Chapter 16: We Stand Together

Two weeks passed since the defeat of Valmonway and the ultimate end of what could have been a global disaster by the hand of an all powerful being. Fireclaw was recovering well from the battle with Valmonway and the multiple injuries he sustained. His back ached on occasion when he would walk, but it wasn't anything permanent or damaging. The gash on his shoulder was healing nicely with the stitches inserted thanks to Teryx. The Dinosaucers came to accept Pterano and Quackpot into their ranks and the two both left their Tyranno ways behind them. Pterano also returned to his old name rather than Terrible Dactyl.

The sun was shining through clear skies on this warm summer day. Fireclaw was sitting on a rock near the Thundering Falls wading his feet in a shallow part of the pond. He looked at his reflection and though about everything he'd accomplished. He remembered some of his sins that would forever scar his soul, but in the end was able to say that it was worth it for how far he had come. It was hard to come to terms with but Fireclaw pulled himself through. The secret scouts were off adventuring with Littlefoot and his friends. Chomper walked up behind Fireclaw and startled him from his trance.

"Hey Fire, Allo's looking for you. I think you're leaving." Chomper said.

"Wait what? Where is he?" Fireclaw replied curiously.

"I'm not sure. The other Dinosaucers loaded up all of the ships with a lot of the equipment we had at Lavadome. We'd managed to fix Lavadome a good deal, I don't see how the damages from earlier could have anything to do with it." Chomper explained.

"Oh no... Don't tell me." Fireclaw said under his breath with great distress.

Fireclaw and Chomper walked to a field in the Great Valley that was well large enough to land four ships in. Just as Chomper said, the Dinosaucer mothership, Bronto-thunder's ship, Tricero's ship, Dimetro's ship, Bonehead's ship and Stego's ship were loaded with equipment and docked in the field. The main door to the Dinosaucer's mothership folded itself down from the underside of the ship and Allo made his way down the large ramp. Fireclaw felt his stomach drop at the fact that he would be leaving Earth.

"Well Fireclaw, this is it. I'm sorry I had to let you know on such short notice, but we were called back last night, and it's urgent." Allo said with deep regret. Fireclaw could see the hurt in his eyes as he had to break the news to him.

"What? Who... who the hell called the return in?" Fireclaw asked angrily.

"The Dinosorcerer himself. He's ordered an analysis on everything we've found here on Earth. He also needed you for military business as well." Allo replied.

With no other words, Fireclaw unsheathed his sword and stabbed the ground in fury. The blade pulsed as he thrust it into the ground beneath him. As Allo and Fireclaw stepped onto the lift platform Allo closed the gate behind them and pressed the up button on the lift switch. The platform made it's way up as Fireclaw turned to face the crowd of Dinosaurs and the secret scouts that he was leaving behind.

"Wait, how will the secret scouts get home?" Fireclaw asked.

"Dimetro is taking them back before he leaves. He'll follow us out." Allo replied.

Fireclaw looked at Allo and began to rethink his decision. The lift had risen half way up the ramp before Fireclaw hit the stop button.

"Fireclaw what are you doing?" Allo asked.

"Allo, I'm not going back to Reptillon. To hell with the military. To hell with everything there! Honestly when I get back I'll just be another face in the military branch of the Reptillon Royalty. I'm not leaving behind what I have here." Fireclaw said.

"Fireclaw, would you honestly betray-"

"This isn't betrayal Allo. If I leave, that is betrayal. I refuse to betray my true family." Fireclaw interrupted.

Just as Allo had hit the up button again Fireclaw had stepped onto the railing and flipped himself forward, landing in a front somersault on the ground. His back immediately made him regret the decision.

"Allo as much as I'd like to go back, I refuse to become one with the same crowd I've always been. Never mattering to anyone and always being demanded from to do more from the general public. I won't do it anymore. I refuse to!" Fireclaw yelled.

Allo looked at Fireclaw, his feelings now even more crushed than before.

"Fireclaw, I hate to do this, but I'll respect your decision. In light of recent events, it's the only thing I can do." Allo replied.

Chomper ran over to Fireclaw's sword and grabbed it out of the ground. He presented it to Fireclaw who took it back and sheathed it once more.

"Remember Allo, when you know who your true friends and family are, stand as one." Fireclaw advised.

Cheers of joy were had amongst the crowd of Great Valley dinosaurs as Fireclaw stood tall and delivered his final goodbye to his life on Reptillon. Quackpot walked up on his left and Pterano walked up on his right. Redclaw joined the band standing facing the ships. Allo send the lift back up and saluted Fireclaw. Fireclaw returned the salute, unsheathed his sword and as a final send off sent a beacon of light into the air. The beacon split into three, then to six as each ship took off through it. With a hard lift up each ship one by one disappeared into the blue sky. Fireclaw stood watching the sky with a tear in his eye as the Dinosaucers departed Earth. Fireclaw was sure that they'd be back one way or another, he had no doubt about it.

Fireclaw turned and faced the rest of the Great Valley who attended the supposed good-bye gathering. They stood with joy to see their newest member of the Great Valley sheathing his sword.

"We stand together. Always." Fireclaw said.

Many cheers went around. Chomper ran and hugged Fireclaw. Fireclaw was home. Fireclaw was there to stay.