After that runaway stagecoach fiasco, The Ruthless Rogues reported it to Pollux.
"We're sorry sir" said Rough.
"We tried to get rid of them" said Relic.
"But unfortunately for us, they got lucky" said Ransom.
Pollux was silently furious, the brothers can tell on the look on his eyes. But yelling and throwing a tantrum like a child won't solve anything, it'll just be a waste of time. So he took a deep breath, and suck it all in, then replied with a calm tone. "It doesn't matter, we're wasting time trying to sabotage their trip, we need to plan something... unusual. Time to think outside the planet."
(When he said "Think Outside the Planet" it's similar to Earth's phrase of "Think Outside the Box" idea.)
"Did they suspect it was you?" Pollux asked them, to make sure they didn't do anything reckless.
"No, I don't think so sir" Ransom answered, nervously, for he is uncertain.
Pollux can see that, but he'll just pretend he didn't noticed it. "Instead of trying to beat them why not try to join them."
"Join them?" The brothers were confused.
"You know what they say 'keep your friends close and your enemies closer'."
"But wont Dr. Animalia expect you're up to no good?" said Ransom. "She is a brilliant scientist after all."
"Who said anything about actually joining them, I just meant we get closer to them" Pollux explained, looking cunning.
The brothers knew right away what he meant, and they liked it. They smiled maliciously.
Meanwhile Terra and the others made it close enough to the Pyramid. This is as far as Zircon could take them cause like before turning into that huge Eleo drains her energy, and Zirc was beat. She transformed back into her normal self then dropped to the ground. "Never ask me for a ride ever again" she said, tired.
"Come on guys we gotta keep moving" said Paloma, in a hurry. "Pollux and his hunters are on our tail."
"I told you, transforming into that creature wears me out" Zircon explained while lying down on the ground. "I just need a few moments rest."
"Well we don't have time for rest" Paloma continued. "We're almost there to the Malawild, we've come so far, we can't have anymore setbacks now that The Ruthless Roughs are catching up to us!"
"Take it easy Lo" said Terra. "Can't you see Zircon is tired from carrying us all the way."
"And look at the sun" Sapphire pointed. "It's setting. It's setting so fast because we were busy surviving that runaway stagecoach but Zircon turned into an animal she didn't want to and managed to get us this close to the Pyramid. I agree we can't have anymore setbacks now that its a competition, and I promise we wont lose but we all need rest right now, besides I bet The Ruthless Rogues are far behind schedule, they're not that bright."
"No, but Pollux is."
"Yeah, well even evil geniuses need their rest too" Sapphire continued. "Look let's just make a stretcher for Zircon."
"She's right" Terra agreed with Sapphire. "She carried us, now it's our turn to carry her."
"We can make her one out of simple sticks and leaves" said Red.
"Good idea Red" said Azalea. She used her plant powers to make Zircon a comfortable stretcher.
Once it's done, Zircon lay downed on the soft cozy stretcher. Sapphire and Azalea carried her while hiking up hill. After a while they spotted a cave, which was perfect for camping the night. Zircon was very well rested after that relaxing stretcher ride, she can help out set up camp once again. And so once again they set up a campfire like before, with the fire, the food, and the sleeping bag cocoons, everything they need. While they were relaxing and warming themselves up near the campfire, they suddenly heard a sound coming from the dark side of the bushes.
"What was that?" asked Red, scared.
"A creature?" Terra guessed.
"You guys stay behind, I'll check it out" said Zircon, while walking towards the rustling sounds of the bushes.
The others just stood there watching and waiting, preparing for anything. As Zircon approached quietly and carefully, not to scare the creature, if it is a creature, the rustling sounds were getting louder, so loud that Zircon had to take a step back. Then someone came out of the bushes and into the campfire light. It was Ransom, and not only him two of his brothers appeared out of the bushes, Relic and Rough.
Zircon, Sapphire, Red, Terra, Paloma, and Azalea stood their ground.
"O.M.S are those creatures?" said Terra, staring at the strangers.
"No, those are The Ruthless Rogues and their the most foulest parasites in the galaxy" replied Azalea, while glaring at them.
The brothers just smiled wickedly.
"That's a nice thing to say wild weed" Rough insulted Azalea.
"Ouch" mumbled Red.
"Hey, don't speak to her like that!" Paloma defended Azalea.
Rough was about to talk back when his older brother Ransom stopped him. "Of course, the famous Dr. Animalia in the flesh" said Ransom. "I apologize for my brother's insolent behavior, as you know the youngest are the most childish."
"You mean he's an idiot" said Azi.
"Oh, coming from a native Nerium savage!" said Rough.
The tension was heating up, that's when Pollux stepped in. "Now, now no need to be uncivil" he said, while walking out of the shadows and towards the campfire light. "We just want to have a discussion with you like civilized people."
Paloma looked at her long lost colleague, she knows he's up to something. "Pollux, you've got a lot of nerve showing your face around here after your poachers cause that stunt with the runaway stagecoach."
Pollux acted like he doesn't know. "I have no idea what you're talking about?"
Azalea showed him the laser arrow with the initial 'R' on it.
Pollux glared at them with a look saying, you fools.
The brothers were speechless, they just smiled awkwardly.
"Like your friend said before they're idiots." That's all Pollux can say. "Why don't you dine with us tonight, I'll serve you the most delicious delicacies, my treat."
"If you think we're gonna join you for dinner you're-"
"We accept" said Sapphire.
"WHAT?" The group said together in confusion.
Sapphire whispered to Paloma's ear and explained. "Trust me it's a classic move, if we refuse he'll throw the dynamite on us, we're gonna have to take the bait and stay vigilant."
"How do you know? And what if the food is 'obviously' poisoned?"
Sapphire answered both of her questions. "Let's just say we have our experience and don't worry Zircon has a good nose, she can sniff out the spice."
Zircon nodded at them saying, she's got this. Sapphire, Red, and Zircon did had a lot of experience back at Sapphire's former life of crime when she was Darkfire.
Paloma trusts them, she just hope they know what they're doing. "Alright Pollux we'll dine with you tonight."
"Excellent" Pollux clapped his hands. "I'll get our table ready."
"Table? We're in the middle of the jungle not a tea party" Red mocked him. "The jungle doesn't care how hard you make food look fashionable."
Pollux remained civil and smiled superiority, showing them a small cube with a tiny red button, that small cube looked exactly like Paloma's cube when she activated it to transform into the stagecoach. Sapphire, Red, Zircon, Terra, and Azalea looked at the cube surprised.
"We were colleagues" said Paloma, who wasn't surprised. "What did you expect."
"I'm glad you didn't forget our first gadget" said Pollux, while pressing the button, which shape changed into a fancy dining table with comfy chairs.
"How could I forget."
"Well, dinner is ready, shall we eat now."
They all sat at the table and prepared to feast. The Ruthless Roughs ate like no worries, but the others were cautious. They looked at their food with caution and admiration, because they have to admit for a bad guy the meal does look pretty fancy.
Paloma was served her favorite delicious cream soup, with cubicle bean curd.
Azalea was served the biggest, juices meaty steak with insect dressing.
Sapphire was served a purple sweet mashed tuber with green cellar leaves, and a small cooked coturnix.
Red was served a blue noodled styled spaghetti with green algae sauce, and some sea shells.
Zircon was served a delicious colorful salad with all kinds of vegetables, and a cream fruit shaped like a cygnus.
Terra was only served a greenish yellow gelatin shaped like a cube, the flavor is mint and lemon.
"Yeah, I didn't know what kind of food you earthlings eat, so I started with something simple for you to digest" Pollux explained, guiltless. But Terra didn't care.
Now this was the moment for Zircon's nose to do her magic. She can smell the scent of their cuisines to check for anything suspicious. After a careful sniff it turns out there's nothing strange in their meals, it was all clean and tasty, she really hated to admit it. Zirc signaled them with a nod, saying the food is clear. They were relieved. They picked up their utensils and dug in.
"Isn't this better than eating common camp food" said Pollux, snobbish. One of the many things Paloma hated about him.
"Tasty" Paloma replied, sarcastic.
"Glad you like it, now let's cut to the chase" Pollux face looked serious. "I suppose you wanna know why we're here?"
"Oh, we already know why you're here" said Lo, while crossing her arms.
They were vigilant. Sapphire knew this part, this was the part where they get ready for the pounce.
"Do you now."
"You've come for the Malawild."
"Correct."
"And why did you insist on discussing this with us through a fancy dinner?" asked Azalea, lifting her eyebrow leaf. "When you can just go after the Malawild yourselves, since you seem to have the upper advantage. You know, with my map you stole!"
"I prefer the word "borrowed". I borrowed your map for a while so me and Lo can finally finish our old mission. Your new friend, Zircon was it, can help guide us safely through this mysterious planet and protect us from its powerful guardian creatures. The Ferociraps, all we're asking is to join you in your expedition, we can help each other then we can all get what we want."
Paloma and Azalea, and the others knew immediately he was lying through his teeth.
"Come on Lo, we used to be partners, esteemed colleagues in science, wanting to know everything. After all ten heads are better than six."
"Yeah, but six is an even trustworthy company than a four crowded backstabbers" Paloma got up from her chair, she was the one who was gonna make the first move. "Thank you so much for your offer Pollux, really, but did you really think I wouldn't suspect this ominous scam!"
Pollux smiled wickedly, he knew Paloma would refuse. "I always knew you were too smart for this." He pressed a button under the table. The Ruthless Rogues backed away from the table, including Pollux, as it transformed into a huge cage, which caged Terra, Sapphire, Red, Zircon, Azalea, and Paloma. They were trapped!
"Well I hoped you enjoyed dining with us, cause we've got an expedition to complete and a contest to win" Pollux grinned. They stole their supplies, the necessities they need to survive and left the cave. Leaving them trapped.