Chapter 19

Raphael was hallucinating from the hard labor. He was hungry, tired, and weak. He didn't care about the insults or torturous strikes from the Triceratons. He just wanted peace and rest. He wasn't sure how much longer he was going to live.

He almost didn't notice how Prog and his Triceraton soldiers suddenly became quiet when a prissy-dressed Triceraton entered the mines. Prog was being very polite and formal, which the female Triceraton's expression didn't appear to approve or disprove.

"What's this about?" Raph thought to himself. No one seemed to be giving him much attention, so Raph figured he could let himself rest for a few minutes before someone would hurt him again.

Suddenly, the mines began to explode as bombs set off in multiple areas. Everyone was in a panic and they started to run for cover. Raph took shelter under a mine cart. The entire place was going to collapse! He noticed the female Triceraton's bodyguards guide her to safety.

In the middle of the chaos and confusion, Raph spotted some Triceratons come through the holes made by the bombs and firing their weapons at the prison soldiers. Triceratons fighting Triceratons?! Raph couldn't believe it, but his eyes did not deceive him.

The new group of Triceratons were guiding prisoners out of the mines and releasing them from the chains that held them.

"Someone stop them! It's the Rebellion!" Raph heard Prog yell, but it was barely audible through the noise of the explosions.

Raph watched the scene unfold. The prison soldiers were protecting their Commander and the female Triceraton, and the Rebellion Triceratons were keeping them back as they rescued as many prisoners as possible.

Raph wasn't sure if he should stay hidden or if he should help. He wanted to get out of this place, but he didn't want to stay in the hands of the Triceratons either no matter who's side it was. It was obvious that this Rebellion group was not part of Prog's group, or anyone from the prison. So who were they?

Raph could tell that even though he was safe under the cart, it was still not a good idea to be here in the mines. He could be in serious trouble if the entire mine came crashing down on them. He tried to run, but the chains he was tied to go stuck under the cart's tires. Raph pushed against the cart to free himself, but he couldn't do it. The cart was too heavy and he was too weak.

"Shell, I'm going to die here, am I?!" he began to panic. "Come on, move!"

The cart did not budge and Raph braced himself to be swallowed up by the collapsing cave. But then a large pair of hands was there beside him and they broke Raph free from the chains with their hammer.

"Hold on to me!" they told him. "We're getting out of here!"

Raph couldn't get a good look at their face as dust and debris filled the air. He coughed as his lungs began to take in the toxic waste and he lost consciousness.

By the time the explosions had ceased, Prog and his soldiers came out of hiding. Prog's face twisted into anger as he looked around at the damaged mine. It will take months to repair and it appeared that most of their prisoners were missing. The Triceraton commander clinched his fits.

"Curse that filthy Rebellion!"

His concern then shifted to his guest and he looked around for her. The female Triceraton appeared to be alright, thanks to her bodyguards. Prog rushed over to her.

"Baroness! I am so sorry this happened during your visit!"

The female Triceraton dusted herself off with a frown. "I've had just about enough with that Rebellion..."

"Don't worry, Baroness!" Prog swore. "I promise you that I will personally search for whomever is responsible for this. Those traitors won't get away so easily."

"No," the Baroness snorted. "You and your men get this mess cleaned up as soon as possible, Prog. I will send my own men to search for the Rebellion."

"You heard her!" Prog turned to his soldiers. "Search the mines for any survivors! If you find any clues regarding the Rebllion, make sure to report it to me too!"

"Sir!" A Triceraton soldier saluted before he and the other prisoner soldiers ran off to do as they have been ordered.

"Is there anything I can do for you at all, Baroness?" Prog asked the female Triceraton. She stood up and shook her head.

"I am fine. But it's obvious I'm not safe here in the open. I best return to my estate. However, I will leave Jorg here to continue this prison's inspection."

"Of course, Baroness," the inspector bowed to the command.

Raphael opened his eyes and looked around. He did not recognize the place here he was. It was dimly lit by an oil lamp hanging over the bed he was laying on. He tried to move, bu he felt dizzy and his body ached.

"Easy there, my friend," came a voice. "You inhaled some of the some from the explosion and you have gone sometime without food and nourishment. You must stay in bed until your body recovers."

Raph turned his head to the voice. It was a Triceraton, but he seemed very familiar. He soon recognized the scar across the Triceraton's eye and he gasped in surprise.

"Traximus?! But how..?"

"It's nice to see you again, too, Raphael," Traximus smiled at the Turtle. He helped the Turtle sit up and offered a spoonful of what appeared to be soup.

"Here, try it."

Raph accepted the food, but he still had so many questions. His head hurt, his body hurt, and why was Traximus here?

"Traximus...," Raph tried speaking again. "What happened? Where am I?"

"You're safe, Raphael. I rescued you from the mines. I didn't expect to see you again so soon, though. I was hoping by the time we saw each other again, the Triceraton Homeworld would be back to it's former glory. But it appears fate had a different plan for us."

He let Raphael lie back down. "It took months for us to plan this attack. We managed to save a few others from the prison, but some where not so lucky."

"My...brothers?" Raph questioned. "Are they okay?"

"Your brothers are here too?" Traximus questioned. He then shook his head no. "We did not see them. We only attacked the mines. It's possible your brothers are still inside the prison."

Raph tried to get up again. "We have to go back, my brothers...I have to save my brothers...!"

"Hold on," Traximus held him as the Turtle began to lose is balance. He had Raph sit back down on the bed. "You're too weak to do anything for your brothers now, Raphael. You've taken quite a beaten from Prog and his subordinates. It may take you a few days to possibly a week before your strength returns. For now, it is best if you stay here and recover."

"But...I can't leave them," Raph told him. Traximus nodded.

"I understand. I have some friends from the prison. I promise I will make sure that your brothers are well. We will find a way to rescue them too."

Raph felt dizzy and weak again. Traximus lied him back down on the bed and Raph soon surrendered himself to sleep.