Animal X: Natural Mystery Unit the Complete Season 2

Episode 4: Temple of the Aztec

Featured Cryptid: Onza

Our episode opens up in the Jungles of the Yucatan peninsula where we see the twins arrive at the Black Dot's Mexican outpost where they are greeted by El Toro, the luchador ringleader of the Black Dot's Mexican division. he asks the two why Domino sent them here, and the twins tell him that Domino loaned them over to him to help him with his plan to uncover the ancient Aztec temple of the serpent which makes El Toro smile. after that, we cut to the X-Jeep returning to Animal X HQ where Daniel and Natalie are both happy to finally be out of the cold, Daniel telling Natalie that he hopes they go somewhere warm next time while little Rodney starts shivering from being reminded of the cold Russian climate. Bill then shows up to tell Daniel and Natalie that they're in Luck, as their next mission will be to the tropical jungles of the Yucatan peninsula in Mexico. Daniel upon hearing the mention of Mexico asks Bill if they can pick up some tacos on the way there which makes Rodney lick his lips, followed by Natalie facepalming at Daniel's naivety. Bill then tells the two that he got a call from Delgado Vasquez, a member of Animal X's Mexican division saying that there's been Black Dot activity in the Yucatan rainforests, which happen to be home to a population of Onza that could be put in danger if the Black Dot have their way. Natalie is shocked to hear the name Delgado, saying that she hasn't heard that name in years. Daniel asks Natalie how she knows this guy, followed by Natalie telling Daniel that they have a history. we then cut to Daniel, Natalie, and Rodney hopping in the X-Jeep where Daniel asks Natalie if they still have time to go for a Taco run, and Natalie tells Daniel tells NO which makes both Daniel and Rodney sad followed by the X-Jeep transforming into flight mode and blasting off. we then cut to the X-Jeep landing in the Yucatan rainforests where they arrive at Animal X's Mexico outpost where our heroes are greeted by Delgado Vasquez who tells the two that he's been expecting them. Daniel then asks Delgado if he has Tacos, followed by Natalie telling him to shush before Delgado tells Natalie that he's glad to see her again as the two haven't seen each other since their mission in search of the legendary Ahuizotl in Tepoztlán, saying that they really need to do some catching up. Delgado then kneels down and kisses Natalie's hand telling her that she's just as beautiful as she was when they last saw each other, which makes Natalie blush and Daniel jealous. Rodney then starts nuzzling against Delgado who tells Rodney that he's happy to see him again too. Daniel then butts in, asking Natalie and Delgado if the two of them are "a thing". Natalie tells Daniel to calm down, telling him that her and Delgado were childhood friends nothing more nothing less. Delgado asks Natalie who this guy is, and Natalie introduces Delgado to Daniel telling him that he's her new partner. Delgado tells Natalie that he understands how it is, followed by Delgado telling Daniel and Natalie that he called them here because he needed their help to track down a man who goes by the name El Toro who runs the Mexican arm of the Black Dot, showing the two a mugshot of El Toro explaining that he believes that El Toro is looking for the temple of the serpent, an ancient Aztec temple said to contain an artifact that could hold the key to unlimited power. the location of said temple is believed to be on top of a reserve home to the local Onza population that is protected by the Animal X natural mystery unit meaning that the Black Dot could potentially destroy their natural habitat in search of the temple in Animal X doesn't stop them. Daniel asks what the heck an Onza is, followed by Natalie handing Daniel the Cryptozoologicon. Daniel then opens the book to the page on Onza and reads an excerpt saying that the Onza or Felis Onza is a species of cryptid wildcat that is related to the cougar with long, striped legs and dwells in the rainforests of Central America and that they are very shy mostly avoiding contact with humans and prey on Agouti, Tapir, and Monkeys. Delgado then tells Daniel and Natalie that they best be getting a move on if they are to put a stop to the Black Dot. Natalie hops in the driver's seat while Delgado gets to sit next to her leaving poor Daniel and Rodney sitting in the back seat making Daniel even more jealous than before. as the two drive through the jungle Daniel asks Natalie how she and Delgado met, and Natalie tells Daniel that it was a long time ago, we then cut to a flashback to Natalie when she was an 11-year-old where see the X-Jeep arriving at Animal X's Mexican outpost where Bill is greeted by Pedro Vasquez (who was head of Animal X's Mexican division back in the day and Delgado's father). Young Bill shakes hands with Pedro followed by Bill introducing Pedro to his adopted daughter Natalie. Pedro then introduces Bill and Natalie to his son Delgado, followed by young Natalie and Delgado shaking hands. we then cut back to the present day where Natalie tells Daniel that ever since then her and Delgado became best friends, and eventually partners in the Animal X natural mystery unit. Daniel then realizes that Delgado was Natalie's original partner before he came into the picture, telling Rodney that now that they're back together it means his days are numbered which makes Rodney cry and nuzzle up against Daniel. the X-Jeep then suddenly stops as they spot an Onza cub sitting in the middle of the road, Daniel hopping out of the vehicle to pick up the adorable creature wondering where it's mother is. Natalie then tells Daniel that she thinks she found the mother and points to a fully-grown Onza growling at both of them. Daniel then drops the cub followed by the mother Onza picking up the cub in her mouth and returning into the rainforest. Daniel then suggests that they follow the creature, and Delgado tells the two to go on without him while he stays behind assuring them that he'll catch up. after Daniel and Natalie leave Delgado contacts a mysterious benefactor telling him that they've found the Onza, all the while Rodney eavesdrops from the air before following Daniel and Natalie into the jungle. we then cut to Daniel and Natalie walking through the forest Daniel telling Natalie that he doesn't trust that Delgado guy followed by Natalie telling Daniel that this better not be about not getting any tacos. Daniel tells Natalie that it's nothing like that telling her that there's just something about him that he finds suspicious. Natalie then reminds Daniel that he can only read the minds of animals, not people and that he doesn't know Delgado like she does followed by Natalie assuring Daniel that Delgado's a nice guy. Daniel then retaliates by telling Natalie that may be true but he doesn't have to like it. the two then come across the mother Onza who arrives at her den where she is greeted by the rest of her cubs. Daniel then approaches the Onza den and Daniel reaches his hand out to the mother Onza. Daniel then closes his eyes and touches the mother Onza on the snout, assuring the big cat that he and Natalie are not a threat. the mother onza starts purring much to the shock of Natalie and Rodney who both watch in awe. Delgado then arrives on the scene and asks what he missed before he catches a glimpse of Daniel touching the Onza's nose. Delgado asks Natalie how he's able to do that, followed by Natalie telling Delgado that Daniel has a way with animals. however this tender moment is interrupted when an electric net shows up out of nowhere to capture the Onza family followed by a bunch of Black Dot grunts showing up to point their guns at our heroes while the Onza family are loaded into the back of an armored truck. the twins then arrive on the scene telling Daniel and Natalie long time no see. Natalie whips out her electric batons telling them to let the Onza family go. the twins tell our heroes no-can-do as El Toro wants to have a word with them and if they refuse he'll kill the Onza and they'll have no choice but to kill the cat and her cubs, Dagger sharpening her knives with excitement. Delgado then tells the two that they should do what the twins say, Daniel objecting asking Delgado if he's crazy. Natalie then tells Daniel to shush saying that Delgado knows what he's doing, followed by Delgado telling Daniel and Natalie that they're threatening to kill the mother Onza and her cubs if they refuse so they don't have a choice. Delgado shakes hands with Cloak before we cut to the X-Jeep arriving at the Black Dot's Mexican outpost. our heroes then hop out of the vehicle and enter the building, Cloak telling our heroes to get a move on pushing them with her telekinesis while Dagger sharpens her knives asking her sister if she can kill them already, however Cloak tells her sister no as El Toro wanted to deal with them himself. Daniel, Natalie, Rodney, and Delgado enter a room where they see the Onza family trapped inside a cage in the wall. El Toro then enters the room, Daniel whispering to Natalie that this guy's got some extra Y chromosomes (referring to how much of a gigantic wall of muscle mass El Toro is). El Toro introduces himself as the leader of Black Dot's Mexican division, explaining that he calls himself "El Toro" because he is as strong as a raging bull, evident by his muscular physique. Natalie then demands El Toro to let the Onza and her cubs go, however El Toro tells our heroes that won't be an option. Delgado then exits the room and closes the door on Daniel and Natalie, Natalie asking Delgado what the heck is going on. Delgado then looks at Natalie through the door window and tells her "I'm sorry" before locking the door and leaving Daniel and Natalie trapped in the room with El Toro. Natalie then punches the door furious at Delgado's betrayal, Daniel asking her if this means they're not getting tacos any time soon. Natalie then tells Daniel that Delgado betrayed them, however Daniel is not surprised since he found that guy suspicious from the beginning. Natalie then begins to cry asking why the heck Delgado would betray her, followed by El Toro telling her that Delgado is his son revealing his real name to be Pedro Vasquez, Delgado's father and that he and his son defected from Animal X and joined the Black Dot when Domino promised the two of them wealth and fortune. Natalie then gets angry and combines her electric batons to form a bo staff swinging it at El Toro electrocuting him, however El Toro is not affected and swats away Natalie like she's nothing, cracking his knuckles telling her that a little girl can't beat the mighty El Toro. Daniel then whips out his grappling hook and fires it at El Toro, tying the cable around his body. however El Toro breaks free of his restraints and grabs Daniel by the head, calling him a nuisance before BREAKING DANIEL'S BACK WITH HIS BARE HANDS to show how strong he is before dropping the now-crippled Daniel to the ground. Daniel then starts screaming in pain from his back injury followed by Natalie rushing to Daniel's aid and begins to break down crying holding Daniel in pieta pose. El Toro then leaves the room telling the twins to keep an eye on those pesky Animal X agents while he deals with more important matters. Cloak and Dagger then enter the room to see Natalie crying over the injured Daniel, Cloak calling her pathetic. Natalie then swings her electric bo staff at the twins, Dagger throwing her knives at Natalie who deflects the blades to protect Daniel followed by Cloak lifting Natalie into the air force-choking her all the while Rodney zips behind the twins and unlocks the cage freeing the Onza family. Daniel then begins to wake up, his eyes glowing icy blue taking control of the mother Onza who pounces on the twins and scratches them up causing Cloak to drop Natalie forcing the two to retreat. Natalie then rushes to Daniel's aid, asking him if he's okay. Daniel tells Natalie that he can't move the rest of his body, due to his broken back. Rodney nuzzles against Daniel happy to see him alive, followed by Natalie telling Daniel that this is no time to die. the Onza family then approach Daniel before the mother licks Daniel on the cheek with her sandpaper tongue as a sign of gratitude for saving both her and her cubs which makes Rodney jealous. we then cut to El Toro and Delgado driving the armored Black Dot truck through the rainforest until they come across the Aztec temple that El Toro has been searching for, the two stepping out of the vehicle with El Toro asking his son if it's as beautiful as the stories say it was. Delgado then crosses his arms and tells his father sure but he still feels bad about betraying Natalie, El Toro placing his hand on his son's shoulder telling him that he understands that the two of them were childhood friends but she already chosen her side just as he chose his. we then cut to Natalie carrying the injured Daniel over her shoulder to the X-Jeep, along with Rodney and the Onza family hopping in the back of the jeep before driving off. the X-Jeep then arrives at the Aztec temple where Natalie tells Daniel to stay in the X-Jeep before Natalie hops out of the X-jeep to open the back and release the mother Onza and her cubs back into the rainforest, telling the wildcat family to go and find somewhere safe. Natalie then enters the temple where she is confronted by Delgado who tells Natalie that he expected her. Natalie then whips out her twin electric batons telling him that he'll pay for betraying her and for getting her partner Daniel nearly killed. Delgado tells Natalie that he doesn't want to fight her, saying that his father forced him to betray Animal X and that he's the real enemy. Natalie then tells Delgado that it's a little too soon for apology, combining her electric batons to form a bo staff and swings her weapon at Delgado who blocks it by whipping out his macahuitl (aztec sword). Delgado explains to Natalie that his weapon can do so much more, followed by Delgado's macahuitl transforming into a sword-whip and the two clashing their weapons again only for Delgado to fight dirty by knocking Natalie down with his macahuitl sword-whip followed by the twins arriving on the scene to restrain Natalie, Dagger holding one of her knives up to Natalie's neck asking her "remember us?". Delgado and the twins then take Natalie into the main room of the temple where Natalie is shocked to see an a serpent ring atop an altar and behind it a massive mural on the temple wall depicting ancients kneeling before a massive feathered serpent, Natalie recognizing it as the Quetzalcoatl of Aztec myth. El Toro then enters the room to tell Natalie that she is correct explaining that the Quetzalcoatl was the legendary serpent god worshipped by the Aztecs which is why this temple was named the temple of the serpent and with this serpent ring he will become a god himself. El Toro then congratulates his son for capturing the Animal X agent before removing the serpent ring from the altar and puts it on his finger causing El Toro's body to glow a bright red aura. after that, we cut back to Daniel sitting in the X-Jeep worried sick for Natalie wishing there was something he could do to help her but he can't due to his broken back. Rodney then pushes a button on the console that activates a new configuration for the X-Jeep: a battle mode that transforms the jeep into a mech-suit. Daniel then thanks Rodney, telling the little skyfish that he's a genius before taking control of the mech and rushing toward the temple of the serpent, bursting through the walls of the temple much to the shock of Delgado and the twins, followed by Natalie asking if it's Daniel in there. Daniel then tells Natalie that it's really him before Dagger throws her knives while Cloak throws rocks with her telekinesis, Daniel in the mech suit managing to swat away each of their projectiles with ease followed by the powered-up El Toro blasting fire from his mouth which Daniel in the mech-suit manages to dodge, Daniel asking Natalie what's gotten into him. Natalie explains to Daniel that El Toro got his hands on this magic ring and he's basically a god now and that they need to get the ring off. Daniel then tells Natalie he's on it and tries to hit El Toro with one of his mecha-fists however El Toro catches the robo-fist and tears off the mech's hand with ease, El Toro telling Daniel that a mortal like him should know better not to mess with a god, all the while Delgado notices Natalie have a sad look on her face. Delgado then grabs his father by the arm, El Toro asking his son what he's doing. Delgado then tells his father that he's right, he chose his side: and that side is with the Animal X Natural mystery unit before ripping the ring off El Toro's finger causing him to revert back to being a mortal. Natalie then hugs Delgado thanking him for saving her saying that she knew he'd come around. Daniel then tells Delgado that maybe he's not so bad after all before turning his attention to El Toro, grabbing him with the mech-suit's one remaining arm and lifting him up in the air, telling him that there's someone that has a bone to pick with him followed by the Onza family entering the temple both the mother and her cubs, Daniel dangling El Toro over the hungry wildcats who growl at El Toro who begs for the twins to do something, however the twins ignore his pleas for help and retreat, followed by El Toro begging for mercy which causes Daniel to call off the Onza family who leave the temple. El Toro then taunts Daniel by telling him that he may have won but he still broke his back followed by Daniel in the mech-suit slamming El Toro onto the ground as payback for breaking his back knocking him out cold. Delgado then looks at the serpent ring before telling Daniel that he's sorry for his betrayal and asks for him to allow himself to make up for his mistakes before putting on the ring and using its godlike power on Daniel to heal him of his injuries. Daniel then hops out of the mech suit and realizes he can walk again, thanking Delgado for fixing him. after that, we cut to the X-Jeep returning to Animal X's Mexican outpost where we see Animal X personnel arrest El Toro while Delgado hands the serpent ring to an Animal X agent, telling him that an artifact this dangerous would be best kept locked up in the museum. Delgado then shakes hands with Natalie telling her that it was an honor working with her while Rodney nuzzles agains Delgado who tells the little skyfish that he's going to miss him too. Daniel then turns his head to see the Onza family come out of the bushes to greet him, Daniel picking up one of the adorable cubs telling him that he's going to miss them before putting the little cub down and telling the mother Onza to take care before her and her cubs return to the jungle. Delgado then turns his attention to Daniel telling him that he has a gift for him, handing him a box. Daniel, Natalie, and Rodney then board the X-Jeep Daniel wondering what's in the box followed by Natalie telling him to open it and find out. Daniel then opens the box and is happily surprised for it to turn out to be a box full of tacos. our episode then ends with Daniel and Natalie chowing down on tacos.