Isla Sorna Stories: Rebirth

[TyrantTR]

Diablo nodded to the raptor, anxious to get it over with. One foot slid back, in push off position as he readied to run across the field. His body lowered, as he checked the plains for signs of life one last time, before he quietly motioned for the raptor to start. Diablo kicked out of the underbrush, beginning his mad dash for the other side of the plains.

[C S]

Aircrest's streamlined form burst out into the open, his arms tucked into his chest, snout pointing arrowhead straight. He shot past Diablo within the first seconds but, against his prior habits, slowed his pace. Should the Tyrannosaur show itself, he wouldn't let the redheaded predator become its next meal, not if he could help it...

[TyrantTR]

Diablo noticed the raptor slowing down, confused as to why it cared. He didn't see this as a partnership, he saw it as a last attempt to get out of this mess. Why would the raptor care if he was at a slower pace? It would only be better for him if the rex was there, it'd go after the larger slower target. The only conclusion Diablo could come too was that the raptor was teasing him. He picked up his pace, ready to be done with the situation, and the smaller predator.

[C S]

Diablo's form quickly pulled up from the corner of the Aircrest's eye and before long they were neck and neck in their run. "Well, looks like Redhead's found his inner raptor!" Aircrest barked in between his panting. He smirked and sped up again, passing the Rugops once more...

[TyrantTR]

Diablo didn't respond, he knew very well he couldn't outrun the raptor, but he'd only let himself down if he didn't try. His pace picked up again, his feet pounding the ground beneath him, he left a trail of upturned soil behind him. He leaned forward, positioning his body so that he may be more aerodynamic, his eyes remained locked on the edge of the plain, they where about halfway there.

[C S]

The sound of the Rugops' breathing grew louder and louder. Aircrest glanced back to see how hard the predator was pushing himself just to stay within a few feet of him. The look on his face conveyed the determination that drove his movements. "Wow; its like he's a completely different creature...far different than the jitter-foot..." Aircrest thought before looking ahead. The booming roar of the Tyrannosaur sounded off from behind just as the green raptor passed the border of its territory. Was it just watching them as they left? Did it see that they already wanted to get away from it, so it simply spared the energy of chasing them down...?

[TyrantTR]

The roar of the trex only encouraged Diablo, he ran faster than before, reaching speeds he didn't even know he could. Slowly he caught up to the raptor, he didn't look back, he just pressed onward. The rugops pushed himself more and more, the edge of the plains were mere moments away.

[C S]

Aircrest started to slow down, wanting to catch his breath and think. With the footfalls of Diablo getting even louder, the raptor looked back and saw him hurtling at him. In response, Aircrest jumped straight into the air, landing on the redheaded Rugops as he passed below. "I didn't think your kind could pull this kind of speed off without breaking something!" Aircrest growled, wondering if the Rugops would actually reply...

[TyrantTR]

Diablo didn't bother shaking, he slowed to a stop, ending his sprint directly before the tree line. He looked on through the thick forest, panting heavily. His lungs ached for air, so he took a moment to oblige them. He looked back at the raptor on top of him, an irritated look in his eyes. He couldn't give a response, the rugops had worn itself out. Instead he tilted his body, implying it was time for the raptor to get off.

[C S]

Aircrest, taking the nonverbal hint, hopped off of the Rugops, making sure the tips of his claws did not find their way into his skin as he did. He looked back at the way they came and made a mental note to remember the location so he could avoid it in the future. The green and black raptor then walked over to a nearby tree and sat at its roots, appreciating the shade it offered as he rested...

[TyrantTR]

The rugops was beginning to catch its breath, he leaned against a nearby tree for support, his legs where weak but he was happy to be out of danger. He gave a brief glance to the raptor resting at the root of the tree. His gaze quickly focused on other things, his old home was no longer safe, he had to find a new place to live. Diablo scanned the nearby surroundings, nowhere nearby seemed like it would offer anyplace safe, he would have to search long and hard for a new place to call home. He silently cursed the trex, and himself for doing something so foolish.

[C S]

The green and black raptor looked at the Rugops, noticing its expression, from the tiniest lip curl to the flash of glaring eyes. "Was it worth it, Redhead?" Aircrest asked with a growl, knowing that the predator was upset about something and that it had to be tied with what had happened...

[TyrantTR]

Without averting his gaze from the surrounding forest Diablo responded, "I'm tired, homeless, there is a certain apex predator out there that wants me dead, and I've got an annoying new "friend"... you tell me if it was worth it." he growled in annoyance. The rugops itched his head on the rough bark of the tree, closing his eyes for a brief moment. Quietly he murmured "I'd have been better off if that rex killed me."

[C S]

"Well if you truly feel that way, you can go ahead and waltz right back into its territory. The Rex didn't chase us out but I'm pretty certain that as soon as we show our faces there again, it'll kill us" Aircrest growled. "Personally? I think the fact we stole from a Tyrannosaur and are still talking about it is something to be grateful for" he added moments after, trying to bring the Rugops back to his senses.

[TyrantTR]

"grateful?" Diablo growled, he looked directly at the raptor with anger in his eyes. "we STOLE from a predator larger and more powerful than us, the only reason we are still alive is because it gave up. I'm not grateful that I couldn't get a meal in any other way, I'm not grateful that I was somehow convinced I could take one bite out of that trex's kill and not face any consequences for it, and I'm certainly not grateful that I had to go through this whole ordeal with you."

[C S]

"I highly doubt that there is any other creature on this island that would've liked to go through that with you. With your attitude, no wonder you're all alone looking half starved." Aircrest retorted with a snarl. Through his fiery glare, he couldn't help but think "Just like me."

[TyrantTR]

"Raptors are pack hunters, that is how they survive, where is your pack?" Diablo snarled, taking his weight off the tree and standing on his own two legs. "You are no better off than me." His actions where purely defensive, Diablo had no retort for what the raptor had said.

[C S]

"Hmm. Homeless, tired and followed by some old raptor who finds me funny. I guess I really am no better than you, Redhead." Aircrest shot back with a blank expression on his face...

[TyrantTR]

"I'm done talking with you" Diablo growled, turning to the forest and entering it, walking away from the raptor. His foot hit a large root, which protruded from a ground, tiredly the rugops stumbled. He was able to catch himself with the aid of another tree trunk, but only barely. He was still weak from the run, he needed to rest and regain his strength, but he couldn't bare this anymore. Somehow the company made him feel that much more alone.

[C S]

"You're walking away when you can barely stand?" Aircrest hissed. He primed his leg muscles and then sprung off from the ground and onto a branch overhead. His life of almost constant movement resulted in him needing only minimal rest before he was able to pull off his feats of speed and strength. The green and black raptor launched himself onto another branch, one that gave him a better angle to look down at the Rugops and growled "What's the matter, Redhead? You're in the company of something just as low as you. Probably on the same level as compies, you and I. Maybe I'm just a little better off than you in that I'm not so damn miserable!"