I know it's been a while since I wrote for this story and I apologize.
Chapter 19: Watchtower
The Trux and Tools were under attack by Scrapadactyls after being followed during a scrap-run. "Skya, how could you not have seen these Scrapadactyls while we were getting all this scrap?!" Dozer exclaimed as he swatted a Scrapadactyl with his tail. "I'm not sure! I was sure there weren't any around when I checked!" Skya exclaimed as another Scrapadactyl clinged onto her and tried to pull off her parts. Luckily, Garby shot his spikes at the Scrapadactyl, knocking it off of Skya. "Thanks, Garby." Skya said.
Ty and Shredda struggled to fight off a bunch of the Scrapadactyls. Just then, the Pteracopters swooped in and aided the Trux. "Back off, you scrappy flyers!" Prop-Top exclaimed. The Scrapadactyls were outmatched and took off. "Thanks for the backup, Prop-Top. We would've been scrapped for sure without your help." Ty said. "No problem, Ty. We were on our usual patrol when we caught sight of those scrappers swarming you." Prop-Top said. "Well, I'm glad someone could see them." Dozer said. "How did they even get the drop on you treaders, anyway?" Washout asked. "They must've followed us from the scrapyard where we picked up this scrap." Ty said. "But I was sure that there weren't any when we got there. I looked everywhere." Skya assured. "What you needed was something that could see as high as we can." Prop-Top said. That got Ty thinking.
When the Trux and Tools got back to the garage, with the Pteracopters joining them, they started thinking about what Prop-Top suggested. "I wonder. What can we build that can see as high as a Pteracopter?" Ty asked. "A Cranosaur with a longer neck?" Ton-Ton asked. "That's more impossible than your giant straw idea." Dozer said. "Dude, will you drop the whole giant straw thing already?!" Ton-Ton asked out of annoyance. "Hmm. What about some kind of tower?" Ty asked. "A tower?" Dozer asked. "Yes. A tower where one can see what Skya cannot." Revvit agreed. "A watchtower." Ty said. Revvit leapt down onto a rock and began etching out a plan for this watchtower. "We can build it to be twice as tall as the elevation platform we used to rescue Dozer." He explained. "And we can set up telescopes on the viewing platform." Ty said. "That could work. But I'm afraid that I can only do the tower part. We don't have any hardened scilicet for any more telescopes." Revvit said as he finished his etch. "Then we'll need someone who can perch himself on top of the tower and serve as the lookout." Ty said. "Who are you gonna get to perch himself on top of this tower? One of the Pteracopters?" Dozer asked. "It's a very tempting offer, but we like keeping to ourselves." Prop-Top said. "Wait. I think we know a lone Pteracopter who might be interested." Flapjaw said. Prop-Top, Navs and Washout knew who he was talking about.
The Pteracopters led the Trux and Revvit to a canyon with some stone columns in it. "His name's Tailwind. He's known to tons of Pteracopters we've met before we met you." Prop-Top explained. You sure he lives around here?" Ty asked. "We Pteracopters always prefer to build our nests up in rock stacks and columns like the ones around here." Navs said. "And what makes you think he'll even be interested in joining us?" Dozer asked. "We don't." Prop-Top said. "Well, there's a vote of confidence." Dozer grumbled. "I don't see why we have to build this tower. I can see things perfectly fine at my height. And we have that one telescope at the garage." Skya said. "It's not that we don't trust your sight, Skya, but we need to find a new way to look to newer heights." Revvit said. "But can't we just build me some portable scopes or something?" Skya asked. "Have you been sleeping in Ton-Ton's rock bed?" Dozer asked. "What's wrong with my rock bed?" Ton-Ton asked, feeling insulted. "I am sorry, Skya, but we're out of options here." Ty said. Skya groaned.
"His nest is just up there." Prop-Top said, gesturing to the tallest column in the canyon. "Whoa. That's pretty tall, dude." Ton-Ton said. "Tailwind always did like his nest to be really, really tall." Prop-Top said. "How do you know so much about this Tailwind guy anyway?" Waldo asked. "Tailwind's actually my brother." Prop-Top revealed. "Your brother?" Revvit asked. "We grew up in the same nest. But when it was time to lead a squadron, I chose to lead this squad. But Tailwind, he preferred to stay a loner." Prop-Top explained. "Sounds more like a T-Trux than a Pteracopter." Dozer said. "Sounds like my kind of Trux. Take me up so I can talk to him." Ty said. "Sorry, Ty, but Tailwind doesn't trust treaders. Let me try to talk to him by myself. Hopefully he'll change his mind once he learns about all the Trux working together." Prop-Top said. "Alright. Good luck." Ty said.
Prop-Top flew up to the nest. "Tailwind? You in here?" She called. "Prop-Top? Is that you?" A voice asked. "Yeah, it's me, little brother." Prop-Top said. Just then, another Pteracopter with a brown fin exited the nest. "What're you doing here?" Tailwind asked. "We need your help." Prop-Top said. "Prop-Top, I already told you. I fly alone." Tailwind said. "It's not anything to do with my squad. It has to do with our treader friends." Prop-Top said. That caught Tailwind's attention. "You have friends who are treaders?" He asked. "Yes. They're builders. Different Trux working together, led by…" Prop-Top started to say. "Let me guess. Led by a red T-Trux?" Tailwind asked. "How'd you know?" Prop-Top asked. "I've heard the stories. But I know it's not true." Tailwind said. "Are you sure about that?" Prop-Top asked, gesturing over to the edge. Tailwind looked down and saw the Trux. "Hi." Ty called. "Okay. I stand corrected." Tailwind said.
Prop-Top and Tailwind flew down to the Trux and landed in front of them. "So, you're the legendary Dinotrux I've been hearing about." Tailwind said. "Name's Ty. And this is Ton-Ton, Skya, Dozer, Garby, Shredda, Revvit, Waldo, Ace, Click-Clack, Xee, Dil, Taziri and Spinz." Ty introduced. "Tailwind. So, what brings you treaders to my domain?" Tailwind asked. "We need your help." Ty said. "We are building a watchtower so we can observe the higher sights that Skya can't see past her own height. And Prop-Top says that you are just the Trux we need." Revvit explained. "My help? Yeah. Sorry. Don't know if Prop-Top told you already, but I fly solo. I don't really work well with others. Especially treaders." Tailwind said. "We know. She told us." Dozer said. "But have you ever tried working with others?" Revvit asked. "Tried it once. Didn't really…work out." Tailwind said. "Really? What happened?" Ty asked. "I'd rather not talk about it." Tailwind said. "Well, we really need this watchtower and there's no other Trux we can go to. You're our only hope, Tailwind." Revvit said. Tailwind looked at the pleading faces of the Trux. "Alright. I guess I can loan you my services. Just this once." He said. "Well, alright then. Once we get back home, let's Trux it up!" Ty called.
Once they got back, the Trux started setting up the foundation. The Pteracopters set up wooden stands inside the foundation. The Trux attached metal planks between the legs to stick them together. Revvit and Click-Clack screwed the planks in place. Prop-Top and Tailwind gently placed more pieces for the watchtower around the landing spot. Xee and Spinz helped set them into place before Waldo screwed them in. Finally, they built the top of the watchtower like a Pteracopter's nest. "Boom!" Ty cheered. "Did it." Revvit said, tail-bumping his partner. "Okay. I have to admit, that is quite impressive." Tailwind said. "And it's actually fit for a Pteracopter, if you consider joining the team." Ty said. "I…I told you. I fly solo." Tailwind said. "But with a Pteracopter on the team, we could actually escalate to newer heights we never could." Skya said. Everyone was surprised to hear this coming from her. "What? I know when I'm beat when it comes to heights." She said. "Huh. Still surprising me." Dozer said.
"At least try out the watchtower to see how it works, Tailwind." Revvit offered. Tailwind looked up at the watchtower. "Alright. I'll give it a look-see." He said. He activated his propellors and flew up to the watchtower's nest. "Huh. I actually have quite the view up here." He said, admiring the view. Suddenly, he saw something glistening in the air. "Wait a second. There's something coming towards us from the skies." The Trux looked up and saw an entire flock of Dyscrapadons coming towards them. "Dyscrapadons!" Revvit exclaimed.
The Dyscrapadons dived towards the Trux and prepared the saws in their mouths. "Defensive positions!" Ty exclaimed. The Trux got into their defensive positions while the Pteracopters took off into the air and the Reptools took cover. The first Dyscrapadon landed in front of Dozer and screeched at him. "That's close enough!" Dozer exclaimed as he dropped his blade and dozed into the Dyscrapadon. Another Dyscrapadon was chasing Washout. But then Skya snagged the Dyscrapadon with her hook and swung it away, sending it crashing into a couple of boulders. "Thanks, Skya. I owe you one." Washout said. Suddenly, he saw another Dyscrapadon coming at Skya from behind. He brought out his cables, hooked them onto the Dyscrapadon and slammed it into the ground. "Guess we can call it even." Skya said.
Ty caught another Dyscrapadon in his jaws and slammed it into the ground. "Ty, another one for you!" Prop-Top called as she tossed Ty another Dyscrapadon. Ty swatted the Dyscrapadon with his wrecking ball. But then he noticed Tailwind hiding behind some boulders. "Tailwind? What're you doing? He could use your help." He said. "Can't. I…I'm no good in a fight. Especially with…Dyscrapadons." Tailwind said, obviously lying. "What's going on with you?" Ty asked. Tailwind hesitated to answer as Prop-Top landed beside him. "It's okay, Tailwind. You can tell him." Prop-Top said. "Tell me what?" Ty asked. Tailwind sighed, knowing that there was no other choice. "Prop-Top didn't tell you everything about me. I didn't exactly start off as a solo flyer. I had my own squadron once." He started to explain.
[Flashback]
Tailwind flew through the skies with his own Pteracopter squadron. "We were second to best against Prop-Top's squad." Tailwind smiled at his squadron as they smiled back. "Unfortunately, is was not to last." Suddenly, there was a loud screech. And then a flock of Dyscrapadons attacked them. "They tore through my squads' engines, sending them crashing down into the darkness." Tailwind could only watch in horror and petrification as the Dyscrapadons took down everyone in his squad. He lowered his head in sadness and shame.
[Flashback End]
"My whole squadron. Gone. I was too scared to do anything. And I'm too scared now." Tailwind finished. "Hey, it's okay to be scared, Tailwind. But sometimes, you have to put your fear aside and do what's right for your family and friends." Ty said. "He's right, Tailwind. Look at us all." Prop-Top said as she showed Tailwind the resulting battle. Her squad and Ty's friends were holding their own against the Dyscrapadons as best as they could. "We all maybe different, but it's our differences that make us strong. It's how we were able to defeat so many great foes. D-Structs, D-Stroy, Kramptrux. We always fight together." Tailwind looked on and got a determined look on his face. "I might have an idea that can help." He said.
As another Dyscrapadon cornered the Tools, Tailwind dropped down on top of it. "That's for my squad, you flying reject!" He exclaimed before taking off again. The Dyscrapadons took notice of him and took off after him. "Well, well. Following me, huh? Well, that's bad. For you." Tailwind said. He led the Dyscrapadons into a nearby cave and escaped before the Dyscrapadons could catch up to him. "Now, team!" He called. The other Pteracopters flew in, carrying boulders. "Head's up! Look out! Watch your step! Impact!" Flapjaw called as he and the others dropped the boulders, sealing the cave. The Trux cheered as they drove up to the scene. "Well, that's the last we'll see of those Dyscrapadons for a while." Tailwind said. "That was quite the plan, Tailwind." Ty said. "Yeah, I know. Thanks, Ty." Tailwind said.
Later, everyone gathered back at the watchtower. "Well, guess it's time we take off back into the air." Prop-Top said. "Yeah. Can't wait to feel the wind in my turbines again. The breeze in my afterburners. The thin air in my propellors." Flapjaw said. "Well spoken, Flapjaw." Prop-Top said. "Guess you're gonna be off too, huh, Tailwind?" Ty asked. "Of course, he is. Even though he helped us, Tailwind still prefers to be a solo flyer, right?" Dozer asked. "I'm not going anywhere." Tailwind said. That shocked everyone. "A Pteracopter can only be as good as his friends. And the solo flyer thing has worn off on me. So, I've decided to accept your offer. I will stay and join your little family. There's so much for me to learn from you guys about teamwork." Tailwind said. "Awesome! It's gonna be so much fun to have another flyer on the team!" Spinz cheered. "Welcome to the team, Tailwind. We're glad to have you." Ty said. "Thanks, Ty. I won't let you down." Tailwind said. "Or up." Ton-Ton joked. Everyone looked at him. "Get it? Up? Cause he's a Pteracopter?" Ton-Ton asked. Dozer actually laughed at this. "I actually got that!" He exclaimed. The others soon got it too and laughed along.
