Now in the city Berto and I walked along the sidewalk. Before we left Shock attached to me, figuring that it would be best to remain hidden from view.
"So where to now, Jessie?" Berto asked me, walking beside me.
"As far away from N-Tek as possible. After that I have no idea." I replied and he sighed.
"So we have no plan? Well that's just great." He said. "I guess we'll come up with something. Eventually."
"Sorry. I just didn't want to face everybody after…well what happened. Probably should have thought this through a little more." I answered and he reached over and took my hand.
"No hay problema. At least there's no villain to fight." Berto pointed out and I managed a smile.
"You're right. In the meantime where should we go?" I asked him and he grinned. A short time later that day we found ourselves in the park. Sitting on a nearby bench I stretched.
"It's good to be outdoors and not having to fight someone." I said and Berto grinned at me.
"For now anyway. Let's just cross our fingers that nothing shows up and spoils the mood." Berto replied, sitting beside me and I winced.
"Please don't say that. Every time I think I'm finally getting some peace, something always shows up." I grumbled and he laughed. "Seriously it like all the villains in Copper Canyon know where I am the moment I leave N-Tek."
"Don't worry so much. At least for the time being we're alone." Berto answered, wrapping an arm around my shoulders. "Be thankful for that. I know I am."
"What exactly are you planning?" I asked just as he leaned in. "You have a one track mind, you know that?" I commented, still leaning in anyway. While we were distracted Shock detached and hovered nearby.
"Did you hear something, Jessie?" He asked and when I didn't answer him, he rolled his eye at us. "Humans." It was then I heard a noise and I leaned back slightly. When Berto noticed this, he opened his eyes.
"Something wrong?" Berto asked.
"I thought I heard something." I said, only for both our phones to ring at the same time. "Oh no."
"Hello?" I said, only for Max to answer.
"Where have you two been? The Ultimate Elementor's loose!" He said and I stumbled, almost dropping the phone in shock. "You still there?" Max asked me. Watching me, Berto asked what was happening back at N-Tek.
"The Elementor's loose." I told him and his eyes went wide. "We'll be right there." I told Max. The second I hung up I told Berto and Shock we had to get back to N-Tek as soon as could. Checking that the coast was clear, I changed into Flight mode. "Hold on tight." I said to Berto, who wrapped an arm around my waist. A very short time later we landed in the Hangar and I changed into Strength mode.
"I'll call C.Y.T.R.O from my lab." Berto said and I placed a hand on his shoulder.
"I'll go with you. Just in case." I told him and he grinned at me. Taking off we hurried for his lab. It wasn't until we arrived back at his lab that I stopped in my tracks.
"I thought we were in a hurry. What gives?" Berto asked, looking up at me.
"Why is it so quiet here?" I pointed out and Berto placed his hand under his chin, thinking.
"Something really strange is going on." Shock said, detaching from me and hovering overhead. As he flew around I tried to work out why it was so quiet. And moments later I heard someone call out.
"Hey guys!" Max said as he walked over to meet us. "Where did you three disappear to?"
"What do you mean? We came back to help you fight the Elementor." I answered, switching back to Base mode and removing my helmet." Is this some kind of joke?"
"Whoa slow down. What are you talking about? The Ultimate Elementor's still in stasis just like before. And I never called you." Max told me and that's when I raised an eyebrow in surprise.
"I think I've figured it out. Someone else sent that message to get us here. But why?" Berto said and I thought about that for a while.
"Miles Dredd." I said and they all stared at me, curious. "He wanted us here. Maybe he hacked into N-Tek."
"No way. I update the firewalls and security systems constantly and there's no way anyone could get through without me knowing." Berto replied his arms crossed against his chest.
"Not the computer system. What about something smaller, something no one would notice." I said and that's when I held up my phone. "Like this." Taking my phone from me, Berto lifted off the back cover and that's when I saw a tiny bug the size of a fingernail on it.
"It's a tracking device. And we've just led Miles Dredd to our headquarters." Shock said and I cringed as everyone looked at me.
"I didn't know it was there! Wait a second, after Dredd kidnapped me there was a couple of hours that I drew a blank on. Maybe while I was unconscious…he planted that device on my phone." I replied as Forge came running.
"Dredd's attacking the base with his Dredd Naughts! How did he know where we are?" He shouted and just for a second Max glanced at me. Seeing this Forge walked over until he was standing over me. "Did you do this?" He asked me and before I could answer we all heard the sounds of a battle outside. Glaring at me, Forge then did the one thing I'd been dreading. "You and Shock need to leave. Right now." He growled and I stepped back, shocked, as he turned around and told Max and Steel to head outside. The second they left I stood there until Berto walked over to me.
"I know this wasn't your fault." He said, trying to take my hand. Instead of letting him I brushed him off and started for the Hangar. "Wait where are you going?" He called out but I ignored him, running for the hangar leaving Shock to catch up with me.
"Where are we going?" Shock asked as he caught up with me.
"We're going home. I'm not welcome here anymore apparently." I replied and asked Shock to change me to Flight mode. Watching my face for a moment, he sighed and did as I asked. Seconds later I was out of the hangar and I could see the battle from overhead. On our side Max Steel, Kat and Jefferson had taken to the air and were taking out as many of the Dredd Naughts as they could. On Dredd's side I could see him and Jason Naught firing shots at my friends who were fighting to the best of their ability.
"Should we help them?" Shock asked me and for a moment I considered following Forge's orders and leaving my friends behind. Then I had second thoughts; I was only mad at Forge and not the rest of N-Tek so why not help them? As if sensing my thoughts Shock agreed with my plan and we went after Dredd, changing modes in midair and landing on Jason who was in his Mecha mode.
"That's for Berto you Mecha moron!" I yelled as I stood and stomped towards Dredd, leaving Naught in the crater that I'd made. "Now it's your turn, Dredd." I growled as I reached him, only to forget for a moment about his syphon. Instantly he raised his hands and I suddenly fell to one knee.
"How soon we forget?" He mocked, stealing my energy. Hissing in pain, I struggled to my feet. Eventually I managed to break free but not before he was fully recharged. Laughing he sent a blast of energy at me that lifted me up and threw me a couple of feet into the ground. In pain and furious I launched myself at him, only realizing that the very last second that I was still in Flight mode. Before I had time to change modes I was set upon by Dredd again and slammed into the ground. Not letting up for a second, he repeatedly slammed me into the cavern floor until I was too dazed to fight back, changing back to Base mode. Thankfully C.Y.T.R.O and Max Steel showed up and attacked Dredd, taking his attention away from me long enough so I could get to my feet. Woozy I watched on as Max Steel smashed into Dredd with a new mode I'd never seen before. This one involved him charging up with Turbo energy and shooting forward at top speed, knocking over whoever happened to be in his path. Knocking down Dredd in this case. As he climbed to his feet, C.Y.T.R.O landed near me and I heard Berto ask if I was okay.
"Not feeling the best, no." I muttered as I stumbled and had to be held upright by the robot.
"Maybe you should sit this one out, okay?" He suggested as I sat down, holding my head.
As I sat there, dizzy, I watched Max Steel wipe the floor with Dredd. Eventually I heard Dredd yell something to Naught and I called out a warning. As Jason fired off a blast from his arms I rushed forward and felt something strike my side. I let out a gasp and stumbled forward, only to find myself falling as I blacked out. I never even felt the impact as I hit the dirt.