by The Kingpin » Tue Jun 10, 2014 3:19 am
The Rex nodded to them both, thankful for their support as he pressed forward. a booming roar ripped free of the Tyrannosaur's jaws, the sound spreading across the plains and into the jungles, audible for tens of miles; a direct challenge to Thrasher's authority. Only silence answered. As the Rex reached the edge of the plains, he glared into the forest, seeing the clearing just beyond where his very own egg had hatched 20 years ago. It was almost poetic; a place of life and death on a massive scale. He had been born here, as had his siblings. Most of those siblings also died here, alongside his father and grandparents. And now, Thrasher would die here as well...and who knew how many others. Perhaps even Crusher himself would be amongst the fallen...Who could really tell, in this dangerous game they played? Where each breath was worth more than its weight in blood, where every step was potentially one's last, where everything was a threat, a foe waiting for the opportune moment to strike. Not everything the Rex reminded himself as he stepped into the dark shade of the trees, the sun now high above, noon almost upon them.His brown and black hide was basked in the green, filtered light of a sun at war with the jungle canopy, the trees acting as a natural shield, a barrier against the harsh rays of a relentless star. Ahead, the light returned, marking a wide clearing, an extension of the plains if not for the shallow cluster of trees separating them. Thrasher's scent was overwhelming, as was that of several other Spinosaurids, and other predators entirely. Crusher could no longer rely on his sense of smell to guide him. From now on, it was his eyes and ears that led him to his nemesis.
Walking into the clearing, he saw it deserted. A large dip in the earth lay in the corner; the well used nest that had once been his family's place of rest. A Tyrannosaur skull was still embedded in the earth, mostly buried by years of mud and grass, and considerably decayed. A diagonal slash across the exposed surface confirmed that it was his father's; undoubtedly an arrogant reminder of Thrasher's victory. Thousands of shallower claw slashes could be seen on the surface, as if it had been attacked more recently, old lichen and moss-layered cuts scored with new pale gashes. Tall, wide branched trees loomed over the area, their branches an ever-present perch for birds and other animals, and beyond the treeline, there seemed to be more trunks than branches. Were it not for the Rex's stature, he would have completely missed the dozens of glimmering yellow eyes glaring back from the forest...and in their midst, something huge.
"Well...well...well. Little Crusher's finally come home" hissed a vitriolic voice in the trees as the gargantuan Spinosaurus pushed free of the jungle behind him. The predator was enormous, beyond anything Crusher had expected, even Nuka unable to compare. A tall, dominant looking spine rose over his back, as dark and obscure in pattern as the depths of the forest, camouflaged perfectly within, matching his mottled flanks. A creamy underside extended from his jaw to his tail, crocodillian armour covering every inch of his back. An unnaturally thick snout was lined with conical, spear-like teeth, narrow, heartless eyes glaring malevolently at the trio.
"I have to say I'm impressed. You've grown into quite the nuisance over the past few years. Killing friends and family...destroying perfectly good relationships...There are more than a few here that are....upset, by your actions" rumbled the Spinosaur, a wave of gurgling growls and piercing hisses ringing out of the treeline. "They'll have to wait their turn" responded Crusher bitterly, fangs bared in a deathly snarl. "Ah. That's a familiar statement. If I remember correctly, your father said the same thing...right before I watched as my father ripped his chest open and took pleasure in the sight of his entrails spilling onto the floor. Oh, that reminds me, have you said hello to your dear old dad? He's been keeping the compies and insects safe recently. Also handy for relieving my frustrations, as it happens. He's more or less in decent condition, if a bit used. Hard headed as always. I wonder if you're the same?" rattled the Spinosaur, a rumbling, bone chilling snarl responding as Crusher's eyes began to shift, the outer edges of the Rex's eyes darkening to a shade of magma orange, flooding inwards as the golden ring around his pupils grew narrower and narrower, until only a sliver remained. "Ah, there we go. Specter's infamous temper. Even has his eyes, look. Really his father's son, this one. Good. The old skull's due for replacement anyway" hissed Thrasher as a wave of amused hisses rang in the trees, Suchomimi, Oxalaia, Spinosaurs and a couple of Gigas stepping forward as Crusher tried to close the gap between himself and the behemoth. "A-ah, wouldn't do that if I were you. You see, all these...friends, of mine, have been aching for a shot at you since you started your little killing spree a few weeks ago. You don't want to give them a reason to get on with it just yet, do you?" warned Thrasher with a chuckle, Crusher growling lowly as he stopped for now. He noticed the predators had spread out, closing off their escape...
"Oh, where are my manners, I've completely ignored your friends, look" growled the giant as he shifted his gaze to the smaller of the two Tyrannosaurs, starting with her first. "Pardon me, I'm afraid I haven't caught your name yet, little one. Your oversized friend here obviously isn't too good with introductions. Still, doesn't exactly matter. You've condemned yourself and your family by siding with this....monster. It'll be interesting to see how your mother reacts when when I drop your head at her feet" growled Thrasher with a low chuckle, a vicious snarl coming from the female in response. "The only head that'll be lying at her feet is yours" snarled Morphena furiously. "My my, quite the temper you have. No wonder you two are here together. Perfect fit. It'll be....fun.....beating the fight out of you" rattled the Spinosaur maliciously as his sail began to lighten up, shades of orange, red and yellow taking the place of the lighter greens as the darker shades darkened further, taking on an obsidian shade, the Spinosaur's threat display a sight to behold.
"Ahhh Nuka...How wonderful to see you again, my dear. It has been quite a while, hasn't it? I'd almost forgotten what it felt like to have a jealous relative vying for my attention and position. Whatever possessed you to make friends with these unsavoury creatures? Certainly your standards haven't fallen THAT far, have they? It's as though you've forgotten everything my father taught you about them...about how they killed your own father.....broke his back....ripped his limbs off....trampled him in a fight that could've easily been prevented. And yet....There. You. Stand....at their side instead of mine. Not very family-like of you, is it?" hissed the Spinosaur lowly, eyes narrowed.
"Ah yes, organised chaos. the sign of a clever but ever-busy mind. To the perpetrator, a carefully woven web of belongings and intrigue, but to the bystander? Madness!"
–William Beckett, Lore of Leyuna RPG