Chapter 13: Loyalty
"Attention Coon & Friends! Surrender now and we won't hurt you....much." Cartman yelled through a megaphone.
Tom stood with his air soft rifle in the shoulder firing position. The rifle was a little bit dirty after his and Mark's encounter with Mysterion. They had woken up in the same ally with large bumps on their heads and pounding headaches. He made sure he would never underestimate that little fourthie again.
He's pretty f*cking strong for a fourthie.
Of the original ten or so fifth graders, the only ones left now were himself, Ron, Mark and two others. Honestly, Tom no longer cared about their efforts to let the outcasts be heard or some other stupid sh*t like that. All he wanted now was to get revenge on Mysterion for making a fool of him, twice! And when they stepped out the door, the superhero team would meet their end at his hands. He was personally gonna make sure that Mysterion wouldn't walk for several weeks.
Since there were three fifth graders left, and 20 or so third graders, Tom, Mark and Ron each got control of their own unit of about seven thirdies. He glanced at Mark and his squad. Mark had been his close friend for several years. They were both fairly average fifth graders, except that they were both fans of all things related to science. They were labeled as "Nerds" by their peers, and consequently were excluded from most groups, even the "Nerd" group, because they weren't "Nerdy" enough. That was probably due to the fact that they did not wear glasses. Since no one else would accept them, they had decided to join up with Professor Chaos, even though he was a fourthie.
Ron, on the other hand, was quite different. He was very quiet, even on the playground, and he usually liked to go off and do his own thing. As far as Tom could tell, Ron had had no friends prior to joining up with Chaos. Until Mark and himself were put together on a watch duty. During that time, they engaged in some trivial conversation with Ron, and discovered that he lived in a broken household, and was usually left on his own at home. Since then, the trio had gotten close and even now, refused to leave the burning wreckage of the "Chaosmobile".
"One more time, assh*les! Give up, and we won't seriously maim you!"
Tom sighed quietly. He did not trust the Coon one bit. The Coon had joined up about a week ago, and since then, convinced more and more kids to join Chaos' army. The Coon was very persuasive and manipulative, if his reputation was true. Mark, Ron and himself decided to join a few days before The Coon did, and he had done some good work since then, but overall, he trusted Chaos more than The Coon. He was shocked to discover on his return that The Coon had gotten the two other fifth graders to beat up Chaos and leave him to be captured. That was why on this mission, Tom and his friends had decided to get Chaos back and kick The Coon and his minions out of their group.
They couldn't make a move yet though, because they were outnumbered. There were two groups, those who joined because of Chaos, and those who joined because of The Coon. As far as he could tell, there were only five third graders left who had joined before The Coon, so that left eight to fight for Chaos, while the rest were loyal to The Coon. They would have to make their move in the upcoming fight.
"Timmah!!!"
Tom turned to his right. There was one of the "heroes", Iron Maiden to be precise. He was indestructible, or so he had been told.
"Ah, Timmy. You will fight us on your own to save your friends?" The Coon said, with a hint of smugness.
"Timmah!!!" then he turned around and moved his chair forward at top speed.
"Get back here, assh*le! Tom, you and your squad take care of him!" The Coon yelled.
As much as he hated taking orders from The Coon, Tom swallowed his pride.
"Understood! Move out, double time!"
He and his squad gave chase at a fast pace. The thirdies would not be able to keep up with him, so he slowed slightly so they would not get separated. But Iron Maiden was still gaining ground, and fast.
"Faster!" He yelled.
They upped the pace a little and started gaining some ground on him. Then he turned to his right and headed toward a small grove of pine trees.
Where is he going? This is just like...
"Company halt!" he yelled.
The third graders stopped and started panting heavily. Then one of them spoke.
"Why are we stopping, Tom?"
"Something doesn't feel right. Everyone get behind me and stay close."
They moved forward cautiously with their weapons at the ready. Iron Maiden vanished into the grove.
"Stay close, we're going in." Tom said softly, but loudly enough so they could hear.
They inched closer to the trees and stopped at the edge.
"You and you, stay here. If you hear anything, report back to The Coon." The third graders nodded and stood silently.
Tom raised his right hand and moved his fingers forward twice. With that silent command, they entered the grove.
Tom knew this was a trap. It was how Mysterion beat him and Mark earlier that night. But, if he was careful and persuasive, he could convince Coon & Friends of his plan to take out The Coon, and he could get Chaos and Dissaray back. Plus, once they did, it would be a good opportunity to get back at Mysterion.
From behind him, one of the Thirdies coughed. Two were muttering something. Normally, he would tell them to be quiet, but this was a trap he wanted to spring, so he said nothing.
Then, he heard the noise he was waiting for. A muffled yell followed by the slithering sound of someone being dragged. The rest of the third graders turned around, but Tom did not. He heard the same noise again, then again and again, until he knew he was the only one left.
"All right, you got us, Coon & Friends. I'm all alone now, so face me like men. Or are you afraid?" Tom said to no one.
He heard a crunch behind him, like a boot stepping on snow. He did not turn around.
"You knew." said a voice.
A cloaked figure dropped from a tree top and faced Tom. Mysterion.
"You knew of our trap, and you didn't stop. Why?"
Tom lowered his rifle and ran a hand through his thick brown hair.
"Because, I think we can help each other, Mysterion." Tom said.
Mysterion's face remained neutral.
"You must think I'm stupid, Tom." Mysterion said.
A small smile spread across Tom's face.
"So, you remember me. Well, I certainly remember you, Mysterion. As do Mark and Ron. Rest assured, we want to see your team gone, Mysterion, but we have a bigger concern right now that I think we both share."
Mysterion raised an eyebrow.
"And what's that?"
"The Coon, who else?"
"I thought you were all loyal to him."
Tom let out a slight chuckle.
"Hell no, Mysterion. Most of us are, but some aren't. We want our leader back and that lard ass gone."
Mysterion's eyes narrowed, as if he were studying Tom intensely.
"So you're loyal to Chaos?"
"That is correct. I know you have him, Mysterion. I wish to negotiate for his safe return."
Mysterion turned to his right and nodded back with his head. From behind some bushes came the rest of Coon & Friends. With them was Chaos. Unbound and with a bandage across his head.
"Chaos, are you all right?" Tom asked.
"Y-yes, Tom." Chaos replied.
Tom turned to face Mysterion again, with a questioning look on his face.
"Chaos also wants to see The Coon gone, Tom. It seems we do share a common goal. Now, what do you offer in exchange for Chaos?"
"Myself and my two friends" Tom said. "We will help you defeat The Coon in the upcoming battle, and in exchange, you will release Chaos and Dissaray."
Mysterion turned to face The Human Kite. They muttered softly to each other. Human Kite shook his head and said something. Then Mysterion nodded.
"That will take care of the immediate threat, but in the long run, Coon & Friends will suffer. Do you have anything else to offer?"
Tom thought for a moment. Then he looked up to face his enemy.
"Yes, I do. Intel. Valuable intel that not even Chaos is aware of right now." Tom said.
"Oh? And what would that be?" Mysterion asked.
Tom cleared his throat.
"Well, as you all know, The Coon is a manipulative creature. He knows all the in's and out's of how to gain a person's loyalty. But he is also a cunning beast. He can lay the perfect trap and get even the smartest of people to walk into it."
"What are you trying to say, Tom?" Mysterion asked.
"Simply this. The enemy force you see is not all of it. Hidden behind the hills lies the rest of The Coon's army."
"What, more fifth graders?" Toolshed asked.
"Worse. You think you're the only people who can photoshop porn?" Tom asked.
Mysterion's face whitened.
"Then that means...."
"Yes, Mysterion. The Coon has won the loyalty of the Sixth Graders."
End of Chapter Thirteen.
Can't we all just get along?