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The sound of grass underneath the feet of a little girl was continuous as she traveled in the forest, humming a excited tune with a determined look on your face. Up ahead was a giant fallen log in the path, which she traversed over with a bit of struggle from her tiny body. As she tried to get over the log, she fell on her back- luckily her backpack broke her fall.

She shot up, that expression never leaving her face as she dusted herself off from dirt, tiny branches and leaves. "Nothing can stop me, Adventurer Extra-Ordinary [Insert name}!" You shout out loud to the woods, as you continued forward, this time with a running start, eager to explore the forest- Which, in your imaginative mind was an ancient jungle hiding an ancient ruin for you to find. This continued for hours until the sky started to shift colors with the setting sun. Your mind shifted back into reality as you remembered your mother's words: Be back before the sun sets.

"Aww, I have to go..." You mutter defeatedly, kicking a little pebble. You wanted to find more things! All the "ancient artifacts" you found were rocks, interesting leaves, an abundance of bugs that you put in a jar, and a plastic knife and fork- all was stored in your backpack.

As you continued on the path, you heard chittering, almost like a cry. You looked around before seeing a section of a bush rustle at the bottom. You gasp, rushing over and sitting on your knees. You slowly brought your hands forward, parting the base of the bush. And you felt your heart crack at the site. It was an all-white baby raccoon with little bits of dried blood covering it's white fur from around a wound in its side. It was flinching, crying in pain as it was attacked by several ants.

Your heart cracked some more as you observed what was happening. Then your cheeks puffed up as you grew angry. You picked up the baby animal, easily filling up your hands, and dusted off the ants. "Shoo! Go away!" You shouted, ignoring the pain as some of the ants stung your hands, not stopping until they were all gone. You held the baby close for warmth as you ran back down the path and found the mother along the way, who was covered in more blood than the baby. You also picked her up, putting her body over your shoulder before continuing onward before coming across the log, going around the log instead of over it this time. There's no time to mess around- This was an emergency!

When you made it home, you begged your mother for help, showing her the injured animals. It took weeks for them to get better, especially for the mother. You took care of the raccoon and her baby, which your mother told you was an albino, and you two bonded. You didn't just find random junk in the woods- You found a new friend.

By the time it was for them to be returned to the wild, you wept like no tomorrow, already missing them as you watched them leave. Fortunately, you reunited with them when you found them raiding your trash one day, recognizing that white fur from anywhere.

It has been 16 years since that day.

You travel through the woods, maneuvering the giant log that you grew bigger than. You stopped before the bush you found your little raccoon friend in that day, reminiscing before continuing on before reaching a crossroads, turning left. It took a bit before reaching an abandoned barn.

"Nugget! Come here, girl!" you called out. You heard chittering from behind one of the pillars. She runs out from the darkness, standing on her hind legs and clawing at your pants. "Hewo, Lil' Nuggie!" You greeted with a baby voice, kneeling down to pet her and giving her cheek a few scritches.

"Happy 16 years, girl!" you say, pulling out a fruit salad bowl from your messenger bag. You adjusted yourself so you could sit down crisscross applesauce style, allowing her to climb into your lamp, making you groan at the weight. "You are getting so chunky!" You tease, poking her bulging side with your free hand. "If you've been seeing other people behind your bestie's back, I'd feel so betrayed!" You gasped in an exaggerated way as you began opening the container.

Inside was an assortment of various things she likes such as berries, baby carrots, plain and unsalted sunflower seeds, and cooked chicken. Immediately, she tried to dig in as you lowered it to the ground in front of your crossed legs, devouring it with vigor.

Petting her as she ate, you just couldn't be a little concerned about her bulging sides. You don't know what's happening to her. Perhaps she found a whole motherload of berries to eat. Makes sense considering the new road that the city is building, the berry bushes that she would visit were right there, but they're gone now. You would take her to the vet, but you currently don't have the money to pay for the potential heavy expenses.

After she was done eating, she turned around and tried to climb up you, almost jumping to have some uppies. You laugh, groaning under her extra weight. "Okay, okay, girl- You can have your uppies." You picked her up from under her arms, having her cradled in your arms like a human baby as you got up, deciding to take her on a little walk around the woods.

You enjoy these monthly visits with her, and you wouldn't have it any other way. Heck, you wouldn't dare miss your visits with her.

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2 month later

You yawn, feeling tired, as you watched a monster movie with the Cardbots. They were curious about some human media, and with many hours of arguing, they finally picked one.

The scene being projected showed that the city was on fire and it's citizens running around, screaming in fear as they ran away from the rampaging monster. Then, the military drove through the streets in tanks, aiming towards the towering beast and fired. It did little to damage it thanks to its thick scales. In retaliation, the dragon-like monster opened it's maw wide as licks of flames poked out between its razor-sharp teeth and blasted the tanks, burning them to a crisp. The screen gives us an up-close shot of the monster as it roars, breathing fire at the camera.

Mega Trucker falls backwards as he screams in fright. "You mean... there are monsters like that on Earth?!" Shadow X questions, holding you close like a teddy bear as he watches the beast continue its blazing rampage on the city. "There weren't any monsters like that on Machina planet!" Phoenix Fire cried.

Edo, your ever-saving grace, came over, turning off the projector. "Don't worry... that's only a movie, guys." He assures. Everyone sighs in relief, along with Shadow X putting you down. You pop your back to free it from its tension, turning to the group. "Yeah, Earth doesn't have fire-breathing lizards, creatures with acid for blood, giant dinosaurs, monsters that lurk in heavy mist or fog, or anything else like that. Why? Because monsters don't exist." You state. "Nah, come on. I knew it wasn't real." Mega Ambler cooly says. You give him a side-eye, knowing that he was one of the many Cardbots in fear.

Then, Jun ran in as he called your name. "Let's go monster hunting!"

"What?! A monster?!" The Cardbots shout.

You turned around to see them shuffling about to get into a hiding spot. You face-palmed, shaking your head in disappointment.

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Later in the night, Edo drove you, Jun, Anna, and Theo.

"So, you think the monster behind the rumors could actually be a Metal Cardbot?" Blue Cop interrogates. "That seems to be the most likely story." Theo says. "I wonder how much Crest knows about the Metal Cardbots..." Anna hums. "Let's not worry about that. We need to focus on finding the monster first." Jun states.

"And speaking of Crest," You adjusted yourself to look back to where the three children were sitting, "did you tell him the cover story?" You asked. Jun gave you a wink and a thumbs up.

He remembered it clearly! If Crest were to ask, tell him that it was a gift from someone from your childhood that had to move far away, and you two wouldn't be able to talk to each other again. Unfortunately, the plane that they were on crashed; there were no survivors. So, you hold onto it so you could never forget him.

"Okay, we're here." Edo announced. Looking forward, you jolted, seeing that Crest was there along with Sebastian. You sigh, speaking under your breath, "Speak of the devil, and he shall appear." You step out, immediately switching your tone. "Crest, what a surprise to see you here!" You greeted as you and the others approached.

"Hey, guys. I was waiting for you," he says. He turns to you, "I was told about your watch there, and I apologize for bringing up bad memories." You waved your hands, "It's fine. I should apologize for being rude. After all, you didn't know."

"Anyways," Jun speaks up, "let's go!"

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You all arrived at the place Barnes and Ravi has supposedly said where they saw the monster. On one of the signs, you saw the graffiti left behind by them. "That's... some bad art." Anna mutters, making Jun giggle. "Looks like Barnes." He says, pulling himself over the fence that blocked off the abandoned construction site. Then the others followed after

"Be careful, master." Sebastian warns. Crest gave a hum in response, continuing to follow the group.

As you six continued along the path, it became even more foggy. Fortunately, you packed flashlights; you gave one to Edo, another to Jun, and the last one to you as you three led the group. Crest also used a flashlight, which was from his phone.

"Can we just stand here without permission?" She questions, looking around nervously. "Construction has been suspended since the accidents. All that remains is-" A figure enters the rays of light, causing Edo, Jun, Anna, and Theo to scream in fright, hiding behind Crest, as it screeched at them. However, you paused, recognizing the little fluffball of white. "Nugget?!" You squealed, walking over kneeled down to her height. She chitters, running into your arms. "Oh, my goodness! I haven't seen you is so long!" You cooed, giving her scritches before taking notice of her lack of bulging sides. "And you lost some weight!"

"You know that thing?" Theo asks. "Yes! She's an albino raccoon that I took care of when I was just a little girl." You inform, nuzzling your cheek on the top of her head before speaking in a baby voice. "How you been, baby? You're not so chunky now the last time I saw you~ Probably because I haven't visited since I got so busy! I'm so sowwy, pwecious!~"

"Wildlife. Like that raccoon." Crest continued. "Nugget," you corrected, offended on Nugget's behalf for being called that raccoon. The group continued ahead as you picked up your little girl, holding her with one arm as your free hand fiddles with her little claws and toe beans.

"Lots of animals in this area..." Anna comments.

"There were many around the repair shop too. They disappeared when development projects took place in the area." Edo explained.

"Hey, look over there!" Crest called, pointing to something on the ground a few steps away. They shined their lights to see a giant mark in the ground. "Is that a footprint?" Anna asks, now holding your flashlight. You hummed, "Looks like it."

"It's huge!" Theo states in amazement.

Crest hummed in thought, "Probably not an animal... About 12 meters in height. Bigger than the robot we saw last time." He says. "You can't say for sure it was a robot..." Jun says as Crest went to observe the next footprint of its trail. You shook your head, your expression telling him no and to stop/shut up, knowing that anyone can see it was a robot the other day.

"Yeah! It could be a conspiracy trying to cover up what's going on!" Theo states, unknowingly digging your grave deeper. "Not a conspiracy theory now." Anna says, you mentally thanking her for making the boys stop with their poor attempts to gaslight the smart rich kid.

Your Metal Breath beeped, so you handed Nugget over to Edo -- much to his displeasure -- to answer. Blue Cop's head was projected through the crystal, "Watch out, it's close." He quietly warns.

"Get out right now!"

You jumped in response to that voice. It echoed throughout the area, making it's location of origin unknowable. You went back over to Edo, taking Nugget back for comfort, who climbed up your arm and stood on your shoulders. "What's that?" Anna asks in fright.

"Get out right now!"

The voice shouted again, angrier. Everyone looked around, waiting for it to reveal itself. That was until a mangled metal beam was hurled our way, hitting the roof of a vehicle Infront of us instead. Fortunately.

"Where did it come from?" Crest asks, now as equally scared. You scanned the area, before seeing movement just a distance away from you all in the fog. "Over there!" You beckoned, pointing in the direction you see it.

For a second, you couldn't believe your eyes, it had a long neck and a dinosaur-like head with dagger-like fangs, looming over the trees.

"Get out of this forest... RIGHT NOW!!!"

It shouted with a roar. While everyone was screaming, you noticed that Nugget was calm. That's when you realized that you could hear the sound of creaking joints of metal. "Who are you?" Crest demands as you picked up one of the fallen flashlights off the ground and shined it the creature's way. Under it's illuminating ray, it revealed that the head was actually just a bucket connected to a long arm of an excavator. "HA! I knew it! Monsters aren't real!" You boasted proudly, finding it ridiculous that you almost believed that they were.

The arm of the excavator folded, revealing the cab it was connected to. "I said, get out! Didn't you hear me?!" The excavator exclaimed, rushing forward.

That's when Nugget jumped off your shoulder and ran away into one of the bushes. Meanwhile, you all ran in a different direction as the excavator Cardbot chased after you all on its treads. "Let's hide under here!" Jun suggests to the truck just up ahead. You all managed to get under, with the exception of Edo who couldn't fit past his chest. "I can't get in!" He cried. "That's what happens when you have all those muscles!" Jun states.

With nowhere else to go, Edo ran to a paved ditch and dove in with the excavator going after him now. Looming over the ditch, the Cardbot glared down at Edo as if he were the scum of the Earth. "I told you to get out... right now!" It shouts as it tried to swipe at Edo with its bucket. However, the bucket was too wide to fit into the narrow passage no matter how many times it slammed its bucket down.

Seeing this, Edo tried to crawl away further through the ditch. Unfortunately, seeing that its way wasn't working, the excavator transformed into its robot-form and snatched the mechanic out of his hiding place. You crawled out from underneath the truck you all were under and ran over, calling out to Edo as you stopped a safe distance away from the Cardbot.

"Let him go!" You shouted, making the Cardbot glance your way. "Who are you and why do you want us to leave?" You asked, stepping closer. You glanced around, thinking why it would do this. When it did, you couldn't help to scold yourself that it was obvious. "Is it because of the construction?"

It turned your way, standing up. "Exactly. It's the reason why I don't like humans," He says, "They're all destroying the forest. Every time the humans expand the road, creatures of the forest lose their home. And my name is Dexter!"

"I understand, Dexter. Really, I do. Before the construction me and Nugget would come here during the spring and early summer to eat berries every year." You say. "Nugget? Who's Nugget? How dare you two steal from this forest!" He exclaims, tightening his grip on Edo's back collar.

"No, no, no! Nugget isn't a human!" You quickly say, waving your hands in front of you, "Nugget is a raccoon! Here." You turn around to the bush your animal friend went into. "Nugget! Come here girl!" You called out, kneeling on one knee with your arms open. The said albino raccoon poked her head out from the bush before running out. Unexpectantly, so did a few smaller raccoons- baby raccoons!

Nugget ran into your arms, nuzzling into your chest. "Heya girl. You're a mom! Why didn't you tell me that I was gonna be a grandma?" You cooed, picking her up as the babies clawed at your pants. One of them was actually climbing them like it was a Velcro kitten, making you gush at its .

You turn back to Dexter, showing her to him. "This is Nugget. We used to come here every year until construction happened ever since I was a little child. We met because I found her in the bushes while her mother was dying, so I took them to get healed- they both made it to full recovery. Nugget here was my first ever friend." You say, scratching under her chin with on a finger.

"That's not her name. She's Ivory Claw." He corrects. You look back up at him, incredulously. "You don't think I know the only albino raccoon I grew up with? Her name is Nugget!"

"Nugget is a dumb name! Ivory Claw is better suited for her."

"Ivory Claw sounds even dumber! What, did you name her that just because of what she looks like? Oh, how original and boring! Nugget is superior because it reflects how adorable she is!"

"Who cares about 'adorable' when a name like Ivory Claw reflects not only her appearance but her inner spirit. Nugget would obviously be something a human would pick, you primitive lifeform!"

"Primitive?! Says the guy who lives the woods!"

"I'm the guardian of this forest! Of course I live in the woods!"

"Oh, shut it, you damn clanker!"

"No, you shut it, you stupid fleshie!"

"No, you!"

"No, you!"

As you two went back and forth, the children -- who got out from under the truck -- couldn't help but sweat drop at the scene. This was something they didn't think they would be witnessing- a human and alien robot arguing because of a name for an animal. One could only think how you two would argue over the names of the baby raccoons that surrounded your feet.

Someone really should stop them before it becomes physical, plus this is getting them nowhere. Jun can already see you slowly reaching for the wrench in your back pocket.

Fortunately, Crest stepped forward, "You threaten people pretending to be a monster and destroyed the construction site?" He questioned, putting a stop to you and Dexter's arguing. The Cardbot shifts his attention to the kid, "Yeah. Got a problem?"

"A true guardian this forest has, huh... Using violence to oppress others? Isn't it the same thing as what these humans you hate are doing?" Crest points out.

Dexter growls, displeased by the accusation. He's doing this to save this land from the likes of them. "Shut up!" He exclaims as he tosses Edo in a nearby bush. Dexter raises his servo in the air, activating his Metal Card; A translucent, yellow-colored drill gauntlet. "You fools! You don't even know how many forest creatures have been sacrificed because of humans!" He shouts, activating his Metal Card ability, thrusting it down to the group of humans who had gotten out of the way in time, specifically Crest.

Crest ran away with Dexter stomping after him. You set Nugget down next to her children and ran after the two. Crest hid behind a tipped over vehicle. Dexter stopped behind it, activating his drill. In response, Crest continued to run.

"Dexter, stop!" You yell, but was left ignored. Afterall, why should he listen to a human? Besides, it was already too late as he strikes the vehicle, causing an explosion. "Crest!" You called out to, Jun and the others following behind. "Don't worry about me. Just run!" Crest shouts.

"You know I can't do that, kid!" You stared down at your Metal Breath. You have no choice but to do this. If he asks, you will have to answer truthfully. Just as you were about to summon one of your Cardbot friends, you hear the sound of tires squealing. Looking back up, you see a familiar car turn the corner.

Wild Guardy transforms, summersaulting over where Crest lies, ramming his shield into Dexter. "You all better run!" He warns, keeping his attention on the fallen Cardbot.

You turn to Jun, Theo, and Anna, "Get Crest out of here!" You ordered, and they immediately followed, running around Wild Guardy to come to Crest's aid and take him back to the car.

"You?" Dexter muttered, confused why a fellow Cardbot would attack him. "You injured a human being? You are a disgrace to the Metal Cardbots!" Wild Guardy states, raising his blade as it glowed. Your eyes widened, realizing what's about to happen. "Dexter-" You tried to warn, but it was too late as the blade cut through his face. You covered your mouth in shock as his screams echoed throughout the woods.

You ran over, standing in front of him and saw the damage. "I... I can't see anything!" He cries, clutching his face with his free hand. "It's going to be okay; I'll get you fixed." You say, pulling up the card slot menu, scrolling through to summon Mega Ambler.

"Be prepared, Dexter. Wild Guardy is here to take you down-"

CLANK

The sound echoed in field as a wrench hits the ground with a THUD. "What is your problem?!" You shouted angrily. You placed a hand on Dexter's knee as you faced the attacker, "He isn't going to open up to us if we treat him like this! Leave it to us, you damn psycho!"

"You said... us?" He asks in confusion, seeing that you were the only human around. You selected Blue Cop's Metal Card, summoning him with his Justice Gauntlet. "Come on, let's go while he's distracted!" You whispered, taking one of his giant fingers to guide him away to a safer place, but he remained still.

"Out of my way, Blue Cop! Dexter is mine to punish." Wild Guardy states. "Wild Guardy, can't you see? This doesn't solve anything." The Star Guardian argues. "That's none of my business," Wild Guardy sneers. "That pile of meta hurt my friend!"

Everything seemed to freeze. His friend...? But only one person was hurt here and that was- Your eyes widened in realization. Crest! He knew the whole time! ...Guess that cover story was a waste.

Dexter's digit slipped from your grasp as he got up and bolted towards the tree line. "You can't run away from me!" Wild Guardy shouts, pushing Blue Cop out the way to go after the nature lover. Fortunately, when he knocked Blue Cop down, he grabbed Wild Guardy's ankle which caused him to fall flat on his face. "Stop it!" Blue Cop shouts.

Wild Guardy pushes himself up, watching as Dexter disappears further into the woods and slide down a hillside. Wild Guardy growls in frustration, turning back to face his ex-idol. "Don't you dare try to command me!" He gets up, swinging his sword back to cut through him, but Blue Cop was taken back into the Metal Breath before it could touch the Star Guardian.

"Your turn, Mega Trucker!" You exclaimed as you tossed out his card with his Mega Protector. The dump truck Cardbot rushed forward, slamming his shield into Wild Guardy's. "Go after Dexter! I got this, missy!"

You nod in understanding, running in the direction Dexter ran. "If you mess with us, you mess with all of us!" Mega Trucker states, still angry about what he did to Blue Cop that rainy day, remembering how terribly distressed it made you. Wild Guardy pushed him back. "Out of my way!" Wild Guardy yells in retaliation, raising his blade high and slashed- which was blocked.

Meanwhile, Dexter stumbled around in the forest. His sight crackled and glitched like an old, broken video recorder. Curse that Cardbot for blinding him... "W...Where is this?" He asks aloud, as if the woods itself would gain a voice and guide him to safety. He can barely make out the ground in front of him. It looked like one of those human roads, leading into a tunnel lit by fluorescent yellow lights. Without a second to waste, he hobbled onto the road and into the tunnel.

Just several feet behind in, you burst from the bushes, panting. "I really need to go out more!" You wheezed, bending over on the side of the road to catch your breath. After regaining your composure, you summoned Blue Cop. "Dexter! Stop!" Blue Cop ordered.

Dexter turns around, glaring at the two. "Hey! Don't follow me!" He shouts, firing a beam of energy at them. Seeing this powerful attack barreling towards them, Blue Cop puts his arms in front of him to take the hit, which sent him flying backwards. "Blue Cop! Are you alright?" You asked, rushing over to his side. The Star Guardian pushed himself up, his chassis emitting a light steam as is sparked minimally of yellow electricity. "That was a powerful hit..." He mutters, shaking his head to get rid of the dizziness.

Maybe... we could use his new move, Infinity Force Break! But... You turn your attention back to the tunnel. Not only would it cause the tunnel to collapse-

"Burst Shot!" You ordered, pointing to the tunnel entrance. Blue Cop did as he was told, causing the tunnel to collapse with the outlaw inside. Then a pair of arms burst out of the rubble- then it flashes over to Heavy Iron summoning his Metal Card, powering it up before it shoots out a laser, overtaking your vision.

Your burns itch at the memory- Something you catch yourself in the act to scratch at it when your fingertips lightly make contact with your sleeve, feeling the texture of the bandages underneath before you could actually do it. So, you just adjusted the hem of the sleeve instead despite not needing adjustment. Not only that, your thoughts continued, but Dexter's already gone.

The tunnel was now empty with something in the road. You two walked into the tunnel, only to find a dark, deep hole in the middle of the road in the tunnel remained.

He escaped...

To Be Continued!