Isla Sorna Stories: Rebirth

[saurus172]

"It seems so nice. Why don't all dinosaurs simply move here and be in peace," hooted Nuka, gazing around at the scenery. She chuckled to herself every time she heard the low bellow of a howler,or the trumpets of a herd of parasaurolophus she could smell a few miles away. She occasionally licked her wounds, making sure that they were fine. She kept a wary eye out,even if she was staring down at the earth.

[The Kingpin]

"Thrasher" responded Crusher simply. "He's been using his family and allies to control what comes into the territory. If the herds start moving towards a border, the predators cut them off and scare them back in. That way they get as much food as they want, while everything outside the territory starves" growled the Rex. "...which explains the huge amount of super predators out near the island's edges...And the lack of food to sustain them all. No wonder my family've been having so much trouble trying to protect the territory" rumbled Morphena in realisation...

[saurus172]

"Yea... everyone has fought over the prey," summarized Nuka as she kept walking, watching, waiting for an ambush. "I kinda feel sorry for the carnivores forced into serving as Thrasher's bodyguards," she rumbled with slight sympathy. "You know since the encounter with the acro family, I've wondered who else was protecting him against their will.."

[The Kingpin]

"Well you're one of his relatives. I'm sure you've already seen him use his family" growled Crusher lowly. "And then turn on them when he felt threatened or confident enough" added Morphena disgustedly. Up ahead, the trees parted to reveal a winding river. To one side of it was a sheer cliff face, the river crashing down from a waterfall to one side of it, the other, a shallow riverbank lined with smooth stones and the occasional tree branch. The waterfall fell into a deep and wide pool, set amidst the cliff's walls, which wrapped around it. Connecting the two sides of the arcing, crescent-shaped cliff face was a worn bridge, steel cables holding it up, the floor made up of old wooden planks set onto a steel support surface. The Scarred Rex noted the bridge briefly as he looked around. The centre of the territory was across the river and beyond the cliff. They would have to go around until they reached an area low enough they could ascend...

[saurus172]

"True, before that is the past and we must think of the future," growled the spinosaur as she headed toward the river's edge. She rumbled deep in her throat, watching the rushing water and enjoying the sound. "Where to now?" snorted Nuka, the claws on her feet digging deep into the earth.

[The Kingpin]

"We'll have to go around" rumbled Crusher calmly as he began to walk along the riverbank, eyes scanning for a spot that would get them past. "Do you know a faster way to the island's centre, Nuka?" growled Morphena, tilting her head. She was once a local to this place. Certainly she'd know a way to Thrasher's den...

[saurus172]

She shrugged,"I don't have a clear memory, since I haven't been here in years." She looked around to get her bearings. She smiled, rumbling with enthusiasm,"A grove of redwoods fell across the river when I was here. Its only about 250 strides away." She began to head toward the clump of fallen logs, knowing they will support her and the rexes when they crossed.

[The Kingpin]

The two Rexes looked at eachother in surprise, sceptical. A bridge of fallen trees? She apparently hadn't been here in 8 years. Were the trees still there? How did so many trees fall at once? Diseased wood? What if they were rotten, ready to splinter and break under sufficient stress. Nervous, Morphena voiced her concerns. "Could we find a different way? Those trees fell years ago. They're likely rotten, if they're there at all" growled the female concernedly...

[saurus172]

She stopped in mid step, staring back at the two. She hadn't been there in years, but she was still hopeful. Sighing she returned, a look of annoyance on her muzzle for a split second. "Fine, lets find a place to cross before Thrasher does," she growled deeply, impatient with the time slot they had narrowing.

[The Kingpin]

"The river isn't the problem. You'll be surprised how well Rexes can handle themselves in water. We can cross that. Our problem is the cliff" rumbled Crusher lowly. "We can?" growled Morphena, taken by surprise by the male's statement. She'd never been swimming in her life. Her parents feared the water for what creatures awaited beneath, and so they'd never allowed her beneath the surface. Crusher, however, had to resort to any and every method he could think of to survive, and more than once, the water had been his saviour, be it from an angry mother Dilophosaurus or disgruntled Pachycephalosaurus, sometimes even larger predators like Allosaurs. To him, swimming came as natural as breathing, and it was arguable that he could manage even against a Spinosaur while submerged. His only fear were the larger species of crocodiles; the creatures made exclusively for the water. But even they were manageable if he could see them, and should the need arise, attack pre-emptively...

[saurus172]

"Hmph, as long as you look out for the tale tell signs of aquatics, you'll be fine," snorted the spinosaur, seeing the doubt in the female. She was already at the waters edge and was doing a quick check around. She saw nothing, only a small ripple in the water, which most likely was only a fish. With a hoot, she dived into the murky depths, swimming around as she waited for the two rexes.

[The Kingpin]

Morphena eyed the water uncomfortably, looking back at Crusher with concern. "If there was anything in there she would've seen it and stopped us. It's fine" growled the male softly as he gave her a nudge. "It's not that" responded Morphena, her usual brash, fiery attitude reduced to the nervous behaviour of a youngster. Crusher tilted his head, curious. "I....I've never been in water that deep before. I don't know how to swim" she explained, her tone quiet, almost skittish. Crusher's jaws parted in a small 'ah' of realisation, before smiling. "I guess there's a first time for everything, hm? Come on...I'll be right there. If you need help I'll be there to give you a push" rumbled the male, surprisingly tender in his response. Morphena's gaze shifted nervously, stopped right at the edge of the riverbank, watching the sail of the Spinosaur circling within. "That's what I'm afraid of" she growled with concern. "Look, just walk into the water and lift your legs off the ground. the water will hold you up. Dont try and fight and kick and struggle, just let the water do its thing. Then use your tail to drive you forward. Right and left, long sweeps. I'll be right there if you need me. You can rest your head on my back for support if you need it" growled Crusher calmly as he stepped forward slowly, gently leading the female into the water with him, Morphena pressing surprisingly close. It took the male by surprise to see Morphena so fearful. It was a sharp change from what he was used to seeing from her...


Step by step, they waded deeper, until eventually, much of their flanks were submerged. "Now, lift your feet off the ground" Rumbled the scarred male lowly, lifting his feet off the ground to demonstrate, his tail swaying from side to side to keep him in place. As the female imitated the move, she felt herself sink suddenly. Panicking, the began to kick and struggle, instinct taking the place of Crusher's instructions, the Tyrannosaur struggling to keep her head above the surface, tail flailing and splashing behind her as she sank and bobbed. Growling lowly, Crusher let himself drop under the surface, shifting before rising up, just in front of Morphena, the female kicking sharply at the riverbed as she swung her head up, letting it drop over Crusher's back, only calming when she felt herself being lifted and levelled out, Crusher's body acting as a makeshift raft to support her, his tail driving them across to the other side. "Start using your tail. Right and left, like I told you. Leave your legs, keep them still" rumbled the Rex, the female complying slowly, the weight on the scarred male's back lightening. "More. Keep going. Stronger" he growled, Morphena putting in even more strength, her weight on his back minimal. With that, Crusher dipped slightly, letting himself sink a bit below the surface, Morphena lifting her head as she redoubled her efforts. It was sluggish, and an occasional kick made her lose balance and sink somewhat, but soon, she was keeping above the surface. "Well done" rumbled Crusher as he tilted his head, smiling, Morphena nodding nervously in response, saying nothing for fear she'd end up swallowing water. The whole time, however, he kept an eye on the waters below the surface, wary of possible threats...

[saurus172]

Nuka watched the scene with a slight amount of concern, but she held back for fear of making it worse. As the rexes swam together, she snorted shortly, a puff of steam billowing. "Good job Morphena. If you keep on swimming, you might become a spino," she said with amusement. She grew serious, looking downstream. "I have my bearings. Its this way to an easier, climbable part of the cliff." She began heading downriver, padding her massive feet slowly as she waited for the two to catch up.

A pair of dark blobs began to head toward the three land dwellers. The two blobs were a pair of tylosaurus, a mother and son, the pup only a few months old and full of curiosity. He swam ahead of his mother, heading towards the group, his small pink forked tongue flicking in and out of his fanged mouth as he tasted the scents of them..

[The Kingpin]

Gradually, bit by bit, Morphena gained a better grip of controlling herself in the water, drifting steadily further from Crusher until there was enough room for the pair of them to swim side-by-side fairly comfortably. Crusher did note, however, that Morphena did her best to stay on the side facing the bank they would eventually climb onto. Clearly, despite her external control, she was still uncomfortable. And who could blame her? These were dangerous waters, set in the territory of the most dangerous piscivore on the island. If they wanted to ambush the Rexes, this was the perfect place to do so. As a result, Crusher made sure to keep checking, both below and above the surface, watching for risks. For now at least, the imperfect visibility of the river and distance kept the Tylosaurs hidden...

[saurus172]

Nuka, who quickly grew anxious, began to swim toward the low edge of the cliff. She snorted, smelling the slight stench of carrion and fish. "Were here," she growled, already beginning to climb out of the river, her massive claws digging into the thick, hard earth and stone as she pulled her bulky body into the air.

The mother tylo raced after her child, a flick of her flat tail propelling her ahead of him. She stopped, the pup ramming into her side. She hissed, angry and protective,"Never head near those creatures. They will only give us trouble." She turned around and led her offspring toward their 'home'.

[The Kingpin]

The two Rexes had to continue somewhat further than Nuka, Morphena lacking the control and comfort to launch herself from the water, though Crusher was capable of it. Once the river's edge evened out, the Tyrannosaurs climbed out of the water, joining Nuka. Glancing off towards the centre of the island, Crusher growled lowly. It wasn't far now. They were close...

[saurus172]

She waited awhile for the small armed predators to get out of the water. She rumbled upon the arrival of the rexes, wary, keeping an eye out for any strange and deadly opponents. When the two were close, she hooted,"Lead on you two. I can't lead us from here, this place is unknown to me."

[The Kingpin]

"Then we stand by eachother's sides. None of us are familiar with this place" growled Crusher as he pressed on, watching as the plains ahead gave way to a game trail, dozens of herbivores of countless species roaming the blank spaces between the thick jungles beyond. To the East, Crusher could see the edge of the river as it poured over the edge of the cliff, the distant roar of the waterfall kicking up mist that sent a cool draft out in every direction, felt even here. Forging on, the Tyrannosaur's gaze seemed to never settle on one thing for long, constantly on the lookout for signs of an ambush. Morphena was equally wary, looking more comfortable and confident now that her feet were back on solid ground. Thrasher's scent was strong here. They were very close. Crusher's memories of his early life with his family led him forwards. For some reason, he felt Thrasher would be beyond the plains, within the forest up ahead...where his own family had once nested...


"He's here" growled the Spinosaur lowly as he stood before Thrasher, the gigantic piscivore hissing irritably, the messenger shrinking back in fear of a strike from the massive killer's talons. "You think I don't know that? I've been hearing constant updates since he set foot on my borders. My answer stands. Stay amidst the trees, observe and attack once they attempt to attack me. I will kill Crusher myself. You will handle Nuka along with the other Rex. Keep Nuka alive if possible. I intend to peel her hide from her body personally.....I'll make sure she feels every cut...She'll learn the price of betraying her kin" rattled the Spinosaur bitterly. By now, several pairs of eyes watched from the trees, observing from across the part of the clearing where Crusher would eventually enter...He would never realise what happened...

[saurus172]

Nuka growled deeply as they trudged on. She couldn't wait for the chance to get her claws on her traitorous cousin, that is IF they survived that long. She kept a wary eye and snout out for any carnivores, either big or small, they couldn't risk an attack before they reached their goal.

[The Kingpin]

As the three predators crossed the plain, herbivores scattered, herds running in all directions to get away from the strange trio. Despite the fact the herbivores were trying to make room, Crusher could none the less feel the glares of several creatures watching them. He knew at least a few of them were Thrasher's kin watching in the trees. For some reason they did not attack. "Thrasher knows we have no choice but to go to him....Be careful.....He's planning something....If you're attacked by more than you can handle, make space. Run, lure them somewhere more open" warned Crusher lowly. It was a dangerous thing to say, as their retreat would leave him to fend off whatever Thrasher brought against him. He would have to rely on every skill he'd learned in the past decade and a half of fighting to survive this. One way or another...he would see Thrasher slain. If it cost him his life....then so be it. "No. We stay together. I don't know about Nuka, but I didn't come all this way with you just to abandon you at the first sign of trouble. We stand together. If they wanna kill either of us, they'll have to deal with both of us" snarled Morphena in response, her fiery spirit once again surfacing. "Oh, they won't get the chance, trust me. Anything stupid enough to get close will be dead before it hits the ground" growled the scarred Rex firmly...