A Slice of the Action:

Summer is over and the new school year has begun again. Felix is back in Lakewood and back on the team with Jake and Hayley. But things are not back to normal and then there is the monster the Troop has to deal with. (For the weapons, I featured the weapons from the first season because, frankly, I like them much better.)

Jake had just driven his sister to school, that was one of the deals he had made with his father when he got the car, that he had to drive Phoebe to school.

It had not been a good summer for Jake and his family, his mother had died five weeks ago. This was a huge blow to the family, especially since it all happened so quickly.

Jake was at the school parking lot, he parked his car, got out and walked into the school. Jake walked toward his locker. Felix walked up to him.

"Jake," said Felix.

"Felix good to see you again," said Jake.

"It's good to see you too," said Felix. "Our team is back together."

"That's awesome," said Jake.

"I have so much to tell you about my summer," said Felix.

"I'd love to hear all about it later, Felix," said Jake.

"How was your summer?" Asked Felix.

"It could've been better," said Jake. A whole lot better.

"Have you talked to Hayley this summer?" Asked Felix.

"No," said Jake.

"No?" Asked Felix.

"No," said Jake. "Why do you sound so surprised?"

"I thought you guys would be together by now," said Felix.

"Well, you thought wrong," said Jake.

"So nothing really happened between you two at all?" Asked Felix.

"We kissed once," said Jake.

"You did?" Asked Felix.

"Yes, but Hayley thinks it was a mistake," said Jake.

"And the kiss wasn't a mistake?" Asked Felix.

"That doesn't matter, because I'm over her," said Jake.

"I don't believe it," said Felix.

"Believe it, because I am, I'm 100 percent over Hayley," said Jake.

And at that exact same moment Hayley walked down the hallway and over to Jake and Felix. Jake looked at her with a look, like she was the most beautiful person he ever saw.

"Are you sure you're over Hayley?" Asked Felix.

"Very sure," said Jake.

"Hi guys," said Hayley as she walked up to them. "Felix nice to have you back."

"Glad to be back," said Felix.

"Are you sure? you have to deal with the bullies again," said Hayley.

"I don't care, as long as I'm back with you guys, I don't care about the bullies," said Felix.

"Jake," said Hayley.

"Hayley," said Jake.

"You look good," said Hayley.

"So do you," said Jake.

"Let's go to HQ, Mr. Stockley is waiting for us," said Hayley.

Jake, Hayley and Felix entered the supply room and took the elevator to HQ.

"Welcome back everyone," said Mr. Stockley.

"Hello Mr. Stockley," said Felix.

"Felix, good to have you back on the team," said Mr. Stockley.

"Good to be back," said Felix.

"How did it go here Mr. Stockley, was there much monster activity?" Asked Hayley.

"No, not a lot," said Mr. Stockley.

"Even monsters like to take a vacation," said Jake.

"Is there activity going on now?" Asked Hayley.

"No, everything seems quiet," said Mr. Stockley.

"Then let's get to class," said Hayley.

"Yes", said Mr. Stockley, he walked over to Jake and put his hand on his schouder. "Jake, I'm sorry to hear about your mother."

"Thanks, Mr. Stockley," said Jake.

"What happen with your mom?" Asked Felix.

"She passed away," said Jake.

"When?" Asked Felix.

"A few weeks ago," said Jake.

"Jake, I'm so sorry," said Hayley.

"Come on let's get to class," said Jake.

Jake said nothing more and walked to the elevator, Hayley and Felix followed and nothing more was said.

Just outside Lakewood. Something that looked like a large steel circular saw moved through the a large cave. For a moment it stopped, it was a large lizard-like monster, it roared and then continued to spin into the dense woods headed toward Lakewood.

A few hours later and it was lunch break. Jake was sitting at the table in the cafeteria, Hayley and Felix joined him.

"Jake, why didn't you tell us your mother died?" Asked Hayley.

"Yeah, why didn't you call us, then we could have been there for you," said Felix. "And we're still there for you now."

"I don't want to talk about it," said Jake.

"Just know that if you want to talk about it, you can always do that," said Hayley.

"Thanks," said Jake.

The day was over and everyone was home. That same evening, the monster was in Lakewood creating havoc in Jake's neighborhood.

The next morning, Jake was up already, he walked outside to get the newspaper for his father when he saw the havoc. Cars, bikes and all sorts of other things were in half.

"Whoa," said Jake.

"Jake, what's taking so long, Dad would like to get the...," said Phoebe as she walked out of the house and then saw the damage. "Whoa, what happened here?"

"I have no idea," said Jake. "Here take this in."

Jake handed Phoebe the newspaper and she walked inside two. Jake called the others with his Watchcom.

"Guys, get to my house as soon as you can, there's been monster activity here," said Jake.

"I'm already on my way," said Felix.

"See you soon," said Hayley.

"And I think we need the Snark," said Jake.

"I'll bring her," said Felix.

A few moments later, Hayley and Felix were at Jake's house investigating what happened.

"Everything looks like all these things cut in half," said Felix.

"This has to be the work of a monster right?" Asked Jake.

"Yeah, definitely," said Hayley

"I'll scan everything and send the data to the Troop Grid at HQ, said Felix.

"What's that?" Asked Jake.

"What's what?" Asked Hayley.

"This," said Jake as he pointed a small piece of steel.

"It looks like a scale, Jake, don't touch it," said Hayley, but Jake already did touch it.

"Ouch, it's razor sharp," said Jake.

"Let's take it back to HQ so we can analyze it," said Hayley.

"I think we're done here," said Felix.

"Okay let's Snark these people and then go to school," said Hayley.

"But I haven't even had breakfast. I'm hungry," said Jake.

"Here," said Hayley and she gave Jake a chocolate muesli bar.

"Thanks," said Jake.

Everyone in Jake's neighborhood got snarked and then Jake, Hayley and Felix headed off to school.

A few moments later at school. Jake, Hayley and Felix were at the lockers.

"So what do you think it could be?" Asked Jake.

"I have no idea, I do know it must be a powerful monster," said Felix.

"I suspect that it's mostly like a reptilian creature," said Hayley. "Have you talked to Kirby yet?"

"Yes, we chatted yesterday," said Jake.

"How is he doing? Does he like New Zealand?" Asked Hayley.

"He seems to be having a good time, he says his new team is very nice," said Jake. "Have you heard from Cadence?"

"A text message, she is now in Saint-Tropez for a mission," said Hayley.

"Cool," said Jake.

"And you Felix, heard from your former International Team yet?" Asked Jake.

"They miss me," said Felix.

"Really?" Asked Jake.

"Yeah Jake, I made some friends," said Felix. "You wanna see some pictures?"

"No thanks, I still have all the pictures you sent me from when you were there, every day a freaking email," said Jake.

"And a whole load of text with it about how great the team was," said Hayley.

"It was also a great team, you know," said Felix.

"We know now," said Jake.

Come on, class is about to start," said Hayley.

After class, Jake, Hayley and Felix were at headquarters and the Troop Grid had identified the monster.

"It's a Spinner Slash," said Felix.

"A large lizard-like monster made of steel," said Hayley.

"An everything about it is razor sharp, its scales, its teeth, its tail, its claws, even its tongue is razor sharp, And when it rolls, it looks like a big circular saw, that easily cuts through everything," said Felix.

"Through everything?" Asked Jake.

"Yes, truck, trees, buildings," said Felix.

"What about humans?" Asked Jake.

"That's a breeze for...," said Felix. "I see the problem."

"How do we stop this thing? What are its weaknesses?" Asked Jake.

"It says here it doesn't like light," said Felix.

"That's why it attacked last night," said Hayley.

"We need to figure out where it is going to strike again tonight," said Jake.

"Or we need to find out where it is now," said Felix.

"I guess none of that matters, If we don't have a good plan, it'll easily cut us in half," said Hayley.

"Good point," said Jake.

"A lot of steel can't take water well," said Felix

"So we're gonna have a big water fight with the monster?" Asked Jake.

"In theory," said Felix.

"Let's get some super soakers and let's go," said Jake.

"Jake, we don't know where the monster is right now," said Hayley.

"And I don't think it's smart to wait till dark," said Felix.

"Yeah, we don't want him attacking another neighborhood," said Jake.

"Yeah, that too," said Felix. "And my mom doesn't like it when I'm out after dark."

"I think I might have an idea where it could be," said Hayley.

"Where?" Asked Jake.

"No time to explain, just follow me," said Hayley.

Jake, Hayley and Felix got on their Battle Cruisers, Hayley rode ahead and Jake and Felix followed.

"Seriously a library," said Jake.

"An old abandoned library, perfect for someone or something to hide there," said Hayley.

"There's no way the Spinner Slash is here," said Jake.

"It's here," said Felix.

Jake and Hayley walked toward Felix and saw a large hole in the building. Jake looked at Haley who had a big grin on her face.

"I accept your apology," said Hayley.

"Come let's see if he's here," said Jake. "And why is there a library in the woods?"

"I don't really have an answer for that," said Hayley.

The Troop entered the library.

"It's not here," said Felix.

"Do you hear that?" Asked Jake.

"Hear what?" Asked Felix.

"It sounds like snoring, said Jake. It's coming from upstairs.

Jake, Hayley and Felix walked upstairs and the snoring got louder and louder. Jake opened the door to the room and there was the Spinner Slash, sleeping on the floor.

"Okay it's here, what are we going to do?" Asked Felix.

"Let's just go straight for the attack," said Jake.

"Jake are you sure that's the right decision, maybe we should wait," said Hayley.

"We have to make sure the monster doesn't attack another neighborhood tonight," said Jake.

Jake grabbed the Super Soaker and sprayed the Spinner Slash. The monster was awake now and looked very angry.

"Uh oh," said Jake.

"So that didn't work," said Felix.

The Spinner Slash rolled at high speed towards the Troop and they managed to jump away just in time.

"Now what?" Asked Hayley.

"We'll just take him down the old-fashioned way," said Jake, he switched from his super soaker to the Blaster. "Eat This"

Jake fired the Blaster at the Spinner Slash, but it was so fast that it missed. Hayley and Felix also shot at the monster but they too could not hit it. The Spider Slasher went through the door, the Troop ran after it. The monster sawed easily through the balcony of the stairs, for a few seconds he was back in it's normal lizard for and as soon as it was back on the ground he changed back into it's saw form.

"It's getting away," said Felix.

"After it," said Hayley.

But it was already too late, the Spinner Slash had gotten away. Jake, Hayley and Felix ran out of the library.

"It's gone," said Felix.

"It can't be far, it's still light outside," said Jake.

"The trees block most of the sunlight, he won't be affected by it," said Felix.

"And that's not our only problem," said Hayley. "Look at the Battle Cruisers."

Jake and Felix looked at the Battle Cruisers, all 3 cut in half.

"Our Battle Cruisers are destroyed," said Jake.

"Now what?" Asked Felix.

"We have to go back to HQ," said Hayley.

"How do we get back?" Asked Felix.

"Walking," said Hayley.

Jake, Hayley and Felix began the long walk back to school.

Jake, Hayley and Felix arrived at HQ arguing with each other.

"If you had just waited and not just attacked," said Hayley.

"I was following what my instincts," said Jake

"Maybe you should listen to me a little more and less to your instincts," said Hayley.

"Oh I did and you were clear," said Jake. "Not always so fast."

"What's that supposed to mean?" Asked Hayley.

"Maybe you should say what you really think a little sooner and not spend so much time making up your mind," said Jake.

"Guys, come on, this is not how we should treat each other as a team," said Felix. "My team at International..."

"Oh, here we go again," said Jake.

"Right on time," said Hayley.

"What?" Asked Felix.

"Dude, ever since you got back, all you do is talk about how great your team was at International," said Jake.

"Yeah, it's getting pretty annoying," said Hayley.

"Well, at least we worked as a team," said Felix.

"If it was really such a great team where aren't you there," said Jake.

"Maybe I should be there," said Felix.

"Feel free to go back, we can do just fine without you," said Jake, he looked at Felix who had a hurt look on his face.

"That's not cool, Jake," said Hayley.

"And only now are you going to say what you really think," said Felix.

"I'm trying to stick up for you here," said Hayley.

"And as usual, you're not saying anything until much later than you should have," said Jake.

The three teenagers continued arguing, Mr. Stockley walked in.

"That's enough!" Shouted Mr. Stockley.

Jake, Hayley and Felix stopped arguing and were quiet.

'You're a team, so work as a team," said Mr. Stockley.

"But Mr. Stockley," said Jake.

"I don't want to hear it, there's a monster out there still at large and it's a danger," said Mr. Stockley.

"But we have no idea how to fight it," said Hayley.

"That's what the three of you need to find out, so work together," said Mr. Stockley. "Now get to your class."

"We didn't have lunch yet," said Jake, he looked at Mr. Stockley and he had an irritated look on his face. I'm already gone."

The three teenagers got on the elevator and headed toward their class.

Jake had science class, but he wasn't paying much attention. He wanted to grab his pen to write something down, but a wrong move caused it to roll off the desk.

"That's it," said Jake.

"Mr. Collins, please pay attention," said Mr. Spezza.

"Yes Mr. Spezza," said Jake.

After class, Jake used his Watchcom to call the others.

"Guys I think I found a way to get the Spinner Slash, meet me at HQ," said Jake.

A few minutes later everyone was at headquarters.

"Okay Jake how do you plan to beat the Spinner Slash?" Asked Hayley.

"Remember in the library, when he jumped from the second floor that he didn't in his attack mode," said Jake.

"Yes," said Hayley.

"I think he can't go into his attack mode if he's not on the ground," said Jake.

"That does make sense," said Felix.

"So now we have to come up with a way to keep it in the air," said Hayley.

"An anti-gravity machine," said Felix.

"Cool do you have one?" Asked Jake.

"No, not yet, I think that's going to take another 5 years or so before I finish it," said Felix.

"We don't have 5 years," said Jake.

"Maybe we don't need that at all, maybe we can figure out a way to hold in normal lizard form," said Hayley. "Something strong enough to hold it."

"Gum," said Jake.

"Gum?" Asked Felix.

"Yes, I once when I was little got melted gum in my father's circular saw, well that thing did not move anymore," said Jake.

"I think ordinary gum can't be strong enough," said Felix. "But maybe I can create something."

"Then let's get to work," said Jake.

"And fast because it will be dark in a few hours," said Hayley.

Felix went to the lab and got to work. Jake and Hayley were waiting outside the lab, not saying a word to each other.

"It all happened so fast," said Jake.

"What?' Asked Hayley.

"With my mother, it first started that she wasn't feeling so well, then she got sick, things quickly got worse and then she was gone," said Jake.

"I would have wanted to be there for you during that period, one call and I was there for you," said Hayley.

"I know," said Jake.

The door to the lab opened and Felix walked out.

"It's done," said Felix.

"Alright," said Jake.

"We have to put these gum balls in the Cata-Launcher and once the Spinner Slash is in our reach we shoot at him," said Felix.

"We still have to figure out a way to get it in the air," said Jake.

"We can use the ramp, which is made from a very strong titanium I don't think the Spinner Slash can get through that easily," said Hayley.

"But how are we going to transport all this the Battle Cruisers are broken and the van has problems," said Felix.

"We can go by me car," said Jake.

"You have a car?" Asked Felix.

"It's my father's car old pickup truck, we fixed it up together," said Jake.

"Okay where we still have no idea where the monster will strike," said Hayley.

"If my math is correct I do have an idea in which neighborhood the monster will strike," said Felix.

Jake, Hayley and Felix grabbed the gear, headed toward the parking lot and loaded the gear into the car. Everyone got in and Felix entered the coordinates into the GPS.

After a short drive, the Troop was getting the gear ready.

"Are you sure you will get the monster here?" Asked Jake.

"Yes, my math say so," said Felix.

"Let's hope your math is correct," said Jake. "Felix."

"Yes," said Felix.

"I'm sorry about what I said to you earlier today, I didn't mean it," said Jake.

"I know," said Felix. "Apology accepted."

"Guys monster activity about to happen," said Hayley.

"My math was right," said Felix.

"All right, everyone take your positions," said Hayley.

Jake, Hayley and Felix took their positions. The Spinner Slasher was getting closer and closer. It went over the ramp and took to the air and came into its normal form.

"Okay now!" Shouted Felix.

Jake, Hayley and Felix used their Cata-Launchers and shot gumballs at the Spinner Slash and it got stuck in the gum.

"It worked," said Felix.

"It is stuck," said Jake.

"It can't go into attack mode," said Hayley.

"All right, let's blow this thing up", said Jake.

Jake, Hayley and Felix used their Blasters and destroyed the monster. Shards of steels scales were flying around.

"He's gone," said Hayley

"Hayley wait," said Jake.

"What is it?" Asked Hayley.

"There's some of the scales in your hair," said Jake.

"Where?" Asked Hayley.

"Let me, you'll cut your fingers," said Jake.

Jake carefully removed the scales from Hayley's hair. Felix noticed that both had smiles on their faces.

A few minutes later and all the mess had been cleaned up and the people in the neighborhood had been snarked. The Troop had contacted Mr. Stockley.

"I'm proud of you guys," said Mr. Stockley.

"Thank you Mr. Stockley," said Hayley.

"I told you it was best if you worked together as a team," said Mr. Stockley.

"You were right," said Felix.

"Glad to have my team back," said Mr. Stockley and he hung up.

"It's good to be a team again," said Jake.

'Yeah," said Hayley.

"How about we grab a bite to eat at Hannigans," suggested Felix.

"It's late at night now and it's already closed," said Hayley.

"Tomorrow after school?" Asked Felix.

"Will do," said Hayley.

"It's a deal," said Jake.

Jake, Hayley and Felix walked to Jake's car, they got in and drove off.