Chapter 10: The Mission
"So Brachio, what makes you think the little shits are even at Lavadome in the first place?" One of the mercenaries asked.
"I have reason to believe that they're there because of someone else." Brachio replied.
"What, that Fireclaw guy or whatever? He doesn't sound like much of a problem heh." One of the other mercenaries said before spitting on the ground.
Brachio didn't have much choice when he'd chosen his group. Five raptors of various species tagged closely along loosely following orders that Brachio gave out. Brachio was growing tired of having them around, not to mention the heat constantly nagging at him under his tactical vest. They constantly joked about things that didn't interest Brachio much. Sometimes they'd threaten to fight each other just for laughs. None of this was helping Brachio much, but he knew that they wouldn't survive long once they'd reached Lavadome. He knew that their arrogance would be their downfall at some point. Brachio and his team proceeded towards the landing zone where they would retrieve their aircraft.
Littlefoot jerked awake in a cold sweat. He looked around the spare bedroom where he was staying in. His mother's voice still echoed in his mind from his dream. Somehow the dream felt more real than it seemed. He was able to stand up and maintain his balance. He'd even practiced jogging in place for a second to see if what he'd just previously experienced was true. He found that he could jog without any problems at all.
He made his way to the bathroom at the end of the hall and looked in the mirror. Staring back at him was a Littlefoot he'd soon have to get to know. This was now the body of a warrior and he knew it. He knew that his decision was the right one after seeing what his mother had shown him in his dream the previous night.
"Oh shit, where'd he go?" He heard Chomper say out loud.
Littlefoot walked into the hallway and closed the door behind him. As Chomper walked back out of the guest room he jumped in shock. He couldn't believe that Littlefoot was already walking upright without much practice at all. Littlefoot knew that he'd never understand where he'd learned to do it though.
"Littlefoot, how do you feel? Any different?" Chomper asked.
"I feel taller. Feels different being able to walk on two legs." Littlefoot said.
He opened and closed his massive hand to confirm the reality of the situation.
"Wow Fireclaw will be excited to hear this! Hang on let me go find him!" Chomper said excitedly.
Chomper ran down the hallway cursing every few words trying to find him. Littlefoot started to laugh when he'd heard the phrase "Fireclaw get your stupid ass out here, Littlefoot's awake!" From down the hallway he could hear Fireclaw expressing equal amounts of shock and surprise from the control room as the two ran out. Littlefoot started walking towards them, causing Fireclaw to freeze in his tracks.
"How the... You can walk!" Fireclaw shouted.
"Nice observation." Littlefoot replied back.
After a long pause Chomper suggested that they go and show the others in the Control room. Littlefoot nodded in agreement and followed them in. Ducky and Petrie were bouncing on the couch when Littlefoot walked in behind Chomper and Fireclaw. They instantly stopped what they were doing and stared with their mouths agape. Cera's eyes widened until they felt they were going to fall out. Spike didn't know how to react and just stared in awe.
"Suppose you should probably get something else other than Bronto-thunder's spare pajamas on, right?" Chomper told Littlefoot jokingly. He'd looked down and noticed that he was in fact wearing clothes for the first time.
"You'd been out for a few days, Littlefoot. Gave me just enough time to return to Reptillon against my better judgment and get you these." Fireclaw said as he fetched Littlefoot's custom-made Dinosquad 6 armor suit.
"It's going to be a bit of a bitch to get on at first, but you'll get the hang of it eventually." Fireclaw said as he held up what the suit looks like.
The armor suit fit perfectly to Littlefoot's body. It was almost miraculous that Fireclaw had managed to guess Littlefoot's proportions correctly when the suit was being made. He also had a helmet that went with it, but Fireclaw hadn't showed it to him yet. The suit was gray with bright orange armor plates placed over vital areas of his body. The Dinosaucers' insignia was positioned just above the right breastplate. Fireclaw didn't have time to get it changed, so he just went with it anyway.
As Fireclaw helped Littlefoot get his armor on and showed him how to put it on himself Ducky, Petrie, Cera and Spike were trying to mob Littlefoot. They were constantly asking questions about his form. Littlefoot tried his best to answer but they were relentless on finding out about it. He could understand why they were in shambles over his appearance though. It's not everyday that a Longneck turns into a humanoid anthromorph anyhow.
Littlefoot suddenly began to stare off into space. His attention began to shift from the current situation to something his mind was trying to tell him.
"Littlefoot? You alright?" He heard Fireclaw say.
He could hear a familiar echoing in his head again. Images of Fireclaw firing his USP flashed in Littlefoot's mind. He could hear his mother's voice echoing "know what you must do" as the images flashed. Littlefoot looked around the room and saw Fireclaw's gun sitting on the table in the middle of the room. As he started to walk towards it he could hear Fireclaw shouting "what are you doing?" over his shoulder. Littlefoot turned to Fireclaw and said, "Fireclaw draw your sword!"
Littlefoot grabbed the gun off the table and turned towards the door of the control room. He heard Chomper make a remark about someone being outside the door. Fireclaw told him not to open it and to get back. Chomper retrieved something from beneath a table. The others quickly ran behind Fireclaw. Images flashed in Littlefoot's mind of how to reload the pistol. Fireclaw would slide the clip out and slide it back in. Littlefoot repeated this as he saw it until he knew what he was doing. He then looked up once he'd finished reloading it a few times. Littlefoot heard Chomper say something about Redclaw and Quackpot not being there and that it could be an intruder.
Suddenly Littlefoot felt as if he were standing in Fireclaw's body. He walked down towards Fireclaw and stood next to him. Chomper stood against the wall holding a shotgun waiting for someone to open the door. Littlefoot looked towards the skylight and saw a flash of light pass by. He turned his focus back to the door. He could hear Fireclaw's tense breathing as he heard the first door open. He held his sword firmly and rolled to the other side of the door. He tried to tell Littlefoot to take cover but he stood fast. As if looking through Fireclaw's eyes he raised the pistol and aimed it at the door. He subconsciously released the safety on the weapon and put his finger on the trigger. He held his hand firm and still as he aimed down the sights of the handgun. A loud bang echoed through the room.
Littlefoot stood his ground with the gun still aimed in front of him as if the gun was part of his arm. Now lying in the open doorway was one of Brachio's mercenaries with a small round hole perfectly placed between his eyes. He feel the recoil of the pistol jerk his hand upward as he pulled the trigger. Littlefoot didn't feel very aware of what he'd just done and seemed unphased by the body in the hallway. He could hear his mother's voice echoing in his head warning him to stand his ground and that it would be over soon. Suddenly another body appeared quickly around the corner. With the sound of something sliding Fireclaw noticed a small clawlike device flying towards Littlefoot.
Just as he'd went to stop it a streak of light split the device in two, then quickly circled backwards before slamming into the floor. Two armored rainbow faces stood swords at the ready. Four raptors stormed the doorway with guns at the ready. Chomper turned the corner and gunned one down with the shotgun he was holding. Littlefoot placed another shot and hit one in the shoulder. Falchion finished it off with a precisely placed slice to the raptor's neck, instantly severing it's head. Littlefoot dove to the side as another collar flew through the hallway and missed it's mark. Fireclaw grabbed one of the raptors and kneed him hard in the stomach. As it gasped for air Fireclaw brought his elbow down hard on the back of it's neck, breaking it with a loud crack. Fireclaw turned towards Littlefoot whose attention was still fixated on the door. He wouldn't lower the pistol from the doorway.
"There's someone still out there. Chomper cover—" Falchion and Aeris interrupted Fireclaw by walking ahead of him and through the open door.
Their swords were pointed at the floor. They could hear someone cursing that their gun had jammed. Falchion grabbed hold of something and threw it through the door. Brachio soared through the doorway and landed hard on the floor of the control room. As he made an attempt to get up Aeris teleported over to him in a flash of light and held her sword at his throat. He laid his head back down and refused to move.
"Who are you?" Aeris demanded.
"I know who he is. That's Brachio. Long time no see buddy." Fireclaw taunted.
Littlefoot lowered the pistol, then dropped to one knee. Chomper rushed to his side. He carefully took the gun from Littlefoot's hand and helped him to his feet.
"I knew this would happen!" Brachio spat towards the ceiling.
"Yet you still decide to attack anyways. Typical Tyranno mindset I guess." Fireclaw replied.
"I was ordered by Ghenghis Rex to retrieve the kids! I didn't do this willingly! Why would I want to make any advances against you after what happened last time?" Brachio spat back at Fireclaw.
Fireclaw's expression went from cold to interested. He waved to Aeris to let her sword up. Fireclaw grabbed Brachio by the collar and tackled him against the floor again. Brachio coughed in pain from the impact.
"Ordered by Rex? Where is he now?" Fireclaw demanded.
At first Brachio wouldn't say anything. He just stared Fireclaw in the face as if trying to prove that he wouldn't talk. Suddenly Fireclaw's eyes turned black.
"Brachio you really should say something instead of stare. Didn't anyone ever teach you that's rude to stare? I'm sure you'd learned in nursery school that it's rude to stare. Would you like to stare some more?" Fireclaw taunted.
Brachio began to shake. Fireclaw picked him up by his collar and forced him against a nearby wall. Holding him high over his head he barked out obscenities at him and insulted him in every way he could.
"HE'S AT THAT VALLEY THAT YOU RAN FROM!" Brachio screamed at the top of his lungs.
Satisfied with the results, Fireclaw dropped him off the wall. Brachio fell in a heap on the floor and panted heavily out of fear. Fireclaw rolled his eyes to the right and talked to Brachio over his shoulder.
"So Brachio, tell me. What exactly were Rex's orders to you?" He asked with a smile.
"To bring the kids to him personally." Brachio replied.
Suddenly Littlefoot shoved Chomper away and ran over to Fireclaw. He grabbed his sword out of his hand and pushed past him. As Brachio went to sit up Littlefoot shoved the blade in his face.
"Get up!" He shouted.
At first Chomper tried to stop him but Fireclaw held his hand up to stop him.
"Let him, Chomper. I can tell he's seen something." Fireclaw whispered.
"What happened to the Great Valley? What did you do?" Littlefoot shouted.
Brachio trembled as Littlefoot began to press the blade even harder. He cut Brachio's neck slightly.
"What did you do with my grandparents?" Littlefoot asked coldly.
Brachio finally indicated that he would speak.
"I didn't do anything. It was Rex. Rex and that other guy, the prince."
"Catona..." Falchion said under his breath.
"Is Rex the sharptooth that entered the Valley with the army?" Littlefoot demanded.
"Yes, he is!" Brachio shouted back desperately.
Littlefoot lowered the blade and backed away. He never took his eyes off of Brachio. He handed the sword back to Fireclaw and sat on one of the table chairs. Redclaw walked in with a look of confusion on his face. He'd stopped in the doorway momentarily before moving in to see what was going on. He fixed his eyes on Brachio specifically.
"So what's this shitbag doing here?" Redclaw asked.
"Rethinking his mistake." Falchion replied coldly.
Redclaw chuckled at the sound of it. He knew that one thing Brachio feared was death and now he was facing it head on. He looked over at Littlefoot and soon found himself standing next to him trying to find out what happened.
"So what do we do now?" Cera asked.
"Well I don't know, Cera. Let's ask Brachio what we should do." Fireclaw replied with a cocky tone.
Brachio stared blankly.
"Brachio have you ever wondered if Rex truly gives a shit about your well-being? If you were smart you would have never come looking for them. I guess since you didn't have much choice that doesn't apply, but do you ever just stop to think about how expendable you are?" Fireclaw asked.
Brachio pondered for a moment what Fireclaw had just said. The reality he'd chosen to deny for so long now began to sink in. He rose to his feet.
"Brachio I'm just going to warn you right now if you even think of doing something stupid you're going to get cut." Fireclaw warned.
Without saying anything Brachio headed for the door. He left the room without a word and continued down the hallway. How would he explain to Rex that his team is now dead and he's the only one alive? How would he explain why he came back empty handed. The answer was simple, he wouldn't. Brachio stood at the control room door and thought about what he'd wanted to say. It was true, Brachio did fear death. He'd never told Rex because of fear that he'd be labeled a coward. Rex used to never be as bad when the Dinosaucers were on Earth, but since then he's changed. Nearly getting him killed on Reptillon through various missions that required him to risk his life never triggered any thought until now. But would Fireclaw understand? Would any of them understand? He opened the hallway door and stepped into the small corridor to the next door into the control room. This was it. It's all he's got left at this point. He opened the door to the control room and stood for a moment looking at everyone in the room. He watched them try to clean up what mess Brachio had brought in.
"Rex isn't going to know about anything that happened here." Brachio said aloud.
"What are you getting at?" Fireclaw replied.
Brachio pulled a tactical knife off of his vest and carved the Tyranno insignia off of his armor then threw it aside. Turning to Littlefoot, who was trying to console his friends after what they'd witnessed he said: "Kid, I'm going to help take back your homeland. I'm not going back to Ghenghis Rex to nearly be killed again."
Fireclaw looked up from his communicator with complete and utter confusion.
"Brachio you're betraying Rex?" He asked.
"That's exactly what I'm doing." Brachio replied.
"That's bold of you Brachio, but how do I know you're not doing this to screw us over later on?" Fireclaw replied.
Fireclaw had a way to know if he was lying or not. It was through an ancient custom on Reptillon he'd learned through training before joining Allo years before. The custom was the blood contract. If someone were to swear allegiance to another faction or country, they must do so by breaking their blood ties to their previous group. It's done by reciting an ancient oath with the right hand pinned to a table usually with a dagger, but anything will do so long as it pierces all the way through. The ancient oath is only legible in an ancient Reptillonian tongue. Brachio and Fireclaw both know oath by heart.
"Brachio, if you're truly breaking your ties as a Tyranno, I think you and I both know what you're about to do." Fireclaw said assuringly.
Fireclaw walked over to Brachio as he drew his knife. He then handed the knife to Fireclaw.
"We don't have a table to do this with it seems, but nonetheless we can still do the oath without it." Fireclaw said.
Brachio nodded and held up his right hand. With a swift motion Fireclaw stabbed through his hand down to the hilt of the knife. Tears began to roll down Brachio's face as he fought the pain.
"Brachio, recite the oath. You're no longer a Tyranno."