Chapter 14: Giant Squidmarine

Life at the bottom of the ocean could not be greater for Kelper as he gathered aquatic ore and avoided the Aquadons. But unknown to him at the moment, something grabbed one of the Aquadons and pulled it behind a sea stack. Kelper sensed that something was wrong. He slowly turned around to see what it was, but then he screamed as he was about to get attacked by something.

Meanwhile, the Trux and Tools were going through their ore supply, counting up the different ore types they've collected. "Okay. We've got regular ore, volcanic ore, green ore, woodland ore, spicy ore. And we even have some leftover meteor from the Ottos' old ravine." Revvit tallied. "Aw. I wish we could've gathered some aquatic ore. That stuff sure was delicious." Ton-Ton said. "Was it really that good?" Shredda asked. "Sure was. Both the ore and my mouth were watering that day." Dozer said. "Then it sounds like a good time to visit our friend Kelper." Ty said. "Or a good time for him to visit us." Revvit said, seeing something coming at them. Kelper scurried to the Trux with what strength he had left. "Top-siders! I need your help!" He panted as he collapsed.

The Trux brought Kelper into their garage. "What happened to you, Kelper?" Dozer asked. "I was out gathering ore. But then, this great beast attacked me from out of nowhere!" Kelper explained as the Tools repaired him. "Was it an Aquadon?" Skya asked. "No. It was way worse than those finners." Kelper said. "But what could be worse in that ocean that's worse than Aquadons?" Ty asked. "There are possibly a variety of creatures other than Aquadons and Crabcovators that live in the ocean. We've just never seen any of them." Revvit said. "And let me guess. We're going out to that ocean to investigate it, right?" Dozer asked. "Exactly." Revvit said. "Well then, what are we waiting for? Let's do it!" Dozer exclaimed, driving away. "What?" Everyone asked with confusion, shocked by Dozer's reaction.

As the Trux drove out towards the ocean, Dozer was humming a tune he learned from Sheldon. "Okay, does Dozer seem different to you guys or is it just me?" Taziri asked. "It's not just you, Taziri. He's like a really different Trux today." Dil said. "I wonder what's got into him." Ty said. "Let me ask him." Skya said, driving up next to Dozer. "Oh, hey, Skya." Dozer greeted. "Hey, Dozer. Are you feeling okay?" Skya asked. "Yeah, I feel great." Dozer said. "You sure? Cause you're not your usual grouchy self today." Skya said. "What can I say? Today is just a good day for me today." Dozer said, driving ahead. "What happened to him? It's like I don't even know my best friend." Skya said. "I know. It's actually freaky." Click-Clack said.

Soon enough, the Trux arrived at the ocean. But once they got there, they saw dozens of Aquadons flopping about on the land. "Whoa! Whatever this thing is, it really did a number on these Aquadons." Ty said. "Indeed. And that is what makes something so dangerous." Revvit said. "You top-siders think you can handle whatever it is down there?" Kelper asked. "Kelper, we've handled way worse from Scraptors and Scrapadactyls to Shockarachnids and Dyscrapadons. Heck, we even went tread-to-tread with the Bad Trux a dozen times. I'm sure this won't be any different." Dozer said. "Wow, Dozer. You seem really sure of yourself." Ty said. "Well, that's probably because with all the friends we've made over the years, nothing's ever really a challenge for us anymore." Revvit said. "Not helping, Revvit." Ty said. "Come on! Let's do this!" Dozer called.

Ty got outfitted in his Aqua-Ty look, the Trux all got their air tanks and followed Kelper into the water. Luckily, the Aquadons were all hiding due to the creature. "We're really close. Whatever this thing is, it took up refuge around here." Kelper said. Just then, the place started to rumble. Everyone looked ahead as 2 big metal tentacles came out and started swinging at the Trux. Kelper swatted one with his claws and Ty slammed another with his anchor tail. "These things belong to the creature! I think I've seen these before." Kelper said. Just then, as the 2 tentacles retreated, something even worse came out. It was a giant black metal squid, roaring with anger and making the Trux scream. "GIANT SQUIDMARINE! TO MY CAVE!" Kelper screamed as he scuttered away. The Trux followed as quick as they could.

The Trux resurfaced inside Kelper's cave, gasping for air and panting from the speed. "Well, I'll be the first to say it. That was scary." Skya said. "Dude, what was that thing?" Ton-Ton asked. "It was a Giant Squidmarine. They're among some of the biggest and most dangerous creatures in the ocean." Kelper said. "You're telling us." Ty said. "But Squidmarines prefer more open water. Why would one come here?" Kelper asked. "Maybe it's after the aquatic ore that forms up around here." Revvit guessed. "That could be it. Aquatic ore is quite a variety down here." Kelper said. "Then what we need is a plan to get rid of this Giant Squidmarine." Ty said. Dozer began thinking for a minute. "But how can we take on something as big as the Dreadtrux?" Skya asked. "I'll do it myself." Dozer said. "Dozer, that's not a good idea. That Squidmarine is bigger than you." Ty said. "And that's an advantage, Ty. We're smaller than the Squidmarine, but we're way too vulnerable as a group. If I can take it on by myself, I might be able to drive it out into the open ocean." Dozer said. "He does make a convincing argument, Ty." Ton-Ton said. "Ton-Ton!" Ty growled. "But Ty, it could possibly work. Dozer's quite the resourceful Trux today. Let's at least give his idea a try." Skya said. "No. I can't risk that. We're a team. We do this together." Ty said. "And Dozer-" But Dozer was already gone.

Dozer drove out of the cave and looked around for the Squidmarine. Then he stopped and hid behind a sea stack. The Squidmarine was digging through the dirt with its tentacles. Then it dug out a large chunk of aquatic ore. Dozer glared and readied his blade. Then he drove out and ramped off a ramp, dozing into the tentacle and making the Squidmarine drop the ore. The Squidmarine was enraged and turned towards Dozer. It reached out to grab him, but Dozer drove off. The Squidmarine swam after him, continuously trying to snag him with its tentacles. But Dozer proved to be quite a fast driver, despite being underwater. But the Squidmarine was ambitious and determined. It kept reaching out to try and swat or grab Dozer.

Just then, Dozer drove into a seaweed field and got his treads caught in its grasp. As he struggled to get free, the Squidmarine swam up to him and reached his tentacle out to grab him. But then, Ty came out of nowhere and slammed his tail at the tentacle. Ton-Ton ramped off a sea stack and hit the Squidmarine in the eye. As Kelper used his blowtorch to free Dozer from the seaweed, Shredda used her saws to saw into the sea stack, causing it to fall over and crash onto the Squidmarine. Kelper freed Dozer, but his treads were still wrapped up. Skya shot out her hook and Revvit hooked it onto Dozer. Skya then reeled Dozer in and towed him as she followed the others back to Kelper's cave before the Squidmarine to get free.

As soon as they got back to the cave, Dozer was getting scolded by his team as Revvit used his bits to cut the rest of the seaweed from Dozer's treads. "Dozer, what were you thinking going against that Giant Squidmarine by yourself?! I just told you that it was too dangerous!" Ty exclaimed. "So?! It's not like we ever get into dangerous situations every day, Ty! Remember when Skya first tried to take on Pounder by herself?! Or what about when you went to go find Flynt when that fire surrounded our garage?!" Dozer argued. "He does have a point, Ty." Ton-Ton said. "We really do get into a lot of dangerous trouble every day." Skya agreed. Ty just growled at them, but then he sighed. "Either way, why did you do it? You've been acting different all day." Ty said. Dozer sighed, knowing he had to tell them. "Well, to start, I wanted to use this opportunity to get some aquatic ore." He started to explain. The Trux were surprised by that. "When we were all going through our ore supply, I was actually upset that we didn't have aquatic ore. So, when Kelper came to us with his Squidmarine problem, I thought that while helping him, we could probably get a supply of aquatic ore as a bonus or something." Dozer explained. Ty and Kelper looked at each other. "I thought if I could lead the Squidmarine back into the open ocean, I could use the opportunity to dig for aquatic ore. But I guess I wasn't really thinking straight. I'm sorry, guys." Dozer apologized.

"You did what you felt was right, Dozer. But we always have each other's backs. No matter what." Skya said. "Yeah. Once a best dude, always a best dude, dude." Ton-Ton said. "True that." Shredda said. "Right. Now let's figure out how to get this thing out of here." Ty said. Just then, Dozer had another idea. "What if we trap it?" He asked. The Trux were confused. "Think about it. When I was in that seaweed field, I couldn't move my own treads. So, I thought what if we could build a net out of seaweed and use it to trap the Squidmarine." Dozer explained. Revvit hopped over to a rock and etched out Dozer's idea. "It just might be able to work. Seaweed is one of the strongest forms of flora in the ocean." Revvit said. "And it should be strong enough to hold even a Giant Squidmarine." Dozer said. "Right. Tools, we'll keep the Squidmarine busy while you, Dozer and Kelper make the net." Ty said. "Well, what are we waiting for then? Let's Trux it up!" Dozer yelled.

Just as the Squidmarine got free, it headed back to look for the Trux. Just then, a boulder came out of nowhere and hit it. The Squidmarine looked to where the boulder came from and saw the Trux waving for it and taunting it. It swam after them, giving Dozer, Kelper and the Tools snuck away to gather seaweed. Once they got there, Kelper started snipping the seaweed with his left claw. Then he brought the seaweed over to the Tools, who started tying the seaweed together. And they kept tying and tying until their net was big enough. Then Dozer, Kelper and the Tools tide the net onto a couple of sea stacks, stretching it wide enough to capture the Squidmarine. "As you top-siders say. BOOM! Did it!" Kelper cheered.

Dozer then gave the signal to the Trux with his high beams. And just like that, the Trux came driving as fast as they could underwater. And the Giant Squidmarine was right on their tails! The Squidmarine was way too occupied with the Trux, it wasn't paying attention to where the Trux were leading it. When the Trux were close enough, they split up, springing their trap. The Squidmarine didn't realize until it was too late. It swam into the net, trapping itself. The net then came loose from the sea stacks and it went tumbling farther and farther into the far open blue. Everyone watched as the threat of the Giant Squidmarine sank farther and farther away from their worries.

Afterwards, everyone returned to the surface where Kelper had supplied them with a fresh batch of aquatic ore. "Alright! Aquatic ore! Finally!" Dozer cheered, taking a small piece and eating it. "Consider it a thank you gift for helping me get rid of that nasty Squidmarine, top-siders." Kelper said. "Always happy to help, Kelper." Ty said. "And I'm always happy to return the favor." Kelper said before hopping back into the water. "Listen guys, I want to apologize again for the trouble I caused during all this. I really wasn't myself when it came to getting such special ore." Dozer said. "Don't be sorry, Dozer. You came through for us and saved the day." Ty said. "And given me a new idea for an etching for my mecha record." Revvit said. "Dozer for the win!" Taziri cheered. Dozer chuckled, blushing from the praises.

Meanwhile, underwater, the Giant Squidmarine struggled against the strength of the net. Until finally, it managed to break free. And, boy, it was mad. It roared with pure fury, vowing vengeance on the Trux.