by mega raptor » Fri Nov 24, 2006 1:20 am
Scar blinked, and cocked his head. He couldn't imagine his younger brother trying to challenge him. You want to challenge me? I was the fighter, you were the stealthy one.
Shadow looked back at him, hissed, and growled, Yes, you were the fighter. But you're out of practice, you haven't had a real fight in weeks. I've been in and out of the nest, tracking down targets to fight. You know, Crusher missed a lot of the mutant raptors when he tried to kill them. Not every one of them is that bad, really...
Now, the two were circling eachother, each waiting for the other to make the first move... You realise, don't you, Scar growled, That even if you do defeat me, the pack won't accept your leadership. They know me, they trust me. I'd like to see if they really would put the same faith in you.
Shadow snorted. Why do you think that I waited for the humans to return to make my move? With the humans being as big a threat as they are, they'll have to be lead by someone in order to survive. Believe me, I've been waiting a long time for them to return.
Evil, manipulative, power-hungry monster! Scar pounced, his toe claws aimed at Shadow's throat. The raptor leaped away, allowing Scar to slam into a wall. Dizzy, Scar hardly saw Shadow disappear deeper into the cave. Scar charged after Shadow, not caring that he was certainly leading him into a trap.
Even though he had excellent night vision, Scar wouldn't be able to see in this light for a few minutes while his eyes adjusted to the low light. But Shadow would, he had always been a stealthy, nocturnal raptor. Scar knew that he wouldn't be able to draw Shadow back out into the open, in here he had the advantage and if Scar left, he'd certainly have the patience to wait for him to come back in.
But Shadow certainly would stick out in the darkness if Scar could get him to stick out in the dark, like when he changed colors when his emotions grew strong. If he could make Shadow angry, then he'd have a fighting chance. Quickly, Scar racked his brain for any memory that he could use against him. He came up with 3 things: the death of his mate at the jaws of the mutant Gigonotosaurus, the sister that had abandoned him in the confusion after the death of their parents, and his complete incompetence with every other form of hunting except stealth.
Cautiously, Scar pushed forward deeper into the cave, trying to see if he could smell Shadow. But he could only hear the echoes of Shadow's walking somewhere near him. So Shadow, Scar growled, If you do win, how can you be sure that the pack won't abandon you and follow me-just like your sister abandoned you when all the adults of our pack were killed in that stampede?
Hmm. Shadow's voice sounded amused, like he had expected this. You do realise, don't you, that my sister is yours, too. She abandoned you too. You'll need to try something better than that, brother. Scar heard another growl, and there was a faint splash, too. Shadow had probably accidentally wondered into some water that had pooled down here. If Scar could find that water, than that would be a dead ringer to where Shadow was hiding.
He starting searching, and soon growled in frustration. Scar returned to his old tactic. I doubt that the pack will accept a leader that can barely hunt in the open. I stayed in power partly becuase I could help bring food to the pack, if you're going to hunt only at night, when all the normal prey is hidden away...
Once again, nice try brother. Shadow's voice came from nearer this time, and sounded a little angrier. Maybe the last one would reveal Shadow long enough to attack... But you see, the night on this island is alive with prey if you're smart enough to find it. Even the seemingly barren caves are filled with some good food, if you're patient enough.
Again, Scar growled. Had Shadow expected him to do this? It would have to wait until after he won, for now, he would have to try the final verbal assault. Shadow, have you forgotten your mate? You were unable to protect her from the Giganotosaur, so how can you expect to protect and lead an entire pack?
Scar, you're too predictable. I lost Slasher becuase you lead us in the wrong direction and were unable to protect us from the Giganotosaur. It is not I who will fail, it is you who will fail. And you I assure you, you will fail. Sooner than you realise. This was not something that I wanted to do, but it is time that someone else take control.
Suddenly, before Scar could come up with a retort or a new plan, he felt something slam into him from the left, and before he knew it, he was on the floor with Shadow looking down at him. Things seemed to move slowly, as if in a dream. Shadow flashed a sorry blue, perhaps there was some truth to his words that he did not want to do this. Then he saw the claw moved down towards his throat, and before Scar could react, it was there. It rested there for a second, before he heard the words he had dreaded for so many years: You lose.
Scar felt the claw be released, and he stood up, gave a last look at Shadow, and started running. He ran left the inner caves, past the nesting caverns, not even stopping to glance at his mate or to notice the returning Exile. Then he was out, running into the forest. Somewhere he could hear Crusher, and for a second, considered going to his nest. Then he pushed it from his mind, his pride was too wounded to take the refuge and charity of the Tyrannosaur. It would be more humiliating then he could bear.
As Scar ran, he noticed that he was wounded: several slashes on his side and two on his legs, probably from when Shadow jumped him. Quickly, he formulated a plan. He knew a place where he could run, a safe place that no one knew about. He could go there, stay for a few days while he considered how-if at all-to retake leadership of the pack, or perhaps to find a new one.
It's you and me against the world. We attack at dawn.
This is the way the world ends. Not with a bang but with a whimper. - T.S. Eliot