Chapter 17: The final judgment, escape from Waterfall city!!
Disclaimer: Well, this is the chase scene, close to the end. Please R&R!!
Darkness had fallen over waterfall city, as the first part of the trial had ended. A verdict would be reached later tomorrow. Then hopefully those boys's wouldn't cause any more trouble for Waterfall City.
Waldo and his family we're eating silently in their home, as Waldo was still upset that Samantha had called him out like that in front of everyone. His own daughter for goodness sake!!
Glaring accusingly at Rosemary, he growled "None of this would have happened if you hadn't sent our daughter to Canyon City. He had heard everything that had happened during the boy's absence from the city. From Marion running away to help the boys, to her going with David to Canyon City, nothing escaped his ears…
Rosemary, put on the defense, shot back "Nothing at all would have happened if it we're left up to you Waldo".
Waldo let out a humorless laugh as he said, "You may be willing to risk our daughters life, but I certainly am not".
"Can you stop talking about me like I'm not here" Marion pleaded. It was almost always like this when her parents we're together, never once we're they seen making pleasantries anymore. Sati fisted of the look of embarrassment they had on their faces, Marion continued "Karl, David, and Jake risked their lives to save you, and everyone here…and you've thrown them in jail".
"Dad, it's not fair for those boy's" Samantha pleaded.
Waldo said nothing as Samantha continued "If we had waited around for all those horrible things to happen, and if they didn't go out and try and save this place, then who would dad". She didn't understand why her father was acting like this!!
Waldo raised his hands' to silence any protest from his daughters, saying "They are simply being confined to quarters, they must not be allowed to cause anymore trouble". It seemed that the more he talked the more food he ate.
Marion protested, "Trouble, the sunstones are failing, that's trouble". When she saw neither of her parents respond, and worried that they weren't listening, she added, "At least they had the courage to try and find a solution"
"Dad, please" Samantha pleaded.
Waldo temporality stopped eating as he glanced at his youngest daughter, saying "I'm still appalled by what you did earlier today with that triceratops. You made a fool out of me".
Samantha blushed furiously, as she stated "It was because you weren't being fair to the boys, they were still outsiders, did you expect them to understand this place immediately".
Waldo then narrowed his eye's as he said "Fair to the boys…or is it fair to Jake".
Samantha slightly gasped, "What are you talking about".
Waldo then growled "Come now Samantha, do you take me fore a fool. I am not blind to what I can see clearly of what's happening between you and Jake, and I won't allow it".
"You don't know him, he saved me life, doesn't that mean something to you" Samantha partially cried.
"Too a murderer, no" Waldo stated.
Samantha then slumped back down into her chair, crying silently to herself. Her father didn't understand. Jake…she…she…
Turning back to Marion, Waldo then stated "Marion, you and your sisters minds have become clouded in recent months". Beckoning over one of the servants to deliver fruit, he added, "Those boy's are not your responsibility, you should concentrate on completing your studies". Pausing to eat, he continued "Do one thing at a time, seventh law of Dinotopia".
Watching her father eat so fast, and wanting to defend her sister, Marion sneered slightly "Eat to live, don't live to eat, tenth law of Dinotopia".
"Marion" Rosemary said sternly, yet slightly shocked.
Stunned as well, Waldo glanced at his wife, as he laughed humorlessly "Do you see the terrible influence these boy's have had on her, she never used to be sarcastic".
Desiring to know the truth, Marion asked, "If you're in such harmony, then why do you live a hundred miles away from each other".
Neither of them of answered at first, not wanting to admit it was either there fault………or the others. Waldo chose to speak.
"We both serve Dinotopia in different ways, duty before personal satisfaction" he said sternly, glaring at both of his daughters.
Before Marion could protest, the lights went out.
"You see it's happened again," Marion said.
"Just like before" Samantha added.
Rosemary was shocked. "Again…before…Waldo, why didn't you tell me this had happened before" Her husband had never mentioned anything like this. The prime sunstone was…
Waldo, stuttered over his words as he dismissingly said "It's just a temporary situation, the polishers are at work, even as we speak, it only last only a few seconds". As he spoke, servants slightly placed lit candlesticks on the table.
"That's the prime sunstone, if it fails, then we'll" Rosemary tried protesting.
"We're due to situation, for we" Waldo started.
"Discuss then," Samantha stated. Now having her dad's attention, she said, "We're sitting in darkness, something has to be done". She didn't want any more excuses; it was time to take action!!
Briefly losing his temper, Waldo shouted "A DINOTOPIA MIND IS CALM MIND SAMANTHA". Breathing heavily to regain his composure, the room slowly lit back up again. Letting out a chuckle, Waldo said, "There now, you see back to normal". Glancing at his family, he added "Nothing at all to worry about".
As he continued to eat, the women glanced at one another, shaking their heads, knowing he was wrong…
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"Don't despair Karl," warned a sadden Zippeau. He was with the boy's as he was discussing their plans for today. When the verdict was reached, the boy's were to remain calm, whilst Zippeau tried to bail them out. Standing on the balcony of Zippeaus home, Karl paced back and forth in silent anger. David was holding 26, whilst Jake was silently staring out into the city with silent bitter grief…
"It could be worse, they only placed you under house arrest" Zippeau added, trying to cheer the boy's up. No such luck…
"I'm too old to be grounded" Karl growled slightly. This was ridiculous, locking them up in their home. Who did they think they were, treating them like this after all they did for this island?
"Exactly, I mean everything we did…well, except for you stealing the sunstone (At this, Karl shot David a warning glare) everything else, like going to the temple, Jake saving Samantha, I mean, we we're just trying to help…so why can't the senate understand that" David asked.
"It's because they're blind David" Jake said, speaking for the first time. "Blind by their own self righteousness, and laws. Who cares about them? None of those law's, like harming another dinosaur in pure self-defense…most of it anyway, matters. Did they not see if we didn't do something, that they would all die?" Jake asked, facing his brothers.
David sighed as he commented "Man, even when their's a chance to save their home, they're willing to die for their beliefs, and not live and preserve life". I mean, forgot your beliefs for a moment, are they worth getting yourself killed over".
Zippeau, spoke up as he added, "I know the senate may be angry, but I think I can get you boys a life sentence".
Karl, snorted in disgusted amusement, as he sarcastically said "I can't believe these people can charge us for trying to help them, I mean, who are they to say what we can and can't do".
"Above the law apparently" Jake grunted.
26 honked in agreement, causing David to raise an eyebrow at her.
Zippeau, coughing to get the boy's attention, pleaded, "Remember to keep your closing speech short, and whatever you do, don't upset Mayor Waldo".
****************
Now back in the trial room, Waldo spoke "All that remains before judgment are the closing speeches from Karl, David and Jake. Serious accusations have been made, and you may speak freely and with cander".
Karl chuckled as he stood up, ready to give this place a piece of his mind. "Speak freely, is about the last thing you're allowed to do here". Behind him, Zippeau muttered to himself, as he walked in front of the mayor's stand, grunting "You do this big number about listening, but nobody really listens…well listen to me now".
Now that all eyes were on him, Karl said, "I don't care about your rules, or superstitions, so you can do what you want with me, but you should let my brothers go".
"Huh" Jake muttered aloud. What the hell was Karl doing?!?
Jake glanced at David, who also was confused as Karl continued "Jake is just a kid, he doesn't deserve to be locked up in prison, and your gonna need every skybax cadet in the corp. This whole place is going to hell unless you do something about it, and you know it".
Low murmuring dispensed amongst the audience senate as Waldo glared at Karl, with intense anger.
Satisfied that he had gotten all that off his chest, Karl sighed as he sat back down between his brothers. Noticing their looks, he said "What".
"Karl…why" Jake gaped. This was totally unlike Karl. I mean, yeah, he was protective of Jake, but…to take his place in cell instead of Jake…that was just……wow.
"You didn't have to do that, I would have taken the blame" David said softly.
Karl, although agreeing silently, shook his head stubbornly, as he said "Yes I did…don't make a big thing out of it…
-----------------------------------
Thirty minutes later…
"Jeez, will they just tell us what's gonna happen to us" Jake grumbled. He was really sick of all the suspense. We're all of the senators this slow in decision making?!
The sound of a gavel banging, snapped Jake out of his thoughts. They had finally made a decision. "About time" he grumbled.
Standing up, and silencing everyone, Waldo said "This court, has reached a judgment…Karl, David and Jake…you will all resume your studies, and you will not leave Waterfall City, until you have all understood your transgressions". As the boy's looked at one another in annoyance, Waldo set his gaze on Karl. "Karl…you are deemed, unfit…to care for an infant, and your chasmosaur partner, will be taken to the city orphanage, for adoption".
NOO!!!
"No…no way, you can't do that," Karl protested, tearing up inside. They weren't going to take away his daughter!! Not if he had anything to say about it!!
Switching his gaze over to Jake, Waldo then spoke "Jake…your sword will be confiscated, therefore, you are to hand it over to the senate, by tomorrow, where it will be taken to be melted into something less……violent".
It was a good thing his brother's we're with him, as they had to physically restrain Jake from attacking the mayor. "Your outta your damn mind if you think I'm gonna let that happen" Jake snarled, as he tried to break free from his brothers grip.
"Jake take it easy" David pleaded.
"Yeah, you want to get yourself locked up" Karl added, feeling for his little brother…
Waldo, ignoring the protest from Karl, and threat from Jake, smugly said, "We're all in accord on this manner". All the other senators nodded in agreement.
"We would like to lodge in appeal" Zippeau protested, not about to give up on the boys.
However, the mayor was already quite down with this manner, as he quickly said "We will review the case in one years time".
Zippeau's eyes widened in shock. "ONE YEAR" he repeated.
*BANG*
"Court dismissed" Waldo said dismissingly.
At this the audience began to leave the room, murmuring about the boys, whilst they sat in their seats in misery.
"This place won't be here in a year," Jake grumbled.
************
Back at Zippeau's house, the boy's hung out on the balcony. Karl was pacing once more, seething in silent anger. They we' rent going to take 26 away from him!! He wouldn't allow it!! He just wouldn't!!
Glancing at his half brothers, Karl growled, "I'm telling ya, I'm sick of this place". As Jake glanced up from looking at his sword, Karl growled "I'm not gonna let them take 26 away from me". Noticing that David was looking out at the city, Karl growled, "Hey, are you listening to me".
David nodded as he pointed at what he was looking at. All three of the brothers glanced over and saw Cyrus Crabb, that crook, nodding his head at the boys. Heading towards their house, the boy's glanced t each other worried.
"What's he doing here?" muttered Jake. He trusted Cyrus just about as far as he could throw the guy!!
"Probably here to offer me another deal or something" Karl grumbled as he crossed his arms, still thinking about 26…and Marion.
"Well, obviously, we're not gonna trust him this time right" David asked. Both Karl and Jake nodded at this as they heard a ruckus coming near the front door.
Heading over, they saw Zippeau trying to slam the door in Cyrus's face, pleading for him to leave.
"It's alright Zip, let him in" Jake called.
**********************
The early evening had followed as Cyrus apparently had some information that he thought the Scott's would find most interesting. Sending out Zippeau to retrieve, Marion and Samantha, they all sat down as they listened to what Cyrus had learned…
Stroking the book in his lap, like a cat, he mused "I've waited twenty years for this moment…the final pieces of the jigsaw. "The Captains Log of the Rebecca's Folly, which you kindly borrowed for me, (Karl sneered at Cyrus for that one) and the journal of Arthur Denison, the first true explorer of Dinotopia". Tapping the book lightly, he commented, "This is his account of the world beneath".
"Fascinating" Zippeau muttered.
"You see, Arthur Denison made it to the world beneath and back, but he wasn't alone, there was another man with him, that man was Lee Crabb……my father" Cyrus proudly said.
"Was he as much a scumbag as you are, or was he more" Jake though laughing.
"Together, the two of them explored the world beneath, and on their return, they were promptly arrested by the senate, by violations of laws and so on" Cyrus dismissingly said. "So…now I know the way to the sunstone caves, and the way out of dinotopia,…but I can't do it alone…not with this" Cyrus said as he pointed as his limp. "I need your help boys". He pleaded.
Marion, willingly to speak here mind, said, "I don't trust him".
Cyrus gave mock hurt look as he asked, "What's not to trust".
"A lot about you, like how do we know your not just trying to use us" Samantha shot.
Cyrus gave her a smile as he said "Trust me darling, I have no reason to lie now, or use you, when Dinotopia is oh so close to the brink of destruction".
Nobody said anything at this, as Marion then asked, "So…you knew about the sunstone caves all along".
Cyrus sighed as he reached into his bag, and removed a small container. "You see…I've spent the past twenty years, reading everything I could find on the world beneath" he said. Taking spoonful of white power from the container, and dropping it into two bronze cups, he added "The senate would have stopped me long ago, if they knew of my plans, but lucky for them they didn't, because now I'm the only one who can save these, damn scalies". Remembering Zippeau was in the room, he apologized "Oh, heh, no offense professor". "Do you have anything I can mix with this" Cyrus asked.
Marion nodded as she went to retrieve a jug of water.
Glancing at the contents inside, Karl asked, "What is that".
"Arcticus Liesieus, it's a rare plant," Cyrus explained. As Marion poured water into the two cups, he asked "Now can you please take this, and give it to the guards".
Suspicious as she took the cups, Marion asked, "It won't harm them will it".
Cyrus instantly shook his head, as he protested "No, no, no no, just give them a nasty little headache when they wake up, nothing serious, I promise".
As Marion went to deliver the drinks, Jake asked, "What exactly is your plan". He wanted to know everything that Cyrus had up his sleeves, so he wouldn't double cross them or anything.
Cyrus just chuckled as he said "Oh Jaky, all of it will be known in due time, this plan requires patience's".
As he said nothing more, Jake grumbled, "Don't call me Jaky, that's David's name".
Marion came back a few moments later, explaining, "Once they realize your missing, they'll block the bridge, and we'll be trapped in the city".
"That's true, there's no other way out" Jake mused as he rubbed his chin in annoyance.
Cyrus, on the other hand, said "The canal runs under the garbage chute, next to my shop, a hundred feet down stream, there's a red Boyle, I'll leave a boat for you there".
Getting up, he approached Zippeau, smiling "But first, there's something I need, and professor, I'm afraid you're the only one who can help".
Zippeau, slightly nervous that, and worried that Cyrus was going to stuff him into a sack again, backed up, stuttering, "Wh…What, me…are you sure".
Cyrus nodded as he turned to the teenagers. "I can get us to the world beneath, but we don't stand a fighting chance without a map of the caves down below".
"There's a map," Karl asked in disbelief.
"Yeah, Denison's journal's were confiscated on his return from the world beneath, and locked up in the library archives…we find the journal, then we have the map" Cyrus explained.
"And then what" David asked. This all seemed a little too simple. Surely there was more than just what was presented…
"Take the boat down the Polonga river…I'll take care of the rest" smirked Cyrus.
The group looked at one another. It sounded like something they could pull off…providing everything went according to plan anyway……
"It's never easy," thought Jake…
********
Five minutes after Cyrus left, the group slowly opened the front door. Marion peeked out and sighed with relief. Cyrus's potion worked. Both the saurian guards we're out like lights. Nodding at the gang, they slowly slipped out of the home, and headed off.
They were very fortunate, as it was late, and not many dinotopian's we're out. That, and the darkness came them cover. Quickly stalking across the bridge, they went under the underpass, and snuck off, using a shortcut that Zippeau knew towards the library.
"Hurry this way," Zippeau whispered as they lightly jogged in single file, not to attract attention.
"Dun dun, da da, dun dun, dun da, da da dunnnn" Jake whispered, humming the mission impossible theme to himself.
This time neither of his brother's chose to respond, although their facial expressions clearly showed annoyance.
Glancing back too see no one following, the gang safety made it to the library.
As they jogged inside, above them, Cyrus watched with glee. Chuckling to himself, he lit a cigar. Taking a puff, he laughed, "Good show boy's…good luck, and god speed"!!
Charging through the doors to the library, they jogged down the halls, towards the back of the library. Zippeau, taking charge, said, "If it's here, it would be in this cabinet".
David, confused, said "I thought you said the fire destroyed all the books and scrolls on the world beneath".
Zippeau nodded, stating, "It's true, the main library was badly burnt, but not all the books were destroyed". Opening the cabinet, he continued "After the fire, it was decided to restore the more, valuable documents, and place tem in this archive for safe keeping".
****************
So, our heroes searched the entire library archives on information on the world beneath. They searched high and low, and although found useful information, nothing was found on Arthur Denison's journal. Morning quickly came…
"Oh it's no use, we'll never find it" moaned Zippeau in annoyance. He took such good care of the books, How could he have forgotten where it was??
Jake yawned as he placed another book back, A Land apart from time by Jame's Gurney. (Hint hint, heh heh). Rubbing his hair in frustration, he kicked a chair. Where was that damn book?! Seriously, unless they found the map soon, they would be looking at Armageddon by those Pterranadons in a few days!!
"Jake, do you think Cyrus is telling the truth?" asked Samantha.
Jake glanced at Samantha and sighed as he said, "Well…I'm not so sure, as of now, we don't exactly have a plan ourselves, and cant really think of one in time. So, no I don't trust him, but right now we have to if we want to succeed". Jake turned away briefly, wondering "What's his motive though, he's not doing this to save Dinotopia, I know that much, so…"
"I'm scared Jake" admitted Samantha.
This caught Jake off guard as he turned asking "Of what".
"Of losing Dinotopia, of losing my home" Samantha said sadly. "Of losing you," she thought. "I mean, what if we don't succeed, what's going to happen to Dinotopia". Sighing, she sadly said "I mean, there's no other place like this in the world, and I would never be able to forgive myself If it was destroyed, and…"
Jake said nothing as he placed a reassuring hand on her shoulder. "Hey, calm down Samantha, you have to hope. Without hope, we're sure to lose" Jake explained. Wiping some of the tears away from her eyes, Jake added, "As long as we continue to push on, and never give up…there's nothing that can stop us, so come on, don't cry".
Samantha stopped sniffling as she gave Jake a hug. "Thanks Jake, you know the right words to say at times, don't you" she asked.
Jake smirked as he hugged Samantha back. "We'll never lose…not while I'm here anyway" he smirked, his ego inflating…
"Hey guy's, I think this is it" David called, interrupting Jake's thoughts. Glancing over, he smiled as David was holding a thin leather book. Glancing back at Samantha he said, "See, we found it, no need to worry".
She laughed as they all gather around the table too see the book.
"The journal of Arthur Denison, Victorian Engineer, and Explorer, Volume 2, THE WORLD BENEATH" David read aloud. The group looked up and smiled at one another… Finally, they would find out about the exploration of the world beneath!!
Opening the front page, David read "This private volume of my exploration will never be published, Dinotopians hold the world beneath sacred, and I have no wish to offend their deep spiritual beliefs…never the less, my expedition by submarine, revealed…"
Marion interrupted, saying "Umm…perhaps we can read it later". No doubt by now, Waterfall city found the Scott's missing from their prison, and we out searching for them…
David, fascinated, insisted "Listen, I found enormous caves with strange fosfresens, I began to believe they had been occupied by ancient history, first by dinosaurs, and later, human cultures" David read, turning to the next page
*BANG* *BANG*
The loud sound of a door being busted open, and something being knocked over, snapped the group out of reading.
"Someone's coming" informed Karl. Everyone looked up too see what the commotion was about.
The door to the library halls was kicked open, as Waldo Seville, along with six saurian's guards entered. Spotting the group, Waldo yelled "Guard's, seize them at once". Immediately, the guards broke into a run, charging the boys.
"That's our que" Jake said worried.
"To what" David asked desperately.
"RUN AWAAAYYY" Jake shouted as they grabbed their stuff and ran, Zippeau, Marion and Samantha behind them.
"Stop those boy's, don't let them escape" shouted an angered Waldo. Noticing his daughters with them, he called "Marion, Samantha, come back". They ignored their father, determined to save Dinotopia…their way!!
Quickly exiting through the widow, the group hoped from platform to platform, reaching the grounds. Dashing thought the alleys; they spotted another group of guards. Seeing them, they yelled for them to halt. Not listening, they took another side street.
"C'mon hurry" Jake shouted.
Seeing the entrance to the canals, they saw guards in front of them…and guards behind them. "Shoot, we we're so close" Jake growled. Just when all hope seemed lost…
"ROOOAAAARRR" Backstop yelled as he leaped in front of the group, intimidating the guards. He had picked up Jake's scent, and had followed it right to him…
"Backstop" Jake said, shocked.
"RUN, RUN, I'LL HOLD THEM" Backstop yelled.
"Thanks" Jake said as the group ran towards the entrance to the canals. Dashing inside, they ran towards the water, and glanced at the edge for the boat. Noting Zippeau wasn't following, David hissed "Zippeau, c'mon what are you doing".
"This is where he threw me in the canal, stuffed me in a sack, oh this is making me feel very anxious" he whined.
"Don't be such a baby" Karl snapped.
"Where's the boat" asked a desperate Samantha.
Jake pointed. "Over there". In the corner, was a large red cargo boat, just barely big enough for all of them?
"Zippeau you go and get the boat" Marion called.
"What, me" he said, confused.
"Go" she shouted, not in the mood either for any arguing. She was still pretty upset that her father had sent those guards after the boys…
**********
"Quickly now, hurry, get in" Zippeau urged. Climbing into the rocky boat, the group inched forward as the pushed their way forward towards the shaft ahead. Climbing in himself, Zippeau joked, "Oh, maybe one of my ancestors was a sailor after all".
Chuckling, David said "Well, look's like old Cyrus really came through for us this time".
Karl, smirking, commented "Yeah, well don't thank him yet".
"Well, personally, I'm not quite sure about him yet" Zippeau admitted. The group pulled the tarp from behind them and placed it over their heads, concealing them from sight…
As the current slowly began to take them cargo chute, Zippeau warned, "We're heading for the cargo chute, um…it's not really designed for saurian's…or mammals for that matter".
"What do you mean Zippeau" Karl asked. He was in for a rude awakening!!
As they went down the single shaft towards the chute, the current began to pick up incredible speed…
"Oh no, chuck out the anchor, do something" complained Zippeau.
Getting to the front, Karl and Jake peeked out from under the tarp too see them approaching a metal gate. Karl and Jake glanced at one another in horror realizing what this meant.
"What is it Jake" asked Samantha from the back.
Passing the gate, they quickly came to an egged, of a hugggeee slide…
"HOLD ON" Jake screamed.
The boat tipped downwards as it caught up with the current now!! Sliding down at incredible speed, the boat hit the bottom, still going. The group shouted in terror as they went into a small tunnel, twisting and turning rapidly.
"JANE, STOP THIS CRAZY THING" Jake laughed aloud.
"SHUT UP" Karl shouted in terror. It was like some mad log flume ride, without safety belts though…and a lot more fun!!!
As they slowed down and hit the bottom, Zippeau breathed heavily "Oh, oh I think that's it now".
Sighing in relief, Jake peeked up from the tarp again. His eye's widened as they passed by another metal gate.
"NO ITS NOOTTTTTTTT" Jake screamed!!
The group yelled in terror, as like a twist ending to the Twilight Zone, they dipped down another long slide, this one more terrifying then the last!! Twisting and turning faster then the first time, Jake was constantly being slammed into the side of the boat from the wild rapids. As they saw light up ahead, the group braced themselves.
Hitting it, they went shooting out of a waterfall, and into the river below. As the tension died down, and the boat finally stopped rocking the group said nothing as first, still getting over the wild ride. Jake however, couldn't stay silent…
"Disney's water park has got nothing on that" he laughed.
*SLAP*
"OWWW" Jake yelled as Karl slapped him upside the head.
ALRIGHT, I finished it now. The next chapter should come out…sometime. Anyway, R&R!!