Chapter 2: Gearing Up
(Intro)
The Battle Force 10 continued onto the Stormshock. "Hang tight! Stormshock's always freaky the first time." Vert advised. As they got closer, their tires glowed red. "Woo-hoo! I got some hot wheels!" Zoom cheered. "You think yours are hot? Mine are boiling hot!" Rayona exclaimed. Then as they reached the Stormshock, their vehicles were lifted into the tornado. "We have liftoff!" Sherman called. Everyone cheered as they drove into the storm. "The portal is gonna open high in the storm! But only for a brief moment." Vert explained. "He's right. Keep your eyes open and don't wipeout!" Olivia added. "What about hurling? Because I'm about to do just that!" Spinner exclaimed, feeling his lunch reach his throat. "Easy, bro. Think about something else. Like how lucky we are not to be on a motorcycle." Sherman said.
As they continued, Zoom spotted something shiny in the eye of the storm. "I see something! Is that the portal?" He asked. "You got it! Good scouting." Vert said just as Sage contacted them. "You will soon be out of radio contact. Remember, you must secure the Battle Key." Sage said. "We're on it, Sage." Olivia said. As they continued, a flash of lighting startled Agura, nearly causing her to wipeout. "Agura! Are you alright?" Stanford asked in worry. "I'm okay. I love off-roading, but this is ridiculous." Agura said. "Are you kidding?! This is awesome!" Ivan exclaimed. Just then, the portal opened. "The portal's open! Floor it!" Vert called. "But be wary! The enemy will be waiting on the other side! Be ready to crash and bash!" Olivia exclaimed.
The portal opened into the Battle Zone, which was a series of gear works. The Battle Key was right in the center of it. The Battle Force 10 entered through the portal and stopped to take a look. "Whoa. This is a Battle Zone?" Zoom asked in amazement when he looked around the Battle Zone for the first time. "Looks like the inside of my great-aunt's clock." Talia said. "But where's the enemy? I was kinda hoping for a party." Horace said. "Party or no party, we have our mission. Get the Battle Key, get out of the zone and lock it down." Vert said. "This is easier than I thought. Wake me up when we've saved the Earth." Spinner said, leaning back to go to sleep. "I'm guessing Battle Key." Agura said, eyeing the Battle Key. "Yep." Olivia said. But then, another portal opened. "And I'm guessing Horace is about to get his party." Zoom said. And then, the Vandals came through the portal. "Okay! I'm awake!" Spinner exclaimed as he jolted awake. The Vandals chuckled as they gathered. "And that would be Captain Kalus and his Vandals." Vert said as Kalus took the lead. "What?!" Kalus asked, seeing another portal open. "Another portal opening at 2 o'clock!" Sherman called. And then the Sark came out. "The Sark!" Olivia exclaimed. Zemerik glared. But then another portal opened. "Oh, come on! What next?!" Spinner asked in complaint. Just then, the Dwellers came out, driving fantasy creature-themed motorcycles. "I'm gonna guess that those are the Dwellers?" Stanford asked fearfully. "And that dark elf in front must be Sauron." Vert said. Sauron chuckled wickedly.
All 4 sides glared at each other as they set their sights on the Battle Key. "Seize the Battle Key!" Zemerik ordered, driving forth with his Sark. Kalus roared, leading his Vandals to battle. "Forward!" Sauron shouted, drawing his sword and leading his Dwellers. "Go!" Vert called. The Battle Force 10 drove forward, racing towards the Battle Key. But just as all 4 groups were almost in reach, they all drove over a pressure button. And then everything started moving. "EARTHQUAKE!" Spinner screamed. "Whoa! Pull back!" Vert called. Everyone stopped in their tracks as all the gears started turning, including the one they're currently on. "Sherman, what's happening?" Stanford asked. "Our vehicles must've activated the Battle Zone." Sherman said. "Guys, keep your eyes on that key!" Vert called as the key got magnetically attached to one of the gears. "Ah! The key!" Kalus exclaimed. "Recalculating." Zemerik said. "Keep the key in your sights." Sauron said.
Just then, the gear tracks all stopped. "Go!" Vert called. All 4 groups took off down the road they were pointing down. "Okay, guys, just like we planned it. Take out the enemy, find that key." Vert said. "Just tell us what to do, buddy." Ivan said. "Buster, Defender, take out the big bot. Tangler, Pom-Pom Pouncer, time for a little animal control. Reverb, lower the boom on that croc. Steaming Wok, you're on pest control. Jetray, Dune Cat, you're with me on the Dwellers. Chopper, get up high and find that key." Vert instructed. "I'm on it!" Zoom called, going onto a separate road. But then, he saw the Sark coming towards him. "Time for some big air." He then made a sharp left turn, making Zemerik groan. Then he drove up a big gear and activated his Chopper's ability. The tires split apart, sprouted mini buzz saw blades and became like gliders. Unfortunately, he was gliding down towards another gear. He bounced off it and nearly wiped out, managing to skid to a gentle stop. "Love the bike, hate the learning curve." He groaned.
Agura and Talia were driving right towards the Vandals. "Extreme safari. Loving it!" Agura exclaimed. "I hear that. I got your back." Talia said. Agura fired a harpoon from the Tangler. But Kalus swatted it away, surprising the 2 girls. He then fired an arrow, taking Agura off guard and making her fire a grappling claw at a gear behind her. "Oh no." Agura said with worry as the gear dragged her by the grapple and pulled her onto it. Kalus was shocked by this. "Agura! Are you alright?" Talia asked. "I'm okay! Not what I planned, but I'll take it." Agura assured. But then, she noticed that the gear was turning over the edge. "Oh no." She said as the Tangler began to fall. Luckily, the grapple managed to slow her down before it snapped off, letting Agura drop down hard, but safe. "Huh. Love the shocksuit." She said. "Okay. Guess I'll meet you on ground level." Talia called. That is until she turned back to the Vandals. "Oh dear." She said with worry as Sever and Griz drove right towards her. She looked through her buttons until she pressed the middle one. And then 2 pairs of arms popped out from the doors. On each arm was a pom-pom styled spiked ball. "Spiked pom-poms? Now this is cheery." Talia said, going on the offensive. She swung her spiked pom-poms, hitting Sever and Griz, sending them into a different gear and trapping them. "GOAL! Go Battle Force 10!" She cheered. But then, she heard Kalus roar and saw him coming right towards her. "Okay. Time to go get the key." She said, turning around and driving off to regroup with Agura.
Sherman and Spinner were being chased by Zug in his Zendrill just as he bashed into them. Spinner fiddled with his controls, not knowing how to work the Buster's weapons. "I can't remember what buttons to push!" He panicked. As he randomly pushed buttons, he popped open the top of the Buster and fired an iron chained spike mace at Zug. But they didn't even scratch the Zendrill. "Get us out of here, little brother!" Spinner cried. "Hang on, guys! Horace is here!" Horace called as he drove the Defender right up beside the Buster. "Now let's see what I can do." He prepared the Defender's proton blaster and targeted the Zendrill. But as he fired, the recoil threw him off balance, making him spin out of control. "Whoa, whoa, whoa, WHOA!" He yelled before he crashed into a big gear as the Cortez brothers and Zug drove by. "Man, that recoil is tough. Gonna need some getting used to." He said as he slowly recovered. "Oh no! Horace is down! What're we gonna do?!" Spinner asked in a panic. During this panic, he pressed a button and deployed a ramp. This caught Zug by surprise as he got ready to ram the Buster again. He couldn't stop and drove right off the ramp. "Factoring in the distance and velocity of that vehicle, he isn't going to make it." Sherman said. Zug crashed down and skidded across the road until the drill of the Zendrill got wedged into another gear. Sherman cringed at that. "I gotta remember that button." Spinner said as they drove past Zug.
Rayona was being pursued by Hatch and Raptor. "Take that side, Raptor!" Hatch called. Raptor nodded and steered to the left. Hatch took the right. Rayona saw the 2 Vandal insects closing in on her. Then as they cackled, they bashed into the Steaming Wok. "ARGH! I hate bugs!" Rayona exclaimed. Hatch cackled as he bashed into the Steaming Wok again, followed by Raptor. But just then, Rayona saw an array of chemicals on a screen. "Good thing I took Advanced Chemistry." She said, getting an idea. She tapped the screen, mixing the proper chemicals she wanted and needed. Then when she was finished, she pressed a button and gas steamed out of the Steaming Wok and into the faces of the insects. Raptor started coughing as he took a sniff of it. "POISON!" Hatch screamed as he breathed it in too. They were so busy coughing, they didn't see where they were going. They uncontrollably steered right into each other, causing each other to crash. "Yeah. Don't mess with the master chef." Rayona said.
Krocomodo chased a completely frightened Stanford. Krocomodo fired 2 harpoons from his Riptile. Stanford activated a sonic sound boost from beneath the Reverb to jump, causing the harpoons to snag onto another big gear and pulling Krocomodo over the edge. But as Stanford cracked an accomplishing smile, the Reverb hit another gear above, making him hit his head. "Ugh! Never do that again." He said to himself before continuing, leaving Krocomodo hanging.
Vert, Olivia and Ivan were being pursued by Fidget, Krongo and Fury. "Vert, you go on. We'll handle these fantasy rejects." Olivia said. She and Ivan put on the brakes and backed up to engage the Dwellers. Fidget cackled as he and Fury drove for Ivan. Ivan looked at the 2 Dwellers boxing him between them. "You might as well give up, mortal. You don't stand a chance against the Dwellers." Fury said. "Yeah. And after we're done with you, your pretty friend is next." Fidget said. "Oh, is that right?" Ivan asked. "Alright, Fidget, let's put the squeeze on this boy." Fury said with a toothy grin. Fidget cackled. Ivan pressed a button and 2 sets of lights turned to face the 2 Dwellers. Both Fidget and Fury were confused. But then Ivan pressed another button and the lights lit up, blinding the 2 Dwellers and making them crash blindly. "Ha! Now that was a bright idea!" Ivan punned.
Krongo drove right up to Olivia, bashing into the Jetray with his Bonesteed. But Olivia smirked. For she had a plan. "Alright, guys. It's show time." She whispered. Just then, her 5 little slugs came out from under the seat and chittered. She rolled down the window and then the slugs hopped out and onto Krongo's Bonesteed. Krongo was confused at first. But then the slugs began making faces at him. "Why you little!" Krongo got so mad, he tried to swat at them. But they jumped back to the Jetray. His attempted swat threw him off balance and caused him to crash. One of Olivia's slugs hopped over to her shoulder and nuzzled her cheek. "Nice work, you guys. But keep hidden for now." She said. The slugs chittered and went back into hiding.
"Battle Force 10, anyone got eyes on the Battle Key?" Vert asked. "We got it in our sights." Agura said as she and Talia got eyes on the Battle Key across a small selection of gears. "You're our Hunter. Take it." Vert said. "Go for it, girl." Talia said. Agura leapt the Tangler onto the gears, crawled her way towards the key and snagged it. "Got it!" She called. "She got it, Vert!" Talia called. "Yeah! Everyone back to the portal!" Vert called. Zoom joined him, Olivia and Ivan as they headed back to the portal. "The portal is straight ahead, Vert." He said. "Nice." Vert said. "Uh, not exactly. We got company." Ivan said, pointing ahead. Zemerik showed up and got between them and the portal. "Zemerik! Olivia, Zoom, Ivan, hang back and wait for the others. I'll clear this robo-roadblock." Vert said. Olivia, Zoom and Ivan pulled back as Vert stopped to face Zemerik. "Organic! You cannot win!" Zemerik exclaimed. "I'm gonna cut you a new data-port, Zemerik!" Vert exclaimed, activating the Saber's blades. Both vehicles prepared to play Chicken. Then they put the pedal to the medal and charged. But Vert got off the lucky cut on Zemerik's right tires. Zemerik growled and activated his vehicle's nanotech blades. But nearby, Horace got a clear aim at him. "Time to blast this bot to the scrapheap." He said, taking aim. Vert and Zemerik charged for each other again just as Horace fired. The 2 drivers collided, putting Vert in the line of Horace's fire and nearly sending him off the platform. Unfortunately, the gear next to him pushed him the rest of the way. "VERT!" Olivia cried. Vert screamed as he fell. But then he landed on something. It was another cloaked Mobius Command Center. Horace drove right over and was feeling pretty bad about what he did. "Vert, we're coming! I found another way down!" Zoom called, leading the team down another path.
"Ugh! Dude, I had him!" Vert exclaimed. "Sorry, Vert. What's that you landed on?" Horace asked. "A Mobi?!" Vert said in shock. "What is a-" Horace started to ask. But then the Mobi re-cloaked itself. "Was a Mobi?" He corrected his question.
"The organic leader has been neutralized. Sark! Regroup!" Zemerik ordered as he headed around. But just then, the Vandals and the Dwellers came up behind him. Kalus fired an arrow at his Zelix, but Zemerik did not falter. Kalus and Sauron then got on both sides of Zemerik. Kalus fired another arrow at the damaged tire and Sauron slashed the left one, knocking Zemerik off balance and causing him to crash. "Zug, retreat to the Sark portal. We must analyze this battle data and prepare a new plan for the destruction of Earth." Zemerik said.
Meanwhile, Vert and Horace were trying to feel around for the Mobi just as the others turned up. "What are you doing?" Agura asked with a chuckle. "We saw a Mobi. It's a…Explain it again?" Horace asked. "A Mobius Command Center. A gigantic mobile garage. But more importantly, Sage needs it to stay alive. Like cyber life support." Vert explained. "Right. And it's here. Somewhere." Horace said, trying to feel around for the Mobi. Finally, he found it. "See? Or…Well, you get the idea." He said. "Whoa. That's freaky." Talia said. "Must be some kind of cloaking device." Sherman said. "It is. It's to protect itself from the enemy." Olivia said. "We could use a cloaking device right about now! Look!" Spinner called. The Vandals and Dwellers were coming towards them. "Vandals and Dwellers!" Rayona exclaimed. "We can't fight! We need repairs!" Zoom called, feeling the damage on his Chopper. "But what about the Mobi?" Olivia asked. "We'll come back for the Mobi. Burn rubber for the portal!" Vert called. Battle Force 10 drove off for the portal. The Vandals and Dwellers prepared to go after them. "Fall back and regroup!" Kalus ordered. "But they have the Battle Key!" Sever objected. "There will be more Battle Keys. But we've found something quite rare." Kalus said. "Yes. Something really rare." Sauron said as the Mobi showed itself to them.
The portal back to Earth reopened and Battle Force 10 came right back. Vert then ran for the portal. "Job's not over until you lock these babies up." He said as he reached out and the key came to him, closing the portal. Then he contacted Sage. "Sage, we're back. And we've got some Mobi sized news."
Later, the team were back in the Hub repairing their rides. "The Buster sure can take a beating." Sherman said. "How about the Chopper? Me and this baby took out an army of Sark." Zoom said. "You call that a beating? Me and my Steaming Wok just opened a can of homemade bug spray on those Vandals." Rayona said. "Guys? I wouldn't be too proud of your dents. With our newbie battle chops, we were lucky to get out." Agura said. "She's right. We were way too unprepared for dealing with the enemy. And all 3 at the same time at that." Ivan said. "You did acquire the Battle Key. And locating a Mobius Command Center was an extraordinary accomplishment." Sage said as her power started fading slowly. "She's got that right. If you hadn't discovered that Mobi, Sage would've been out of power. Forever." TRINA said. "Well, it had to take quite a lucky shot by me to discover such an extraordinary find." Horace said. "Yeah. One that nearly sent my brother to his death." Olivia said venomously. "Hey. At least I was trying to help him fight that Zemerik bot." Horace said. "We need to get that Mobi back." Vert said. "Its technology could provide our enemies with an enormous strategic event." Sage said, nearly fainting from losing her power. Vert and TRINA helped steady and balance her. "The Mobi is Sage's only power source." Vert said. "He's right. We've gotta get back to that Battle Zone and fast." Olivia said. "Great! Spinner gets Squished Pt. 2! I really don't like sequels." Spinner complained. "Wait. Where's Stanford?" Agura asked, noticing that Stanford wasn't with the Reverb. "He went to his room. He asked me to fix the Reverb because he didn't know how to fix it himself." TRINA said.
Agura went to Stanford's room and found him sitting on his bed. "Hey, Agura." Stanford said, greeting her. "Hey. We're heading back to the Battle Zone to pick up the Mobi we found there." Agura said. "What? Why?" Stanford asked. "Sage needs the Mobi in order to keep herself alive." Agura said. Stanford wanted to say no, but then he thought about the pain of losing Sage. "Alright. For Sage." He said, standing up.
The 2 of them made it back to the deployment station. "Hey, what's wrong there, Stanford?" Spinner asked. Stanford tried to say, but he was too afraid to say so. "He had an anxious attack. He was just frightened during his first time in the Battle Zone." Agura said. The others looked at each other and nodded with understanding. Stanford sighed with relief.
Later, Battle Force 10 were back on the Salt Flats, heading towards the portal. Sage and TRINA were joining them this time. Sage was riding with Stanford while TRINA rode with Olivia. "Nearing the portal sight, Sage." Vert said. "Anything we should know about the Mobi? You guys didn't give us much information when we first met." Olivia said. "The Mobius Command Center has an encrypted ignition code." Sage said. "Copy that. And…huh?" Vert asked, not understanding what Sage said. "A password. So, nobody can start the engine without it." Sherman translated. "Correct. Ignition code: first 5 prime members." Sage said. Vert was still confused. "2, 3, 5, 7 and 11. Got it." Sherman said. "Entering Hibernation Mode…to protect me…during portal crossing." Sage said before going into hibernation. Stanford was a bit freaked out by this. "Now let's get in there, get that Mobi and get out fast." Vert said, using the key and opening the portal back to the Battle Zone. "Oh, this is going to hurt." TRINA said as the team crossed into the portal.
Once there, Zoom kept an eye out for any Vandals, Sark or Dwellers as they slowly drove for the Mobi. "Guess we're alone. The Mobi should be down there on that gear." He said. "Great. Still cloaked. Any ideas, little brother?" Spinner asked. "Stanford, can you echomap this Battle Zone with a few sonar pints?" Sherman asked. "O-Okay. I can do that." Stanford said, using his sonic blasters to locate the Mobi and shutting down its cloaking device. "Bullseye! You must've fried the cloaking circuits." Sherman said. "And even opened the garage door." Spinner said, noticing that the Mobi's bay door was open. "Hmm. Something doesn't feel right." Vert said. "Yeah, I sense that too, bro." Olivia said. "Agura, you, Stanford, Talia, Rayona and Horace stay here with Sage and the key. Olivia, Sherman, Spinner, Zoom, Ivan, get out your boarding passes. Let's check it out." Vert said as he, Olivia, the Cortez brothers, Zoom and Ivan drove for the Mobi with TRINA while Agura, Stanford, Talia, Rayona and Horace took cover to protect Sage and the Battle Key.
But as Vert and his team entered the Mobi, the Vandals and Dwellers were spying on them, waiting to strike. "Let's get to the control room." Vert said. "It's just up ahead." TRINA said. But before they could even start moving, they sensed something move. They turned around and saw Krocomodo, Hatch, Griz and Krongo standing by their cars. Spinner screamed as they approached. Zoom gave a mighty kick, but Krocomodo pushed him back. "Hey! Get your filthy mitts off me!" TRINA shouted as Raptor and Fury grabbed her. And then, Kalus and Sauron leapt down in the middle of the team. Kalus gave a mighty slash with his claws, knocking down Sherman, Spinner and Zoom. "Hey!" Olivia shouted, going in to strike with Ivan. But Sauron intercepted and gave a mighty high-kick, knocking down Olivia and Ivan. Vert tried to kick Kalus, but the Vandal leader dodged it and clawed him down too. And then Sever locked him into a stockade. "Struggle all you like, sub-creature. When we return to Vandal with the Mobi, the Vandals and the Dwellers will be the most powerful force in the Multiverse!" Kalus exclaimed. "Yes. With our combined forces, your world is doomed." Sauron said with an evil smile.
Meanwhile, Agura's team waited for quite a while. "I'm getting a bad feeling about this. They've been gone a long time." Agura said. "I agree. Something isn't right." Rayona said. "I'm actually getting a bad feeling in my stomach. All this waiting around is making me hungry." Horace said. "I'm actually getting hungry too." Stanford said. "We need to keep focused for now. Then we can grab something at Zeke's after." Talia said.
Meanwhile, while Vert tried to struggle in his stockade, the Vandals and Dwellers had locked Olivia, Sherman, Spinner, Zoom and Ivan in the Mobi's machine arms. Just then, Kalus, Sauron and Hatch walked up to them. "Hatch, what do you think we should do with our prisoners?" Kalus asked. "I've got a few ideas, Captain Kalus." Hatch said, sinisterly snipping his claws. "Oh, you mortals are in for some big torture now." Sauron said. Vert and Olivia's slugs peeked out from their slingers' vehicles. They had to do something.
By then, Agura was getting really worried. "I can't just sit around like this! We should go in." She said. "I agree. They might have been captured." Horace said. "But, guys, Vert gave us a direct order! If the Vandals and Dwellers get the key, Earth is toast!" Talia said. "She's right. We need a plan." Rayona said. "I'll wake up Sage. She might have an idea." Stanford said, grabbing Sage's cube. "Sage, we need advice. Could you wake up please?" With that, the cube glowed as Stanford put it back on the passenger seat. And Sage rematerialized as she woke up.
Meanwhile, Kalus and Sauron were trying to start up the Mobi, but they couldn't figure out the code. "UGH! This Sentient vehicle is useless without the code!" Kalus exclaimed in frustration. "I agree! And we have very little knowledge of any possible code!" Sauron exclaimed. "Looks like someone didn't pass computer class." Vert said. But just then, Kalus and Sauron leapt down to him. "Unlock the vehicle or your friends will pay…with their lives." Kalus said. Hatch held up his claws to Sherman and Spinner, and Fidget licked Olivia's cheek with awful intentions for her. Vert looked at his friends and sister worriedly. He had no choice.
Meanwhile, Sage pulled up a screen to detect heat signatures and saw several signatures inside the Mobi. "The Vandals!" Agura exclaimed. "And the Dwellers too!" Rayona exclaimed. "Looks like our guys have been captured." Horace said. "And they're attempting to unlock the Mobi!" Talia cried. "What do we do?" Stanford asked with a worry tone. "Must…return…to Mobi. If I do not recharge soon…my operating system will…cease to function." Sage said, feeling her power shutting down. "But the Vandals and Dwellers control the Mobi." Rayona objected. "Since TRINA and I are the last experts in the workings of the Mobius Command Center…Kalus and Sauron will eagerly trade their hostages…for me." Sage said. "What?!" Talia and Stanford exclaimed in shock. "Sage, you can't do that!" Agura objected. "No way! You'll be in the hands of your mortal enemies." Horace said. "Not to mention they'll have enough power to destroy Earth!" Rayona exclaimed. "I am doomed either way. At least this way, Battle Force 10 will live…to fight and protect Earth." Sage said. Agura, Stanford, Talia, Rayona and Horace looked at each other with worry and uncertainty.
Meanwhile, Vert was stalling Kalus and Sauron by using incorrect codes. "He's doing a great job of stalling." Zoom whispered. "I just hope Vert's got a plan." Sherman whispered. "He's my brother. He's always got a plan." Olivia whispered. "Useless sub-creature! Why isn't the Mobius moving?!" Kalus asked with impatience. "Chillax, Kalus. If you and your pointy-eared lackey haven't noticed, I'm human, not Sentient. Their computers don't come with tech help you know." Vert said. Olivia, Sherman, Spinner, Zoom and Ivan snickered at this. "SILENCE!" Kalus snapped, shutting them up. "Or I will feed you to the Ape-dogs of Vandal!" "Temper, temper." Sauron muttered.
Just then, as Sage made her way to the Mobi, she made contact with it. "Captain Kalus, Lord Sauron, this is Sage." She said, communicating with everyone inside the Mobi through the speakers. "Huh. Speak your business, Sentient." Kalus said. "Yes. What is it you want?" Sauron asked. "Free the Earthlings, and in return, I offer myself and TRINA and our vast technical knowledge." Sage offered. That shocked BF10. But TRINA had a look of understanding. "No, Sage! You and TRINA can't sacrifice yourselves!" Vert objected. "Don't, Vert. It's the only way." TRINA said. Kalus and Sauron thought about these negotiations. "We may never get another chance like this, my friend." Sauron said. Kalus nodded in agreement. "Hatch, Griz, Fury! Guard the prisoners!" He ordered as he and Sauron prepared to head out. Hatch, Griz and Fury chuckled sinisterly as they watched over their prisoners.
As Sage waited by Agura, Stanford, Talia, Rayona and Horace in their vehicles, Kalus and Sauron approached with Krocomodo, Sever, Raptor, Fidget and Krongo. "That's close enough, you 2!" Agura exclaimed, taking a threatening stomp with the Tangler. "Now release our friends!" But Kalus just smirked, took out a bola and snatched Sage with it. "NO!" Agura exclaimed "SAGE!" Talia cried. "Negotiations have taken a new…twist." Kalus said. Sauron chuckled as they drove away. Agura's team tried to follow, but the Vandals and Dwellers blocked them, forcing them to stop. Sever chomped his Water Slaughter's teeth, Krocomodo readied the saws on his Riptile, Raptor prepped the claws on his Praying Feartrix, Fidget aimed a horn missile on his Unicrusher and Krongo readied the crossbows on his Bonesteed.
"Stanford, give those teeth a cleaning." Horace said as he ordered. Stanford readied his sonic blasters and blasted Sever away, getting his vehicle stuck in a gear. Krocomodo charged for Agura, but she extended the Tangler's legs and crushed his Riptile beneath her. Raptor charged for Talia, but she used her spiked pom-poms to swat him aside. Fidget fired his horn missile. But Horace fired a proton blast, shattering the horn and blasting Fidget off the platform. Krongo fired 2 flaming arrows from his crossbows at Rayona, but she blew a spray to catch the fire and use it against Krongo. The poor ogre got scared and drove off. That gave them the chance to drive after Kalus and Sauron.
Meanwhile, Hatch and Fury kept an eye on Vert and TRINA while Griz watched the others. "Hatch!" Kalus called on the Scarib's radio. "Captain Kalus!" Hatch called back. "Sauron and I have the prisoner! Prepare to open the bay door!" Kalus ordered. "Yes, Captain." Hatch said. Just then, Zoom noticed the Saber's cockpit opened up and Jetray's window opening as well. And then the slugs hopped out. He was confused as he watched them make their way to Hatch, Fury and Griz. One of Vert's slugs, Flint the Flaringo, hopped over to Griz and blew a fire on his foot. Griz smelled smoke in the air and looked down at his foot to see it was on fire! He screamed and hopped around, trying to put it out. "Griz! What are you doing?!" Hatch asked as he and Fury looked over the edge. Just then, one of Olivia's slugs, Lorelei the Frostcrawler, blew ice over where the 2 were standing, causing them to slip and fall over the railing. After Griz managed to put the fire out, he rushed over to help them up. "What happened?!" Fury asked. "I don't know! Something lit my foot on fire!" Griz exclaimed. "And something caused us to slip off the railing!" Hatch exclaimed. Just then, another of Vert's slugs, Kahili the Hoverbug, flew up to them and gave them a raspberry. Fury swatted at her, but he missed. The 3 chased her, giving Vert the chance to punch in the real code and activate the Mobi. The 3 were too distracted by Kahili to even notice. Kahili flew in front of a button, making another raspberry. Griz threw a punch, but Kahili flew away, making him hit the button which freed Olivia, Ivan, Zoom and the Cortez brothers. Hatch and Fury glared at the Vandal bear. "Oops." Griz muttered.
Vert then hopped down with TRINA as they joined their team. Spinner then unlocked the stockade and freed Vert. "Thanks, guys. Explain that to Kalus and Sauron." Zoom said. Hatch, Griz and Fury turned to face the Battle Force 10. And then, Vert and Olivia ran over to their cars and each pulled a pair of fancy blasters from under the seats. Everyone was confused as Vert and Olivia loaded their blasters with 2 of their slugs and took aim at Hatch, Griz and Fury. Vert slung his slug, Marshal the Rammstone, and Olivia slung hers, Crab the Armashelt. As the slugs transformed, Marshal bashed Hatch and Griz with his horns and Crab smacked Fury with his pincer, knocking them out. Sherman, Spinner, Zoom and Ivan were surprised by this. "Alright. I'll drive. We have to save Sage." Vert said, heading up to the driver seat and started driving the Mobi away.
Nearby, Kalus and Sauron were still driving. But then, they skidded to a stop. "What?!" Kalus exclaimed as they saw the Mobi driving away. "Those bloody mortals! They've hijacked the Mobi!" Sauron exclaimed. Kalus roared in anger. "Vandals! Dwellers! Retreat to the portal! They might have the Mobi and the key, but the Sentient is coming back to Vandal with us!" Kalus ordered. Sauron cackled as they drove away.
Meanwhile, Sherman, Spinner, Zoom and Ivan were showering Olivia with questions about the slugs. "What kind of slugs are they?!" Spinner asked with an excited tone. "How did they transform like that?" Zoom asked curiously. "What kind of tech are these blasters made of?" Sherman asked with interest. "Where did these slugs even come from?!" Ivan asked in awe as he looked at Olivia's slugs. "Guys! I promise you that Vert and I will explain everything when we get back. Right now, I think we've got bigger problems!" Olivia explained, pointing at the bay door. Hatch, Griz and Fury had recovered from the attacks from Marshal and Crab. Fury was about to pounce, but Olivia swooped in and delivered a strong kick to his groin, making him whimper like a puppy. "Bad dog!" Olivia exclaimed. Griz tried to swipe at Zoom and Ivan, but Ivan managed to activate the Dune Cat's lights and blind him. Then Zoom leapt off the wall and knock him out with a flying knee to the face. Hatch tried to lunge for Sherman, but he leapt over the giant roach to dodge. Hatch then turned to see Spinner making a face and making him mad. Hatch lunged for Spinner, but he leapfrogged over the roach, making him hit the bay door button and open it. Hatch tried to be careful, but the Cortez brothers pushed Griz and Fury into him. But the 3 stood fast. "Ha! You won't get rid of us that easily!" Fury exclaimed. "Really? Then let's see if I can itch it out." Olivia said, slinging her Vinedrill, Poppy, and hitting the 3 with Itchypants. They then started scratching themselves. "Argh! What is this?!" Hatch asked as he scratched. "Do I have fleas again?!" Fury asked as he exclaimed. "I hope it's not ticks!" Griz exclaimed. They were too distracted by the itching, they didn't see the Cortez brothers pushing them out with their own vehicles. Sherman and Spinner gave a high five as the door closed.
"Agura! Stanford! Talia! Rayona! Horace! Where's Sage?" Vert asked over the com. "Kalus and Sauron have her! And it looks like their heading back towards Vandal! Vert, we won't be able to catch her in time!" Agura exclaimed. "I got an idea!" Vert called, pulling the Mobi to a stop. Then he huddled up the others. "Spinner, fire up the Mobi's vehicle accelerator. Sherman, figure out the calculations to fire the Saber, the Jetray and the Chopper together. TRINA, you take over driving the Mobi. I want you to get as close as you can when we rescue Sage. Olivia, Zoom, gear up. We're about to do 0 to 60 in no time flat." Vert explained.
Meanwhile, the portal back to Vandal opened up, and Kalus and Sauron were almost to it with Sage losing more of her power with every second.
Vert, Olivia and Zoom got their vehicles ready in the Mobi's vehicle accelerator. "Okay, Vert. I've used the vehicles' weight and distance to calculate the acceleration. You'll hit your target." Sherman explained. "Ready to fire when you are, Vert." Spinner said. "Zoom, time to live up to your name." Vert said. "Let's do this!" Zoom called. "Liv, you ready for this?" Vert asked. "Ready and willing, bro." Olivia said. "Hit it, Spinner! Now!" Vert called. Spinner activated the accelerator and it gave the Saber, Jetray and Chopper a real boost, sending them towards Kalus and Sauron, and cutting them off. Kalus roared in anger. Vert hit the gas and sped towards Kalus, knocking his Fangore off balance and sending Sage flying.
Olivia raced out to catch her. But just then, Sauron rode out and captured Sage first. Then as he landed, he drew his sword and held the blade against Sage's throat. "Should any of you filthy mortals even move a muscle, I will kill her right here and now." He threatened. Olivia gasped at this. Just then, something awoke inside Vert, making him very angry. And then, without warning, he opened the Saber's cockpit and let out a yell of anger, thrusting out his left arm. And then a fireball was shot out from his hand. That surprised everyone. Sauron didn't have time to avoid it as the fireball hit him, freeing Sage from his grasp. He flew backwards from the powerful force and was knocked out. Sage flew through the air until Zoom leapt up and caught her. "Got her!" He called as he landed. "Right. Let's get Sage back to the Mobi!" Vert called.
Zoom and Olivia headed back for the Mobi while Vert stayed behind and stared at his hand. "How did I do that?" He asked. But before he could think any further, Kalus recovered and flipped his Fangore back over. Vert snapped out of his thoughts and prepared to face the Vandal leader head-on. He drove towards Kalus and activated his Saber's blades. Kalus fired several arrows from his crossbow. Vert spun the Saber around to deflect the arrows. Then he shattered the Fangore and sent Kalus flying off the edge of the platform.
Back at the Mobi, Zoom and Olivia entered with Sage and placed her in the middle. Sage then summoned a bubble above her. And then the bubble surrounded her and she got into a meditation position and began to recharge herself. "Battle Force 10, move out!" Vert called. Then everyone made for the portal. But Kalus wasn't finished yet. He pulled himself back up and leapt onto the Mobi.
The portal reopened back to Earth and Battle Force 10 re-entered the Salt Flats. Agura got out to seal the portal. "Agura! Don't close the portal yet! Someone didn't clear customs!" Horace called, spotting Kalus on the roof of the Mobi. "It's Kalus! He's on the roof!" Talia called. "I'm on it!" Vert called as he pulled the Saber back and exited the cockpit with a sword. Kalus ripped off a panel to enter the Mobi. "Mind if I cut in?" Vert asked, taking a challenger's stance. Kalus tossed the panel at Vert, but he ducked to dodge it. Kalus then slashed at him with his claws. Vert dodged each slash and started slashing back, but Kalus blocked with his wrist guards. Vert then started driving Kalus towards the hole. And with a single kick, Vert pushed Kalus into the Mobi through the hole. Kalus landed inside and Vert landed beside him, holding him at his mercy with his sword pointed at him. "Kalus!" Sage exclaimed. "You may have thought victory was yours when you and Sauron vanquished my people, but now you must face Battle Force 10!" She activated the accelerator and fired Kalus out of the Mobi at high speed, back through the portal. Agura reached out for the Battle Key and sealed the portal.
Afterwards, everyone settled back in the Hub. "Final score: Good guys win, bad guys nada." Spinner said. "Yeah! Like a sudden-death, overtime, drop-your-popcorn playoff game." Agura said. "You said it. Bringing down the Vandals and Dwellers in one shot was excellent!" Horace exclaimed. "And Vert, dude, you and Olivia were awesome plus!" Zoom said. "Thanks. But it was a total team victory, guys. We all won this." Vert said. "Vert's right. We couldn't have done it without you all." Olivia said, before she was brought into a big hug by Talia. "You are such a great friend right now!" Talia exclaimed as she squeezed happily. "Okay. I can't breathe!" Olivia wheezed from the tight hug. "Oh! Sorry!" Talia said sheepishly. "Well, let's hope that's a first trophy in an undefeated season for us." Stanford said hopefully. "Hope? On this mission, defeat is not an option." Sage said. "She's got that right. No matter how many you're tested or how terrifying the test." TRINA said. "And we'll be up for it. Right?" Vert asked. "Battle Force 10!" Everyone cheered.
"Oh, wait. Vert, what was that thing you did to save Sage from Sauron?" Olivia asked. "I…I think I shot a fireball at him." Vert said. That surprised everyone. "But I'm not sure how I did it. And yet, I felt it deep inside me. I think I was born with this power of fire, but was unaware until now when I tossed that fireball at Sauron." Vert said. Sage kept silent, but she knew the power of fire belonged to her late beloved. But before anyone could ask, Spinner changed the subject. "So, what about the slugs you used earlier? You guys said you'd tell us when you could." He said. Vert and Olivia were unsure. But then their slugs hopped up onto their shoulders and nodded. The Wheeler siblings then nodded to each other. "Okay. But what we're about to tell you is to be kept secret." Vert said. "Yes. You cannot tell anyone else." Olivia said. The team looked at each other and nodded to the Wheeler siblings with agreement. "Okay. Our slugs here are from an underground world beneath our very feet." Vert started. "A world that's home to numerous creatures you'd only see in your fantasies." Olivia said. "These slugs are originally from this world. They're the key to the world's survival." Vert said. "Especially when there's too many dangers both up here and down there. Which is why this underground world must be kept secret." Olivia said. The team understood what the Wheeler siblings were saying. "And where did you guys get your slugs?" Rayona asked. "They were a gift from a friend of ours." Vert said. "So, can we trust you guys to help keep this secret?" Olivia asked. "Of course, you can. Battle Force 10, right?" Agura said. Vert and Olivia smiled.
Well, how about that? Battle Force 10 has met their first victory against the Vandals, Sark and Dwellers, and have recovered a Mobius Command Center for Sage and TRINA. And now Vert has discovered that he possesses the power of fire, and Battle Force 10 have just learned the secret of the Wheeler siblings' slugs. What other surprises await the Battle Force 10? Leave a review if you want.
Blasters: Vert Wheeler: Defender Slipstream XVL (Shane family blaster) Olivia Wheeler: Growler Kiloton (El Diablos Nacho's blaster)
Vert Wheeler's Slugs: Flint (Flaringo), Nereus (AquaBeek), Kahili (Hoverbug), Marshal (Rammstone), Aloe (Boon Doc)
Olivia Wheeler's Slugs: Poppy (Vinedrill), Crab (Armashelt), Lorelei (Frostcrawler), Shockstorm (Tazerling), Sirenix (Slyren)
