Animal X: Natural Mystery Unit the Complete Season 1

Episode 7: Birdzilla

Featured Cryptid: Thunderbird

Our episode opens up with Daniel and Natalie returning to Animal X HQ where Tony asks Daniel how the trip to Australia went, and Daniel starts to brag to Tony about how he met THE Jack and Mindy Wallaby, followed by Tony telling Daniel that he's so jealous while Natalie shakes her head in dismay reminding Daniel that they almost got killed during their encounter with Domino. Dr. Helena then tells Daniel to meet her in her lab telling him that she's got a surprise for him. Daniel then enters Dr. Helena's lab where Helena tells Daniel that after their little encounter with Domino she decided that he needed a weapon of his own to keep up with Natalie which makes him giddy as a schoolgirl, and Helena then presents Daniel with a grappling gun, telling him that it'll help him reach new heights. Daniel then tests his new gadget out by picking it up and pulling the trigger firing his grappling hook through the wall much to the shock of poor Rodney who hides behind Helena who tells Daniel to watch where he's aiming it. Daniel apologizes before Bill contacts Daniel and Natalie to tell them to meet him in his office. we then cut to Bill in his office informing the two that there have been sightings of a thunderbird in Texas. Daniel then jokingly remarks "thunderbird? you mean the car?" only for him to get smacked upside the head by Natalie who whips out the Cryptozoologicon and explains to Daniel that the Thunderbird is the sole surviving member of the family of predatory birds known as the Teratorns, with a massive 35-foot wingspan that dwarfs its prehistoric ancestors, preying on whatever creatures it can sink its talons into. Bill then explains that there have been reports of children going missing in a nearby skate park which he believes might be connected to the Thunderbird sightings, believing that there might be a nest nearby. the mention of Children reminds Daniel of the Johnsons, looking at the old photo of the Johnson family thinking about them. we then cut to said skate park in Texas where we see a group of kids skateboarding, including Cindy who ends up falling off her skateboard and crashing (thank goodness she remembered to wear her helmet tho), only for Daniel to show up and help her back up. Daniel then asks Cindy if she's okay, however Cindy asks Daniel who he is much to his surprise. Daniel then tells Cindy that he's her uncle Daniel, however Cindy tells Daniel that she doesn't know him before running off to re-join the other kids. Natalie then shows up along with Rodney Natalie telling Daniel that Bill's memory wipe erased all of the Johnson Family's memories of him, saying that's the price you pay when you become an Animal X agent: once you join, you don't exist. just like the cryptids that they're sworn to protect. Daniel then has a sad look on his face while Rodney begins to feel sorry for Daniel, nuzzling up against him to comfort him. however the Thunderbird shows up and swoops down on the skate park grabbing kids left and right in his talons. Daniel then rushes in and tries to save Cindy, however it is too late as the Thunderbird grabs Cindy in his talons and flies off. Daniel then does something stubborn and whips out his grappling gun, firing the grappling hook at the thunderbird's leg causing Daniel to be lifted into the air and carried off by the massive bird. Natalie then tries to contact Daniel, however all she gets his static which makes Rodney cry. Natalie assures the little skyfish that she will find a way to get Daniel back, however they are then interrupted by Marcus who tells Natalie to stand down. Natalie then whips out her twin electric batons and asks Marcus what brings him to this neck of the woods followed by Marcus unsheathing his katana, saying that a bird that large would make a perfect addition to his father's trophy collection. the two then clash their weapons before we cut to Daniel waking up in a large nest located somewhere in the woods. Daniel then turns his head to see Cindy and her friends in the nest with him, all the kids looking extremely frightened. Daniel then assures the kids that he'll get them out of there, only for him to be stopped in his tracks when the eggs in the nest hatch into hungry thunderbird chicks. the chicks try to attack the kids only for Daniel to pick up a bone from the floor of the nest and whack all the chicks to protect the kids. however they are then interrupted by an angry mother thunderbird who lands in front of Daniel and stares him down. we then cut back to Natalie's fight with Marcus where Natalie puts her two electric batons together to form a bo staff to lock with Marcus's Katana. the two duel until Marcus is contacted by Domino who asks his son why he hasn't found that bird yet. Marcus then tells his father that he's a little busy at the moment before resuming his fight with Natalie while Rodney watches the fight, Natalie telling Rodney to go find Daniel followed by the little skyfish zipping off. we then cut back to the Thunderbird nest where Daniel stares down the angry mother Thunderbird. Daniel then places his hand on the Thunderbird's forehead while the kids watch in suspense. the kids are shocked to see Daniel able to tame the beast, only for Cindy to start having flashbacks. we then cut to a flashback scene where we see Cindy looking out to the window to see Daniel cuddling with a stray cat on the porch of the Johnson family home. Cindy steps outside and tells her uncle Daniel that she's surprised about how that old cat loves him so much but he would never let her pet him. Daniel tells young Cindy that he's always had a special connection with Animals ever since he was a young child, saying that it's almost like he can read their thoughts or something. we then cut back to the present day where Cindy suddenly starts piecing her lost memories back together, uttering the words "uncle Daniel?" much to Daniel's shock. Rodney then arrives on the scene to inform Daniel that Natalie's in trouble. Daniel understands and hops on the back of the thunderbird, Daniel telling the kids to hop on. we then cut back to Marcus's fight with Natalie where Marcus has Natalie pinned down, Marcus raising his katana ready to strike her down only for Marcus and Natalie to hear a loud "KA-CAW!" and look up into the air to see a Thunderbird flying right above their heads. Daniel then jumps off the Thunderbird's back and fires a grappling hook from his grappling gun that wraps around Marcus's arm causing him to drop his Katana followed by the Thunderbird landing in front of Marcus followed by the kids hopping off the massive bird's back. Natalie is glad to see Daniel alive, followed by the two formally nodding to one another. the Thunderbird then grabs Marcus in her Talons and carries him off, followed by Daniel waving goodbye to the massive bird. after that, Cindy hugs her Uncle Daniel thanking him for saving her and her friends. Natalie then whips out her memory-wipe device, telling the kids to "watch the birdie", however Daniel grabs Natalie by the hand and tells her to stop, saying that he doesn't want to lose the only family he has left a second time. Natalie asks Daniel if he's crazy, telling him that he's going against the Animal X code. Daniel then tells Natalie to at least spare the memories of Cindy, and Natalie begrudgingly agrees handing her sunglasses to the kid telling her to put these on before wiping the memories of today from all her friends. Cindy then takes the shades off and Daniel asks her if she's good at keeping a secret, telling her that she can't tell anyone about what happened today not even her parents. Cindy then tells Daniel that his secret's safe with her and right on cue the Johnson Family RV arrives on the scene only for James and Sharon to hop out of the RV happy to see that their daughter is okay. Cindy then tells her parents that she had so much fun today, James and Sharon turning their heads to see Daniel waving at them before the Johnson family hop back in the RV and drive off. Natalie then places her hand on Daniel's shoulder, telling him that he's gonna be in big trouble if Bill were to find out about the stunt he just pulled. Daniel then assures Natalie that he'll never tell before we cut to Marcus waking up in the Thunderbird nest and our episode ends with him being cornered by the hungry thunderbird chicks.