Mended
Littlefoot and Aylene were on their feet in an instant. They dashed away just as the T-Rex recovered. He turned his attention to the adult sauropods. His eyes still gleamed with anger, but his body was tense with caution.
"You'll regret that, human!" he snarled at Derek.
"Just try!" Derek replied in kind, putting an arrow on the string.
Grandpa Longneck stepped forward. The T-Rex lowered his head and arched his back, looking for an opening. He growled in intimidation, but Grandpa Longneck didn't waver. He took another step.
Doc narrowed his eyes, showing his alertness, but he remained still. Elaine looked back and forth between Doc and Derek, ready to take aim.
Then, the T-Rex charged, trying to attack Grandpa Longneck's right flank. Derek pulled back his arrow and aimed. When the T-Rex was in his sights, he released. The arrow struck the T-Rex's side, making him stagger. Grandpa Longneck turned and swung his tail, striking the T-Rex in the jaw. The predator stumbled back and hit a rock pillar.
Littlefoot and Aylene cheered.
"Alright, Grandpa!"
"Get him, Bro!"
The T-Rex rolled onto his front. As he tried to push himself up, Grandpa Longneck whipped his tail around his throat and headbutted him, knocking him to the ground again.
"Nice!" encouraged Derek.
At that moment, the ground began to vibrate again. Littlefoot and Aylene looked to see the Allosaurus approaching. The arrow in his leg, now broken in half, made him limp towards the group.
He caught Aylene's eye and scowled.
"You're dead meat, human!" he roared.
Aylene stood defensively, raising her sword. Grandpa Longneck turned in the predator's direction.
Then, at that moment, the downed T-Rex, taking advantage of the Allosaurus's distraction, kicked Grandpa Longneck in the side.
At the same time, Derek lost his grip on Grandpa Longneck. As the large Apatosaurus hit the ground, he fell off.
There was a horrible snapping noise, and Derek cried out in pain before collapsing.
"Grandpa!" Littlefoot cried.
"Derek!" Aylene screamed.
An arrow hissed through the air and struck the ground between Grandpa Longneck and the T-Rex. The T-Rex and Allosaurus turned towards Doc and Elaine. Doc moved in and Elaine prepared another arrow.
"Aylene, help Derek!" ordered Elaine.
Aylene didn't hesitate. She rushed to Derek, and Littlefoot to his grandfather. Her brother laid on the ground, curling in agony and gripping his leg.
"Derek, what's wrong?" Aylene asked, scared.
"My leg!" he said painfully through his teeth. "I…AUGH! I think it's broken!"
Aylene looked. Derek's leg was already starting to turn an ugly black and blue. She swallowed back the bile rising in her throat. She took deep breaths, trying to think of what to do. She gripped her necklace tightly, feeling it grow warm in her hand.
Wait! The Time Stone!
"Derek, hold still!"
Steeling herself, Aylene gently put her hand on Derek's injury, waiting for the green mist to appear.
But it didn't.
Yet, the agony in Derek's face faded. He was still in pain, but it had lessened. Aylene removed her hand. Her palm was glowing a faint emerald light. She looked at Derek's leg. The bruise was still there, but it was less severe.
The stone still had its healing powers.
She clasped it again, closed her eyes, and thought of her brother. The stone grew warm in her hand, and her hand started to glow brighter.
"Sis, what's going on?" Derek grimaced.
"Just trust me," Aylene replied.
She released the stone and put her hand on Derek's wound again.
As the light on her palm grew dimmer, Derek's bruise grew smaller. He gasped in surprise, the pain in his face vanishing. After a few seconds, Aylene removed her hand.
The bruise was gone.
Derek sat up. "What the…?"
"Long story," Aylene said. "Are you okay?"
"Yeah, thanks."
Aylene stood up and reached out a hand to Derek. "Can you stand?"
"I think so," he replied.
Derek took his sister's hand and she helped pull him to his feet. He swayed for a moment before finding his balance. He then looked over at Grandpa Longneck, who had also gotten to his feet. Littlefoot was looking up at him with relief, and Grandpa Longneck smiled in reassurance.
A sudden tremor broke the moment. Doc had managed to whip his tail around the Allosaurus's ankle and pulled it out from under him. He turned his attention to the T-Rex, who was eyeing him and Elaine with suspicion.
"The Lone Wanderers," he snarled. "Of all the places."
"That's right," Elaine replied, her face hardening into a fierce stare. "Now you and your friend can leave in peace, or we'll settle this the hard way."
"He's not my friend!" snapped the T-Rex. "And I'm not afraid of you!"
Elaine narrowed her eyes. "Are you sure? Because you should be."
The T-Rex glanced at Aylene and Derek. "Your grandchildren I assume. And the girl, she's one of Sharptooth's defeaters."
Aylene tensed when she heard that.
Elaine scowled. "If you lay so much as a talon on my grandchildren, you'll be leaving in pieces!"
Aylene and Derek exchanged looks. They never knew their grandmother could be so savage. They didn't know whether to be amazed or afraid.
"We'll see who leaves in pieces!" roared the T-Rex.
He lunged at Elaine. Grandpa Longneck swung his tail, striking the T-Rex aside like it was a fly. He struck the pillar of rock again, causing it to sway and pieces to dislodge.
Elaine caught sight of it and patted Doc's neck. He glanced at her, and she pointed to the rock. He realized what she was saying and nodded.
"Grandpa Longneck!" he called.
Grandpa Longneck turned to Doc. The Diplodocus gestured with his head toward the pillar. Grandpa Longneck understood the message and gave a sharp nod.
Elaine looked at Derek, who had been watching the exchange, and tugged on her bow string. Derek understood and picked up his bow.
The T-Rex got up and rushed at Doc again. The long-neck turned sideways, Elaine drew back her arrow, and released it. The T-Rex tried to dodge, but his massive size and close proximity wouldn't allow the arrow to pass by. It struck his flank, causing him to stumble forward in pain. Doc moved around him with surprising swiftness, and the T-Rex whipped around, showing all of his teeth in savage anger.
Meanwhile, Grandpa Longneck stood his ground between the young ones and the Allosaurus.
"Grandpa Longneck!" Derek called. "Let me on!"
Aylene grabbed his shoulder. "Derek, wait!"
"Don't worry, Sis. I'm fine now."
"I know. But you'll need this."
Aylene took off her necklace. She then handed it and Fierce Loyalty to Derek. Derek looked at the items with surprise, then back at his sister.
"I've done my part," Aylene said. "Now it's up to you and Grandma. Take these."
"Are you sure? You and Littlefoot—"
"Will be fine," Aylene interrupted. "Take this and swing it at the pillar of rock. Trust me."
Derek hesitated for a second before grinning. He took the Time Stone and put it around his neck. He then took Fierce Loyalty and gave his sister a thumbs-up. She responded in kind before turning to Littlefoot.
"Get on!" said the young long-neck.
Aylene leapt onto his back and he ran towards the rock pillar, avoiding the predators. He ran past it before skidding to a stop. He and Aylene watched anxiously, hoping this plan would work.
At the same time, Derek ran towards Grandpa Longneck. The elder brought his tail around. Derek jumped and grabbed hold of it. Grandpa Longneck walked towards the rock pillar, lifting Derek up and over his back. Derek let go, crouching as he landed to grab the folds of Grandpa Longneck skin with one hand. Taking a few deep breaths, he regained his footing and crawled to the base of the Apatosaurus' neck.
Grandpa Longneck and Doc faced the predators, moving slowly in front of the rock pillars. Derek caught his grandmother's eye and winked.
"Hey, Fang-faces!" he shouted at the theropods. "You call yourselves hunters! You couldn't hunt your way out of a paper bag!"
Aylene stifled a laugh.
"What'd you say, human?!" snarled the T-Rex.
"Oh, that's right!" Derek continued, his tone becoming condescending. "You're too dumb to know what a paper bag is! You wouldn't even know your trapped in one!"
Both the Allosaurus and T-Rex's eyes flashed in rage, and Derek smirked.
"YOU'RE GONNA EAT THOSE WORDS!" bellowed the Allosaurus.
The two charged forward. Doc and Grandpa Longneck side-stepped. The predators smashed head-first into the pillar, collapsing to the ground in a painful daze.
"Not hungry!" Derek said before turning to Grandpa Longneck. "Now!"
On that cue, Doc and Grandpa Longneck turned around and wrapped their tails around the rock pillar. The two began to pull with all their might, making the pillar sway and crack.
Elaine drew back an arrow and released it, striking a crack and making it grow bigger. She quickly strung another arrow and readied herself.
Derek gripped Fierce Loyalty, and the Stone around his neck began to glow. He glanced at the blade and saw it shimmering. He wound back like a baseball player ready to bat. Taking careful aim, he swung with all his strength.
A green beam of energy shot from tip in a crescent-moon shape, slicing clean through the rock!
At the same moment, Elaine released her arrow!
The beam and arrow struck the same crack, causing the rocks to give way!
The pillar crumbled and toppled, showering the large predators in massive boulders. The ground trembled like a small earthquake, and the crashing noises drowned out the predators agonizing roars.
Aylene ducked behind Littlefoot as pebbles shot towards them. He stood in front of her, wrapping his neck around her and taking the brunt of the assault with strength. They shielded their eyes as dirt swirled up around them.
Then, all was still.
Aylene and Littlefoot stood up, staring.
The predators were completely buried under the boulders. Only the tips of their tails could be seen.
On each side of the mound, Doc and Grandpa Longneck stood stock still, tall and radiant against the setting sun. On their backs, Derek and Elaine raised themselves up, strong and somber.
A single tear left Aylene's eye. The sight filled her with astonishment. Seeing her brother and grandmother battle side-by-side with their dinosaur companions was beyond exhilarating.
In that moment, she saw warriors. Courageous and noble. That's what they were.
Her chest swelled with pride.
She had warriors in her family.