Well, it looks like this chapter has come to an end. But read all of it: things are really about to get interesting!

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Nigel and Aileen are now in a precarious situation: trapped between an angry pack of Arizonasaurus and a stampeding herd of dicynodonts, they need to find a wake to escape their predicament quickly, or risk falling becoming a new set of fossils.

In front of the cornered duo, the agitated archosaurs have slowly begun their advance, eager to attack. Under any other circumstance, they'd be content to let them run, but the two humans have nowhere to go, meaning the only way to remove them is through lethal methods; ones that the carnivores are all too eager to resort to.

Nearby, Drew and Aiden can only watch on helplessly as their sibling and mentor are cornered by the predators, unable to act. Or, at least, apparently unable to act.

"Oh god, this is bad," remarks Aiden, heavily distressed at the sight in front of him. "There's no way we can get past the dicynodonts, and we don't have anything to distract the Arizonasaurus with-"

Before he can finish his statement, a rock flies through the air and lands next to one of the archosaurs, causing them to retreat a few feet in surprise. Equally as surprised by the turn of events as they are, Aiden turns toward his brother, who is already picking up another stone.

"Nigel, Aileen," he begins, "get down." Then he turns to Aiden. "If you want to help, start throwing rocks, and try to avoid direct hits."

"Okay, why?" asks his brother.

"I don't want to hurt anyone if at all possible. After all, we are invading their territory."

"Fair enough."

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Nearby, the rest of the Saurus siblings are looking at the situation, trying to figure out how to help their teammates without aggravating the situation. While Tristan, Tai, and Violet try to determine if there is a way they can get the archosaurs to run toward them and be herded into the second portal, Elise looks at Drew.

As Drew throws his fifth stone, he notices his sister staring at him. After throwing his stone, he focuses on her, specifically her eyes, which have changed focus. Following her field of vision, he notices that the majority of the dicynodonts have already made it onto the other side of the portal, and soon, the path to it will be clear.

The two siblings share one moment of eye contact before nodding and getting to work.

"Guys," begins Elise, "Start throwing rocks at the Arizonasaurus."

Confused the siblings turn to her.

"Before you ask, the dicynodonts have almost all made it through the portal. Once they get through, Nigel and Aileen can bolt through the portal. But if the Arizonsaurus see that, they'll run them down. We need to distract them so that they can break away."

The trio of siblings share a look, shrug, and begin throwing rocks, causing the agitated archosaurs to focus on them, just as the last of the synapsids retreats through the portal.

"Quick, run!" shouts Drew as he and Aiden advance on the portal. A moment later, so do Nigel and Aileen.

But they are not alone.

The Arizonasaurus that had started the confrontation heard Drew shout and noticed the team retreating. Still angry at them, it screeches and charges toward the portal, followed by the rest of its kind. As Elis and co notice this, they activate their time portal and return to the present.

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A few minutes ago...

At the holding pens, the quartet of younger workers stare at the slowly growing herd of dicynodonts, wondering how large the group will be when it is done moving through the portal.

"So, how long do you think we need to wait for the team to get back?" asks Alice.

"I'd say an hour at most," replies Vera, " but that's best guess at best."

"And assuming that they don't run into a predator," remarks Lucas.

"Don't say that," seethes Marcus.

"Why?"

"Because if you do, then it will probably happen."

Before Lucas can muster a reply, a growl sounds from the other side of the portal as the number of dicynodonts passing through the portal (and the speed at which they do so) skyrockets.

"See what I mean?"

The quartet can only watch as more dicyndonts begin to filter into the portal, until, at the end, 43 of the beasts fill the exhibit. Following them are Drew, Aiden, Nigel and Aileen, along with a pack of sail-backed reptiles. In the main portal nexus, Tristan, Tai, Violet and Elise make their return, before running toward their teammates.

The minute the sail-backs arrive, the dicynodonts herd up and begin to bellow and grunt at them, breaking the predators charge. The lull in the action allows the humans to escape the paddock before the archosaurs can react, and after a quick call on the radio, more staff arrive to separate the predators from their prey.

As the action begins to die down, the quartet of younger recruits notice how very tired Nigel and co. appear to be. A quick glance confirms that now would not be the best time to ask about the restricted zone. For now, at least, the topic is dropped.

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A few hours later, at night...

After sorting them into their new exhibits and giving them time to settle down, the new residents have become far tamer in temperament: the fish and temnospondyls have adapted to their new ponds; the rhychosaurs, trilophosaurs and dicynodonts are enjoying the new and tasty scenery, and the Arizonsaurus have already adated their basking schedule to the modern climate.

As for the younger recruits, they're busy introducing Elise and Drew to their lodgings.

The two teens are entranced at the sight of giant trees which house their dwellings, unable to believe that such things could exist.

"Where did those come from?" asks Drew, awestruck at the sight.

"Apparently, they're native to the island," answers Violet.

Elise and Drew turn toward their sibling, dumbstruck.

"You mean this giant tree grew here?" asks Elise.

"Yes it did," replies Tristan, "and it is still growing."

Drew and Elise go silent at this.

"You know, I think we have plenty of things to do here, even without the time portal," remarks Tristan, to which the rest of the team can only nd.

"Speaking of the time portal, what's the next rescue going to be?" asks Aileen. "I think Nigel already planned it out."

"He did, but he wasn't very specific as to what the target was, only that it would be big," is Tristan's response.

"Well, it's certainly going to be fun," remarks Elise, to which the rest of the team can only nod.

With Elise and Drew's first successful rescue, it seems that things are settling down in Prehistoric Park...

But some things are just beginning to get started.

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At the restricted zone, the stone pillar stands tall, undisturbed from the time Lucas saw it earlier that day. Now, though, it is joined by five others, arranged in a heptagonal shape. They are soon joined by a seventh pillar, very recently carved. Putting it into place is a strange man: his feature resemble those of native americans, but his clothing takes from the styles of the ancient Mesoamerican Empires. In the evening light, he takes a moment to stare across the valley, his sight focused on the distant image of several giant trees... which have light emanating from them...

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AN: Well, look at that, a cliff hanger.

Any ways, I have things to do for the next few days, so expect the next chapter up on Friday at the earliest.

Trivia time (more will be in the reviews):
1. Elise is based of Aileen from the Land Before Time Retold by Elise Lowing (formerly Avatar Emerald). I'm a huge fan of the series and wanted to make a tribute to her in this story. The character Aileen in this story is just a placeholder name, as is Drew's (I'm changing his to Sean).

2. The pillars and the man who made them are going to be important later in the story.

3. Yes, the man who made the pillars was staring at the trees that the younger team's treehouses were in. Again, it will be important in the story.

Will add more to this later.

Read and Review. This is Flameal15k, signing off.