Chapter 16: Unleashing hell, criminals, outsiders…what's the difference?

Disclaimer: I would like to take this moment to thank White Hunter, Darksage 3, Maranic, Jelsi 4 Life, and others for their support. This ones for you guys!!

"Karl, I have to ask you something," asked a curious Marion.

It was mid day now, as Karl, Marion, David, Jake and Samantha, were making their way from waterfall city, back to the temple in the swamp. Mercifully, they did it through walking, not being pushed around thought the rapids of a waterfall. David, with his newfound confidence in himself, was taking the lead of the group. Jake and Samantha were in the middle, Jake's katana strapped to his back instead of his hip. Jake would always be in front of Samantha, ready to defend her from danger. Karl and Marion were in the back of the group, in deep discussion.

Karl glanced up, from looking down, as he brushed some branches out of his face. Nodding at Marion, she continued.

"Is it true what Crabb said, you stole a sunstone" Marion asked, her mind pleading that Crabb was lying.

Karl's expression tightened at the mention of what he did. He hadn't forgotten… But, it was only for a while!! And…for a good reason… "Yeah, selfishly taking away what gave baby dinosaurs life, just so you could get your own great life back, yeah, reaaaaallll, good reason" he thought. Snapping out of his thoughts, he admitted "I didn't steal it……I just borrowed it for awhile". Glancing up to see Marion's reaction, her face had shifted from worry, to shock, to outrage. Flushing slightly, Karl quickly added, "Anyway, I gave it back didn't I".

Marion, half shouted "I can't think of anything much worse you could do, it's a hatchery Karl". She suspected that Karl might have had something to do with the lame story that Karl had told her mother, but didn't think he'd actually do it…

Karl, sighing in exasperation, and wanting to advert some of his irritation, accusingly said "Yeah, well I heard all about your little mountain trip with David".

Keeping up, and trying to stay in contact, Marion narrowed her eyes as she said "And what exactly did you hear".

"That you spent the night with my half brother in one of those nest" Karl shouted.

"So" Marion shot back, not knowing what he was implying.

Karl let out a bitter laugh, as he snorted, "So…so what exactly happened up there". Karl wasn't about to admit he was jealous, even though it was true. That, and he was slightly blushing to show that he was jealous…

Shocked, and abit hurt that Karl was implying that she snuck behind his back with his half brother, she said quietly "We got very close, that's what happened…because unlike you, he's a sensitive soul". Nothing else to say, she stalked past Karl, who shook his head in annoyance as he followed…

Jake had been listening in on their conversation, as he was himself curious about Karl and something to do with a sunstone. When he heard, that Karl had indeed stolen one, probably to get home in some bargain with Crabb…that really ticked him off.

Whispering to Samantha that he would be right back, he stopped walking, and started walking next to Karl.

"So…it was true huh…you stole a sunstone," Jake said as he crossed his arms.

Glancing up as his half bro, Karl grunted, "It was only to get this sea chart that I needed".

"Why…so you could get home by yourself, leaving us," Jake half shouted. Jake always knew Karl was selfish at times, but…sheesh; this was an all time new low…

Karl glared into Jake's eyes with bitter anger. "Yeah, you and David seemed pretty happy here, so, why bother having you guys try and stop me by telling. It's obvious at this point that you don't miss home" he accused.

"Your wrong, of course I miss home Karl, but that's no excuse to almost killing innocent dinosaurs by stealing what give them life" Jake shouted. Glaring into his eye's, Jake added, "That was pretty childish Karl, wanting you want, and not giving anyone else thought a chance.

That was going to far, saying that Karl was going to kill baby dinosaurs, as he stepped forward into Jake's face, growling "Don't you dare accuse me of something like that, I would never kill someone jus to get home".

"Oh yeah, you could have fooled me, seeing how desperate you missed it, and how much you hated being stuck here" Jake growled backed as he stepped into Karl's face as well. The others had stopped moving and saw the commotion going on.

"Back off Jake, before I kick your ass" Karl growled as he clenched his fist, seething in anger at these accusations.

"Try it, I'll beat you down first" Jake challenged as he raised his fist in front of his face.

"Okay, that's enough, knock it off" David shouted as he stepped between his siblings. Seriously, this bickering wasn't getting them anywhere.

Karl and Jake continued to glare at one another, before Jake turned on his feet, and stalking away, muttering to himself "Jackass".

********

Reaching the sight, where those prehistoric crocodiles had attacked them, the gang halted. Beneath the murky waters, they waited. The group moved quickly across the half destroyed bridge, no way were those guys getting them a second time!! Quickly reaching the other side, at the entrance, Marion said "Zippeau had found a passageway, leading to a hidden chamber".

"When that was" Jake asked, confused.

"Whilst you were busy playing hero against those crocs" Karl grumbled bitterly. Behind him, Jake huffed in anger.

Removing five old fashioned flashlights from their bags, they quickly turned them on. The light illuminated off the half decayed walls, as the five entered the temple, shining their lights over the walls.

"Heh, feels like I'm in Tomb Raider" Jake laughed outloud. Marion, and Samantha glanced at him in confusion over the comment, whilst his brothers groaned in annoyance.

"Will you seriously shut it with the comments" David sighed in annoyance.

"Listening to you talking his annoying enough, we don't need to listen to any lame jokes, or comments" Karl added, still mad at Jake for confronting him earlier.

Still upset himself, Jake narrowed his eyes and mumbled, "Yeah, as if you could come up with something better, huh Karl".

Karl chose to ignore him as they continued to walk threw the tunnel, the light from the sky shining through parts of the decayed ceiling.

Samantha, stayed close to Jake, as she asked, "What's Tomb Raider". She was curious about what this was, or who it was…

Jake, smiled slightly, as he said, "It's a video game, back from our home. You play as an archeologist, Lara Croft, and you go through temples like this one. You get past traps, fight enemies, and unveil wonderful treasures".

"Sounds like fun" Samantha warmly laughed.

Jake nodded as they walked quickly to catch up with the others…

Catching up, they walked through a new room that they didn't see before. It was a circular room, with only one entrance/exit. A narrow gapping hole was in the high, high ceiling. Many dark caves, too dark to see anything, outcropped on the walls. And in the center of the room, was a large well, with bubbling water, like a hot tube, splashing around.

"Wow" Karl awed.

Nervously, Jake approached the pool of bubbling water. He was half expecting something to jump out and try and eat them. Something crazy…like Godzillia or something… Glancing into the well, he sighed in relief. Apart from the water, nothing was there…

"C'mon, let's keep going" Karl grunted.

Shrugging, the five started to walk around the well.

Squaaaawwwwkkk!!

David's head snapped up in alert as he heard a noise. It came from somewhere above them!! Glancing at the others, he asked, "Did you guys hear that".

Karl, not in the mood for any more surprises, half shouted, "No, will you stop doing that".

As they slowly began to circle the well again, this time, they were looking around at the ceiling for any sign of movement. Something wasn't right.

"I have a bad feeling about this" David commented nervously.

"Your not alone David" Jake added, as he heard a faint wind movement, coming from above, and the small chattering of someone or something, speaking…

"C'mon guys, that's just your imagination" Karl laughed nervously.

"No, their right…something is very wrong here" Marion said; now beginning to sweat. Glancing at the others, she said, "We should leave".

"Yeah, before something happens" Samantha added. The chattering from above was becoming more distinct!!

"Wait" Karl said as he removed the bag that he had gotten from Cyrus. Still looking up at the ceiling, he fumbled for the flare gun, and a round to go with it.

"Shoot" he grunted as he accidentally dropped one of the rounds into the bubbling waters. Not feeling up to retrieving it, he removed the last round from the bag, jammed it into the gun, and aimed at the ceiling.

BAAAAAMMMM!!!!

A red flare shot out of the gun and into the air, illuminating the ceiling, and revealing what all the squawking was about:

There were Pterranadons, thousands of them, all of them watching the flare lite up the room. Furious at being disturbed, they broke out into a frenzied cry of anger. Soon, more and more cries joined them as they flew from their hidden caves and into the air, towards the large hole at the ceiling.

"Let's get out of here," Jake shouted!! Immediately, the group ran from the room, and out of the temple in fear. What had they done?!?

"Unleashed hell would be a good choice" Jake thought.

Coming out of the entrance, the group could still hear the cries of anger as they halted in their tracks. A single Pterranadon was blocking the bridge, squawking at them.

"Get back, I got this" Jake said bravely as he unsheathed his sword.

Before he could act, one of the crocs, rammed into the bridge, and tried taking a bite out of the Pterranadons wing. It squawked in retaliation, but gave up as it flew away.

"Oh my god" David awed in fear.

Jake raised an eyebrow as he turned as well, and looked up. His mouth gaping, his eye's bulged Jake muttered "You've gotta be kidding me".

At first, it looked like a giant cloud had formed in the skies, and was slowly getting bigger with each second. However, when they took a closer look at it, they realized that it was no cloud… Hundreds…no, thousands of Pterranadons flooded the skies above, like an angry god!! It looked like dooms day!! The end of the world!! Like a tornado, they flew in a circular motion, rising up from the temple in fury!!

"RUN" shouted Karl.

Turning, the five saw the crocs, were trying to block their path.

"Force your way through" Jake shouted as he charged at the crocs. Slashing his blade, two of the crocs backed off, clearing a path. "GO" Jake shouted!! The others took his advice, as they dashed across the bridge.

BAM!!

Jake let out a cry of shock as one of the crocs had rammed the bridge, causing him to trip. Hitting the weak wood, Jake whirled around too see one of the crocs, climbing onto the bridge. As it opened its jaws to clamp down on Jake's leg, Jake retaliated with a slash across its gums.

It roared in pain, but ignored it as it growled in anger, whipping its tail rapidly, as it came towards Jake. "I can't avoid it this time, I'm done for" Jake thought. Closing his eyes, he waited for the pain to come…but he never felt it.

Instead, he felt himself being pulled back, as the croc barely missed his leg. Glancing up at his savior, he smiled as he saw it was Samantha. "Samantha…" he gasped.

She smiled as she hauled him to his feet. "Just returning the favor," she laughed.

Jake laughed as well, as the world suddenly seemed unimportant around him. As long as he was with Samantha, he would…

"If you too are done, making love faces, we kinda need to run here," Karl curtly said, although there was a smile hidden beneath his masked expression.

---------------------------------------------

Hours of walking later, the five had finally gotten away from the swampy temple, and were now exiting the jungle they had spent most of their time in. As they came near the exit, Marion glanced up into the sky, and smiled.

Above them, we're four sky bax riders, searching for them. Waving at them, the riders nodded as they signaled to land near them. Stopping, the group awaited as Captain Oonu, who was amongst them, approached…

"Boy, are we glad to see you" Karl smiled. He didn't particularly like Oonu, but after unleashing that swarm of Pterrandadons, any human contact was a relieving sight indeed.

Oonu, however, did not share the same feeling. With a stern, yet regretful tone, he firmly stated "David, Karl, Jake Scott……you are all under arrest".

Instantly, the groups expressions of gratitude and relief, shifted to confusion and horror.

"What the hell is this" Jake said bluntly. Why were they being arrested?

Not caring about their confusion, Oonu stated, "You will be escorted by guards, and taken to Waterfall city for judgment".

"I can't believe this, we must contact my father at once" Marion said. Her father was a powerful man after all, he would help the boys…

"Your father is the one who issued the order Marion" Oonu stated sadly. What he had to do next, he didn't particularly like himself.

"That's not true, it just cant be" Samantha protested. Her father was a kind, caring man!! He doesn't arrest people she was a friend with!! Why these boys?

"As much as it hurts, it's the truth" Oonu said sadly.

Not believing any of this for a second, David stepped forward in anger.

"Why are we being arrested, on what charge?" he demanded.

Glancing at the former cadet, Oonu stated "It's not just a single charge, you seemed to have broken just about every law in Dinotopia".

Glancing at young Jake, he stated "Jake Scott…please step forward".

Nervous at being called out, Jake stepped towards the Captain. Silently, he removed iron shackles from his back pocket, and locked them firmly around Jake's wrist, preventing him from moving his hands. Jake just glanced up at Oonu in shock.

"HEY, WHAT DO YOU THINK YOUR DOING" Karl shouted as he stepped forward only to back off as Oonu's Skybax squawked angrily at him.

"By order of the mayor, I'm afraid this must be done to your brother, as he is considered a dangerous criminal" Oonu said softly.

Karl looked like he wanted to protest. Jake…dangerous?! C'mon, that's ridiculous. Sure, he used a sword, but that didn't make him dangerous…

"Karl…he's right" Jake softly said.

"Wh…what do you mean" David asked, concerned for his little brother.

"I am a criminal…I killed all those dinosaurs…or at least seriously hurt them, so I've disrupted these dinotopians peace of mind…" Jake stated…

"But…" Karl protested.

"Karl, this is my decision you'll only make things worse if your make a scene…besides, I'll be alright," Jake said firmly. Nodding the to Captain, he said "I'm ready, let's go".

----------------------------------

Now back in waterfall city, in the trial room, a meeting had been called to discuss the Scotts fate… Diplomats, and high paying citizens were allowed in to see the boy's trials, but it was mostly filled with senators, and members of the jury…

Sitting behind the front desk, were the three brothers, all of them with down casted looks. Criminals? But…why, what in the world did they do wrong?

Mayor Waldo, unfortunately, had been selected to play judge, as he banged his gavel, silencing everyone in the room. Standing up, he called out "This court is now in session". Standing up, he collected some of the paper work, telling what the boys had done. Glancing at the three, he said in disgust "David, Karl, and Jake Scott…the charges facing you could hardly be more serious, you have brought disruption and violence to Dinotopia".

The boy's just glanced at one another in misery. Behind them, Marion and Samantha just stared at them in sympathy, and in silent anger at their father…

"In total, you stand accused of twenty one violations…" Waldo started. At this, the senator on his right handed him another sheet. Glancing at it, he corrected "Twenty two…" Glaring into the boy's eyes, he huffed "Not only did you attempt to leave Dinotopia, which is forbidden, but you also stole a sacred sunstone, from a hatchery. At this, the courtroom erupted into chatter as some of the other senators, spoke in dinotopian disapprovingly. David and Jake, both glanced at Karl who gave them a nervous smile.

"If your not satisfied with these crimes, you violated one of the sacred entrances to the world beneath, and awakened the Pterranadon swarm that has guarded the temple for centuries" Waldo shouted. Letting out a humorless laugh, he said "There is no defense for these actions…however, you are entitled to representation…do you have a lawyer".

Jake wanted to jump up and yell, to spit, to throw something at the mayor. This was completely unfair!! They were dragged down here against their wills, and were now being asked for a lawyer before they could even find one?!? Of all the ridiculous…

"Present your honor, my apologies for being late" spoke a voice from the back. The boys turned and smiled briefly as Zippeau came down the aisle, nervous at showing up late. The others in the room spoke with either approval or disapproval as Waldo silenced the court with his gavel.

Now having the courts full attention, Zippeau called out "Mammals and saurian's of the jury, I accept these boys behavior as somewhat, unconventional, but what heart they have, my own life was saved by an unselfish act of dinotopian courage, from Karl".

At this, the brothers briefly smirked at one another, remembering it just as well…

"When I was viciously attacked by a giant Mosasaurus, I would like to enter my half bitten tail as exhibit A" Zippeau said as he placed his tail on the table. Indeed, it was half chewed through, as deep markings from the bite had left. The boys glanced at each other in disgust at the sight.

Wanting the truth, Waldo asked, "Would you like to tell us why you were put in jeopardy in the first place"?

"Yes, well because the boys had fallen over the fall's, while at their graduation ceremony" Zippeau explained.

Waldo glanced at the other senators who nodded as he stated "A disgraceful breach of civilized behavior". (Jake rolled his eyes in annoyance at this)

"Yes, well I…would have to agree with you their your honor I" Zippeau said nervously, as he glanced at the boys.

Jake leaned towards his brothers as he whispered, "He is on our side, isn't he". David and Karl glanced at each other's, as they shrugged.

As they went through the first of their defense, Captain Oonu came forward as Waldo called out "We will now take testimony from Skybax Captain Oonu"

"Thank you lord mayor" Oonu thanked. Looking around the room, his gaze falling on the three boys, Oonu said "When David came to the skybax academy, he was one of the least promising pupils I have encountered…yet through strength of character, he overcame his weaknesses, trained hard, and finally showed us that he is a flyer".

Glancing at David, he smiled briefly when he saw David grinning at being praised. "A flyer like no other that I have ever seen". Briefly forgetting that he was in the presence of the mayor, he said, "I am proud to be his teacher".

Tired of this, Waldo sat up, saying "yes, well thank you Captain Oonu for that……glowing testimony, now rejoin your squadron". Oonu glanced back as he nodded at the mayor before exiting the court room.

The next person to come up was Waldo's wife, Rosemary. The boy's all together groaned, thinking this wasn't going to end well…

" I initially found the boy's disobedient, quarrelsome, problematic. Their not like us, and perhaps they never will be" Rosemary stated. Glancing at the boy's and seeing their looks of misery, she added "But how can we call ourselves dinotopian, if we only respect, those who agree with us".

Jake smiled inwardly. This was exactly what he was talking about. Everyone in the world, probably in Dinotopia as well had a different view of how things worked. It was a matter of opinion. Hell it was like religion, either you follow our religion or you die kinda thing was what Jake was getting when he first came here…

"If we are to learn, first we must listen…inspite of our differences, I have come to respect the boy's, tremendously Rosemary smiled. Seeing the boys now grinning, she recited the first code of Dinotopia "One rain drop, raises the sea".

"Exactly. So just think of what two rain drops could do" Zippeau joined excited.

Karl glanced at his half brothers. "You guys…we're doomed" he said cynically. Both of his brothers nodded firmly.

After Rosemary dismissed herself from the room, Waldo then called "Now, we our to discuss the other matter at hand…Jake Scott, please step in front of the court".

Jake, nervous at first, nodded as he stepped in front of the senators, his hands still binded.

"Jake Scott, whilst the crimes you and your brothers have committed so far are serious enough, the crimes you've committed our probably one of the most serious ones we have here on Dinotopia…never bring harm to a saurian, direct or indirect" Waldo said sternly.

Member of the jury, and senate agreed, as Jake said nothing, staring at the floor…

"You have either killed, or seriously injured members of the carnivores dinosaurs. Bringing harm any of them, to them is an act of war upon them, your foolish fights have only proven this" Waldo continued. The audience quietly talked amongst each other. Karl looked like he wanted to slug Waldo for making these accusations on his little brother. David as well…

"Not only did you not stop after your first fight, but you always harmed the sacred Red Scared Tyrannosaurs Rex, a symbol of the T-Rexes power and strength. They have taken this as a great insult to their pride and honor. You cannot possibly defend yourself for doing something so foolish…however, like before, you our entitled to defense" Waldo said snidely.

Glancing at the audience, he called out "If there is anyone amongst you who wishes to speak for young Jake here, please do so now, anyone except for his brothers" Waldo added. Both Karl and David glared at Waldo in hatred for this…

"I have something to say" called a voice behind Karl and David. Glancing back, they smiled as Samantha stepped forward. Jake smiled briefly upon seeing her.

"I want to say something as well" called a voice from the far back. Jake glanced in the back of the audience, and grinned. Coming down the aisle towards the front, was Backstop…

As he passed by Jake to stand next to him, Jake whispered, "What are you doing here".

Backstop whispered back "I hearted the news about your trail in Vidabba, so I came here to help".

Turning his attention to the crowd, Backstop said, "I was apart of the convoy that was separated almost a month ago from the others. We were traveling through the rainy basin when we were suddenly attacked by a T-Rex". Glancing at Jake, he said sadly "Both my parents had already been killed, and I would have joined them, had not for Jake's intervention".

At this, Jake smirked at him.

"He saved my life, in pure self protection for me. He's not the monster that everyone here is making him out to be. He's a noble, and kind hearted person, and in my eye's, deserves a medal for his heroism".

At this, the audience quietly conversed amongst each other…

"Thank you Backstop for…that useful information, now please, return to your seat" Waldo said curtly. Backstop nodded towards the mayor, and smiled at Jake before returning to the back.

Samantha then stepped forward next to Jake, holding a ring of keys. Smiling at Jake, she inserted one of the keys into Jake's shackles, and unlocked them. As they fell to the floor in a heap, Jake rubbed his wrist as he smiled back…

"Jake a hero, because I wouldn't be here if not for him" Samantha started.

"What do you mean, Samantha" Waldo asked, confused.

Glaring at her father, Samantha said "A few week's ago, I was out near the rainy basin, collecting herbs, when I came in contact with a deadly plant, the Ocitum Nyxonus". Some of the audience gasped at this, as well as Waldo who looked at his youngest child in shock.

"Naturally, I didn't have long to live. However, my mother recruited Jake to go out, along with Backstop to the Blackwood Flats to find the cure to save my life. Successful, they saved me" she smiled.

"My goodness" Waldo murmured.

"The truth is father, I wouldn't be standing here right now if Jake hadn't gone out to get the cure. He saved my life, and for that…you own him" Samantha smirked…

"Oooohh, that's telling him" Karl whispered to David. David laughed in response whilst Waldo looked like a fish out of water.

"Yes, yes, well umm thank you Samantha, please return to your seat" Waldo stammered nervously.

Passing by Jake, Samantha stopped to give him a quick kiss on the cheek, causing Jake to blush, smiling. "Heh heh" Jake laughed quietly.

"Yes, well, no more question as of now, so we shall continue this meeting tomorrow" Waldo ordered. Banging his gavel, he called out "Court dismissed".

All right, almost close to the chase seen, I might sooner have the next chapter up. If I'm feeling up to it. Please R&R!!