Isla Sorna Stories: Rebirth

[dinoman666]

"I suspect that he has been through much in his life," Nighteye reasoned. "How could he not? He is an old predator, who has evidently survived this long." The Troodon craned his neck, giving Ripper a long, hard look with one glowing eyes. "Why? Am I missing a crucial detail? Is Thrasher not as experienced as he appears?"

[The Kingpin]

"Well, let's see, how about the fact that the only experience Thrasher has is in treachery, deceit and manipulation?" hissed Ripper spitefully. "Most of his life was spent in the pampered luxury of a territory he never lifted a claw to claim. He slew his father at his weakest to take the territory for himself, and depends on his father's former allies and the ones foolish enough to mistaken his treachery for power, to protect his borders. He hasn't the faintest clue of how the creatures of the island interact, and assumes that claiming whatever he wishes will have no consequences towards everyone else" growled Ripper bitterly...

[dinoman666]

Nighteye squinted thoughtfully, scratching at his chin with a foreclaw. "I see... And, you believe this 'Crusher' character," he began, turning to look back at the Rex. "Is better suited for the job?" It was true that age was not the only important part of being a leader, but Crusher was a Rex. The Troodon didn't trust him. Not yet.

[The Kingpin]

Before the Elder could respond, Crusher stepped forward, deciding he'd rather not have Ripper speak for him. "I've lived a rough life, Nighteye. Not as long as Thrasher's, sure, but definitely harsher than anything he could fathom. I've been fighting for every breath, every meal, since I was a mere chick in my parents' nest. Before I could even learn to properly hunt, I saw my father torn apart before my eyes, by Thrasher's kin. I've since been wrestling my life from the jaws of my enemies, until eventually, it was my jaws that claimed theirs" rumbled the Tyrannosaur. "While Thrasher lived in the luxury of a fertile territory, protected from all sides by his father's allies, I was forced to feel the damage Thrasher's greed inflicted on others personally. That experience is not one I will forget. My territory, once Thrasher falls, will be a fraction of his. I will not put others through the same hardship I myself have suffered" argued the Rex. "You're making a choice for your own pack. What you think of me or my kind means little to me. But I promise you, what little benefits you may gain by helping him now, will not be worth what you will see from me once he is dead at my feet" warned the scarred Tyrannosaur...

[dinoman666]

Nighteye listened, quietly and intently, as did his pack, to Crusher's story. He had no way of believing a word of it, of course, but the Troodon was no fool. He looked straight into the Rex's eyes, burning with a fierce passion that couldn't be denied. No, he certainly wasn't lying. Nighteye turned to his pack, and they silently exchanged glances between one another for a few long moments. Finally, their leader turned back to Crusher. "Very well. I will not reveal your plans to Thrasher, Rex. But, for now, I will not work to actively hinder him either. I believe your tale of hardship, but if there's one thing you must do, it's prove yourself. Kill Thrasher, take his place, and I may just have a change of heart."

[The Kingpin]

"If you help, it'll be appreciated. If not, I'll understand. Regardless, so long as you try not to get in my way, you'll have no problems with me. You want your proof? You will see it soon enough. You've already seen the beginning of it. The only reason Thrasher sent you here is because he's afraid. More than half his most reliable allies have been killed, and I am responsible for most, if not all of them. I've done more damage to him and his kin in a week than anyone's done in 11 years" rumbled the Tyrannosaur calmly, yellow eyes glimmering in the dark as a distant flash tore the sky asunder, the boom of thunder roaring overhead a few seconds later. Glancing towards Morphena and Sarcus, he nodded, the two backing away somewhat to give the Troodon a route to depart. "For both our sakes, don't let me see you in this place again before Thrasher is slain. It'll make me think twice about what's been said today" he added finally, before stepping around the Troodon and heading towards the jungle, Morphena and Sarcus following silently, the former both impressed and amused, smirking somewhat at the outcome, while the latter seemed more shocked than anything else. Who knew this brute of a Rex he called a friend, the one who had all but butchered the Giga earlier that same day, could actually be somewhat diplomatic when need be?

[dinoman666]

Nighteye silently watched the Rexes leave. Well, not every Rex seemed to be a mindless brute after all. That was impressive, and a good sign of decent change... if Crusher followed through on his threats. Before the Troodon pack left, their leader turned to Ripper. "So?" he hissed. "Are you going to continue to follow and spy on me?"

[The Kingpin]

"I wasn't actually actively spying on you specifically. I was spying on Thrasher. You just had the poor luck of identifying your pack as potential allies of his....hence my interest. The fact they seemed to know where Crusher was and planned to send you after him made following you a....strategically wise move" hissed Ripper coolly. "As for the future...What you need to learn is that I like to....keep an eye on subjects of interest around the island" explained the Elder with a smirk. "You, Thrasher, Crusher...Several Raptors, a couple of Gigas and Tyrannosaurs...a Triceratops...among many, many others. Whether I continue watching or not simply depends on whether you continue to be a subject of my interest" concluded the Elder cryptically as he turned, waiting to hear whether the Troodon would say anything else before he decided to depart...

[dinoman666]

Nighteye cocked his head. "...I suppose that was supposed to fill me with concern on my actions," he hissed. In truth, as long as Ripper didn't interfere with anything he did again, he had no problems with the raptor occasionally stopping by to be a bother. With a quick chitter to his packmates, Nighteye turned with his fellow Troodon and moved away, intending to find the rest of their pack to deliver the interesting news...

[The Kingpin]

"...Now Thrasher knows where we are...this day just gets better and better" complained Sarcus once the trio had left the clearing and Troodon behind. "Guess we'll just have to kill him off so he can't use that knowledge" responded Morphena. "Morphena, no! I've already told you I'm not letting you go off on a suicidal charge just because you think it's fun" retorted Sarcus. "You gonna stop me?" asked Morphena as she stopped, turning her gaze to face her brother, a smug smirk on her face. She knew he wouldn't-

"If I have to" responded Sarcus, surprising his sister, though she did little to show it, trying not to make it look like she was wavering. "Sarcus, I love you to bits but you and I both know you wouldn't last five seconds in a fight with me" responded the female with a teasing chuckle. "Maybe...But at least then when Thrasher kills you I won't have to live the rest of my life knowing I did nothing to keep it from happening" growled Sarcus, his tone wavering, obviously upset. "I would snap that fish-gobbler in two before he got the chance" rumbled Crusher firmly, Sarcus simply scoffing. "If it were that easy someone, or even several, would've done it years ago. You think that killing a couple of Spinosaurs and scaring off a Giga makes you ready. This is THRASHER we're talking about here! The whole island's terrified of him, and with good reason! We haven't even SEEN his territory yet, and he knows more about us and where we live than we'll ever know about him! If you REALLY think you can win a fight with something that's had the Rexes on the run for decades you're insane" snarled the younger Rex, eyes glaring at the two, zipping between them, both wary and furious. It was this combination of emotion and conviction that broke Morphena's resolve. Sighing, she glanced over at Crusher, the larger Tyrannosaur simply shrugging, understanding the predicament but not having a solution to offer. He was confident in his capabilities, but there was no way he could convince Sarcus of that. "Fine. You win" growled Morphena after a stretch of silence that seemed to span hours, the constant rain only amplifying that sensation...

[Hopeflower]

With a rustling of undergrowth and the snapping of twigs underfoot, the head and neck of a powerfully built male Allosaurus emerged from the shadows of the canopy. His lip curled amber eyes narrowing; there were intruders in his territory. He breathed in slowly, taking in their scent. They were of his kind. One adult male, two adult females, two young males, and a young female...but something was familiar about some of the scents, like a half-forgotten memory....Shaking off the thought, Devaki rolled his shoulders, loosened his neck, and set off in the direction the scents led. He'd need to make sure these strangers had left his territory. He had a mate and children to think about; he couldn't risk their safety on curiosity, which quickly turned to alarm as he realized the trail veered off toward the center of his home.

[The Kingpin]

"Are you sure he'd be willing to let so many of us into his territory?" hissed Aurora quietly as she walked beside the Alpha male of the much-reduced pack, trying not to let the youngsters on to the fact their refuge may well not welcome them...

[Hopeflower]

"We can only hope," Xanthe replied quietly, casting a glance behind them at Savarna and the youngsters. The back of his neck was prickling as though there were eyes on them; the wind sighed softly and changed direction, bringing a fresh scent to him. He paused, looking around, and added even more quietly, "He's found us first. Tell the little ones to stay close until we know how he'll react."

Devaki, knowing the wind had betrayed his position, moved closer, growling just loud enough to be heard, "What do we have here?" He moved forward, giving each of the intruders a calculating look. His gaze lingered on Savarna with surprise when it reached her; he'd only known one Allosaur with that strange coloring. So...if that was his mother, the adult male was Xanthe...the others were complete strangers to him.

[The Kingpin]

Aurora nodded, slowing her pace so that she was just behind the youngsters that trailed behind the Alphas. She felt nervous, feeling the eyes of the other male on them, her hide twitching behind her shoulder in a silent show of nerves. "Blade, Cirrus, Alira. Stay close, hm? This place isn't safe" rumbled the female lowly as she nudged Blade and Cirrus forward as they were bumping and scuffling with eachother mid-stride, causing the two to stumble forward. A small whine escaped Blade as he looked back at his mother, seemingly upset that she interrupted their game, until he caught the firm, unamused look that stared right back at him, his mother's expression shockingly stern for such a gentle creature. That was all it took for him to fall silent, upping the base so he stayed closer to the Alpha pair. "You too Cirrus, Alira. Stay close to your parents" growled the Female Allosaur as she moved closer behind them, deciding to use proximity to get them moving; They wouldn't want their tails to get stepped on, afterall...



"....What?" growled Sarcus, thinking he had just been imagining things, his sister's expression deadpan as she stared him in the eye. "You heard me. Fine. I won't go. I'm staying" she growled. "...You're lying. You've never agreed to anything I've ever said" responded Sarcus. "Well fine, if it makes you feel better I'll not listen to you and go anyway" retorted Morphena with what could only be a shrug. "Morphena you're impossible!" snarled Sarcus in frustration, the female simply smirking. "I know. And you love it" she growled with a smirk that could pass as cheerful if not for the menacing visage the storm and occasional lightning flash formed. "Not when you're life's on the line!" responded Sarcus incredulously. "I told you I won't go. What more do you want? Half of my next kill to seal the deal?" grunted Morphena, Sarcus sighing. "If it means you'll stick to it, yes!" he grumbled, Morphena snickering as she nudged her brother in the shoulder. "Fine then. Next time I bring down something, you get half of it to yourself. Just don't get used to it. I'm not gonna see my brother grow into a sauropod" rumbled the female, giving Crusher a passing glance, her expression seeming flat, though the larger Rex sensed she had something in mind...

[Hopeflower]

Cirrus scurried forward, nudging his sister perhaps a bit more roughly than was called for. She squeaked with surprise and tripped forward, running snout-first into Xanthe's leg and catching the attention of the stranger. She shrank back under those piercing amber eyes, her own blue pair widening as his gaze found hers. He stared for a few moments longer, during which Alira felt her father's calf tense as if preparing to defend against an attack, then looked back up at Xanthe and growled, "This one has our mother's eyes." Xanthe visibly relaxed upon hearing those words, loosening his tensed posture. "Glad to see you remember us after all this time, Devaki," the alpha growled, watching as his oldest son stepped closer. Devaki looked much like Xanthe, without the paler stripes crossing his hide. The years had only added to the resemblance with scars upon scars gained in territorial fights. "How could I forget you two?" the young adult responded, bumping his father's shoulder with his muzzle. He turned to the other adult female, addressing her now. "I'm afraid I don't remember you, however. Have we met before?" he asked, remembering that Xanthe's pack had always been rather large - he was bound to have forgotten some of the names and faces.

[The Kingpin]

"I'm after your time, Devaki. My name is Aurora" growled the female calmly as she examined the younger male with attentive amethyst eyes, sizing up the predator's potential as an ally as well as enemy, still not entirely sure what to think of him...

[Hopeflower]

Surprise briefly crossed Devaki's expression at the explanation. He glanced at Xanthe curiously, who narrowed his eyes briefly in warning. In the same moment, Savarna shook her head just slightly. The small exchange was easily missed if one wasn't looking for it. "Pleasure to meet you, then, Aurora," the younger alpha male growled. "I have to ask, though...what brings you all here? And with little ones, no less."

"Hey!" Cirrus protested, ignoring Alira's urgent hiss for him to keep quiet and Xanthe's exasperated sigh. "I'm not a hatchling!" He glared boldly at Devaki, standing on tiptoe to make it seem like he was more than half of his older brother's size. Xanthe huffed another sigh and growled, "My apologies. Cirrus here has yet to learn when it's appropriate to speak and when to keep quiet. He fancies himself an alpha already."

"Does he now?" Devaki growled with barely a disinterested glance at the smaller male. His pride stung, Cirrus took a few sulky steps back, muttering under his breath. "To answer your question, though...the pack has split," Xanthe continued, shrugging off the uncomfortable moment. That got a genuinely shocked look from Devaki. "S-split?" he stammered. "Why?" "Our territory was...no longer enough to support us," Savarna growled quietly. "The land was dying, prey either dying from starvation or fleeing because other predators were encroaching on our land every day and stealing what they could. We would have starved." Xanthe bowed his head, an unreadable expression on his face. "So...you came here," Devaki growled. "To find a place to stay," Xanthe murmured. "We hope."

Devaki took a step back, feeling dazed. The place where he'd been born was gone? The faces he'd grown up with...scattered to the winds? How many of them were even still alive now? If things were as bad as Xanthe said... "I...will have to discuss this with my mate." He turned, glanced back at the small group, and added, "Come. You look like you could all use a rest, at the very least." He slid off into the undergrowth; after a brief hesitation, Xanthe nodded to Savarna and gestured for the others to follow.

[The Kingpin]

Aurora nodded thankfully as she began to follow, Blade, for once, choosing to behave and stay by his mother, rather than pestering his friend. The experience was quite jarring for the young Allosaur, having never gone through such an experience before. All he could think about now was how they were going to get through it. The outer reaches of his world seemed to have crumbled, leaving just the core; his mother, his friends and his friends' parents...

[Hopeflower]

Cirrus sulked behind the alpha pair as the small party trekked on, which ate away at Alira's patience. She loved her brother very dearly, but he had to learn when to shut his mouth and stop playing mini-Xanthe. Unable to keep silent any longer, she dropped back and snapped at him quietly, "You could've gotten yourself killed! This isn't a joke or a game, Cirrus; Devaki is alpha here." "He wouldn't have done anything," Cirrus snarled back. "Not with Xanthe right there." "Oh really?" Alira snarked, curling her lip. "What could Xanthe have done? Challenge him and ruin what might be our only chance at having a home again? He might be our father, but he's Devaki's too - he wouldn't lift a claw against his own blood and you know it." Cirrus suddenly lifted his head and, baring his razor-sharp teeth, aimed an enraged hiss at her. "What do you know - you're practically a hatchling!" "I'm only younger than you by days, Cirrus," Alira retorted. "If I'm 'practically a hatchling', then so are you!" An ominous rumbling growl started up in Cirrus's throat. He paced toward her, the look in his amber eyes making the urge to run rise in Alira's chest. "You mind your place, female," he hissed, so softly no one else would've been able to catch it even if they were listening closely to the siblings bicker, "or I'll kill you." Stricken, Alira turned away quickly and nearly tripped over her own feet in her haste to catch up with their parents. He meant that. I know when he's joking around. He really meant it, echoed in her mind again and again as she pressed her flank to Savarna's leg, seeking comfort.

[The Kingpin]

Aurora had been watching. Concern made itself known in her expression as Cirrus scared his sister off. She had no idea what it was he had said, but she had been watching the youngsters their entire lives. She knew enough to be able to tell when something was off, and it was obvious whatever Cirrus had done had frightened his sister. "Not the time, Cirrus" she growled lowly, her gem-like eyes compassionate despite her otherwise warning expression and tone. Alphas though Xanthe and Savarna may be, it was Aurora's duty to keep the youngsters under control, to let the Alphas focus on getting them through this. And she took her duty very seriously. Blade meanwhile, was only barely focused on what was around him, consumed in thought as he was. Though he'd dare not say it, Devaki frightened him. Friendly though he may have been, he was still the only other large male he knew here. Most of the others he had known weren't old enough to really unnerve him, having been sub-adults and newly matured adults themselves. Devaki however, was old enough to be his father, and that worried him...


"I'll catch up with you two later. I need some time to think" rumbled Crusher through the trees as he began to lag behind the two Rexes ahead of him. Cocking her head, Morphena turned her gaze to look at him, curious. "Go on. I'll meet you near the kill in a while" he asserted, the female nodding hesitantly before continuing onwards, Sarcus barely flinching. Guilt and satisfaction mingled into a potent blend of mental turmoil within the younger male's head. He had stopped his sister from doing something potentially life threatening, but in doing so, he had, at least temporarily, denied Crusher an undoubtedly vital ally in a quest for revenge that obviously meant almost as much as his own life did to him...