#blue cop

A few days have passed since Dexter escaped capture, and ever since then, you all have been on the lookout for him. And, much to your chagrin, with Crest of all people. But, then again, he possibly doesn't know that you know that he knows about the Metal Cardbots.

Speaking of Crest, he only suffered a minor head injury.

You, Jun and his friends were at Crest's place. They were impressed with the remote-controlled camera drone that the young boy demonstrates. While the children were in awe of Crest's drone, you were distracted with your thoughts, staring off into the distance where the edge of the ocean and sky meet.

I wonder how much he knows about the Metal Cardbots, you think to yourself, glancing over to the kid in question as Anna and Theo try to convince him that the whole mission is too dangerous to go through with. "That robot said it hated humans, though. We can't just ignore it." He says.

The memory of him interacting with Dexter rang in your head, he didn't seem surprised at all. Either he was very good at concealing his fear, or...

"That's none of my business," Wild Guardy sneers. "That pile of metal hurt my friend!"

There's also the matter of Sebastian... You look over towards the butler robot, who held a tray of refreshments. Crest said he was informed by him that we lost Dexter. That wouldn't be a problem if he was actually there. If I remember correctly -- in this case, you do -- Sebastian was left behind with the vehicles and had taken Crest to safety. So, how could he have known? He couldn't have been in two places at once. This leaves only one conclusion, you glance back to Crest sharply with suspicion, not only does Crest knew about the Metal Cardbots the whole time, but he's affiliated with Wild Guardy.

The ground rumbled, almost causing you all to fall over. But just as quickly as it came, it quickly ended. Everyone on the balcony rushed over to peer over the guardrail. In the middle of the road was a giant hole, as if something busted through from below.

You stepped away from the railing and went inside when your Metal Breath started to beep with a green hue. Once you found a good place to be that's out of sight, you pulled out an earbud. "Mega Ambler? What's the matter?" You asked into the Metal Breath.

"It's an emergency. The pipes burst and water is getting everywhere. I have no idea how it happened." The medic Cardbot informs. He was in the residential area of Mowtown, and in the middle of the road, there was a hole that was shooting out water like a geyser.

Elsewhere, there was another sinkhole with a burning vehicle next to it. Fortunately, Phoenix Fire was able to report to the scene. He transforms into his robot form and uses his Aqua Cannon to put out the fire. "There's a sinkhole here too. I can't handle this by myself!" Phoenix Fire says. "Somebody come help, please!"

"Alright. I'll be there right away," answers Blue Cop.

Behind Phoenix Fire, a drill bursts from the road, making another sinkhole. And out climbs Dexter. "Dexter?!" The firefighter calls out. "Who is it?!" Dexter shouts back, squinting his optics as he couldn't make out the figure in front of him.

"So you've been causing the sinkholes in Mowtown!" Phoenix Fire accuses. "Shut up!" Dexter yells, firing a laser from his Metal Card. Luckily, Phoenix Fire was able to roll out of the way. Unfortunately, it caused the flaming truck that he was trying to put out to explode. When the firefighter Metal Cardbot looked up, Dexter was gone.

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"I understand. Stay safe out there." You ended the call with the firefighter.

"What's going on?" Your brother asks worryingly. "Dexter is what's going on." You state. "Wasn't he trying to protect the animals?" Theo asks. "Why did he come all the way to Mowtown?" Anna questions.

"I think it might be trying to destroy the roads to protect the animals," Crest suggests, seemingly appearing out of nowhere which caused you to jump. He should really wear a bell at this point because this is just ridiculous, you mentally sighed. He continued, "People aren't stopping the road construction despite all the warnings, so it's trying to destroy all the roads to protect the animals."

You hum in thought, since that there are countless sinkholes being made in the roads, perhaps there's a pattern. "Can you show me a map of Mowtown?" You requested.

Crest led you all back to the living room. On the TV screen was the town's map, and with it, all the sinkhole locations stemming from earliest to latest creation. The results exposed that there was no apparent pattern; just random, sporadic places.

Then again... He got injured by that attack by Wild Guardy, making the nature-loving Cardbot basically blind. If what Crest suggested was true, then he must also not even know where he, himself, is.

This conclusion you voice to the others. "Isn't that... all the more reason to destroy the robot? So we can prevent it from causing more damage?" Crest questions, making you do a double take. There's no way he suggested such a thing. Your eyebrows furrow, and the fact that he's been referring Dexter as it, as if he has no identity or individuality.

"He's not a robot!" You exclaimed, "He's a sentient, living being with his own thoughts and emotions. We should try our best to talk to him, or else we'd risk causing further aggression from him. And that will only lead to further harm!"

"You sure that's the right decision? It doesn't seem like he'd be willing to listen to us." Jun asks. "Dexter is right in wanting to protect the animals, but he's going about the wrong way." You say. "What if he won't listen?" Anna questions worriedly. "Then we go about the way we always do; We fight." And by 'we' I mean me and the Metal Cardbots, you think to yourself.

"Whether you want to talk or fight," Crest spoke up, "you have to find it first. How will you find it when it's burrowed deep underground?"

"Don't worry. I already have a plan. I call it, 'Operation Underground Battle'!"

"Operation Underground Battle?"

You nodded before turning to Crest, placing a hand on his shoulder, "And I'm gonna need your help!" Because, despite being associated with Wild Guardy, he is the only one who can get his hands on the tools we need.

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A little bit later, you have now acquired a camera drone.

"What is that on top of the drone?" Theo questions, pointing to the rectangular shape on top of it. "Supposedly, it's an ultrasound generator. It is used to repel moles." You informed. "But how is it meant to help us?" Jun asks. "Simple. Since that he's blind, he's gonna have to rely on the next best thing: Sound. We put it in a sinkhole, and have it blast some sound to scare him out of the ground. Think of it as playing the sound of an animal's natural predator.

Anna unfurled a map, "The map of the sewers! It got it from my dad." She tells proudly. "Thanks, Anna." You say. "Question," Theo speaks up, "will the drone be able to communicate underground?"

"Don't worry. I will control it." Sebastion says, his voice coming from the drone itself. The drone lowered to our eye level and scanned the sewer map. "I memorized the whole thing."

"Thank you so much," said Crest. "I'll be off then!" Sebastion informed, ascending into the air before leaving through the balcony door. "We better get a move on, then." You state, dashing into the elevator as the others followed behind.

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You all stood in one of the city's canals, peering into a waterway along one of the walls expectantly. Tensions were high enough to make one jolt at the sound of a ping coming from the tablet. "We have a signal on the radar..." Crest informs as it continued to beep. "Is it Dexter?" Jun asks. You hummed, looking down at the tablet before staring into the darkness of the tunnel with a raised brow. "It should be..."

"It's big... and it's coming!" Crest warned. With bated breaths, you all continued to stare until something rushed out. As it turned out, it was just a sewer rat- which caused all of you to recoil in fright, moving out of its way as to dropped to the ground and ran off.

Sebastian flew out, hovering just a couple feet above us. "How is it going?" He asks through the drone. "Still nothing," you sighed, crossing your arms. "Shall I try again?" Crest suggests.

Before anyone could answer, the ground beneath our feet vibrated that slowly morphed into rumbling that almost made everyone fall off their feet. Not only that but was accompanied by the faint sound of a drill the drew near.

Dexter!

You turned your head towards where the noise came from, and a hole was made in the canal's wall. The drill was moved out of the way, allowing the excavator bot to exit.

"Wow...! A- uh- robot!" Anna dramatically cried in fear. "It looks dangerous, let's run!" Theo suggests as both he and Anna grabbed him by the arms and dragged him away despite his protests. "Let's get you somewhere safe! We don't need to make your injuries worse," Jun added, following after them. That just leaves you and Dexter.

"Huh?" Hearing the commotion, he turns his helm and can make out a faint outline of a familiar. Is that the human that came up with that stupid name?

Before he could think about it further, Drone-Sebastian blasts the ultra-sonic jammer, causing the nature-loving Cardbot to hold his helm in pain. "Stop! Stop that horrible racket!" He pleads. Seeing his distress, you took out your wrench and threw it at the drone. Upon contact, the jammer was knocked off and broke apart once it hit the concreate ground.

"Dexter, please, listen to me!" You call as the Cardbot shook his helm, still holding onto it. "We... I don't want to hurt you either! We can find a way to protect the animals." You take a step forward, "Violence isn't the base for change; it's a never-ending cycle unless something is done about it. Please, stop attacking the city!"

"What?" Dexter shook his helm again as the pain settled. "Humans protecting the animals? Don't make me laugh!" This is absurd! All humans do is take and take, cause harm to nature for their own selfish needs. "Dexter, just listen! Metal Cardbot and humans can coexist peacefully on Earth! If you'd just give us a chance to prove it-" "No!" Dexter shouts, "Humans can't be trusted!"

He turns to the little machine that dared to assault him and fires a ray at it with his Metal Card, causing it to explode. He turns back to you. "Owner of the Metal Breath," He stomps forward, "while you may have gained the trust of Ivory Claw and her sparklings, I, however, will never trust you." You almost fell on your backside with how aggressive his steps were as he towered over you, glaring down at your form. "You may speak kind words of peace; I know that you are just trying to trap me in your seal!"

After regaining your footing, you glare right back into his optics. "Then, I apologize for what I have to do next, but you left me no choice... Shadow X!" You shout.

"Stealth Mode, off!" Behind Dexter, the Cardbot in question phased into existence with his X-Wheel mounted on his left arm. "Stop right there!" He states. Dexter turned his attention back to you in surprise. "How did you-" "It's simple, really," You say with a sly grin. "After planning this operation, I had him wait right there before we arrived. Just a little precaution in case you decided to be stubborn." You explained. Shadow X laughed, pointing at his opponent, "I'm surprised you didn't notice my shadow!"

"Don't be a troublemaker now and enter the seal! It's not as bad as one would think- trust me, I would know." Shadow X continues, stomping his pede. "I will never!" Dexter spinning around to have the momentum swing the excavator arm on his back, smacking the shinobi Cardbot in the face and send him flying into the wall.

"...Okay, I was not expecting that." You mutter in surprise. Just as Shadow X sat up, Dexter drilled a hole, heading underground. "Huh?" Shadow X jumped to his pedes, "Where did he go? Hiding is supposed to be my thing!"

"Shadow X, wait!" You shouted with a hand reached out, making him freeze in place. "Don't. Move." You back to the hole Dexter went through, thinking. If he was fleeing, the rumbling wouldn't suddenly stop, but slowly fade away- just like how he appeared. You stared at the concreate, feeling the hard, stable surface beneath the sole of your shoes. He's bidding his time, as if waiting for something...

A light bulb went off in your head. He's been using sound to get around, so who's to say that he isn't going to use it to sense vibrations of an opponent's steps in battle? If that's the case, we need to be careful. "I have an idea," You whispered to Shadow X. "Huh?" He replied, raising a non-existent eyebrow. "On my signal, I want you to stomp your feet on the ground and then immediately go into the air. Got it?" You informed. He gave you a thumbs up, still frozen as he is.

"Mega Trucker," You quietly called. His head projected up through the Metal Breath's crystal with a hum of confusion, "You're needed for this plan." You tell. "Got it!" You summon his card, giving Shadow X a thumbs up with a nod. Nodding back, he began to jump from one pede to the other twice before jumping up into the air to fly. Jus then, Dexter burst through the ground, almost piercing Shadow X. Now airborne, you summoned Mega Trucker with his Mega Protector. "Mega Trucker, Mega Power Tackle!"

Immediately being released from the Metal Breath, Mega Trucker charged forward with his Metal Card ahead of him. "Mega Power," before Dexter could grab Shadow X by the pede, he was suddenly taken by surprise by the sudden ram, "TACKLE!!"

The attack sent Dexter into the wall, allowing you to have Shadow X and Mega Trucker return into the Metal Breath and trade them out for Phoenix Fire and his Fire Hammer. Dexter pushed himself out of the wall, leaving an indent of his body from the attack. "You don't scare me!" He growled, going back underground. "Phoenix Fire, Hammer Quake the ground!"

"Hammer Quake!" The firefighter shouts, striking again. "Again! Until he comes out," You ordered. Phoenix Fire continues to do just that, dust clouds forming around him from the strikes. It was until he popped out of the ground did he stop. "Behind you!" You warned. Quickly turning around, he raised his sidearm that was his deck gun, shooting a stream of water at Dexter, "Water Splash!"

Taken aback by the attack, he fell to the ground as the continuous beam of water was fired at him, trying to block it with his Weapon Card. Pointing the drill end forward, he fired a beam to fight back against the water.

Now that he was distracted and open, you summoned Mega Ambler with his Mega Forceps. "Mega Ambler, stop him from going back under. We can't lose this!" You ordered. "Got it," Mega Ambler said with a curt nod, "leave it to me!" Mega Ambler rushed forward and leaped high into the air, scanning for a potential weak spot to make. With the right calculations, he aimed for the arm that mounted Dexter's Weapon Card. "Forceps Crush!" The unlicensed medic yelled as he descended down, his Mega Forceps clamping onto the spinning drill. This caused the drill to begin to overheat, sparks of electricity forming from the offending friction. "Let go of me!" Dexter cried, swinging his arm back which caused Mega Ambler to fly backwards- Fortunately landing on his feet and slid back.

Dexter glanced at his drill, shocked to see it stalling, jittering as it tries to spin. "Now for the finishing move," you declared, summoning Blue Cop from the Metal Breath with his Justice Gauntlet. "Dexter!" Blue Cop called out, "It's time for a faceoff!"

"Y-You...!" Dexter grunts.

"Blue Cop," you called as you began to feel that sensation in your chest and head of you and Blue Cop's unity. "Let's finish this!" You proclaimed, raising your arm with the Metal Breath to eye level, it's crystal glowing as you felt a warm energy. He nods, as you both were outlined in a light, brilliant glow of yellow, "Let's."

With a shout, you and Blue Cop -- in perfect unison, as if one being -- punched your right fist in the air before winding it back. "Infinity..." Blue Cop's Justice Gauntlet pulsed and glow, and an astral projection of his weapon formed over your arm, "Force..."

"BREAK!!"

You both punched forward, launching a brigade of yellow energy blasts in the form of fists. Before Dexter could think of how to escape the attack, each fist landed a devastating blow to his body, sparks and bolts of electricity forming from each contact. It wasn't until his drill detached from his arm did the attack stop.

Without a moment to waste, you began to sealing ritual, "Metal Cardbot, change up!" You yelled, firing a card from the Metal Breath. As usual, the card got bigger and split into two, enveloping Dexter on both sides of his unconscious form. Once it was finished the card shrank back down and flew in your direction, to which you catch.

You groaned, falling backwards on your butt, your hands holding you up. Boy... were you tired. Blue Cop called your name, kneeling beside you worried, "Are you okay?" He asks panickily. Are you hurt? Please be okay! "I'm fine, I'm fine," You muttered, throwing your head back to look up into the cloudless sky, "Just tired... Glad this fiasco is over, though!" You add, giving him a thumbs up. He sighs in relief before giving you a thumbs up as well.

Unbeknownst to you, Blue Cop, Phoenix Fire and Mega Ambler, Wild Guardy had been silently observing the battle from a nearby rooftop in his vehicle form, glowering down at you four.

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Inside of Edo Motor's laid Dexter with you working on top of him to better fix him up. You worked on him personally with Edo's tools along with Mega Ambler's guidance due to your very limited knowledge of Metal Cardbot anatomy. You felt like you owed this to him after everything he's been through. It didn't stop until the Sun had already fell below the horizon, allowing the intricate stars to make their presence known. Fortunately, Dexter had Nugget to pet to keep him calm, especially since his vision had been turned off, so it gives him a sense of stability.

Once you had finished, you got off of him so he could sit up. Dexter slowly opened his eyes. Edo came over, standing next to you, "Now, what do you see?" He asks, waving a hand. "What? A gorilla waving?" The excavator Cardbot questioned. Edo froze at that answer as you snickered, trying -- but failing -- to hold back your laughter.

"What do you know, he's right!" You say with a quivering voice, holding a hand over your mouth with shaking shoulders. "What the heck is that supposed to mean?!" He shouts, turning to you. You couldn't hold it in anymore, bursting out into cackling, wrapping your arms around your sides.

"Thank you, guys." Dexter suddenly spoke, make you quiet down. "I really owe you an apology." Mega Trucker stepped forward. "Hey, what's wrong?" He asks. "Is there something on your mind? Come on, you can tell us?" Blue Cop urged.

"Don't worry about me. I-" "Nope. No, no, no, no." You interrupted, dragging a metal folding chair to the center of the room, a long and loud scraping screech echoing in the repair shop.. "You are a part of the team, and I plan to take care of everyone's needs- Including you. So," you stop, putting it where the back of the chair faced Dexter, and sit on it as you crossed your arms on top of the back.

"Spill it, Dex."

He sighed, looking to the side, "The animals in the forest... what will happen when the road is finished?" He pondered aloud. You smiled, standing up, "Don't worry. I have something to show you." You turned around, pointing to the outside with your other hand on your hip. "To the forest!"

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Everyone, with the exception of Shadow X, drove to the construction site. "We're here." You announced, making Blue Cop stop with everyone else behind him doing the same. You got out, approaching the other side of the road. "I have done some research about the road's construction, and you're going to love this, Dex!" You said, beckoning the excavator over.

As his vehicle form approached the edge, curious about what you have to show, he gasps in shock at what he sees. "What...?" He mutters. You leaned over the barrier, seeing an opening below the bridge, and an area that is covered in fresh, green grass, a few big rocks, a couple of trees, and a flowing creek.

"The road had no intention of harming the environment because it was thought about it. It's designed to allow wild animals to cross safely." You informed. You then pulled out a tablet from your bag, scrolling through it before finding a couple of articles. "And it's not just this road that humans have been doing," You say, flipping the tablet around to show Dexter. He turns to you, skimming through each article you showed him. On it, he saw humans on boats in the ocean, loading them with any sort of trash and plastic they come across on the water's surface, an ad to download a browser so they can plant two trees for every one that was cut down, a news article that showed couple of human teenagers cleaning little ducks that were covered in oil, and many more. "Humans have also started cleaning the oceans from pollution, planting new trees, helped injured animals, and so much more!" You lowered the tablet so you both could make eye contact.

"Humans may have destroyed countless environments and harmed living things for centuries -- that I admit -- but for the past half century, people have started to help the Earth, fixing the mistakes that we made so long ago, and we have made significant progress to help heal the planet, our home. And now, it's your home, too."

"I see. The people of this planet have shown a little consideration." Dexter says, feeling a sense of ease and happiness in his spark. "Do you feel better now?" You asked with a head tilt. He responds with a positive hum, "Yes. I really do. I'll join you as a part of your team now."

You grin with joy, giggling. "Glad to have you."

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"Many years ago, when I was just a little girl, I made a friend in the forest. Her mother was hurt and she was attacked by terrible bugs. So, I took them home and had helped them recover. Afterwards, they made a home in an abandoned barn. For years and years, me and Nugget would hang out and play together. Unfortunately, I had gotten busy with work and other things that are a part of my life that I hadn't visted her in a few months. During that hiatus, a storm broke out and was destroyed. Nugget was then left homeless and alone as she was pregnant with her first litter."

You sigh, popping your back before wiping the sweat from your brow with your gloved hand as you stood up. "Luckily, she had found a friend to help her and five kits- including her boyfriend by extension." You glared, pointing at the raccoon male with his dark black fur and big, dark boba-eyes that stared right back innocently. "Looking at you, Fry." You growled. He chitters, nuzzling into the head of one of his children that he had with your precious baby girl. "I still don't forgive you..."

You turned away, smiling -- as if your one-sided beef with the raccoon wasn't just shown -- at the camera that recorded live to your online audience. "It was just a few days ago before we met that I was reunited with Lil' Nuggie. And I am happy that she's alright." You picked her up from where she was napping, placing kisses on top of her head. "You had me worried, my beautiful snowflake." You say in a baby voice before placing her with her children. And Fry.

You approached the camera, plucking it from the stool it stood on. "After finding out about what happened to the barn, I decided to build them a home in my parent's backyard." You moved back to reveal the result of your craft. It almost looked like a chicken coop, but the inside was filled with toys for the babies to play with, a comfortable nesting place, and, of course, a food and water bowl.

"I would like to say thank you for watching, please subscribe and like. And, if you could donate to help give animals that have lost their homes a new one. I hope you have a good day or night my dear boys, girls, and precious pearls- I know I have. BYE!!" You pressed the button to end the recording, giving it a title and video description before posting it.

You set it down on the stool, taking off your gloves and straw hat before going to play with your raccoon grandchildren. The phone's screen was left on, facing the sky as it showed the video increasing in views and likes and a few comments. However, a new comment appeared, the profile showing a symbol of a golden bird.

Your eyes twinkle brighter than stars With hands as rough as diamonds My heart beast faster than an arrow's dart A will not as brittle as almonds Your very existence traps me in tangling vines I can only ask for you to be mine

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Bonus scene: How You Found Out About Fry

*You come back home with some food you got for Nugget from the local pet store; You approach your room, hearing slight snoring; You shrugged it off, knowing that Nugget can lightly snore; Opening the door and turning on the light, you freeze in shock as you see her curled up with an unfamiliar raccoon with her babies; Rightfully so, you scream in fright because there's a rando raccoon in your home, which wakes them all up*

*Which leads up to now*

Reader, pacing back and forth in front of her bed: Let's just recap! You got my baby girl pregnant; I DON'T send your ass to animal control. I never once seen you around, male raccoons stick around after mating after all. Reader, takes the Metal Breath off her nightstand, having it in a death grip: I was forced to fight a Metal Cardbot, *Gets into Fry's face* who almost destroyed the whole damn city. Reader, gestures to Nugget and her babies: And then I come home to find you coiled around my daughter and grandkids! Fry: *Clicks* (Translation: We were snuggling) Reader: GUILTY!!!