Yep, still alive.
DARKNESS IN CHIMA
Part Four: The World Under
Chapter XIII
Later the same evening…
As the sky darkened, owing to both the setting sun and the gathering rain clouds, the Guardians crossed the Serpent Sea which separated Scorched Savanah from the Snapper Wetlands.
The Guardians passed near a terrifying waterfall as they approached land; they banked for the southern side of the river producing the waterfall toward the Snapper Wetlands (to the north of the river was Howling Hills, the final territory the Guardians would visit in Lower Chima).
While flying, Mack was trying to ignore the visions almost constantly threatening to invade his conscience, having grown more bothersome since coming back down to Lower Chima after his trip to retrieve Nya. Where before, fragments of his dream would occasionally flash across his eyes, now, it was as if his mind wanted to play the whole dream on a constant loop, and it was all Mack could do to focus on the task at hand and hold on to his sanity.
Because of the threat of imminent rain, Cole remained behind in the Tyrannosaurus village while the rest of the Guardians moved on to Snapper Wetlands. Jay also stayed behind, since he couldn't contribute in a fight anyway.
As soon as the weather cleared, the ghosts and Jay would fly ahead and meet the rest of the team in the Howling Hills, across from Spinosaurus territory on the other side of the River of the Sail.
The decision for the ghosts to stay behind proved prudent; the rain began to fall as the dragons touched down in Snapper Wetlands.
After the Guardians dissolved their dragons, they discussed the delicate nature of the situation. Mack reminded the team that while they would do what they could to appeal for peace between the warring tribes, they were ultimately not there to settle the conflict.
Only a few moments after the Guardians found their footing in the marsh, they heard a war cry emanating from all around them. Spinosaurus warriors emerged from behind the numerous short trees dotting the swamp, and they also came out of the water that surrounded the patch of green on which the dragons had landed.
There was no time to try to avoid a confrontation, as the Spinosaurus warriors immediately attacked the invaders. As he had done when attacked by Laval and Cragger upon arriving in Chima, Mack drew his black sword instead of the Super Bolt: a sign to the other Guardians that they would defend themselves, but without lethal force.
In the clash, the Guardians' refusal to use lethal force results in several scratches from Spinosaurus claws and bruises from their blunt weapons (they primarily used clubs and staffs).
Eventually, the Spinosaurus warriors backed off to show the Guardians that they were impossibly outnumbered. Beaten, the Guardians throw down their weapons (not worried about losing them, as they could summon them from anywhere at any time).
"Take them," one of the warriors ordered, and the Guardians were bound in metal cuffs.
"We're here to help you," Lloyd insisted as he was being cuffed.
The Spinosaurus cuffing Lloyd responded by striking the Golden Ninja across the face, leaving a red mark. "Shut up!"
"You will have the chance to beg for your life at trial," another Spinosaurus said. "After you have made your case, then Accuser Spick will pronounce judgement."
"And then you will be executed," yet another Spinosaurus added.
"Try to execute us, and we'll have to fight again," Mack warned. "And you won't like me as much when I'm actually trying."
The Guardians were dragged through the wetlands, going deeper and deeper into the swamp until they came to a semi-circular stone structure that resembled an auditorium or amphitheater. In twelve chambers in the uppermost level of the structure, the Spinosaurus elders sat in wait.
"Kasey," Mack said quietly, "you know the drill," to which Kasey nodded.
As they entered the structure, many Spinosaurus Tribe members gathered to see what was going on.
The murmuring crowd quieted as a severe-looking Spinosaurus walked onto a raised area in the center of the room. Accuser Spick, the Guardians presumed.
"Outsiders," Spick bellowed in a strong voice that contrasted with his old-looking face, "you are accused on invading our territory. And as you have done so from the direction of Scorched Savannah, you are charged with acts of war on behalf of our enemies who corrupted the Water Crystal and stole our power. Which of you will be the one to plead your case?"
Now the civil war made sense. Clearly stealing the Dinosaur Tribes' power was not enough chaos for Tenebris; he had to turn the tribes against each other as well. The Guardians looked toward Kasey, who stepped forward.
"My name is Kasey, the Water Guardian, and it was not the Tyrannosaurus Tribe who stole your tribe's power. It was our enemy, Tenebris. We've come to help you reclaim what he stole."
Spick scoffed and countered, "You say that this 'Tenebris' is the one who stole our power, yet scouts reported distinctive Tyrannosaurus tracks around Death's Descent, the entrance to the crystal chamber. Can you explain that?"
"Tenebris has spread fear and confusion everywhere he's gone," Kasey replied. "It wouldn't surprise me if he dragged a T-Rex corpse over there and left those tracks just to start a war between your tribes."
Before Spick could respond, the elders roared from above. The sound was almost deafening, echoing off the walls of the stone structure.
"Your elders demand that you release us," Kasey translated.
The gathered Spinosaurus crowd laughed as Spick raised his hand.
"Silence!" Spick shouted, quieting the crowd. "I will now pronounce judgement on this band of invaders and liars."
Mack had enough.
The Green Ninja suddenly broke free of his restraints and produced a shockwave that staggered the Spinosaurus warriors surrounding the Guardians. He then hurled a lightning bolt that struck the accuser's forehead.
Spick saw everything that the Guardians had experienced and learned since Jay and Nya found the Chi on Earth, including Tenebris's plot to destroy the realm of Chima and their knowledge that Tenebris himself was the one who corrupted not only the Spinosaurus' power crystal, but those of all the Dinosaur Tribes.
Shaking his head and gathering himself, Spick ordered the Guardians set free and their weapons returned to them. Finally, the Guardians were allowed to explain the situation to the rest of the tribe.
Kai decided he would fly back to Scorched Savanah to inform Tetzorium that the conflict between the Tyrannosaurus and Spinosaurus tribes could be laid to rest now that the misunderstanding surrounding the Water Crystal was settled.
Mack was hesitant to split up the team, but he knew it was best to ensure the bloody civil war would end. He insisted that Kai be accompanied by Pete, and the two set off.
Meanwhile, the elders began to lead Kasey to the Water Crystal.
Kasey followed the elders deeper into the wetlands, their hulking forms moving with surprising grace through the swampy terrain. The sound of rushing water grew louder with every step, until they arrived at the edge of a massive waterfall known as Death's Descent. The water roared as it cascaded down into a deep, dark pool surrounded by jagged rocks and shrouded in mist.
One of the elders growled softly, gesturing toward the water. Kasey stepped forward, clutching the Spear of Water in her hand. She looked down at the swirling depths below, feeling both dread and determination.
"Alright," she muttered to herself, taking a deep breath. "Time to go."
With a running start, Kasey dove into the waterfall, plunging into the icy depths. The force of the water threatened to sweep her away, but she commanded the currents to guide her safely. Summoning a thin bubble of air around her by pushing the water away, she pushed deeper, searching for the Water Crystal.
The glow of the crystal was faint but unmistakable, its pale blue light illuminating the bottom of the pool. As Kasey swam closer, the water darkened, and a shadow began to form. She barely had time to react before the massive jaws of a Shadow Spinosaurus lunged at her, narrowly missing her by inches.
The creature was terrifying—a monstrous version of a Spinosaurus with glowing purple eyes and elongated claws. It moved with unnatural speed through the water, its sleek form cutting through the currents like a knife.
Kasey knew she couldn't outmuscle the creature. Instead, she used her element, commanding the water to propel her out of its reach. She zipped through the pool, staying in the blind spot between the creature's eyes to avoid its snapping jaws.
Stay calm, she reminded herself, her lungs already burning. The protective bubble around her head flickered as she struggled to maintain it while fighting.
The creature roared, the sound distorted and deafening underwater. It lunged again, but Kasey anticipated its movements, darting out of the way with a sudden burst of speed. She remembered her training—how to use water currents to enhance her mobility—and let the water carry her where she needed to go.
Kasey spun the Spear of Water in her hand, creating a whirlpool around her. The vortex disoriented the Shadow Spinosaurus, giving her the opening she needed. With a powerful thrust, she drove the spear into the creature's eye.
The Shadow Spinosaurus let out a final, horrible roar before dissolving into black mist. The Water Crystal shone brightly, free of its corruption, but Kasey's vision blurred as exhaustion overtook her. She lost control of her bubble, and the cold water rushed in.
Struggling to hold her breath, she kicked toward the surface but blacked out before she could reach it.
Back at the Spinosaurus village, the Guardians waited anxiously with the Spinosaurus Tribe. Kai had just returned from Scorched Savannah, reporting that Tetzorium had been informed of the Spinosaurus' innocence in the theft of their power. Mack was quiet, his mind heavy with thoughts.
Kai approached, curiosity written across his face. "I didn't get to ask earlier—what was that you did in the trial that made Spick let us go?"
Mack hesitated before answering. "Our brains work based on electrical signals, so I used the power of Lightning to transmit the information of everything we've experienced in Chima directly into the accuser's mind."
Kai's eyes widened. "Wow. That's totally epic. … But you don't seem too happy about it."
Mack sighed, crossing his arms. "For a while, I've wondered if I had the power to access someone's mind. I suspected I probably did, but I hoped I was wrong since that's a power no one can be trusted with. But now I know."
Kai placed a hand on Mack's shoulder. "If anyone can treat that power with the respect it deserves, it's you."
Mack allowed himself a small smile. "Thanks, Kai. I hope you're right."
A commotion broke out as the Spinosaurus elders emerged from the swamp, one of them carrying Kasey's limp body gently in its jaws. The Guardians rushed forward, panic etched on their faces.
"Kasey!" Lloyd shouted.
The elder carefully set her down, and a Spinosaurus healer named Sprott knelt beside her. Sprott placed clawed hands on Kasey's chest, murmuring in a low voice as water began to glow beneath his palms.
After a tense moment, Kasey coughed and sputtered, water spilling from her mouth as she gasped for air.
"Kasey!" Nya cried, kneeling beside her. "Are you okay?"
Kasey nodded weakly, her voice barely audible. "Crystal's… safe."
The Guardians helped her sit up, relief washing over them. Mack placed a hand on her shoulder. "You did it, Kasey. You saved them."
The Spinosaurus elders roared from their high perches, signaling the restoration of their tribe's power. The crowd erupted into cheers, their cries echoing through the wetlands. Despite their injuries and exhaustion, the Guardians couldn't help but smile.
With the Water Crystal restored, only one more remained.
I know it's up in the air among experts whether Spinosaurus was a semi-aquatic creature, but I had a hard time shaking its appearance in Jurassic Park III from my imagination. Hopefully the emphasis on them having water-based lives didn't offend any dinosaur experts out there!
