Animal X: Natural Mystery Unit the Complete Season 2

Episode 14: Return to the Congo, part 2

Featured Cryptid: Dingonek

Our episode picks up where the last one left off where we see Daniel, Marcus, Tony, and Rodney watching in disbelief as the cave collapses. Daniel then gets down on his knees and breaks down into tears distraught over losing Natalie while little Rodney nuzzles up to Daniel to comfort him. meanwhile Marcus grabs Tony by the neck and starts choking him, telling the kid "this is all your fault! if you didn't run off into the African jungles like an idiot my sister would still be with us!" followed by Tony telling Marcus "you may be her biological brother, but I was still more a brother to her than you ever were. back then you spent most of your time trying to kill us, remember?" however their little scuffle is interrupted by Daniel who reminds the two that they're supposed to be fighting the Black Dot, not each other and that this is not what Natalie would have wanted. Marcus lets go of Tony and contacts Bill to inform him and Helena that Tony is safe, but sadly Natalie died in a cave-in during the mission. Bill upon hearing the bad news sits back down in his chair to grieve the loss of his little girl while Helena comforts him. Bill then opens up a scrapbook of old photos of him and Natalie father-daughter bonding over the years and tells himself "Nathan... Maria... I'm sorry I couldn't keep your daughter safe. I failed you both" before seeing a photo of his younger self with an adult Natalie, wondering how it is possible for a photo like this to exist. Helena looks at the photo and remembers what Blake said about there being time anomalies in the Congo before putting two and two together in her head. Helena then suggests to Bill that it's possible that Natalie isn't dead, but rather stumbled through one of these anomalies and ended up trapped in the past. Bill tells Helena that is a possibility and that he hopes that Daniel and Marcus can find a way to get her back into the present before her presence in the past starts to alter history and cause a time paradox. after that, we cut to Natalie in the past bumping into a young Bill Kerr, Natalie shocked to see a young version of her adopted father asking what's going on asking if she's dead or is this a dream. young Bill then tells Natalie that it's highly unlikely that this is a dream and that she's very much in the real world. Bill then asks her who she is and how she found Animal X's secret underground headquarters, and Natalie tells him that she's an Animal X agent AND she works for the cryptozoology museum where HQ is built under. Bill tells her that's impossible, saying that the museum just opened before pointing at her miniskirt to tell her that no self-respecting Animal X agent would wear something THAT scandalous as part of her uniform as it violates his organization's dress code. Natalie crosses her arms and tells young Bill "I always hated pants, even as a kid you could never get me to wear them so eventually you gave up and decided to make an exception for my uniform when I was old enough to be drafted into the Animal X natural mystery unit". Bill tells Natalie that he doesn't remember her at all followed by Natalie telling Bill "it's me, Natalie. your adopted daughter, remember?" however Bill tells her that he doesn't remember ever having a daughter before putting two and two together and realizing that she must be from the future, asking how she managed to travel back in time. Natalie tells young Bill that she doesn't remember much outside of being caught in a cave-in during a mission to the Congo to save Helena's son. Bill then exclaims "Helena!? you mean my half-brother Blake's wife?" followed by Natalie telling Bill that she's already told him too much before a young Don Amino enters the room to ask Bill what the heck is going on and who this woman is. Natalie then gives the young Don Amino an angry look followed by Don asking Bill why she's giving him that look. Bill then explains the situation to his friend saying that she's from the future and that she needs their help before we cut back to the present where we see the twins return to Domino's airship with Nile. Domino is glad to have Nile back in his service before Domino shows Nile a holographic image of the Dingonek, Domino telling Nile that with a skilled hunter like him by his side he will finally be able to hunt down the Dingonek and make the beast pay for taking his eye. Nile then tells Domino that he knows just the person that could lead them to the creature: the one they call Daniel. after that Domino, Nile, the twins, and a platoon of Black Dot grunts all lock and load to gear up for the hunt before we cut back to our heroes where we see Daniel still on his knees crying over Natalie, frustrated that he never got the chance to tell her "I love you". Tony then puts his hand on Daniel's shoulder, assuring him that everything's gonna be alright and that they'll make sure Natalie didn't die for nothing. Daniel then tells Tony and Marcus that the Black Dot will pay for taking Natalie from this world followed by Daniel's eyes glowing an icy blue before we cut to Domino's personal jet landing in the Congo. meanwhile Tony asks Daniel if he's okay before Marcus grabs Tony and tells him to step away telling him that Daniel's not himself, saying that he was unfortunate enough to witness firsthand what this side of Daniel is capable of (a little callback to "dognapped") only for Bill to contact Daniel to inform him that Natalie is alive which calms Daniel down reverting him back to his normal state. Bill explains to Daniel that Natalie somehow got flung through time and ended up in the past. Daniel then remembers the cave-in and thinks that the collapsing rubble must've knocked Natalie into the portal sending her back in time. Marcus then asks Daniel how they're gonna get her back since thanks to Tony the portal has been closed off. Tony then comes to the conclusion that even though the portal in the present has been blocked off, it isn't blocked off in the past meaning that all Natalie has to do is retrace her steps and find the portal in the past in order to get back home. Daniel then tells Tony that's gonna take forever, however Tony retaliates by telling Daniel that they've got worse matters to deal with before pointing to Domino and his crew entering the lost world followed by Rodney hiding behind Daniel for protection. the black dot grunts all surround our heroes before Rodney uses his super-speed allowing our heroes to escape, however Cloak uses her telekinesis to freeze Daniel in his place, telling him that he's going nowhere before a pair of black dot grunts proceed to handcuff Daniel who asks the Black Dot what they want with him. Domino then tells Daniel that he needs him and his gifts to help lead his hunting party to the Dingonek. the others watch while hiding behind some rocks, with Tony contacting his mom to inform her and Bill that the Black Dot have captured Daniel and they're after something called the "Dingonek". Bill then informs Tony that the Dingonek is the cryptid responsible for taking Domino's eye and that he's probably still holding a grudge after all these years and seeking revenge. Helena then asks Bill why he never told her how Domino lost his eye, and Bill tells her that he never thought it was something worth bringing up until now. after that, we cut back to the past where we see Natalie taking the elevator up to the museum to see that there aren't as many cryptozoological relics on display as there are in the present. Natalie then sees an expedition team enter through the doors carrying a cast of a bigfoot print before placing the cast in a display case (a callback to the very first episode) and Natalie is shocked to see the person leading the expedition crew is none other than her future mother Maria who bumps into Natalie. Maria then asks her "who are you? never seen you before. you must be one of the new recruits, welcome to the Animal X natural mystery unit. I'm Maria" followed by Natalie introducing herself saying "I'm Natalie". Maria then tells her "that's a nice name. I always wanted a daughter named Natalie" followed by Natalie staring at her awkwardly. Maria then assumes Natalie must be nervous and pats her on the back telling her that she'll get used to being part of the organization soon before taking the elevator down to Animal X HQ while Natalie watches, shedding a tear at how she actually spoke to her biological mother which she never got to know before realizing that this is her chance to save her parents from their gruesome fates, a chance to make things right. we then cut to Bill having a private conversation with past Don Amino where Don asks Bill if he's sure if this mysterious woman can be trusted, saying that she might not actually be from the future like she says she is, pointing how she gave him a rather scathing look in spite of the fact that he didn't do anything wrong to her. Bill ponders before suggesting to his old friend that maybe true now but maybe he did something to her into the future, saying that she sounded sincere while telling her story saying that there are stranger things in heaven and earth and they've seen many of them on their cryptozoological escapades. their conversation is then interrupted by Maria who asks the two what's the deal with the new girl, and Bill explains to Maria that she claims to be a time traveler from the future which intrigues Maria. after that, we cut to the present where we see the captive Daniel being dragged through the mud by Cloak with her telekinesis, Daniel asking Domino what he exactly wants with this "Dingonek" creature, the mere mention of its name causes Domino to have a flashback scene to his youth during the Congo expedition where we see young Don Amino have a run-in with the Dingonek while strolling down to the river to collect water, Domino's presence provoking the creature causing it to scratch out his eye. young Bill and Natalie's parents rush to Domino's aid, Bill asking his old friend if he's alright while Domino watches as the beast crawls back into the water and swims off. Don unsheathes his katana promising revenge on the creature, but Bill reminds him that killing cryptids is wrong. Domino tells Bill that he doesn't understand why he is so protective of those monsters, telling him that they're dangerous pointing how he lost an eye and almost got killed by one of those monsters before getting back up and walking back to camp while Bill, Maria, and Nathan watch feeling sorry for him. back in the present Domino clenches his fist while Daniel is psychically flung into a tree by Cloak who tells him to shut his mouth while Dagger asks her sister if she can cut him up already. Cloak tells her no, saying that Domino wanted him alive. Domino then explains to Daniel that long ago during his expedition to the lost world with Bill and Natalie's parents he had an encounter with the creature the locals called the Dingonek which resulted in him getting his eye scratched out (hence the eyepatch), the trauma from losing his eye to the beast being what cemented his hatred for cryptids seeing them all as savage monsters. Daniel tries to reason with Domino, telling him that the cryptids aren't monsters they're just like all animals trying to live their life and that there is no justification for killing them. Nile raises an eyebrow at Daniel's comment before Domino tells Daniel that he's starting to sound just like Bill, saying that he always hated his childish optimism. Daniel then tells Domino that it's a shame he and Bill's friendship fell apart like that, saying that they sounded like good friends back in the days. Domino tells Daniel to forget about it saying that he has already burned that bridge and moved on. Daniel then senses something moving in the river followed by Cloak and Dagger both readying their weapons while Domino unsheathes his cane-sword before noticing a dark silhouette swimming in the nearby river. the black dot then aim their weapons at the creature and open fire on it, however the creature manages to evade their gunfire before submerging back into the river disappearing without a trace much to the anger of Domino. Rodney watches the whole thing from the bushes before using his super-speed to knock over Nile, the twins, and the black dot grunts followed by Daniel's eyes glowing an icy blue summoning the Dingonek who rises up out of the water and growls at Domino, looking at him straight in the eyes. Domino unsheathes his cane-sword ready to confront the creature before Daniel commands the Dingonek to whack Domino with its tail knocking him into a nearby tree allowing Daniel and Rodney to hop on the Dingonek's back and escape while the twins help their "father" back up on his feet. Domino orders Nile and the black dot grunts to go after them. we then cut back to our heroes while Marcus notices Tony reading the Cryptozoologicon and asks what he's doing at a time like this reading a book while both Daniel and Natalie, Animal X's two best agents, have gone missing. Tony explains to Marcus that he's reading up on the Dingonek hoping he could learn a thing or two about what they're up against. Tony then reads an excerpt saying that the Dingonek or "Jungle Walrus" is a late-surviving therapsid (mammal-like reptile) belonging to the Biarmosuchia suborder, being a descendant of the likes of Eotitanosuchus that has evolved into a saber-toothed, semi-aquatic ambush predator. Marcus then unsheathes his katana and tells Tony that he's tired of waiting and that he's gonna go save Daniel. after that, we cut back to the past where we see Don Amino sleeping in his bed before Natalie sneaks into his room and grabs the katana off the rack, unsheathing the sword before looking down at the sleeping Don thinking about all the awful stuff he'll do in the future, murdering her parents and building an entire criminal empire on the bodies of innocent cryptids. Natalie in a moment's notice takes the chance to prevent all that suffering and raises the sword into the air ready to kill young Domino in his sleep, however Don wakes up just in time to see Natalie holding her sword in the air. Domino is shocked, and the frightened look in his eyes causes Natalie to be reminded of the whole reason Bill kept the truth of her parents deaths a secret from her: so that she wouldn't become consumed by vengeance and led down a dark path the same way Domino did, and at this moment Natalie realizes that vengeance has consumed her and drops the sword. Maria then enters the room and asks what's going on, and Natalie exclaims "MOM!?" which shocks both Don and Maria. Natalie then tries to warn Maria, explaining to her that she's her daughter from the future and that in her time Don Amino ends up betraying the Animal X natural mystery unit and ends up killing her. Domino then tells Natalie that's ridiculous, saying that he would never kill the woman he loves so much followed by Don putting his arms around Maria which makes her uncomfortable. Natalie then realizes that she said too much and takes the elevator back up to leave the museum, sitting outside the building to brood over how she almost killed a man in his sleep because of her desire to save her parents and how Bill was right all along. Bill then sits outside to ask Natalie why she tried to kill his friend Don in his sleep and called Maria "mom". Natalie then explains to Bill that she's the daughter of Nathan and Maria Schmitt and that in the future Domino betrays the Animal X natural mystery unit and murders her parents. Bill is shocked to hear this, now understanding her motivations completely. Bill then warns Natalie to be careful telling her to be careful with time travel saying that messing with the course of history can be very dangerous before returning to Animal X HQ monologing to himself how neither Don nor Maria can ever find out about the information he just learned. after that, we cut to the present where we see Daniel and Rodney riding on the Dingonek's back through the river while Nile and a platoon of Black Dot grunts give chase from the land. Nile whips out his rifle and takes aim along with the grunts before Rodney alerts Daniel to danger followed by Nile and the black dot grunts opening fire on the Dingonek. Daniel then tells Rodney to hold his breath before the Dingonek submerges underwater to avoid the gunfire and escape. Nile radios Domino to inform him that the target has escaped before Domino scolds Nile for his incompetence. after that, we cut back to the past where we get a repeat of the opening flashback scene from "the lost world part 1" with young Bill and Don Amino arguing with each other about their different views on Cryptids, Domino waving the Cryptozoologicon in bill's face saying that their cryptozoological discoveries written in this book could make them famous, offering Bill to join him in this business venture. Bill then swipes the book from his hand and tells Don not to be ridiculous, trying to warn his best friend and colleague that if the information documented in the book is revealed to be public, the lives of many cryptids could be put at risk, as there would be tourists and trophy hunters encroaching on their natural habitats, which could lead to the eventual extinction of these wonderful creatures which is why cryptids like all other animals deserve their protection. Don Amino then tells Bill that he's the one being ridiculous, saying that they're just "dumb animals" and the potential products that could be made out of cryptid meat, skin, bones, and other body parts would make both of them millionaires, however Bill tells Domino that those "dumb animals" are living things that can feel pain, just as humans do and that what Don is talking about is genocide of several species all so he can sell "sasquatch fur coats" and other cruel products made at the expense of innocent cryptids. Maria then enters the room to break up the fight, telling the two to cut it out reminding them that they've been friends since they were kids and that it breaks her heart to see the two fighting like this, followed by Domino apologizing to his lover and kissing her on the hand all the while Bill gives Don the angry look. Maria then tells the two that she's got another case for the three of them and shows the two a blurry photo of what looks like a sauropod dinosaur walking through the jungle, Maria explaining to them that this photo was taken in the Congo rainforests of Central Africa and that there's been reports of living dinosaurs sighted in the area and that they should launch a manned expedition to the Congo to investigate these sightings, saying that they could have a potential scientific breakthrough on their hands. Bill then asks Maria how they are going to fund this expedition, followed by Maria introducing the two to her new boyfriend Nathan Schmitt (Natalie's father), Maria explaining that Nathan comes from a wealthy family and that he'll be the one funding this expedition. Nathan then shakes Bill's hand, saying that Maria has told him a bunch of stories about him. Nathan then turns his head to Don and tells him that he must be Maria's ex, Don Amino. Don then stares at Nathan with an evil look in his eyes before asking Maria how she could cheat on him like this. Maria apologizes to Don, telling him that because he and Bill were so committed to their research into Cryptozoology she came to the conclusion that her and Don's relationship was never meant to last so she found herself a new man that would treat her right and be more committed to a long-term relationship, Nathan and Maria kissing in front of Don Amino making him feel even more livid. Don then tells her that he understands before walking out the door making Bill feel sorry for his friend. however Natalie arrives just in time to witness Domino leave before young Bill asks her what she's doing here. Natalie tells him that she came here to save her parents before grabbing both Nathan and Maria by their arms and taking them into the vehicle hangar where she puts the two in the back of a prototype aerial vehicle. Nathan asks what the heck is going on, asking who she is and where she's taking them. Maria explains to her boyfriend that she's a new recruit to Animal X claiming to be from the future and that she called her "mom" for some reason. Natalie explains to the two that she's their future daughter and that she came back in time to save them before taking off with the prototype air vehicle. Nathan asks Natalie what she's exactly trying to save them from, followed by Natalie explaining to the two of them that Don Amino is going to betray Animal X and kill them both along with abducting their son/her twin brother Marcus and creating an evil organization called the Black Dot which kills cryptids for money. Nathan and Maria are both shocked to hear this, followed by Natalie looking at her hand to see that she is slowly disappearing before exclaiming "oh no". we then cut back to the present day where we see Daniel and Rodney riding the Dingonek back to shore where they re-unite with Marcus and Tony who are happy to see Daniel again. Rodney then nuzzles up against Tony happy to see him again while Daniel hops off the back of the Dingonek. the Dingonek starts growling followed by Domino showing up along with Nile and the twins. Domino unsheathes his cane-sword and demands them to hand over the Dingonek and nobody gets hurt. However, Bill and Helena show up out of nowhere to confront Domino, Bill telling Domino this has gone far enough while our heroes all hop on the Dingonek and escape. Domino tries to punch Bill in the face, only for Bill and Helena to both turn out to be holograms. Cloak then tells her "father" that it was all a distraction, giving those pesky Animal X agents ample time to escape. Domino then orders the twins to go after them before we cut back to the past where Natalie lands the prototype air vehicle in front of the lost world. Nathan asks where they are, and Natalie tells her father that they're in the Congo rainforest of central Africa. Nathan and Maria hop out of the vehicle to follow their daughter through the water where they end up in the lost world, the two in awe of the sight of living dinosaurs. Natalie then grabs both her parents by the arm, telling them that there's a portal in time and that she's gotta hurry before it's too late, Natalie feeling her body slowly start to disappear. We then cut back to the present where our heroes arrive at the bank of the river before hopping off the Dingonek's back. Daniel then places his hand on the Dingonek's head assuring the creature that it's safe now. However a knife shows up out of the bushes and stabs the Dingonek in the shoulder injuring the beast. Daniel and co. are then frozen in place followed by Cloak and Dagger emerging from the bushes, telling our heroes that they're going nowhere before Dagger radios Domino and Nile to inform them that the Dingonek is injured and they've captured the Animal X agent, including the turncoat Marcus. we then cut back to the past where Natalie and her parents arrive at the entrance of the portal, only for Bill and young Don Amino to arrive on the scene to warn Natalie that if she goes through with this and brings her parents into the present day, it could have dire consequences saying that she could end up causing a time paradox and she would cease to exist. Natalie then notices her body slowly fading away before turning her head to look into the portal and see that her friends in trouble. Maria then assures Natalie that they'll be okay before Natalie cries and hugs both of her parents for an emotional goodbye scene. Natalie then leaps through the portal before Bill takes Don, Nathan, and Maria back into the prototype air vehicle before whipping out a memory-wipe device to erase all three of their memories of Natalie thus setting the timeline back on track. after that we cut back to the present day where Daniel notices a portal suddenly open out of nowhere only for Natalie to leap out and electrocute both of the twins with her electric batons thus setting the others free. both Marcus and Tony hug Natalie while Daniel then rushes to the aid of the injured Dingonek before closing his eyes and placing his hand on the creature's wound to use his healing powers like he did with the Mothman. with the twins knocked out cold, Domino arrives on the scene with his cane-sword in hand, telling our heroes that they can't run from him now. Natalie combines her electric batons to form a bo staff while Marcus unsheathes his katana followed by the two siblings double-teaming on Domino while Nile corners Daniel and the Dingonek. Nile then whips out his rifle ready to shoot the creature only for Daniel to use his grappling hook to grab the rifle out of Nile's hands before the Dingonek bites off Nile's cybernetic hand. Domino in his old age is easily bested by Natalie and Marcus forcing him and his cronies to retreat. after that, the Dingonek returns to the river while Marcus asks Natalie if she saw their parents and asks what they were like. Natalie tells Marcus that she didn't spend enough time in the past to properly get to know them, but it doesn't matter since she already has a family in the present which causes Daniel to blush. after that, we cut back to Animal X HQ where Bill looks at the scrapbook to see that adult Natalie is no longer in the picture which means the timeline has been fixed. Helena is relieved to hear this news, only for the two to enter the vehicle hangar to see both the X-jeep and X-copter land safely. Tony then hops out of the X-jeep to hug his mom while Daniel, Natalie, and Marcus exit the X-copter before Natalie returns to her room to sit on her bed and brood about how she almost killed young Don Amino in his sleep, contemplating whether or not she is truly becoming a monster like him until she is visited by none other than Bill who is worried about his adopted daughter, asking if she's okay. Natalie tells Bill that she's not alright, telling him about how she tried to kill young Domino in his sleep during her time stuck in the past. tears fall from Natalie's eyes, saying that she thought she could stop it all: the deaths of her parents, the endless slaughter of cryptids, everything if she just put a sword through his heart. but when she saw the look in his eyes she couldn't bring herself to do it, saying that they were the eyes of a frightened man who looked into the eyes of his would-be killer. Bill tells Natalie that he knew something like this would happen if she knew what happened to her parents, saying that this is exactly why he kept the truth from her for so long. Bill tells Natalie that what she felt during that moment was the feeling of vengeance consuming her, something he had been trying to prevent for the past 20 years saying that he already lost his best friend (Domino) and his half-brother (Blake) to being consumed by vengeance and he refuses to let the same thing happen to his little girl and our episode ends with Bill hugging Natalie telling her that he's grateful to have her back.