A/N: Here is the long awaited third chapter of Defenders of the Crater. I will mostly likely do future chapters on here as, while I will be able to upload it on my DeviantArt account, it will be difficult for me to do more because I no longer have Stash Writer, though that may clear up once my Stash is emptied a bit.
Dinotrux belongs to Dreamworks Animated and Netflix.
I only own the plot and my OC's.
Rose belongs to DragonPatrol95 on DeviantArt.
I apologise if any characters are OOC.
Enjoy.
"I take it you must have a pretty bad history with Borer, Arken and Naver," Ty said as the group slowly made their way back, himself supporting the green Trux. "You have no idea my friend," the other replied. "My name is Orion. Orion Xap. Though I prefer the former." "I know what you mean. Ty Rux is my full name but I prefer Ty," the red T-Trux replied happily. "It is also interesting to see a Clawosaurus," added Revvit, who was still perched on Ty's head.
Orion laughed. "I am indeed a Clawosaurus, one of the relatives of the T-Trux." The others all stared at him when they heard this. "So, you're like Ty's cousin or something?" Ton-Ton asked. Again the new Trux laughed. "No, no. Me and Ty are from the species of Trux, Tryannotrux, but not of the same kind." "Ohhh, I get it," the blue Ankylodump said. "By the way, you said you owe us an explanation. What's this all about anyway?" Garby asked. "If you don't mind, I'll tell you that when we are inside."
With that said they all had to be content.
When the group did arrive back at the garage, Ty helped to move Orion into his bay and the Tools set to work on his tread. Splitter and Pounder had been inside the rock structure before and had no qualms about going inside knowing that they would be fine as long as they kept out of the way. D-Structs on the other hand had not been inside it as often as he would have liked to but like his former teammates he didn't complain.
Instead he decided to resign himself to taking up sentry duty in a nearby shaded corner and watched as the three Tools and Skrap-It started their treatment of their new visitor. He frowned. Three Tools? Where was the fourth? And adding to that the orange Craneosaur, Skya, was also missing. Given that he had been constantly wrestling with his motives after helping Ty and the rush of the battle he had completely missed the fact that the Flatirons gang were missing two of their members.
As the Tools and Skrap-It gave the new Trux a check over however, they soon found that his tread wasn't the only thing on him that needed repairing. "Look at you!" griped Waldo, as he brought over a bolt for Revvit to fix said part. "Broken tread, blown fusible plugs, warped drive shaft. You look as though you've been through a war," he went on. The new arrival sighed and shook his head.
"You don't know how true that statement is, my good Tool," he said sadly. "Wait, dude, you really have been in a war?" asked Ton-Ton. "Not been, I'm afraid, am in. And as of now so are all of you," he went on looking around at the others. "WHAT?!" they all exclaimed, except for D-Structs, for he had only been half listening at the time. He did however jump and his optics widened in shock along with the rest of them.
Orion nodded in acknowledgement. "I'm afraid so. The reason I came to your crater is because I'm a warrior of the Rebellion and Borer, Arken and Naver are part of the Evolutions or Evo's for short." "Rebellion? Evolutions? I'm sorry, but you've completely lost us," said Ty. "I was lost way before that dude," said Ton-Ton. "Aren't you always lost, Ton-Ton?" Dozer asked. "Good point," the blue Trux replied while the other rolled his optics.
"All joking aside, what is this about a war you mentioned?" Revvit asked as he made his way to stand in front of Orion after repairing his tread. Said Trux looked round at them all. "What I mean is that all of you and this crater are now Predator's new target." "Wh-wh-who's Predator?" Click-Clack asked as tightened a bolt on Orion's tail. "The leader of the Evo's and-" he stopped.
"I'm starting this all wrong," he said. "I'll go straight back to the beginning and tell you how this war started and how it now involves you all." "That would be great," said Ty. "Go on." Orion took a deep breath before launching into the story. "This war has been going on for many months now. But, there was a time, back at the start, in the twilight hours of what we in the Rebellion all the Golden Age in the valley where they lived, when Hunter and Predator were not sworn enemies."
"You mean that Hunter wasn't always your leader?" asked Rose. "Yes. And he wasn't always Hunter, either. He was once a storyteller, travelling all across the land to tell stories of the past and fantasy, named Centurion. Eventually he arrived in the valley and settled in well among its inhabitants. Though as he turned his thoughts more towards the future, he grew increasingly concerned about the present corruption in high places, an inequality among the species.
"Centurion became inspired by the words and ideas of a warrior, one who had named himself after his father. Praetorian. Praetorian vowed to challenge the herds' leadership and demand that all Dinotrux be treated as equals. This warrior turned revolutionary move quickly, rapidly gathering a loyal following. Suoidis chief among them. Centurion began corresponding with Praetorian who came to be something of a mentor to him and, eventually, a brother.
"As Praetorian left the field of battle for the political one, he saw fit to change his name. Before long, Predator appeared before the herd leaders to propose his planned vision for a just society. And it was here that he began to reveal his true colours, proclaiming the need to overthrow the old world with force and arrogantly demanding to be named the new leader."
"But Centurion did not believe in violence as a means of achieving justice. The hearts and minds of the leader's were moved by Centurion's words. Here, for the first time since the start of the valley's Golden Age, stood someone worthy of being a leader. But that honour could only truly be achieved by earning the allegiance of the herd members. His ambitions completely thwarted, Predator spitefully severed all ties with Centurion and the leaders.
After which he came to wage war on all who opposed him through his growing army of followers which he named "Evolutions". He vowed to claim the lands in the valley and beyond, wherever freedom might lie. In time, warfare consumed the valley, poisoning the land to its core. Centurion journeyed out of the valley, hoping to find help to reverse the ill effects and found himself followed by all of those who had not been swayed by Predator - my commander Koran himself one of them.
The ailing Trux sensed the innate nobility within Centurion and bestowed the title of leader of the Rebellion upon him. It was thus that the surprised and humbled Centurion came to be Hunter, the leader of the Resistance." He glanced round at the Trux and Tools. "And now, after many long months of hard fighting, it seems that this crater of yours is the Evolutions' next target."
As Orion finished his tale, a lengthy silence reigned. Nobody could speak. They were all too shocked about what they had learned. Knowing that there was a war going on was surprising enough in itself, but to learn that all the time they had been battling amongst themselves that they were only a small piece of what was a much larger game was shocking.
At last Revvit spoke up from where he was situated in the Trux's engine compartment replacing the old fusible plugs with the new ones handed to him by Waldo.
"Forgive me for saying this Orion but I do not see how this crater could serve any kind of military purpose besides the obvious necessities of food and shelter." Orion looked at him. "I would normally agree with you, but not this time. Armies of Evos are on the move. These are fighters, they have been trained for war. Our enemy can easily summon his full strength whenever he chooses to do so." "But why show his hand now?" asked Rose.
The Clawosaurus's gaze moved between each of the Trux and Tools respectively. "Because you all forced him. You forced him when Ty first came to the crater and you helped him to save Dozer and completed your first build all those months ago." Both T-Trux's stared at each other questioningly and then back to Orion. "What do you mean?" D-Structs asked with narrowed optics. "Borer, Arken, and Naver were sent here to recruit D-Structs," Ty replied, catching on to what Orion had said.
"Correct," replied said Trux in agreement. "Their commander seeks control of the crater, not just for the food, water and shelter within as Revvit said, but for where it lies, its strategic position. This is the gateway to making a salient in the frontline against the Rebellion in the north. If that fell plan should come to fruition... this crater, the lands around and beyond, even the Great Valley itself will fall."
At that moment Revvit emerged from finally putting in the last of Orion's new fusible plugs and sat on the green Trux's tread housing. "This Evo army you speak of, Orion, where are they?" he asked. "Somewhere east of the bridge why?" he answered. Ty rolled forward slightly. "What Rev means is that if we find the Evo's base we might be able to get an idea of what we're up against. It's really the only option we have open to us."
Silence fell as Orion considered these words. Finally he raised his head. "On the whole," he said, "I think your decision is a wise one. I have enough evidence given to me to know that you Trux can take care of yourselves." "Excellent," said Ty, turning to the others. "Alright gang, here's the plan. Ton-Ton take Rose and go and see if you can find the Pteracopters, they're our best bet for finding the Evo's base. After that, head to the bridge and meet the rest of us there."
"On it dude," Ton-Ton replied and, followed by Rose, sped out of the garage.
The red T-Trux then turned to Revvit. "Rev, you and the others stay here with Orion, when you're done do what I told Ton-Ton and Rose, head to the bridge, we'll be there." "Understood," the apple green and yellow rotillian Reptool replied. "Garby you and Splitter stay here and keep an eye on things. D-Structs, Dozer, Pounder and I will go to the bridge and see if we can pick up any trace of where our new neighbours went." "No problem, Ty," the two Trux answered in unison.
Ty rolled out of the garage with Dozer and Pounder following behind him. He stopped and looked at D-Structs who hadn't moved from his self-given sentry post. "You coming or staying here?" he asked. "He can stay Ty," Orion called, causing D-Structs to look at the Clawosaurus. "I want to have a few words with him." "Ok, if you say so," Ty called back as he and his group rolled away in the direction of the bridge.
D-Structs watched them go before turning his head to face Orion who was being given a final check by Revvit, Click-Clack, Waldo and Skrap-It. "What could you possibly want to talk to me about?" he asked, optics narrowing in suspicion. The green Trux mirrored his expression. "You can drop that act," he said sternly. "You and Ty's group have been at each other's throats since day one."
Silence followed before he went on. "You have had your share of battles in the past but this isn't like when you were facing the Dreadtrux," he continued. "All it takes to change your world is to change the way you think. Change your thoughts and you change your world. That is what Hunter and Predator both tried to do together before the war began and they are still trying to do so now."
"You are either with Predator or you are against him and those who choose the latter option do so at the pain of death. Predator will not allow any form to grow enough to rival him in power, he is ruthless," Orion continued. "And I know why you are against what Ty and his friends stand for. You are scared." The white and black T-Trux scoffed loudly. "I am never scared!" he growled, furious that such a thing had been suggested about him. Garby and Splitter instinctively moved back.
They knew that the conversation was quickly getting heated and they didn't want to be caught in the middle of it. Likewise, the Tools had sped up their final check of the Clawosaurus. "Yes, you heard me right, you are scared," went on Orion. "You are scared because you know Ty had and has everything you don't. Your hatred is what drives this fear. Predator couldn't let go of his hate... and in the end... it corrupted him into the tyrant he is now."
For a moment D-Structs was silent. He seemed to have difficulties realising what had been explained to him. "I guess I've... never really thought of it that way," he replied. "My father was a warrior himself." "Fire is a warrior. Sometimes, what's left behind can grow better than the generation before," said Orion. "If given the chance," he added as an afterthought. A long silence fell while the Garby, Splitter, the Reptools, especially Skrap-It, waited for the white and black T-Trux's reaction.
When he and Rose had left the garage Ton-Ton had quickly got up to full speed. Of course he couldn't resist ramping off the occasional rock when a good one came into his line of sight. Letting out whoops of joy as he did so. Rose simply shook her head. While Ton-Ton was clearly a bit of an amateur, a show-off, and crazy, he still was still a good Trux through and through.
A loud thud interrupted her thoughts as the blue speedster landed on the ground after shooting off of another ramp. "Do you always do that?" she asked both as a joke and a slight criticism. "When I'm told to go fast, I go fast," he replied. With that in mind the pair continued on. "So, exactly how and where are we going to find these Pteracopters anyway?" Rose asked, scanning the sky for the group of four flying Trux.
"Oh we'll find 'em," Ton-Ton replied casually, forming a zig-zag pattern as he drove on. The red female looked at him with a raised eye ridge. "Meaning?" she asked. "Well, we don't always have a plan," he said. "We often just muddle along or other times we simply muck about until we come up with something." Rose rolled her optics in response but couldn't suppress the slight chuckle that escaped her mouth. For some unknown reason, Ton-Ton felt his face suddenly heat up.
He had been around a female Ankylodump before when he had spent his earlier riding days with The Dumps, Drag-O, Wrecka, and Scoot, but for some reason this felt different somehow. Pushing these thoughts aside he too started scanning the skies for any signs of Prop-Top and her squad. They did this for about ten minutes or so with no luck. Rose was about to suggest they look elsewhere when something caught her eye.
Sticking out from behind a rock was a thin black line that disappeared for a few moments before popping back up again. "Ton-Ton?" she asked. "Did you see that?" "I did," he replied. "That's gotta be them!" he cried excitedly and sped up with Rose following after him. As they got closer they heard crunching sounds of rock being crushed against metal.
Rounding the rock they found all five of the Pteracopters. A pile of ore lay before them showing they had landed to eat before heading on their way again. It was Navs who was sitting with his back to the rock and it was the crest on his head that the pair of Ankylodumps had seen. "Fly-dudes!" Ton-Ton called as he and Rose approached the squad.
The four fliers looked up from the ore pile they were eating from and smiled when they saw him. Prop-Top, swallowing what was in her mouth, spoke. "How's it going Ton-Ton? Didn't expect to see you out here." Her gaze then landed on Rose. "And who's this fine little lady then?" Rose giggled once more. "I'm Rose, Ton-Ton's new friend," she replied.
"Friend, huh?" said Prop-Top slyly with half lidded optics causing Ton-Ton's face to heat up once again for the second time that morning. "Well… Uh… I… Er... I." He broke off as the female Pteracopter and her fellow fliers all laughed. "Relax Ton-Ton, I'm just pulling your tyre," she said, getting herself under control as did the rest of her squad. "So what's the caper? What's goin' on? What is it?" asked Flapjaw, rambling on as usual, to the annoyance of his teammates.
"We get it Flapjaw," said Navs sharply, cutting his friend off who chuckled nervously. "Sorry, couldn't help myself, hard to stop once I get going-" "Flapjaw!" Navs and Prop-Top yelled together, finally quieting down their fellow Pteracopter. "Anyways, what do you need, Ton-Ton?" the latter asked. The two Ankylodumps gave a brief overview about what had happened last night with Ty and D-Structs and everything that had occurred that morning, including Orion's statement of their position.
It should come as no surprise that the eyes of all four flying Trux widened at the news, especially about being in a war. "Woah. Never thought we would end up in the middle as something as big as that," said Navs, looking at his squadmates. "You can say that again," said Washout nervously. "Ty wants you dudes to find the Evo's base. It's somewhere on the other side of the bridge. Do you think you can find it?" Ton-Ton asked.
Prop-Top and her squad looked at each other and nodded. "You got it, hot rod," she replied, before turning to her squad. "You heard the Ankylodump, Pteracopters. Let's take to the skies!" In a few seconds all four of them had powered up their rotors and they were quickly airborne. "We'll report back to you lot as soon as we find anything," Prop-Top called down to them from up high.
"You two tell Ty we're on our way." "You got it dudes!" Ton-Ton called back up as the four flying Trux turned in the direction of the bridge and slowly disappeared into the distant horizon. "Let's get to the bridge, the others are probably waiting for us," said Rose. "You said it," agreed Ton-Ton. As they set off however, he suddenly spoke to her. "Uh... You're not, y'know," he looked from left to right before lowering his voice, "embarrassed about what Prop-Top said, are you?" he asked.
Rose thought to herself for a moment before shaking her head. "No, not really," she replied and Ton-Ton looked visibly relieved. He would probably never admit this out loud, but the reason he had gone ramping the moment he could when he and the red female Ankylodump had left the garage to search for the Pteracopters, was that he had been casting glances at her the whole time.
The way the sun glinted off her red paintwork made her look angelic; he felt his face heat up as those memories came back to him. Suddenly he shook his head to get those thoughts out. What was he thinking? The only thing he loved was ramps, scrubbing and building nothing more. It was then that he noticed Rose was looking at him with lidded optics, almost as if she had read his thoughts.
"What?" he asked, silently hoping she hadn't seen him in thought. "I will admit though, you are kind of handsome," Rose said. Ton-Ton's mouth fell wide open yet he could find no words to speak, while his face, had it been possible, would have been redder than Ty's paintwork. The female Ankylodump started laughing loud and long. Eventually, Ton-Ton found himself joining in until the pair were both laughing together all the way to the bridge.
While Ton-Ton and Rose had been informing Prop-Top, Navs, Flapjaw, and Washout on their mission, Ty, Dozer, and Pounder had arrived at the bridge. The marks of Orion's earlier scuffle with Borer, Arken, and Naver could still be seen close to one of the main supports. The red T-Trux stopped and scanned the area on the other side with a slow deliberate gaze.
When he finished he turned back to the others. "Alright, I can't see anything from here, so we'll lower the bridge and see if we can pick up their trail, and most importantly stay alert, I'm not taking any chances. Try and stay in sight of the bridge. If any of you do find anything, call for the other two so that we can meet and follow it up together." "You got it, Ty," replied Dozer while Pounder nodded in silent acknowledgement of the orders.
After lowering the bridge and crossing over, they split up and headed in different directions. Dozer went left, Pounder went right, and Ty went centre. The red T-Trux scoured about behind every rock and bolourder he came across. Wherever the Evo warriors had gone he and his friends would find them. More lives than theirs depended on it. Every Trux and Tool who lived in the crater was at risk.
He shuddered as his dream from last night came back to him. The image of the garage burning and Trux and Tools running for their lives away from whom he now knew had to be Savage and his troops. What he had been shown was what could, or rather, would happen if the Evolutions weren't stopped. Despite that, it gave him the resolve to push on and do his best.
A loud whirring noise from high above him made him look skywards and he saw the Pteracopters fly over and he smiled. At least they had one advantage over their newly met enemies for, if he remembered correctly, Orion hadn't informed them about any fliers in the Evo's ranks. Prop-Top's squad also provided them with the ability to mount an almost complete day time watch over them as well, which was an added bonus.
The next few minutes passed without him finding anything before the ground suddenly shook and a loud hollow bang came from close by. Without a second's pause, he charged in the direction it had come from and after a few minutes of navigating his way through the rocks he found Pounder waiting for him. Dozer arrived shortly afterwards and the Poundersaurolophus gestured towards what he had found.
"Tracks. We've found the way they went. Good job, Pounder," said Ty and the red-eyed Trux smiled with the praise. It was a strange thing to see such an emotion on his face but it was a welcome one nonetheless. "Dudes! You out here!" Ton-Ton's voice came from somewhere behind them. "We're over here!" Ty called back and a few moments later, Ton-Ton and Rose appeared from behind a rock, they too having most likely heard Pounder's signal for attention.
"Here you guys are, we've been looking for you," said Rose. "Sorry we couldn't wait for you, but we've found the Evo's tracks," answered Ty, turning back to the object at the end of his sentence. "Sweet! We've got 'em now!" said Ton-Ton. Pounder clicked rapidly before letting out a growl at the Ankylodump. "Pounder's right, let's not get ahead of ourselves, Ton-Ton," said Ty firmly. "For all we know, we could be walking into a trap."
"Oh, right," said the blue Ankylodump. The group went on in silence after that. Ty, as was his custom, was in the lead with Dozer, Ton-Ton and Rose behind him while Pounder brought up the rear. They were all highly tense, all alert for any sight or sound of danger. The tracks they were following continued for a while before the Trux arrived at a rocky area that they hadn't seen before.
Moving around some boulders they came across what appeared to be two large paths, one of which was tunnel-like, bordered on both sides by rocks and a few trees scattered here and there. "Huh? This looks like a crossroads of some sort," said Ty as they rolled onto it. "And regularly used from the looks of it," he added, as he looked it up and down.
"You don't think we've found the Evo's main travel route do you?" asked Rose. "Seems like it," replied Ton-Ton. "Which means we have to be close to their base," put in Ty looking around. "Come on, let's scout round and see what we can find." The group split up once again and began to scour the area for any more signs of the ones that they had been following.
"Do you think the others are alright back in the crater?" Rose asked, casting a glance over her rear fenders in the direction that they had come from. "I'm sure that they're doin' just fine without us. They can handle themselves," Dozer replied, even though the confidence in his voice didn't really sound that convincing to those around him. They knew that in leaving the bridge down they were practically inviting trouble to come to them.
Had Dozer known what was going on back in the crater at that exact very moment he would have changed his tune. D-Structs had simply nodded in response to what Orion had said with a neutral expression upon his face before the green Clawosaurus had left for reasons only known to himself. Revvit, Waldo, Click-Clack, Skrap-It, D-Structs, Garby, and Splitter had all decided to obey Ty's last order and head to the bridge to await the return of the red T-Trux and his scouting party.
When they did get there, they slowly and methodically surveyed the area before approaching the massive structure. They weren't going to be taken by surprise if they could help it. Of course there was little that they could do after that except wait for the return of the others and whiled away the time by either taking turns at standing guard for some time while the others chatted amongst themselves.
After about nearly half an hour, Skrap-It spoke up. "I just kkkkttt thought of something." "It's a miracle," Waldo muttered to himself. "Even if we do find the kktt Evo's base, what are we going to do kkkttt then? It's safe to assume we won't be able to just waltz on in there and kktt ask for them not to attack us," he said, with a hint of sarcasm in his voice while shooting a glare at the red, black striped Wrenchtool who simply rolled his eyes.
"The Scraptool's right," said Splitter. "We're outnumbered a hundred to one, and from what Orion's told us, and the fact that we can't expect much help from those already living here, we're on our own." "Numbers don't always win a battle," D-Structs wanted to say but decided against it. After all, if anyone knew the meaning of those words, it was him. He had the experience to prove it.
"I am forced to agree with you, Splitter," said Revvit, who was sitting on one of the concrete pillars that held the cables that brought the bridge up in place alongside Skrap-It, Waldo, and Click-Clack. "Even when we faced you, D-Structs, Blayde, and Pounder we still came out on top, even though you equalled us numerically. And it is true that there are only a few Trux and Tools in this crater who will come to our aid."
"Well I think this lot are a good start," said a voice. Everyone looked round to see Flynt coming towards them. And he wasn't alone. With him were nine other very familiar Trux and Tools that they knew. In particular, two Rotillian Reptools that sat on the Hydrodon's head next to his water cannon, one was a reddish lotus brown, the other a very dark purple almost black, and a trio of silver, black and light blue Hex Wrenchtools.
"Flynt? Dumps? Gluphs? Chunk and Crunk? Hudnut? Ottos? Why are you all here?" asked Revvit, who was, much like the others, in complete shock. The new arrivals looked at each other before Chunk spoke up. "Your friend there is very persuasive." A chuckle got their attention and they all looked around to see Orion coming towards them with two more familiar Trux following along behind him.
They were Prong and Horn, whom Ty and his friends hadn't seen since their first encounter with Blayde when they had helped her in terrorising George and his two friends, Zera and Topps. "Orion? You brought them all here?" Waldo asked. "Don't act so surprised my friend," Orion replied as the two Dozeratops came up to the group. "These Trux and Tools all owe you and your friends a great debt and the time has come for them to repay those debts."
"Especially me and Mulberry," piped up Hudnut as Flynt lowered his head to the ground to allow his two passengers to jump off and land on the ground in front of him. "After what you did to save us from Splitter, we have long awaited a chance to help you." His companion nodded in agreement before the two Reptools then turned to face the Sawmetradon who had once been their enemy. "Orion told us about your desire to change," said Mulberry, her voice slow and deliberate.
Splitter nodded while the others all watched and waited with bated breath as to what the woodland Reptool would say next. "And as such, we have decided that we are willing to give you a chance," Hudnut finalised. "Thank you... both of you," the Trux replied. The Tools both smiled before climbing up the cable and then onto the pillar alongside Revvit, Waldo, Click-Clack, Skrap-It, and the Ottos who had already joined them.
"So what do we do now?" asked Prong. "We wait for Ty to return," D-Structs replied as he turned around to watch the other side of the bridge. "You think he's gonna take long?" Drag-O asked. "We Dumps don't stay still for too long in one place." "You are free to move around," Orion answered. "If you want something to do you could scout along the edge of the gorge if you wanted."
"Sounds good to me," said Wrecka and Scoot nodded in agreement. Flynt then spoke up. "Not to be a downer or anything, but I'm more used to taking direct action, not waiting for trouble to come along and happen," he declared. "I think that trouble will happen whether we continue to sit here or not," answered Orion. "Besides, until Ty returns with the others and we are at full strength which will enable us to-"
He broke off as a thought suddenly struck him. "What is it, Orion?" Garby asked with the others glancing at the Clawosaurus when they heard this. After a couple of moments he spoke to them. "I just remembered something I overheard Arken say before he, Borer and Naver entered the crater. I can't quite remember the whole conversation but I know he said something along the lines of "prisoners" before they crossed the bridge."
Everyone who had been at the garage and heard the light green Trux's story about Savage and how he had an army under his control weren't as surprised as they thought they would be upon hearing such a statement that they had all grown to expect it. Those who had just arrived however were taken completely off guard. Of course, the others had already told them what the Clawosaurus had told them but this threw them through a loop.
"Prisoners?" asked Stix, as they watched Orion continue to tell the others about what he knew. "Did he say something about prisoners?" Flynt turned his head out towards the horizon beyond in the direction of the bridge. "I hope you're not thinking what I think you're thinking, Flynt" answered Scoot, looking over at him while he had been listening to what had been said.
"We should leave for the place Orion spoke of as soon as possible," declared Flynt before turning back to the other two. "If there are prisoners there, we have to try and rescue them and see if they will join us." "You three will do no such thing." D-Structs voice broke in sharply upon them and they looked up to see that the white and black T-Trux had overheard their conversation and instantly decided to confront them about it.
He gave them all a firm glare. "You go out there and you'll be captured or worse turned into scrap, understand?" Silence prevailed for a moment as Flynt stared back at the white and black T-Trux with an even gaze. Stix and Scoot glanced at each other before back at the two other Trux. "Understood," the Hydrodon replied simply. D-Structs stared at him for a few more minutes before sighing, shaking his head, and turned away to once again talk to the others.
The moment he did so, though, Flynt began moving towards the bridge. Stix, feeling obliged to do so, followed him. Scoot looked back and forth between them and the others, contemplating what he should do. "Wait, are you dudes sure you know what you're doing?" he asked, starting after them. "No, we don't, kid," replied Flynt as they crossed the bridge. "But I'm not gonna sit around and wait for disaster to strike. You comin' or not?" the Hydrodon asked with an air of finality.
"I'm with you," declared Stix as they reached the other side with Scoot following after him. It can only be described as bad luck that nobody noticed the trio going off on their own. It would have been better if they had. After making sure that they weren't being followed they got up to speed and headed in the direction of the small group of trees Splitter had gone to before returning to the crater.
There was no doubt that it would serve as a good point to start searching from. However, it wasn't long before Scoot, being the kind of Trux that he was, began to pester Stix with questions. "I can't believe I'm saying this but, I'm sure D-Stucts said that we should stay back at the bridge and wait until Ty and his group got back, didn't he? Remember? Stix? Will Drag-O and Wrecka be mad when they find out that I left?"
Again he got no response.
"Stix? Remember? Stix?" "I don't know, Scoot," Stix replied, taking maximum effort not to yell at him. "Well, when will you be back? Shall I tell the others so that we can wait up for you?" "No." "Will you promise you'll find somewhere safe to sleep? Make sure you find somewhere safe to sleep." The Gluphosaur finally looked back at him. "Scoot, be quiet. Besides, you've rambled on so much that we've gone too far for you to go back now, anyway," Stix informed him.
Scoot looked back and realised in horror that Stix was right. "No, this is a mistake. I've gone on an adventure by mistake!" Suddenly his expression brightened. "I wonder how many Trux will be at this place!" he said, excitement overcoming his early fear before hurrying to catch up with his companions. "Stix. Stix?" he began but the Gluphosaur cut him off. "If you are coming along, you can't start doing inappropriate things at inappropriate times, understand?" Stix said firmly.
"What's that supposed to mean?" Scoot asked indignantly. "It means that Trux like you have a tendency to be a liability." The green Dump looked very offended. "Hey! I'm not a liabila... liabela... a.. a... whatever you said! I never even wanted to come along. I mean..." Stix rolled his eyes and turned his attention back to Flynt. "Are you sure this is a good idea, Flynt?" he asked the Hydrodon.
"That depends on our success rate. Besides, from what Orion said, it sounds like this prison camp may be just the ticket to getting some information on the Evo's," Flynt replied. "If that's the case, we'll just sneak in, let them know that any who want to leave are welcome to join us. There we go." The other two nodded in agreement. "There's the belt of woods Splitter mentioned he stopped in," said Flynt as they came to a halt when they spotted a large group of trees ahead of them.
"This means we're near enough halfway. We'll stop here for a bit to get our bearings and work out a plan." The Hydrodon moved towards the trees, followed by Stix while Scoot glanced back behind them. "I just hope the others will be okay back at the crater when they find out we're gone," he said, to no one in particular and if Flynt and Stix had heard him then they gave no sign of it. The trio made themselves as comfortable as they could among the trees before they dropped off to sleep.
None of them noticed several shapes moving about in the darkness as they closed their eyelids.
Scoot was finding it the hardest to sleep. Every time he did so he would be awakened by a strange noise coming from somewhere around him. Having spent most of his life in the crater he had grown accustomed to it and was therefore not used to being outside of familiar territory for so long. He had just closed his eyes for a fifth time when a loud crash echoed out from somewhere close by.
Of course this woke them all up wide in a splintered second and they all stared widely about them as more and more sounds came from every direction. "What was that?!" cried Stix as the three drew closer to each other. "I'm not sure," replied Flynt. "Uhh, dudes," said Scoot, looking around nervously. "I'd hate to be the voice of doom here, but," he gulped, "I don't think we're alone." "Gee, whatever gave you that idea," the Hydrodon answered sarcastically.
For a moment, the sounds continued. They got louder and louder until, abruptly, they all ceased into silence. Suddenly, for the three Trux, the remoteness of their location, the solitude of the place they were in, became almost unbearable. While those noises had come on, they had formed some idea of what, or rather who, might possibly be out there. Now, suddenly, there was a change, the passing of something - and all that remained was this gaunt quiet.
"Should be fine. Should be fine. Should be fine," Scoot muttered to himself as he began to shake in fright. "Will you stop that!" Stix hissed, also nervous but trying to hide it by becoming fed up of the Ankylodump's attitude. "If you hadn't badgered us with questions we probably would have bothered to check the area before resting," the Gluphosaur replied. "Hey! It's not like I wanted to come along with you two!" Scoot retorted sharply.
"KNOCK IT OFF!" Flynt roared, shutting the pair up. "In case you haven't noticed we're alone in enemy territory, far from the crater with zero chance of anybody coming to find us and to cap it all off you two are bickering while we're probably surrounded." "You took the words right out of my mouth, Flynt," said a voice that made them start. They looked up to see a dark silver grey T-Trux emerge from behind some of the trees while several more dark Trux appeared all around them.
They were surrounded. And there was no chance of escaping. "My name is Captain Arkren," said the Trux with a frame chilling smile. "My friends and I here are from a delightful little place nearby called Scrap Rock," he continued as he slowly began to circle the three companions. "We'd love you to join us. Oh, and anything you could tell us about the crater would be useful as well," he added.
Arkren turned away and headed off out of the forest. The trio had no choice but to follow. If the looks their captors were giving them was any indication they would be glad of an excuse to tear them apart piece by piece. "And one more thing," the T-Trux called back to them over his shoulder. "I would strongly recommend not fighting please? It would not bode well for you would it?" he added sinisterly.
