was merely the beginning." He said sporting a sinister smirk at them before pressing a button on his hovercraft. "But for now, farewell." As he did, an alpha fish submarine with a large sharp teeth front emerged from the water as he entered through the top hatch and began to submerge again!
"Hey you get back here!" Max yelled angrily as he ran over to the edge, only to see the dark shadow of the submarine had vanished completely much to the D Team's frustration.
"He's gone…." said Rex narrowing his eyes as Max punched a fist in his palm.
"Rats…."
Zoe narrowed her eyes seeing that their enemy had escaped, but then smiled seeing they got what they came here for, being Cera back and the dinosaur cards. Before she could say anymore, the entire room began to shake and the ceiling began crumbling down!
"Huh!?" Looking around they could tell the floor was becoming unstable after the battle they just had and soon the whole base would cave in on them!
"Forget about him Max!" Rex yelled to his friend, "Right now we need to get out of here before it's too late!"
"Y…Yeah…." he said uneasily as they went back to regroup with Cera and Zoe, who had just recalled their dinosaurs back to card form!
"You okay Cera?" asked Max as he helped her stand up and she opened her eyes groggily.
"A little shaky after that experience…but okay…." she said weekly as the others nodded glad to hear that.
"Good, now let's get out of here." said Rex as they all pressed a button on their devices and teleported away in a glow of light, seconds before the entire ceiling collapsed on them and the floor cracked apart and became swallowed up but the water!
(Meanwhile)
As Seth rode in the submarine back to Zeta Point his expression hardened rather seriously, "I may have lost 2 of my dinosaurs, but it's a small setback and nothing more." he said as he pressed a button on his screen which depicted recordings of the battle as well as the power levels generated by each of the D Team's dinosaurs, and even detecting areas of weakness in their formations and movements, "With the battle data I gained I'll be able to improve saurophaganax even further than ampelosaurus and stegosaurus ever could, so the experiment was still a success." he said to himself as another thought crossed his mind, "Also, there's that other matter to attend to…." He soon recalled knowing that the move card used to defeat his powered up dinosaurs at the same time exhibited far more power than any other move card that he had come across. Also, it was one he didn't know of, and he soon smirked sinisterly knowing full well the only explanation where it could have originated from, "That girl Cera may in fact prove more useful to my research than I first imagined….hehehehe….." he chuckled to himself in amusement.
(That night)
Late that night, right after the D Team returned home after their near brush with defeat, they quickly rushed over to the Pet Town animal hospital where Chomp and Ace were resting rather peacefully on the medical beds as Mr and Mrs Drake were seen inside looking after them by tying bandages around their wounds or sore limbs. They all refused to come for dinner and said they'd rather stay and wait at Zoe's place till they were all better, even if it took all night, much to the relief of Aki and Spike after confirming that they were all safe with no injuries themselves. As much as they didn't want to keep secrets from their parents they knew full well if they told them the whole truth about Cera being kidnapped and the fight they had to go through to get her back. they knew it would crush them completely,which wasn't easy of them to hold in.
The one who felt most hurt though was Cera herself, as she stared through the glass teary eyed at what her friends went through to save her and Miku, how she brought it all on them and couldn't do a thing about it. Their partners had suffered deeply and now they lay to be operated on in the hospital room, as she and the others stared through the glass, Miku sat at the side in deep thought, with Paris pacing back and forth, stopping only to look at the medical door waiting for news about her friends in there before continuing again. Hours had passed and still they waited, not even leaving the window view for a second as they stayed by their partners' sides as they looked weakly back at them, feeling safe and secure knowing the D Team would never abandon them.
Before long as the 2 dinosaurs slept soundly under the blankets on the medical beds, both of Zoe's parents soon stepped out of the exam room and they all hurried to them, "Hey Dr Drake?" Cera asked with a heavy heart, something shared between her and the others, "Are they-"
Dr Drake smiled and shook his head, "They'll be fine Cera," he said as the D Team all let out a deep breath they held in, "After a good night's rest they'll be back to normal in no time. I promise you that." he said with an expression assurance.
"They're young and strong, they'll heal very quickly." his wife followed with a nod as Max let out a sigh of relief.
"Thank goodness for that…." he breathed as the others mired his expression.
"You should be thanking Cera, in fact that new massage therapy she recommended to us the other day really does work wonders!" Dr Drake chuckled out, "Though it may potentially eliminate the use for my precious mega needle but all that matters is helping to treat sick or injured animals in need." he added before letting out a cough realising the situation at hand.
"We have to get something," said Mrs Drake as she and her husband started heading to the backdoor, "So we'll leave you alone for a bit."
"But do refrain from going into the operating room, Chomp and Ace are still recuperating, so we advise you not to awaken them." added her husband as the D Team nodded back.
"Of course Dr Drake." said Cera obediently.
Rex then bowed, "Thank you, we really wouldn't know what to do without you." he said gratefully as Dr Drake put a hand on the blond boy's shoulder.
"Don't mention it Rex." he said with a smile, "As a doctor it's my duty to help all animals in need. I'm only glad to be able to help you all in the end."
As they left through the door, Cera looked inside to see Chomp and Ace sleeping soundly, before being her chance to bow down to everyone apologetically much to their surprise all a sudden. "I'm so sorry you guys…." she said weakly and feeling guilty, "I….can't help but feel responsible for what happened today…."
Her friends' eyes widened in shock at her words, "Don't say that Cera!" Rex cried.
"Yeah, it wasn't your fault at all." Max followed.
"It's mine for letting you get captured earlier." said Zoe with a sad expression on her face, "If I had been more careful we wouldn't have had to fight to get you back." she clenching her fist and looking away guilty herself, as Cera sighed understandably.
"Zoe…." That still didn't change the fact they went through a lot of trouble because of her.
"No you're wrong Zoe." said Max firmly as they all looked to him, "If anyone's to blame it's Seth. He did this to our friends and he won't get away with it." he said gritting his teeth and punching a hand into his palm.
Rex narrowed his eyes firmly with Zoe, "Yeah, and you can bet on it." he said.
Cera then thought about it for a moment before speaking up, "He said that as long as he has what he wants, this was just round one," she said suspecting it was probably the cards or the stones, or maybe, after what he said to her during their past encounters ….her…."Whatever it is, no doubt he'll be back again…." she breathed at the end.
"And we'll be ready for him next time." said Max clenching his fist, "No matter what he has planned for the dinosaurs, we'll be there to stop him and the alpha gang once and for all."
"That's right, and as long as we stick together we'll never lose." said Rex firmly as everyone nodded together.
"Mhmm."
Despite their pledge together, inside her heart Cera felt very conflicted and responsible for everything today. In fact, it wasn't just her but Miku as well, as they looked into one another's eyes away from the D Team. Looking to each other, the pari felt that with the situation now dire, they may have only one choice now….
(Later)
After a nicely cooked dinner courtesy of Cera and Mrs Drake, the entire D Team spent the night over at at the Drake household, wanting to be with their partners to the end. Everyone was sleeping soundly in pairs, with Max and Rex in the guest room and Zoe and Cera together in another. At least it seemed that way, as Cera who wasn't really sleeping, soon got out from under her covers. Looking to the desk where Miku's little bed was, she saw the little microraptor hop up and eying her firmly as she hopped into her hand and onto her shoulder and they went outside, quietly so they wouldn't wake anyone.
A little while later, the pair stepped out of the Pet Town animal hospital front entrance, with Cera carrying a backpack full of supplies. As they did, Miku sighed and chirped sadly lowering her head as Cera then stroked her gently, "I'm sad too Miku…." she said to her, "But this is for the best…." She then turned around to look at the veterinary clonic once more, with a heavy heart she took a deep breath as she said what might possibly be her final goodbyes, "I suppose…this may be the last time we'll see this house….this town…." she said as tears of sadness dripped from her eyes, but also of joy for she had no regrets at all either as the memories from her starting line in Sanjo City flooded back to her like a tsunami, to meeting the D Team and all the adventures, bonds and experiences they shared not only as friends or even a team, but as a family, "It seems like so long ago that we came here with Max and the others. "We've made so many memories here already, memories I'll treasure in my heart forever." she said as she nodded down with respect and gratefulness, "Thank you…and goodbye…You've been a fantastic home for me and Miku. But most importantly….everyone….You'll always be my most irreplaceable friends…." she said as she began to step away and walk down the street, "Where the road will take me now, I don't know….But I do hope, we may cross paths again one day…." she said to herself as she and Miku headed down the path to one final stop.
At the D Lab, the entire facility was shut down for the night to save energy, but the front doors soon opened, and stepping outside with Cera, holding her dinoshot as she began to dial on it, "Alright, now to see if this thing really works….." she said to herself before she started to glow around her, like they normally did at the teleporter as she smiled with happiness, "Yes….It does…." she said her final words in sheer joy before disappearing in the light and teleporting away.
And thus concludes chapter 18, Cera now realising her presence will be a danger to the D Team decides to leave for a while to go on her own path and journey on her own mini arc. Don't worry she won't disappear from the picture she'll still be around here and there too as you'll soon see. Since Seth never really used stegosaurus and ampelosaurus since he got them wanted to address their fate here before ending up on the side of the D Team better.
Also wanted to introduce more concepts and throwbacks from the arcade, for example the tie bomb being Rod's invention and wanted to include dino stuffer too, made it Laura's since it kinda fits her personality. There will be more alpha weapons in a later chapter too. Also the red alpha balls for stegosaurus and ampelosaurus are the ones that appear in the arcade game 'Alpha exam'. The pod that trapped Cera was the same one used to capture Rex in D Team vs the Alpha Fortress.
Wanted a military base to be the stage for this chapter and wanted one that would be water related too, hope I got my research right for the submarine base, correct me if I am wrong. Hope you enjoyed it!
In response to reviews
pokemonking0924
-In terms of number of words, Game On! is actually my longest. But yeah this does come at a close second and took longer to write. Wanted to give development on Ace since he didn't show any fear of water in season 2. Hope you also enjoyed what Aki did upon finding out, wanted it to be a gradual development too. Also Helga's actions were taken from a funny book I read when I was a kid, called Amelia Bedelia, and it made me laugh too. Since Dr Z shocked the trio with lightning rods thought maybe he try something different but just as torturous too. They used the hamster wheel in Maui Owie as well.
Drew Luczynksi
-Glad you like the message, wonder how you'll be addressing her addressing her worries about the dinosaurs and the kids in your own story.