Chapter 19: The world beneath…
Disclaimer: I was at a funeral, which was why I didn't update right away. So, here you go. I aim for twenty chapters, not nineteen. Anyway, read on…
"Without the prime sunstone, all the others will fail, this…may be the end for Dinotopia" informed a saddened Waldo.
His daughters had returned to him at last, not that long ago. Although to his annoyance, the boys we're not with them. He had expected they would run, but also wondered weather they would return on their own, and prove how adult they were. Turns out he was wrong. Despite almost being men, they still acted like children!!
The prime sunstone had finally at long last given out, a while ago, so all the settlements that we're connected to it had lost their shields. Hungry carnivores swarmed the outpost, settlements, small towns, cities of Dinotopia. In a last ditch attempt for safety, the survivors fled for Waterfall city, in a chance of hope that they we're working on replacing the prime sunstone. Unfortunately, like Cyrus had stated earlier, the sunstone reserves had run out, so they had no sunstones big enough to power the tower, and all of Dinotopia!!
His youngest daughter had gone off to see Backstop, Jake Scott's rebellious partner. Although, he was upset with is daughters for aiding in the escape of the Scotts, he couldn't stay mad at them. Not when they had more important matters to attend to…
"What are we to do?" asked a worried Marion. Worried, not only for the safety on all of Dinotopia, her home, and sanctuary, but also…for the safety of the Scotts. Although she was worried for David and Jake, her main focus was on the dashingly handsome Karl. "Please Karl, don't die, come back to me safe and sound" she thought.
Waldo beckoned at to his left. Approaching the edge of the balcony, they could see many of the citizens of waterfall city, and the refuges of the outer settlements we're gathering together. Out of the corner of his eyes, Waldo could see the same look in each and every one of them, sharing his thoughts. Defeat. This…this was a hopeless situation. "The citizens are already gathering in fountain square, by the obilistic codes". Turning to his first-born, Waldo grasped her hands firmly, and looked her in the eye with a firm resolve, asking "Will you lead the city in a pray of hope".
Marion looked surprise to have been asked of such a thing, but immediately nodded. "Of course I will father, but……why me" she asked.
Waldo looked down, somewhat embarrassed, as he said, "The sunstone that I gave you was small, but it was an almost perfect gem. Almost as perfect as the myth of the five legendary sunstones of Dinotopia. Show it to the city, it will bring hope, and then we'll take it to the sunstone tower, and perhaps it will bring back the light…for one night at least".
Waldo noticed then that his daughter didn't respond immediately. He caught a brief look at the expression on her face. Guilt. Guilt of what?? It was then that he noticed that she no longer had the lace connected to her sunstone around her neck. Where was it?!
As if sensing her father's suspicion, Marion quickly said "I don't have it anymore, I gave it to the boys to power the submarine". Looking her father in the eye, she wondered what he would think of her. Would he yell? Throw something? Or just stand there in silence…
Waldo, did his best to keep his tone even. "You gave those three…the most flawless sunstone ever found". It was taking every bit of self-control to not lash out at Marion for doing something so foolish. But…would it really matter, now after all that had happened?
Marion shook her head in disbelief, as she muttered, "I thought, it was the Dinotopian thing to do".
"I only hope…it was worth all our lives Marion" Waldo gravely stated.
---
"What is it miss" asked Drikin, Captain of the Saurian force. He, and his team of five had been guarding the foolish Backstop for at least a few days now. They had given him food and water yes, but after the mayhem he caused, he questioned weather or not he truly deserved such things. Backstop, in an attempt to help his friends escape the city, charged the guards, and took them by surprise. Knocking the human ones aside, and goring some of the saurian ones, he hospitalized at least ten of the human guards, and four of the saurian guards. They had finally managed to trap him when they got some of the Brach's to corner him, when he tried to escape after the others. He surrender once he realized he wasn't going to get out…
Samantha, the second born of Mayor Waldo of Waterfall city, crossed the bridge to the gate where Backstop laid trapped. Seeing the trapped backstop, she glared at the guards in silent fury. "What is the meaning of this?" she hissed, pointing at the caged Backstop.
Drikin was surprised at her sudden fury, but regained his bravado as he stated "Your father's orders, we are to guard this criminal, and assure that he causes no more trouble for our cities sake".
"Trouble, he was only trying to protect us from harm" Samantha protested. She hadn't seen the whole thing since she was almost in the tunnel, but according to Jake, who stayed behind for a few moments, he distracted the guards long enough, and then started to fight them!
"By injuring my men, by causing destitution of public property. Because of this beast, almost two dozen of my men have been hospitlizated," argued the Captain.
"He was only covering our escape," insisted Samantha.
"What you and your sister did was very foolish, assisting in the escape of three criminals," scolded the Captain. He had not been their himself when the fighting began, but had arrived shortly after he had started knocking his men over. He would have joined them himself, if not for it being his duty to protect the mayor.
Samantha said nothing to this as she stared at her feet in sorrow. Glancing at the caged Backstop, who said nothing upon her arrival, she huffed as she returned her glare at the Captain. "Release him," she stated.
The captain blinked, as if he misheard her. "Beg your pardon," he asked.
"I said release him, now" she said louder.
NOW, he was confused. Looking at his men in disbelief, he straightened his helmet, as he commented "Miss, we have been ordered to watch this dangerous saurian from causing anymore harm, to the people of this city. What your asking is impossible".
"And why is that" she asked in anger.
"There's no telling what he'll do next," insisted the Captain. Noticing the confused look upon her face, he kept in character, saying, "How do we know whom he'll hurt next? Next time, it could be the citizens, other saurians, and your father? I can't take that risk".
"As the daughter of the mayor of Waterfall city, I order you to release him," ordered Samantha. It was not often that she used her title of whom she was to get what she wanted. But, this was a special case…
The Captain looked like he wanted to argue more, but her next words silenced further protest. "If you don't like it, then bring it up with my father, I'm sure at this point, you'll find he agrees with me". That wasn't actually true, she never mentioned any of this to her father when she had gotten back, so he didn't know. And, the saying that Jake had told her once came back into mind. "What they don't know…won't hurt him," he said. So…yes, she was bluffing, but…it looked like it was working, as the Captains face paled.
"No…no, need to do that my dear" stammered Dirkin. Glaring at his guards, he shouted, "Open the cage". His guards nodded, as one of them produced a key. Inserting it into the metal lock, the cage lifted automatically. Backstop said nothing as he got up, and stalked out into freedom. Some of the guards had their weapons raised in protest of any further rebellion, but lowered them upon the Captains glare.
"Anything else my dear" asked Dirkin.
"Leave us, I wish to be alone with him, that's an order" she informed, not wanting any protest. Reluctantly, the guards, along with their captain filed out, leaving Samantha alone with Backstop…
"Samantha…why" asked the depressed Backstop. Not that he wasn't grateful for having him released, but…he his concern for Jake' safety made him nervous. What if he was dead? What if he failed to get the sunstones?! Then what?!
"How could you ask me something like that, you're my friend Backstop. There was no way I was going to leave you trapped inside that cage" Samantha spoke softly.
"But…don't I deserve it? I mean…I helped you, your sister, and the boys escape the city. I injured guards for your sake. Don't I deserve punishment?" he asked.
Petting his horn, she spoke softly "Not when its for a good cause, no".
"I'm worried for them Samantha. Karl, David…Jake" he finished. He had formed a powerful bond with the teenager. Ever since he had rescued him from that T-rex in the rainy basin, they had been friends. Sure, they annoyed the hell out of each other, with their wise remarks, and cracks…but in the end, they were still friends. Backstop didn't have many friends. In his travels with his parents, they were always moving, so they never really stopped in one place too long, so Backstop didn't get a chance to meet anyone. The only person he and his family had met before their demise was that one man who was living by himself near Thermela, next to the forbidden mountains. He was abit of a stern fellow, but was also kind and helped provide food for his family. He wondered what ever happened to that man…
Samantha leaned forward and hugged Backstop, reassuring him. "I'm sure their alright, Jake said he would come back". Looking up at the sky, she wondered "I only hope they make it in time".
---
Meanwhile, in the depths of the Blackwood flats…
The mighty red scarred T-rex laid still. It had been lying dead in the bottom of deep ravine for almost two weeks. Chasing the scent of human, he had followed it in an attempt to feed itself. The human however had been quick, fleeing from him at great speed. He tried to catch him, fell, and then nothing. However, it had survived many great battles, was the symbol of the T-rex's pride and power, and it would not lose to a human child.
Lying in the mud, stretched out, the sickly eye of the monster opened. Lifting its head up, it pushed itself up to it's feet. Now up and about, it sniffed the air. *Sniff* *Sniff*. Above him, carnivore's birds passed. They were flying at a great speed towards the north. The only thing that lied north was…Waterfall city.
Not being able to feel the barrier separating him from all that wonderful fresh meat, the Red Scared bended over and brought its head up once more, letting out a roar of victory.
ROOOOOOOOOOAAAAAAAAAAAARRRRRRRR!!!
-----
"Maybe we should turn some lights on, see where we are" asked a skeptical David. He was now beginning to question weather or not this hunk of junk submarine would get them to the sunstones caves in one piece. And besides, floating down to the bottom of the ocean floor in naught but darkness was not exactly his idea of "safe".
"That would drain the power, we don't want to too soon," protested a bored Cyrus. He wasn't exactly having the time of his life ether. This was his first time using a sub, and he figured it would be quick, and fast. Get them to the world breath at haste, but…so far it had been nothing but a disappointment.
Almost as if a silent prayer had been answered, the sub rocked as they felt themselves hit something. They were not moving any further down so that must have ment…
"What happened?" asked Jake.
"The seabed boys, we're making progress," informed a smug Cyrus. Now was the time to turn the lights on, no need to be hitting anything in the dark.
The sub sprang to life once more as the propeller powered up again. Moving forward, the sub propelled into the unknown.
"It's getting really hot in here" commented Karl.
"Hard to breath" added David.
"I'm surprised I haven't gone insane for being so long down here," moaned Jake. He wiped the sweat from his brows. Unwrapping his headband, he wrapped it around his arm, and tightened it with his teeth. Grandpa would have been proud of him for not allowing his fear of enclosed spaces to take control, but now he was starting to show weakness.
Sensing their brother's nervousness, Karl leaned foreword and gave him a pat on the shoulder, whilst David offered him a reassuring smile. Jake smiled back at his brothers. He couldn't lose his nerve, not when Dinotopia's survival was at stake, and besides, he had his brothers with him, the last of family on this island…
Shaking his head, Jake turned forward to look out the window, and saw something coming into view. It was big, whatever it was, had what appeared to be wings, white with two red stripes on it, a door, seemed to sit four and…oh my god. Seeing it too, his brothers got up as they stared with awe. Finally, it came into view as the light shined on it. Jake gasped.
"That's our plane," he moaned. But if their plane was their, that also ment…oh god no. Not that…
"Prepare yourselves for an ugly sight boys" informed a grave Cyrus. He had seen death many times before in his life, but was unsure about the boys. As they continued to stare at the plane, they slowly approached the doors. Out of the corner of his eyes, he could see one of them open.
"There won't be much left of him by now…the fish would have had time to…" started Cyrus.
He froze suddenly as he felt the cold metal of Jakes' sword pressed against his neck. Eyes widened, he turned to looked at the boy, who had a looked of indescribable fury on his face. "If you don't shut your damn mouth right now, I'll send your head flying" he threatened.
"Put it away Jake," muttered David. He himself had been tempted to punch Cyrus for making such comments, but was able to hold back his temper, unlike Jake. Jake grunted as he removed his blade from Cyrus neck.
"I've seen a few drowners in my time, no offense to the dead" he said quickly, not wanting Jake to do that again. Finally seening the open door, they all looked inside and saw…
"It's empty," gasped David. It was true; there was no sign of what the deceased Frank Scott anywhere.
"What, that can't be" protested Karl. As if thinking the same thoughts, the boys scurried towards the back window to see any sight of him. There was nothing out their, except the emptiness of the sea…
"There it is boys, we have to hit the entrance just right" chuckled Cyrus. Snapping the boys out of their search for Frank, they all piled up near the front, and could see an opening in the side of the underwater cliff. A bright shinning light illuminated out of it like the sun.
The submarine creaked and moaned some more underneath the pressure. The boys looked around at the sub nervously, wondering weather or not if would collapse, and they would all drown like they almost did before… Unknown to all of them, an ominous creature stalked towards the sub like a silent predator…
Entering the cave, the boys saw to their relief the end of it, meaning the only way to go now, was up… As the submarine rose up from the depths, the moaning became less and less apartant as the pressure decreased, and the threat of drowning diminished. Finally, the sub rose out of what appeared to be a small pool of water, encircled by a large cavern…
The cavern was filled with small remnants of what had once housed human civilization, and was now empty and deserted. Just like what was expected of the the boys had once thought was the fate of dinosaurs, all signs of life, in this mythical place had become extinct…
The top of the sub opened, and out popped Cyrus. Breathing fresh clean air, he looked around. Five stone stands, all with strange symbols of different elements of the world, rested near the sub. Cyrus raised an eyebrow and then shrugged. Whatever it was, had nothing to do with him so, pfft, why bother?
Climbing out, he chuckled as the boys stepped out, all hefting bags on their shoulders. "Fresh air at last" muttered David who breathed heavily.
"C'mon boys, no time to waste" Cyrus urged. Reaching in and removing four torches, Cyrus took out his lighter and lit one of the torches. All of their torches lit, Cyrus chuckled as the boys awed. "Welcome, to the south entrance of the world beneath" he exclaimed.
As Karl and David awed, Jake stepped up to one of the five stone stands and awed at the saurian language written on it. "Hey guy's, check this out" he exclaimed. As the boys approached, Cyrus staying behind, Jake said "This is some history here of this place, something about the five elemental sunstones of Dinotopia".
"Elemental sunstones" asked Karl.
"Yeah, it says here, that during Ogthars rule over Dinotopia, he created five special sunstones, all of them representing different elements that represented our world, elements like, fire, water, earth, and before you say anything Karl, no, when combined they do not summon Captain planet" Jake cracked, which earned another wap upside the head by Karl.
Glaring at him, he continued "When brought together, they…". Jake paused as he said "They will bring about the destruction of the barrier that protects Dinotopia from being discovered by the real world. People back then were debating weather or not they should allow the outside world to know about them, so the elemental sunstones were made in order to keep the peace of Dinotopia" Jake finished.
"If your done boring me with the details of scaly history, then if you don't mind, we've got some scalies that need saving" remarked a bored Cyrus. Jake shot him an angry look, but shacked it off as they traveled down one of the paths, deeper into the world beneath.
---
Traveling for a good while, they all awed as they came across a giant statue, of who appeared to be…
"Ogthar, half man, half scaly if you believed it, founder and preside, if you believe that sort of rubbish," joked Cyrus. He wondered briefly what amount of treasure Ogthar had collected for himself before he died. Probably thousands upon thousands of gold coins, complete with gems, jewels, artifacts and… Halting his little fantasy, he nodded towards another small cave that went down into the world beneath.
"So, how does one become half man, half dinosaur" Karl dryly remarked. What, did a dinosaur, and human get it on, and they had a kid, or was their some sort of weird fusion thing that happened" David chuckled before responding, "Don't think it's meant to be literal Karl".
"It's symbolic, humans and dinosaurs sharing the same thought, desires, living together in perfect harmony". David finished. Was that how it was, all those years ago? The thoughts of a perfect world seemed like a dream, so surely during his rule, there were problems…
"I'm with Karl on that, it all looks abit mucky to me" grunted Cyrus. He could care less about the history of Dinotopia, or weather or not they lived in peace in harmony.
David took this to offense, as he argued, "You can't just dismiss an amazing archeological discovery, just because it all looks abit mucky".
"Once a scaly, always a scaly" shot back Cyrus. Turning back to the path, he was unaware of David mocking his last sentence. "Paths split up ahead, lets have a look at Denison's journal," asked Cyrus. He watched as David removed the journal and tossed it to Jake.
Opening the journal, Jake said "We walked almost a mile underground due south, it was back the way we came under the mainland, I began to realize the world beneath ran the length and breathe of Dinotopia, I followed left for a hundred feet till I came to the old north gate, where the code of Dinotopia was carved into solid rock".
Jake looked up, and noticed the smirk on his face.
"Over there" he pointed. Looking behind them, the boys gasped in awe. Stopping to light more of the torches, the boys gasped as the remaining piece of the code came into view. "This is where the monument in Fountain Square came from" smiled David. Shinning his light near the bottom, he saw symbols of the remaining part of the last code. "So…that must be the missing code," David guessed.
"The first few letters stated with F-I-N right" asked Karl.
"Well, that's a D, F-I-N-D,…Find the light" David finished. Of course, the last code had been right in front of them, yet they couldn't see it!! That's typical.
"Take a look at this boys," informed Cyrus. Shinning their torches near the wall behind them, they awed at the history that had been carved in. Their was a tidal wave, a large shinning rock of sunstone, dinosaurs, everything. "They carved their whole history into this, our history…it's all right here," Jake gasped.
"This is one of those theories right, the Dinosaurs were wiped out by a meteorite," Karl guessed, since he had payed a little bit of attention in grade school.
"And the meteorite caused a flood" continued David, staring at the picture of a giant wave of water, slamming into the dinosaurs.
"It looks like the end of the world," Jake guessed.
Pointing at the giant sunstone, where all the dinosaurs were crowed underneath it's light, David said "Well, then that must be the sunstone caves, it acted as…some sort of ark, it saved them".
Cyrus shrugged, not really caring as he grumbled "Scaly history". Nudging the boys, he grumbled, "C'mon, we're near". They reluctantly departed from the history wall, Jake being the last to leave. "Elemental sunstones" he mused.
---
"Hey check it out" called Jake. Bending over to the ground, he picked up fragments of probably was once a sunstone. "Sunstone fragments, we're getting close," he said excitedly. Handing it to Cyrus, his face fell as Cyrus responded "We're looking for something abit bigger then that Jake". Casually tossing the fragment aside, Cyrus kept on heading straight.
"This way" he grumbled.
"But the journal says that Denison walked due north about a quarter of a mile" David protested. Pointing at a path that had just passed, he said "That's north".
"We stay on the main path is what we'll do, c'mon" Cyrus insisted, wanting to get the sunstones as quickly as possible, to uh…"save" Dinotopia.
None of the boys liked the idea that they might be heading off the trail, since Cyrus was ignoring the journal's direction. That was funny considering; he was the one who insisted they would need a map of the caves. Nobody spoke this, as Cyrus looked like he already had enough on his mind as it was. Finally, Karl gained the courage to speak…
"Maybe we should spilt up, we'll cover more ground that way," insisted Karl. Looking at his brothers for support, they both nodded, hoping Cyrus would see the logic in this idea.
Cyrus however looked highly amused. "That's right, lets all spilt up" he sarcastically commented. His mock humor façade shifted to annoyance, as he asked "And if you get lost, how are you going to find your way back". Seeing the boys not answer, he then added, "I say we follow the main path, alright, c'mon".
They followed the main path for a few minutes until they came to a fork in the road. Glancing to the right path, they saw to their disappoint, a mess of ruble, and fallen architecture, blocking the path. Cyrus was not affected, as he started down the left path without the boys noticing.
Nervously, David flipped through the journal, trying to look for a clue of where they were. Finding nothing, he grumbled, "I think we're lost".
"Well that's just great" Jake grumbled in annoyance. Feeling a tap on his shoulder, he turned to see a grinning Cyrus.
"No need for that, look what I've found" he chortled.
The boys looked at each other in dismay as they took the left path this time. A small opening the path above was exposed, and an unbelievably amount of light was shinning out of it. Placing their torches aside, they watched as Cyrus took the lead.
"This is it, we've found the light" he chuckled, moving some of the sunstones aside. Climbing up into the bright light, he vanished. The brothers looked at each other again, before Karl scrambled up the slope, David after him.
Jake was the last one up, climbing through the light. Now inside, Jake gasped in awe. Now he knew why it was called the sunstone caves. Dozens, no, HUNDREDS, of sunstones filled the room, making the entire room glow. Everything in the room was made out of sunstones, the ground, the walls, the ceiling, the boulders, everything. It was so bright; Jake wondered why he hadn't gone blind yet. The sight was so alien to him, and yet…magical at the same time…
"This is it, this is everything we've hopped for" laughed Cyrus.
"This…this is so incredible, I've never seen something so beautiful before" Jake awed. He knew the sunstone caves was not just a name, but…this was ridiculous!! Yet…so awesome at the same time!!
"It's unreal, isn't it, it looks like something from another planet" gawked Karl.
David's head perked up at this, it all made sense now!! "Of course, your right, the temple pictures make sense now" David explained. As his brothers glanced at him, he continued, "Dinosaurs didn't find the sunstones caves, the meteorite that hit the earth 65 billion years ago, well……that is the sunstone caves".
"Say what" Jake almost yelled. Doing a 360, and looking at every corner of the cave out of the corner of his eyes, Jake asked, "Are you…are you saying we're inside a meteor". There was both a tone of complete shock, with excitement in his voice as he asked this.
"I think so Jake" David answered.
"Ha ha, woo hoo," Jake laughed as he fell to the sunstone ground. "We're inside a meteor, this is so cool" he cheered. Feeling foolish, he pretends he was lying in snow, and tried making a snow angel in the sunstones. His brothers chuckled at his behavior, and out of the corner of Jake's eye, he could see mischief plaguing David's eyes. "Tackle im" he laughed as he charged Jake, Karl following. Jake was still lying down, so he laughed as he attempted to get up, only to be tackled into the sunstones. They messed around for a brief moment, pushing one another, and laughing. Ruffling Jake's hair as they calmed down, Karl and David sighed as they got to their feet.
Cyrus commented, "C'mon boys, let's get all these loaded, times running out for our friends upstairs".
---
"It's the end, isn't it" asked a disheartened Zippeau.
Night had fallen, and the carnivore's birds weren't that far now. Waldo had given a speech about their wonderful society before accepting their defeat. There was no hope left for them now, or Dinotopia. Soon, the cities that hadn't already fallen to the Pterranadon's would be affected soon enough.
"I believe it is," moaned Marion. Her hopes of Dinotopia living to see another day had been dashed upon hearing the boys weren't back yet. Something must be wrong. Either something was holding them up, or…
"Or their already dead" she thought. She mentally slapped herself for thinking such an awful thought! How could she doubt Karl, even as of now when things looked bleakest?! How would the boys think if they saw her like this?!
"I always told myself, that I would never seek out another partner after the death of my beloved but…if I ever could, it would only be you" Zippeau said truthfully.
Marion, feeling honored, replied "I am, and always will be your truest friend". Reaching forward, she entwined her hand, with Zippeau's. "Breathe deep Zippeau" she started.
"Seek peace Marion" finished Zippeau.
"Marion, I…I'm afraid" Samantha admitted. Never before had the thought of dying occurred, but now when things looked so hopeless, so didn't know what to think anymore!!
Marion wrapped an arm around her sister, and embraced her. "Don't be afraid Samantha, even if…if we do die tonight, at least will be together".
"I know Marion, I just…wish that Jake was here" she softly spoke.
"I miss them too, but…" Marion started, trying to think of something reassuring to say.
"I'm not giving up" spoke a stern voice. Turning around, the girls saw to their shock, Backstop, a firm, yet determined look on his face. "We' can't give up hope yet, even when things look it's bleakest".
"But what can we do, nothing we posses can possibly avert this…this crisis" Zippeau responded fearfully.
"For some of you who are accepting their fate without question, that's fine. But for me" Backstop started. Seeing how everyone was looking at him now, he continued, "Until Jake and his brothers get back, I'm not giving up, and if I die tonight, I'll die fighting". Seeing some of the others encouraged, including the guards, who, despite were against violence, wouldn't go silently, Backstop huffed as he staggered over to open part of the squire. Pawing the ground, he waited for the birds to attack……
---
Stuffing their bags filled to the top with sunstones, the boys worked quickly. No way of telling if Waterfall city was undersiged at the moment, and they didn't want to find out!!
As David shoved some of the smaller sunstones for the outersettlemts, he came across an unusually large one. "Hmm, this one looks big enough to replace the prime sunstone" he thought. Looking back at the others, he quickly placed it in his own private bag.
Jake sighed as he filed the last of the sunstones into his bag. Sitting down, he casually tossed a few at the large sunstone rocks in the cave. As one of the sunstones made impact, he raised an eyebrow. "What the" he thought. He could see a glittering green light shinning out of one of the rocks. Mesmerized by the light, he got up as he approached the rock. Reaching inside, he pulled as hard as he could. Yanking something out, his eyes widened in shock at what he was staring at. "This sunstone is…emerald," he thought. Indeed it was, a smaller then the average sunstones, big enough to fit in the palm of his hand, laid still. Looking back at the others, and seeing they didn't notice, he thought, "Heh, may as well take a little souvenir back". Placing it in his pocket, he acted causally as he hefted his bag on his shoulder.
Now their bags completely filled to the brim with sunstones, they began the trip back to the sub. Reaching it with time to spare, the boys began to drop their bags of sunstones into the sub.
"That outtagh do it boys" nodded a satisfied Cyrus.
"You know, I don't think we can take all these Cyrus," warned Karl, knowing how heavy they were from experience. "We're too heavy" he informed, mentioning the sub.
"He's right, its too dangerous, your gonna have to make a second trip" added David.
Cyrus was looking at the boys with a bored expression, as he grunted "I don't think she has a second trip in her, something we'll have to go".
Not catching on, Jake asked, "What do you mean".
"Well, let me put it this way, I don't want to risk us losing our precious cargo, so something we'll have to go" he said seriously, and sternly.
It was at this point the boy's we're fully paying attention. He…he…wasn't referring to what he they thought he was referring to…was he?! What Cyrus said next, confirmed their worry?
"But I don't think it'll be the sunstones" he said bored.
David let out a laugh that was devoid of any humor. "Eh ha ha, you…you can't be serious". Cyrus was a snake in the grass yeah, but he wouldn't do this would he?!? Glancing at his brothers, who we're also trying to take this as a joke, but were failing to…
"I'd like to thank you gentlemen for all your hard work, but if you'll excuse me, I'll be taken my leave" Cyrus dryly remarked. He started for the sub when David stepped forward and placed a firm hand on his shoulder.
"Cyrus, you are not leaving us down here" David said sternly. He was unprepared as Cyrus nailed David in the stomach with an elbow strike. Caught off guard, David winced as he tried to recollect air in his lungs. David was shoved to the ground by the mad Cyrus, wincing in pain.
"Cyrus, you scum" Jake cursed in anger. Stepping forward, he unsheathed his katana, ready to slice Cyrus' foul head off. HE gritted his teeth as Cyrus took his threat as a joke.
"Oh Jake, I plan for every worst case scenario" he remarked. Reaching a hand into a bag on his belt, he grasped something firmly. As Jake moved to attack him, he brought it up, and threw it into Jake's eyes.
"Gahh" Jake cried as he dropped his sword spitting. Cyrus had thrown sand into his eyes. Blind momentarily, he was unprepared as Cyrus whacked him in to jaw with his cane, sending him to the ground with an aching mouth.
"David, Jake" shouted Karl. Growling he jumped off the sub, and charged at Cyrus, who raised his cane in defense, halting Karl's advance.
"WHAT ARE YOU GONNA DO EH, HIT A POOR CRIPLE" he shouted daringly.
"I never should have trusted you" Karl hissed in anger. He wanted nothing more then to wipe that smug look off of Cyrus's face. Whapping his cane out of his face, Karl brought his fist up in retaliation.
"Oh, ho ho, a little boxing match eh" Cyrus said mockingly. Seeing Karl hesitate, he remarked "Oh I don't think so Karl, I'm a street fighter, and I always was". With that, he nailed Karl in the stomach with his cane, causing him to bend over in pain. He raised it high above his head, ready to finish him off when suddenly.
*SNATCH*
Something grasped his cane from behind!
Cyrus whirled towards the person in anger, and gasped.
The man looked like he had crawled out of a cave. He was middle aged, early to mid forties. His hair was stringy, and he had grown a ragged beard. His eyes were haunted, as if in shock over seeing another human being. He was no dinotopian as he bore clothes similar to Karl. Greenish, grey vest, grey shit, dark green khakis, brown boots, and a broken watch. His face was beaten and weathered, like he hadn't eaten in months, and a distinct odor floated off of him. If you removed the odor, beard, and his face looked healthy again, he would look like…
The man shoved Cyrus cane away from Karl, and stared down at the boys. All of them had the same look of confusion on their face. However, it was Jake who suddenly remembered. Getting to his feet, and looking their saviors up and down in disbelief, he uttered one simple, yet relieving word…
"Dad" he gawked…
Shocker… Well, almost done with this fanfic. The elemental sunstones was something I came up with, and Jelsi4life if you're reading this, shut your mouth, I know you're laughing your ass off. When combined, they don't summon captain planet, got it? All right then, please R&R!!