Chapter 16: Man Down
(Intro)
In a new Battle Zone, Battle Force 10 had secured the Battle Key with the Vandals in pursuit. Vert had the key as he drove along a higher path. "Nice job, you guys, this Battle Zone is done. Burn rubber to the portal." He said. He headed for the Earth portal with Hatch right on his tail. "Hatch! Don't let those flesh slugs escape with the key!" Kalus ordered. "I have them dead in my sights, Captain Kalus! My many, many sights." Hatch said, having the sight of a fly. He readied his stinger and prepared to strike. But Vert dodged the stings and when he suddenly stopped his Saber in the middle, turned around, thus, causing Hatch to fly off it and crash into a tree.
"Dude, you rock!" Zoom cheered as Vert regrouped with the rest of the team. Just then, he saw Sever coming up behind him, ready to sink his Water Slaughter's jaws into his Chopper. But then, Agura and Stanford drove up beside Sever. "Don't even think about it, fish breath." Stanford said. "We're throwing you back in the lake." Agura said. They bashed into Sever, causing him to spin out of control and crash into another tree. Just then, Griz and Raptor drove up and readied their claws for battle. Suddenly, Zug drove up behind them. "Zug have special delivery!" He exclaimed as he bashed into them, pushing them towards Talia. "Next stop, Smash Town." Talia said, readying her spiked pom-poms. Griz and Raptor screamed as Talia smashed their rides, sending them flying. "Nice teamwork, Zug." Talia said. Zug chuckled as he gave a thumb's up.
"Criss Cross Crash." Vert said as he drove onto a loop-de-loop path. "Awesome." Zoom said before following Vert. "Vert, dial down on the danger." Olivia said with a worry in tone. "Just having some fun, Liv." Vert said. "Bro, you know Zoom looks up to us. I just don't want to see him getting hurt." Olivia said. "Relax. Zoom's a smart kid. I wouldn't try anything he couldn't handle." Vert said before he sped up and drove off the edge of the loop, spun the Saber before landing. "Check this out, Vert." Zoom said. As he leapt off the loop, he activated his gliders. "Uh-oh." He said since he realized that he didn't jump fast enough. He fell towards ground level. But he managed to recover on the landing. "And he makes an awesome recovery." He said, taking his helmet off. Suddenly, Hatch drove up. "Recover from this, sub-creature." He said. He pressed a button and released a strange gas cloud on Zoom as he drove past him, making him cough. "Zoom!" Vert exclaimed with worry as he drove up the ledge. Zoom continued coughing, holding his throat until he passed out. "ZOOM!" Vert cried.
Just then, the Vandals started driving up towards Zoom. "Take the wounded one!" Kalus ordered. Sever and Raptor drove ahead. "Man down! Recovery protocol!" Vert exclaimed before driving down to help Zoom. Agura and Stanford stopped as they heard Vert's message. "We're on it. Protective maneuver." Agura said. "Let's do it, love." Stanford said as they drove back towards Zoom. As Sever reaching Zoom, Vert appeared in front of him. "Where I come from, Sever, we got this great little candy called…" He started to say before slamming the brakes, sending Sever flying into a mountain and getting his Water Slaughter's teeth stuck in the rocks. "…Jaw Breakers." Raptor drove up to Zoom and readied his Praying Terror's claws. "Back off, bug!" Ivan exclaimed as he sliced off the claws with his Dune Cat's chainsaws. "Ugh! You annoying pest!" Raptor exclaimed. "Who are you calling pest, pest?" Talia asked, smashing Raptor with her spiked pom-pom. As Kalus got in range, he threw a spear towards Zoom. But Agura and Stanford arrived in time. Stanford activated his sonic cannons, with the right one taking the spear. "Not today, furball." He said as he took aim with the other sonic cannon and blasted Sever, dropping him on Kalus and tombing them in rocks. As the rest of the team grouped up around Zoom, Sherman fired his mace chain and hit Hatch. "That's for hurting our friend!" He exclaimed. "Next time you see us, consider yourself squashed, bug-eyes!" Spinner exclaimed. Vert and Olivia got out of their vehicles and helped Zoom sit up. "Hang on, Zoom." Olivia said, tearing up. "We'll have you home in a sec, big guy." Vert said as the others gathered around Zoom with worry.
Later, as the team returned to Earth and to the Hub, they brought Zoom to the medical bay where Sage and TRINA stabilized him. "Zoom is stable for now, but his vitals are weak." Sage said. "The gas cloud Hatch unleashed on him is a neurotoxin distilled from a Vandalian Puffer Plant." TRINA deduced. "Like the one that Iguanarox saved me and Liv from, that paralyzes?" Vert asked. "I'm afraid not, Vert. Hatch used the much rarer spotted variety. Much more deadlier than the one I saved you from." Iguanarox said, showing the team a hologram of a spotted variant of the Vandalian Puffer Plant. "Iguanarox is right. It causes delirium. An overstimulation of the ventromedial prefrontal cortex." Sage explained just as Zoom suddenly started laughing hysterically. In confusion, Vert looked to Sherman for a translation. "The toxin will cause Zoom to hallucinate and laugh to death." Sherman said. The team was shocked to hear this. "What? Is there an antidote?" Agura asked. "There is. You have to go to Vandal and bring us back a sample of the plant. That way, we can distill an antidote." TRINA said. "I know where the plants grow. I can lead you there." Iguanarox said. "I'll stay behind. I can help Sage and TRINA create the formula for the antidote for when you get back." Rayona said. "But you better hurry. You have less than 1 hour." Sage said, gesturing to the time on the clock. "You heard Sage. Let's gear up." Vert said. Olivia, Iguanarox and the others headed for the deployment station to get ready. "Don't worry, Zoom. We'll fix this." Vert assured. "Vert, make haste. We will take care of him." Sage said as Vert headed off to grab a Battle Key from the vault.
"We're going to Vandal through the Clockwork Zone." Vert said as he grabbed the key to the Clockwork Zone, rushed to the deployment station and drove out to the Salt Flats with the team. "Let's do this for Zoom." He said. He used the key to open the Stormshock to the Battle Zone and went through the portal with the others following. They drove quickly through the Clockwork Zone towards the portal to Vandal.
The portal to Vandal opened and the team entered their enemies' savage home world. "Alright, Iguanarox, while using Sage's map, where do we go?" Vert asked. "We'll need to head north by north-west. That's where the nearest Spotted Puffer Plant in 100 miles will be growing." Iguanarox explained. "Agura, what are we looking at?" Vert asked. "We got some rough jungle ahead. And this humidity could wreak havoc on our electronics." Agura said. "Could?! It already has! My Defender's AC is out!" Horace exclaimed, fanning himself. "What about the air-con unit in your battle suit?" Sherman asked. "Yeah. Mine's keeping me nice and cool." Spinner said. Horace tried to activate his suit's air-con unit, but it completely shorted out. "Layno! Was that the heater?!" He exclaimed. Just then, a Vandalian Mosquito flew up to him, making him scream. "Why do those giant bloodsuckers only bug me?!" He exclaimed. "I reckon it liked the taste of your blood." Iguanarox guessed. "Bug off!" Horace exclaimed, ready to blast the mosquito with his cannon. "Horace, focus. Failure on this mission is not an option." Vert said. "Vert's right. For Zoom's sake, we need everyone at their best." Olivia said. "Iguanarox, we're on your grounds. You take the lead." Vert instructed. "Right." Iguanarox said. "Agura, you take point. Keep those hunter's eyes of yours peeled for trouble." Vert instructed. "Let's roll." Olivia said. Iguanarox took the lead as the team followed him into the jungle. The mosquito followed close behind Horace.
Meanwhile, back in the Hub's medical bay, Zoom woke up with a gasp. "Zoom! You're awake!" Rayona said happily. "Yeah…and I can't just lie here and do nothing. I should be out there helping the team." Zoom said. "You must rest." Sage said. "But they need me!" Zoom exclaimed before he started laughing uncontrollably again. "Zoom, your body is under extreme stress and your mind will start hallucinating soon." TRINA said. Zoom continued laughing until he dropped back on the bed. "Zoom." Rayona said with worry. "What if they don't make it back in time, girls?" Zoom asked with worry. Rayona, Sage and TRINA all looked at the clock. "I have great confidence that Vert and Olivia will complete this mission with Iguanarox leading them." Sage said. "I agree. They've been to Vandal before. And that's how they met Iguanarox." TRINA said. "Yeah. And they barely made it out alive. Even with Iguanarox's help." Zoom said. "We must not think negative thoughts. Only positive." Sage said. "Sage is right. They will make it back with the plant, Zoom. You will be saved." Rayona assured. "Rayona, if there's a chance I might…laugh to death, then I want one thing before I go." Zoom said. "Name it and I'll get it for you." Rayona said. "A double chocolate milkshake with Hawaiian sprinkles! From Zeke's Diner!" Zoom exclaimed as he started laughing again. "Sorry! Sorry! Laughing fit! Oh! I think I sprained a lung!" Sage and TRINA looked at Rayona. "It's his favorite drink at the diner. Zeke calls it a Zoom Special. I'll be right back." Rayona said as she rushed off to the deployment station. Sage and TRINA watched the clock with concern.
Meanwhile, back on Vandal, the team continued following Iguanarox to the location of the plant. "Hold up. We're here." Iguanarox said. The team stopped and hopped out of their vehicles. "Stanford, let's go." Vert said. "Be right there, Vert. I'm just activating some 'sonic mosquito repellent' for Horace. He claims that high pitched sounds ward them off." Stanford said as he activated his sonic cannons. "Okay. Keep your eyes peeled. Remember, these plants are super rare." Iguanarox said, showing the hologram of the plant. "What about the toxin? Do we need special gear to pick them up?" Sherman asked. "No. The surface of the plant is safe. The inside is toxic." Agura said. "Exactly. We'll have no trouble with picking up the plant." Iguanarox said. Suddenly, Horace started groaning. The team turned to see that he stepped in something wet and white. "I hate this planet." He groaned. "Unfortunately, I don't know where the plant currently grows right now." Iguanarox said. "Okay. Spread up. Radio in any trouble." Vert said. The team prepared to split up until Spinner spotted something that made him gasp. "Spinner to Vert!" He exclaimed into the com-link. "I'm right here, Spinner." Vert said, who's right next to him. "Trouble at 12:00!" Spinner exclaimed. The team looked up as a giant monster with red fur, white mane and giant horns came out of the jungle, looked at them and roared.
"Monstrosadon! Take cover!" Iguanarox exclaimed. As the team ran for their vehicles, the Monstrosadon stomped towards them. As Horace was trying to clean the stuff off his boot, he turned and saw the Monstrosadon, making him scream and hop back into his Defender. The Monstrosadon tried stomping on the team as they drove off. Suddenly, the Buster drove off a ledge and ended up stuck on a log at the bottom. "Oh, this is a bad time for this." Sherman groaned. "There's a good time for getting crushed by a giant monster?!" Spinner exclaimed. As the Monstrosadon prepared to stomp on the Cortez brothers, Agura hooked the Buster with her grappling line and pulled them back out right on time as the Monstrosadon stomped the log. Agura shushed them as they hid in the jungle. The Monstrosadon stomped nearby as it looked for them, making Spinner scream. Just then, a horn blared out into the jungle. The Monstrosadon knew what that horn was and took off back into the jungle. "It's leaving." Olivia whispered. "Sounds like it got spooked by something." Vert whispered. "Vert, my Tangler's picking up movement." Agura whispered as her Tangler picked up senses of movement.
Vert put on his visors as he heard motors approaching, and saw Krocomodo and Sever driving up. "Everyone down!" He whispered. The team quickly backed out of sight as Krocomodo and Sever set their sights on the Monstrosadon. "The beast is mine!" Sever exclaimed. "I saw it first! This is my hunt! Go find your own Monstrosadon!" Krocomodo exclaimed. Just then, Sever picked up a scent. "Wait. I smell something." He said as he and Krocomodo stopped. Stanford got worried that they could smell him as he's near them, just behind a fallen tree. The Buster locked onto them. "Come on! We can take them!" Sherman whispered. "No! They might alert other Vandals." Olivia whispered. "Liv's right. This is a stealth mission." Vert whispered as he avoided being spotted by Sever. "Which is ironic considering Zoom is our stealth guy." Spinner said. Just then, Sever started to turn towards Stanford's hiding place. "Guys? I think I have a problem here." Stanford whispered with worry. "Stay cool, Stanford. Keep your powers in check. He hasn't spotted you yet." Vert whispered. Stanford took a few deep breaths, keeping his powers in check as Sever smelled a faint whiff of his sweat. Suddenly, Horace heard a strange buzzing noise. "Vert, could you check your com-link? I think it's buzzing." He whispered in his com-link. "My com-link's fine." Vert said. "Well, something's buzzing." Horace whispered as he cleaned his ear. Suddenly, he gulped as he realized, turned his head and saw the mosquito! He screamed, alerting everyone as the mosquito carried him off. "Sounds like a Swamp Jackal." Krocomodo guessed. "Maybe another one has broken into the food stores." Sever guessed. "Quick! Back to the Stronghold." Krocomodo said. Vert watched as the 2 Vandals drove off. "That was close." Agura said. "A little too close. I almost had a heart attack." Stanford said, wiping the sweat from his forehead. "Yeah. Now let's go find Horace." Vert said. "I have an idea on that." Iguanarox said.
"Hello?!" Horace called as he hung upside down from a tree. As the team rushed over, the mosquito came back and tried to sting him. But he used a giant leaf to protect himself. "Nice diversion, Horace." Vert said, making the others snicker. "Diversion?! Oh, sure! So much for your sonic bug repellent, Stanford!" Horace exclaimed. Stanford just shrugged. "I'd say it's more of a sonic mating call." Spinner said. Just then, the mosquito stung Horace in the cheek, making the others cringe. "I hate this planet!" Horace exclaimed, holding his swollen cheek.
Meanwhile, back on Earth, Zeke was watching his favorite cartoon show in his diner, Blador's Quest. "Lieutenant Commander Walter, set photons to max and blast those little green men to KINGDOM COME!" Blador exclaimed on the screen. "Blador's Quest. Oh, if only I could be like Blador and go on a galactic adventure. Meet real aliens." Zeke said with hope. Just then, Rayona pulled up to the diner's drive thru. "Hey, Zeke. It's me, Rayona. A double chocolate milkshake with Hawaiian sprinkles please." She said through the voice box. "Yeah. One Zoom Special, coming right up, Ray." Zeke said, not looking away from the TV as he turned on the blender. "Argh! Don't do it, Blador! Don't eat it! NO!" Zeke exclaimed. "Watching Blador's Quest again, Zeke?" Rayona asked at the window. "Yes. He eats it every time." Zeke said as he handed the milkshake to Rayona. "Thanks, Zeke. Peace out." Rayona said, leaving the money as she drove off. "Uh, yeah. Peace. Peace out." Zeke said, trying to reach for the money while watching the show.
Meanwhile, back on Vandal, the team continued to look for the plant. "This is like looking for a needle in a haystack." Sherman said. "I warned you that the plant was rare. One only blooms every hundred miles." Iguanarox explained. "I hate this planet!" Horace exclaimed as he stepped in something else. "Zug, can you spot anything?" Stanford asked. Zug looked through a pair of binocs and spotted a Spotted Puffer Plant on the ground below them. "Target acquired, Master Stanford." He said. "Good work, Zug. Zoom's got just over 30 minutes. Let's hustle." Vert said. Suddenly, before they could head back to their vehicles, they heard a motor approaching. Zug handed Agura the binocs and she saw Hatch drive up to the plant and took it. "It's Hatch! He's got the plant!" She exclaimed. "Not for long! Let's move!" Vert exclaimed. As the team hurried back to their vehicles, they didn't know that the Monstrosadon had been following them, eyeing them curiously.
Meanwhile, back on Earth, Rayona returned to the Hub and brought Zoom's milkshake to the medical bay. "Zoom, I got your milkshake." She called. But then, she gasped at what she saw. Sage and TRINA were on the ground and Zoom was gone! "ZOOM!" Rayona cried.
Meanwhile, back on Vandal, the team followed Hatch. Their vehicles were now equipped with a new silent mode function that Sherman threw together a while ago. "Nice work on the silent mode, Sherman." Vert whispered. "I figured it would come in handy one day." Sherman whispered. As they continued following Hatch, Vert, Olivia and Iguanarox stopped in their tracks. "Hold up, guys." Vert whispered as they saw that Hatch was driving towards the Vandal Stronghold. They watched curiously as Hatch entered the stronghold through the gate. "How are we gonna get the plant now?" Spinner asked. "Maybe I could smash through the gate with my spiked pom-poms." Talia said. "No. The stronghold is too well defended for a frontal assault." Agura said. "She's right. There's too many guards watching the gate. We'd get caught for sure." Iguanarox said. "Not to be a pain, guys, but Zoom's running out of time." Sherman said. "There's got to be a way inside." Ivan said. "Zug could drill tunnel into stronghold." Zug suggested. "I like the idea, but the Zendrill would make too much noise and alert the Vandals." Stanford said. "Oh." Zug said. Suddenly, a bird pooped on Horace's face as it flew by. "ARGH! I HATE THIS PLANET!" He screamed in frustration. Vert and Olivia hushed him as an albino crocodile guard heard him.
The team watched as the gate opened, letting the crocodile through to investigate. Vert and Olivia thought of an idea and snuck off. The team kept silent as the crocodile reached their hiding spot and looked around. "I hope someone has a plan. Vert, Olivia, you got a plan, right?" Spinner asked before noticing that the Wheelers were gone. "Vert? Olivia?" Just then, the bushes nearby rustled. And then Vert and Olivia popped out, dressed in various foliage and wearing skull masks to conceal their identities. Spinner nearly screamed before Sherman covered his mouth. "Don't worry. It's Vert and Liv." He whispered. They walked over to the crocodile while dragging a tied-up Horace. "This would be just as convincing without the dragging!" Horace grumbled. "Quiet, sub-creature!" Olivia exclaimed with a Vandal voice, striking Horace with her staff as they brought him up to the crocodile. "Step aside! We are Swamp Mouth and Trechula! We have a prisoner for Captain Kalus. Keep him waiting at your own peril!" Vert exclaimed with a Vandal voice. The crocodile looked at Horace before letting them pass. "I hate this planet." Horace grumbled. Just then, Iguanarox snuck up behind the crocodile and jumped him.
Meanwhile, back on Earth, Rayona searched the Hub for Zoom with Sage and TRINA after they recovered. "Zoom?" Sage called. "Where'd he go?" TRINA asked. Just then, Zoom's laughter could be heard. "That way." Rayona said.
Meanwhile, back on Vandal, after tying up the crocodile, Iguanarox led the team through the stronghold to Hatch's lab. "This is it. Hatch's lab. Stay low and keep to the shadows." He whispered. "Hatch!" Kalus' voice called. "Get the plant. We'll distract Kalus." Vert whispered. Iguanarox nodded as he led the team into Hatch's lab. Vert and Olivia stood guard as Kalus arrived on his Fangore. "How are you coming along with my new weapon?" Kalus asked as he walked towards Hatch's lab. "You may not pass! We have been ordered by Captain Kalus to bar anyone from entering!" Vert exclaimed with his Vandal voice. "I am Captain Kalus!" Kalus exclaimed. "Is that right? We expected you to be…taller." Olivia said. Kalus roared in anger at that insult.
Meanwhile, the team peeked inside the lab, not seeing Hatch anywhere. "Whoa. What a cool lab." Sherman said with impression. "Don't get too impressed. Hatch always works on deadly experiments from poisonous weapons to infectious toxins in this place." Iguanarox explained. "Let's find that plant and get out of here." Agura said. The team started looking around for the plant. Just then, Horace spotted a potted plant on one of the work benches. "Aha! Horace does it again." He said, taking the plant. "Uh, Horace, that's not the-" Iguanarox tried to say, but was interrupted by a door creaking open. The team gasped as they saw Hatch's shadow. "Get down!" He whispered. The team ran to hide as Hatch and 2 feline Vandals came in with the plant. "Now to distill more of the deadly toxin. It will make a nice coating for Kalus' new cackling crossbow." Hatch said as he set down the plant and Kalus' crossbow. The team hid behind one of the work benches. "Wait. If that's the Spotted Puff Plant, then what did Horace grab?" Spinner asked in a whisper. "A very infectious kind. Gives you a fat lip like an allergy." Iguanarox whispered. Horace felt his lower lip, noticing that it swelled up. "I hate this planet!" He grumbled.
Meanwhile, Kalus interrogated Vert and Olivia. "What are your names? What clan do you 2 hail from?" He asked. "I am Swamp Mouth. And she is Trechula, my partner. We hail from the Snaggletooth Clan." Vert said. "I am not familiar with that clan. And I know all the clans in my empire. Now stand aside, warriors." Kalus said, shoving them aside. Just then, Vert tripped him with his staff, causing him to get angry. "How dare you disrespect me?! I challenge you, Swamp Mouth, to Mahawk Maha, the ancient right of speed battle!" Kalus exclaimed.
Meanwhile, back on Earth, Zoom was standing over the deployment station. He was hallucinating that he was under attack by Sark. "If you want Earth, you'll have to go through me!" He exclaimed. Just then, he started hallucinating Zemerik standing behind him with Zug 2.0 and his Zurk army. "Organic." Illusion Zemerik said as he reached out to grab Zoom. Zoom was so terrified, he was about to back up and fall over the edge. "Stop!" A voice called. Zoom stopped in his footsteps. Just then, the Sark were being blasted down by several aura arrows. Then someone leapt at the Illusion Zemerik and delivered a powerful aura-powered kick, sending him and Zug 2.0 over the edge. "Whoa. Who are you?" Zoom asked with awe. "I believe you already know." The man turned to Zoom, revealing to have the same face as him. "Are you…" Zoom gasped. "Yes. I am Zodiac Sagittarius. It is an honor to meet you, my reincarnation." Sagittarius greeted with a bow. "But how are you here? Are you even real?" Zoom asked as he started to panic. "Be calm, my friend. You're suffering hallucination from the spotted plant's effect. You need to focus your aura and remain at peace." Sagittarius said. Zoom thought about it and began to take deep breaths, allowing his mind to calm down. As he leaned back to relax, his hallucination showed a portal opening above Sagittarius, revealing Rayona, Sage and TRINA's hands. "Good luck, my worthy reincarnation." Sagittarius said before he disappeared. Rayona, Sage and TRINA caught Zoom and gently lay him down.
Meanwhile, back on Vandal, Kalus and Vert faced each other in the middle of the stronghold for Mahawk Maha. Vert was driving in a Scarib like Hatch's. "First Vandal to leave the other's vehicle a smoking wreck is the winner." Kalus instructed as the Vandal hordes cheer for him. Olivia watched from the side with worry. "BEGIN!" Kalus exclaimed, starting up his Fangore. Vert tried to start up his Scarib as the gong rang, but the engine didn't respond. Kalus drove towards Vert at high speed. When Vert finally got the engine started, he tried to drive, but it just sputtered. "Oh, come on!" He complained. Kalus bashed into him, knocking him aside. The horde cheered as Sever, Griz and Raptor shoved their way through. Kalus chuckled. "That flea-bitten cheater." Olivia grumbled.
Meanwhile, Hatch continued his experiments, pouring a red liquid into a jar and handing it to the felines. After the felines left, Agura hand-signaled a plan to the team. As Hatch continued his experiments, the team snuck up behind him. Agura tapped his exoskeleton to get his attention. As he turned around, Sherman and Iguanarox punched him. As he stumbled backwards, he tripped over Spinner and fell. The team held him down as they prepared to tie him up, making him scream.
Later, the team escaped the lab with the plant and met up with Olivia. "Guys, Vert's in trouble." Olivia said, pointing to Vert in his Scarib. "Oh, that's not good. Mahawk Maha is not gonna end well for him." Iguanarox said. "What do we do?" Sherman asked. "We need to get out of here." Horace said. "But we can't leave without Vert." Talia said. Just then, the gong rang again. Kalus and Vert drove towards each other at high speed. But as they collided, Kalus' Fangore broke the roof hatch off Vert's Scarib. "Uh-oh." Agura said in worry. "Figures that flea-bitten furball would cheat at his own challenges." Iguanarox said. "We have to help Vert." Stanford said. Just then, Olivia noticed a hook and chain on the ground, and smirked as she thought of an idea. "Prepared to be skewered, Swamp Mouth!" Kalus exclaimed. Just then, Vert saw Olivia give him a thumb's up before she ran back to the others. He knew what she was doing. "Get back to the vehicles. If I'm not back in 2 minutes with Vert, go. Zoom needs that plant." Olivia said. The team hurried back to their vehicles.
"If anyone's gonna end up being meat on a stick, it's you, Kalus!" Vert exclaimed, taking off his mask. "Meat boy." Kalus said, roaring in anger. Meanwhile, Olivia took off her mask, snuck up behind Kalus and hooked the chain to his Fangore. "You want me, Kalus? Come and get me!" Vert exclaimed as he drove off. Kalus was about to drive after him, but the chain ripped off his rear wheels, sending him flying. Vert winked at him as he flew over him and landed on the ground. Vert stopped next to Olivia, letting her get in. "Did they get the plant?" Vert asked. "They got it. Go, go, go!" Olivia exclaimed. Vert drove the Scarib towards the gate. "Stop them! They must not escape!" Kalus exclaimed as he and the Vandals chased after them, throwing their spears and firing their arrows at them. Vert drove as best as he could to avoid the spears and arrows. "There's too many! We're not gonna make it!" Olivia exclaimed. Just then, something started pounding the gate. "What's going on?!" Kalus demanded. Just then, the Monstrosadon burst through the gate with a great roar. "A Monstrosadon?! Here?!" Kalus exclaimed in shock. The Monstrosadon leapt over the Wheeler siblings and attacked the Vandals, swatting them aside. "It's saving us." Vert said in surprise. "It must've been following us." Olivia guessed. The Monstrosadon followed the Wheeler siblings through the gate as they made their escape.
Later, the team returned to Earth and to the Hub. Vert and Olivia drove into the deployment station and hurried to the medical bay with the plant. "Girls, we got the plant!" Vert exclaimed as they entered the medical bay. Sage took the plant, took off a leaf and placed it in a test tube of liquid, disintegrating it into the antidote. "Hang in there, Zoomster." Olivia said with worry. The rest of the team, pets and slugs hurried into the medical bay as Agura watched the clock. "Did we make it back in time?" She asked. "We're about to find out." Rayona said as Sage injected the antidote into Zoom through a syringe. The team waited with worry. Just then, Zoom's pulse faded with the monitor beeping. "We're too late." Vert said as Olivia started to cry, hugging her brother for comfort. The team, pets and slugs lowered their heads in sadness. Just then, the monitor started beeping again. "Pizza?" Zoom asked weakly. Vert and Olivia heard that and leaned in closer. "Pizza." Zoom groaned. "He said…pizza!" Vert exclaimed. "He's alright!" Olivia cried with relief. The team, pets and slugs cheered in relief. "Yay! Zoom is okay! Uh, do you have anything for my lip?" Horace asked hopefully. "No. It will take 1 month to heal." Sage said. "Of course, you and Iguanarox could go back to Vandal for the antidote." TRINA suggested. "I can wait it out." Horace sighed. "And if I might point something out. WHERE THE HECK DID YOU GET A VANDALIAN MONSTROSADON?!" TRINA asked in surprise as the Monstrosadon peeked in through the medical bay door. "Oh yeah. This is Sully." Vert introduced. "He followed us and saved us from the Vandals when we escaped." Olivia explained. The Monstrousadon, now named Sully, waved at his new friends. Sage walked up to Sully. "Welcome to your new family, Sully." She said as she gently scratched Sully's furry chin. "Great. Now we got 3 Vandal inhabitants on our team now. Did I mention that…I HATE THAT PLANET!" Horace exclaimed. Everyone just laughed at his outburst.
Later, the team celebrated Zoom's recovery at Zeke's. Horace stayed at the Hub, not wanting to show his face until it was cured. "Well, it's great to be back in the team again." Zoom said. "And hopefully this time, we can pull back on the reckless showboating." Olivia said, elbowing her brother. "Alright, I know when to lay off the reckless showboating." Vert said. Just then, the TV turned to another news bulletin from Copper Canyon. "Hey, Grace, can you turn that up?" Vert asked. Grace turned up the volume as the bulletin started. "Break in at Perigon Labs. Witnesses reported of a giant black tiger creature attacking the lab. Security footage showed exactly what this creature looked like." The newsman said as he showed the video. It was of a giant black tiger with purple crystals growing out of its shoulder. The team cringed at the sight of it. "Man, strange things have been happening in Copper Canyon. I've been reading every piece in the newspaper about every single villain that ever appeared in that city. I even made a scrapbook with all of the clippings." Spinner explained as he brought out a scrapbook. The team looked through every page, looking at the pictures of several weird villains that have ever appeared in Copper Canyon. An armored man, elemental monsters, a toxic mutant man, even a boy with ice powers. The team looked at each other, wondering what secrets were in Copper Canyon.
Man, how was that? Zoom got poisoned by a Spotted Vandalian Puffer Plant and the team go to Vandal to retrieve the plant and create an antidote. But of course, Kalus decided to make things difficult. But thanks to a Vandalian Monstrosadon they met, they managed to escape with the plant and save Zoom in time. What other dangers will happen to the team? How many other creatures in the Multiverse will the team befriend? Leave a review if you want.
