Chapter 9

Fight or Flight

In the Mongolian forest, in an open clearing where a handful of dinosaurs were browsing such as saurolophus and nemegtosaurus were browsing from the trees tops or underbrush, Tank, now a fully grown saichania, kept to herself further away from the rest of the herds around her as she munched on some moss growing on an old log. Despite growing to her full size and now heavily armed with spines and powerful club, she was still as docile as she had always been, still being wary of other dinosaurs around her and keeping mainly to herself. She had managed to move on past much of the traumatic incident that befell her family, though the impact she had from her lingered at the back of her mind, which was driven by the instinct to remain on alert of her surroundings. Yet despite that it also made her rather lonely too and unable to socialise much with other friendly species though it did at least help her to be more aware of predators. Luckily for her she had always been able to stay a step ahead smelling them when they came close and thus being able to hide and camouflage herself well in most hiding places or run away in time….but this time, she was out of luck.

Without warning, an alioramus that was lying in wait and stalking the herbivores downwind and thus undetected for some time, entered striking range as he rushed out into the open, in an attempt to startle the herd and expose those who were weak or vulnerable! Upon sight of the predator, many of the dinosaurs around bellowed out in a panic as they retreated into the forest where the trees would get in said predator's way! Tank, unfortunately who was caught out in the open, was unable to retreat in time and thus found herself the target of the alioramus! As the predator walked up to her, he held back first, analysing the situation and weighing in his pros and cons, one hand the saichania was armoured and armed with a powerful club for defence making her a risky target, on the other hand she was the only dinosaur left in the area and he'd expend valuable energy if he were to chase after the other dinosaurs that retreated into the forest. As he circled his quarry, Tank nervously held her ground, she felt the urge to run away but instinct told her to hold her ground as she covered her head up with her arms and lowered herself down to protect her vulnerable underside!

It was then the alioramus decided the benefit outweighed the risk seeing this saichania was easy pickings, as he roared out and slammed his head at her flanks he made her budge a little but still proved ineffective. Tank kept her vulnerable head guarded with her arms where a few spines made a frontal attack impossible, further more since spines also covered a large part of her sides and legs the alioramus couldn't risk biting without getting struck by them in the process, her hope was to wear out the hunter's patience and hopefully deter him enough that he may give up in frustration. Her strategy seemed to work at first, after a few more times the alioramus was growing rather impatient and frustrated as he stomped his foot and growled. As he circled around Tank, remaining wary of her tail and making sure not to get too close, he then took a chance and rushed at her from behind, the moment she dropped her guard just to look, only for the predator to find a gap under her stomach! With all his strength he managed to flip her onto her back rendering her helpless and incapacitated as she roared out in a panic and struggled like a stranded turtle!

Now the tables had turned as the Alioramus placed his foot down on her vulnerable stomach, and was about to sink his teeth into her, when he held back momentarily upon hearing her panicked cries echoing across the landscape. It was then he realised if he were to remain here any longer, other predators would be drawn to this open area and challenge him for his meal, be it scavengers like raptors or worse a larger predator like tarbosaurus would easily drive him away. Deciding not to risk it, he grabbed Tank's front leg and began to drag her away, hopefully to a more secluded and safer place to have his meal. Tank continued to struggle in vain as she found herself being pulled away and fear clouded her senses rendering her unable to think rationally as she continued to struggle while remaining alioramus' hostage and soon to be meal!

Hope seemed all but lost for the poor ankylosaur…till as they reached the border of the forest, a downward slope she was pulled at allowed her to angle her clubbed tail in just the right spot! As she thrashed out instinctively her tail scored a direct hit on the alioramus forcing him to back away and shake his head clear from the blow he received! As Tank rolled down the slope and got back upright again, inside she realised if she didn't fight back now the same thing would happen again and she may never get another chance. Mustering up her courage she roared out and charged at the alioramus just as it recovered, only for her spiked body check to land a strike to his leg! Drawing blood and wounding the predator, alioramus staggered back roaring in pain, as Tank swung out her tail which landed directly at his head once more with force! Dazed, wounded and disorientated, the alioramus stumbled away into the forest to lick his wounds, while Tank watched closely keeping her eye on him to make sure he didn't try another attack as he soon disappeared from sight.

Sensing the danger was gone, she was more at ease as she returned back to the log to finish her meal, but found her front leg to be somewhat wounded from the bite she got from alioramus. Stumbling and struggling to get back on just 3 legs, she soon found a shadow cover over her, catching her attention. Looking upon she widened her eyes as a cage landed on top of her, sealing her inside to her alarm! She looked around frantically for a way out but could see no way of escaping this mysterious contraption of sorts, and shoulder checking and head butting it did nothing to help at all. The sounds of whirring were heard from outside it as above her, a large pink tortoise shaped flying craft descended down from the sky carrying 2 adults, a green haired woman and a fat purple haired man. As the sound got closer, Tank covered up her head trying to hide in a defensive posture, but to her captors they could see her plain as day as they smiled pleased with their find.

"Ahahaha! Did you see that!?" Ursula laughed as she held her head up high and snorted snobbishly, "And it was on my very first try too!" She boasted while Ed clapped praising her.

"Well done Ursula! You must be a natural at this!" He cried out in amazement as his eyes sparkled with awe.

"Hehehe, why naturally…." she then smirked feeling most full of herself, perhaps she may have discovered another skill to add to her so called ever-growing list of talents.

Laura then descended down next to them on a pink Alpha scooter, pouting at them crossly with disapproval, "Hey cut it out you guys, you're scaring the poor dinosaur…." She pointed out to them as she looked down and eyed Tank with sympathy, seeing how she was shivering in fear and covering up her head. As they both landed on the ground, Laura felt she recognised her species, "Hmm, it looks like a saichania to me…." she pondered folding her arms on her hips

Ed blinked as he took a closer looked and eyed the dinosaur more closely, "I think you're right Laura." He stated narrowing his eyes at their catch as he put a finger to his chin in thought, "If I remember it's name means beautiful one….." He then scratched his head feeling rather puzzled, "I don't get what makes it beautiful though…."

Ursula then scoffed taking offence at that, "Hmph! As if some overgrown lizard could even compare itself to a beauty like me! The nerve of whoever decided to call it that!" She grunted making Laura narrow her eyes at her.

"Well I say it looks cute." the little girl responded, "Way prettier than you are…." She thought to herself feeling tempted to call Ursula an old lady. As Laura walked up to the cage, Tank looked up nervously from her arms feeling worried about what these strange mammals were planning to do to her, but felt a little more at ease when Laura simply smiled back at her, "There there, it's okay, we'll take care of you don't worry about a thing." She said gently as she reached her hand in and began stroking Tank's scales gently, her patting and comforting warm touch helped the saichania feel a bit more calm.

Ursula and Ed held back though, not sharing the same trust as Laura did, "Err you sure it's okay for you to get close like that?" Ed nervously pointed out, "If she bites and you get hurt, your grandfather's gonna have our heads."

"Oh relax you scaredy cat, she wouldn't hurt a fly." Laura pouted feeling offended they were badmouthing the poor dinosaur before stroking Tank more, "Isn't that right you big softie." She giggled as Tank felt more eased up before breathing more calmly in Laura's presence.

Ed widened his eyes seeing Laura may have had quite a knack for this and she was just a kid, while Ursula was having quite enough of her playing dino whisperer as she clapped her hands, "Yeah yeah, you can make friends with it all you want later kid." She grumbled impatiently before turning to Ed, "Ed, turn it to a card now."

"Sure thing!" He saluted, before eying the console and scratching his head in confusion, "Err….how do I do that again?" He asked looking to Ursula nervously making her click her tongue in annoyance,

"Tch! Weren't you paying attention to what Dr Ancient told us earlier!?" She growled shaking a fist at him, "Do I have to do everything around here!?"

He held out his hands begging her not to hit him, "W…Why don't you show me then and I'll remember?! I promise!"

Ursula scoffed folding her arms finding him hopeless, "Hmph! Fine then….you just….umm…." It was then she found herself stumped having not paid attention either during Ancient's instructions just now. Looking around frantically, she decided to take a random guess so she wouldn't make herself look like a fool, "Was it the red button?" She reached out to press it unaware it was the release button for the cage.

Laura then facepalmed wondering why she put up with them, "Ugh….it's this one, did you forget already Ursula?" she muttered pressing a blue button on her Alpha Scooter, which released beams of light which hit their mark on Tank and reverted her to card form.

"R…Right! I was just about to press it!" Ursula then clapped her hands and put up a smile, "I was just…testing you that's all! Hehe…." She grinned trying to sound convincing as she could, though Ed and Laura didn't buy it one bit.

"Yeah right…."

"If you forgot that quickly you must be getting old…." They both rolled their eyes in thought, but found it useless to argue back with Ursula given she was vain and stubborn as a mule.

Ursula then clapped her hands signalling it was time to return, "Alright team good work, now let's get back to the ship and-"

RING! RING!

"Huh?" Blinking her eyes she took out her Alpha Scanner and answered it, seeing Zander's terrified face at the other end, making her raise an eyebrow in suspicion, "Hello Zander, what's-"

"Help! Mayday! Mayday! Request emergency assistance!" He interrupted in a panic which made those present at the time widen their eyes.

"Huh!?"

Laura then came in closer to the screen, "Zander what's the situation?!"

"Me and Dr Z are being chased by a big dinosaur with really big claws!" He quickly replied as a loud screech was heard behind them, "Send help right away!"

"EEEEEK!" Dr Z then cried out as behind he almost had his head taken off by the mother therizinosaurus' swipe!

Ed and Ursula panicked as they responded, "Gah! Don't worry! We'll come for you right away!"

"Just hang in there! We'll be with you shortly!"

"R…Roger that!" Zander took note of it before grumbling to behind him, "You just had to steal that egg didn't you!? This is the second time this week! WAAAH!" It was then the call was cut off, and Laura could only shake her head in dismay at that.

"Oh gramps…why do you always have to get yourself in to trouble…." She sighed having expected him to be better than this, plus while he may be old and should enjoy what was left of his life that didn't mean he ought to put himself in danger at that. Not wanting to step in this time around, she then pressed a button on her scooter making the cage fly back to the Backlander as she began to follow it to Ursula and Ed's surprise.

"H…Hey! Where are you going Laura!?"

"Yeah! You can't just leave us like this!" They cried out to her.

She shrugged her shoulders in response, "You guys figure it among yourselves, you're the grownups after all and I'm just a little kid, leave it to us and watch it from the experts you said….." She replied as she continued on without a backwards glance, "Maybe you ought to follow your own advice." She said as she left them to their duty while they lowered their heads in dismay and shame.

"Ugh….." Last time they had to save Dr Z they almost got eaten by a megalosaurus pair, if they made it out alive this time around they were going to demand bigger allowances from him.

And thus concludes Tank's story of how she was found and brought in by the Alpha Gang, as shown here while timid she can actually be dangerous and fight if cornered too much too. All this time since losing her family she has been rather lonely and somewhat mistrustful of others, though with the Alpha gang coming into her life she'll eventually have some friends of her own one way or another.

Enjoyed the little snidbit of Dr Z running away with the therizinosaurus egg too? I assume Dr Z found the secret dinosaurs all as eggs during their travels and raising them up from there. Not sure if I should do a story on them though since they were so young when taken in by him unless their parents till they laid their eggs then found by Dr Z perhaps.

Reply to reviews-

Drew Luczyński

Believe it or not I used that area to describe the scene last minute, but you can also use references to Dinosaur Planet (White Tip's Journey) or Chased by Dinosaurs (The Giant Claw) as well.

tsukikami02

Agreed with that.

I think it's a coincidental one the therizinosaurus but at the ending here, Dr Z is running off with the egg of his future one.

Now in her adult story Tank has now moved on and found some of her inner strength but has also found safety, if you can call it that, with the Alpha Gang now.