Chapter 17

Knowing one's place

Chomp is now a mature adolescent triceratops, and as a sign of age not only have his horns become more well developed and hardened to be much stronger, but his frill crest was beginning to develop unique color patterns over them. Sexual maturity is dependant on his size and age, and from his rate of growth it was clear he was well on his way to being just right. Much time had passed and he had outgrown his old biting and chewing habits, having matured mentally as well as physically, though his appetite was as big and healthy as always. It couldn't have come at a more perfect timing for now was a big day for most of the herd's juveniles and veteran adults, as it was now the rutting season. While the females looked on with interest over the prospects of their future mates, the males began to have levels of testosterone build up within them as many were becoming rather agitated or aggressive more easily as some were sharpening their horns on the ground at rocks or trees. While others who preferred to avoid conflict engaged in crest displays given their large horns could result ion bad or fatal injury.

Chomp faced off against another young male that was greyish in color while some of his sisters looked on as the males waved their heads at each other, flushing blood into their crests as colourful vivid patterns lit up. This was followed by snorting, grunts and ground scrapes which lasted several minutes as both sides stared down and circled one another as the tension in the air thickened. Eventually, realising how Chomp was unwilling to backdown along with having the power to back up the fight, the other juvenile wisely backed down and retreated. Chomp bellowed out in victory while his sisters cried out cheering for him too, but his moment was cut short when a loud painful roar was heard not too far away from them. They turned to look and saw other males snorting and growling as they faced down one another in miniature jousting contests, the more aggressive ones already resorting to brute force, one of which turned bloody brutal as Maximus, now a mature adolescent himself locked horns with another rival! The fight was brutal but brief, with a sharp twist Maximus managed to snap off the horn of his rival making him roar out in pain as the horn fell to the ground and blood gushed from the loser's face! He retreated to the underbrush, his dreams of finding a mate already shattered for he may never be able to challenge for the right again.

Maximus bellowed out in triumph as others were put off by his sheer mercilessness and brutality, for what some of them knew Maximus was always looking for a fight to prove his dominance and the male he battled wanted to retreat but the Alpha's son wouldn't allow him to and then forced him to fight as a result. Looking towards one of the females, Maximus bellowed out towards her as he went in to claim his prize for his victory, but the female was put off by his brutish behaviour and tried to run away from him. He then roared in anger and tried to pursue her, only to be stopped when Chomp, couldn't stand it any longer stood in his way! This startled the darker trike for a moment as he bellowed at Chomp to get out of his way but the yellow triceratops refused and stood his ground. Maximus then flashed his frill causing the unique markings on it to light up as a warning to Chomp to back away. Chomp responded by doing the same as the other youngsters looked on surprised to see Chomp standing up to their future alpha so bravely!

Seeing that showing off wasn't going to get them anywhere, the 2 males then resorted to brute force as they charged at one another and locked horns! Chomp fought bravely and refused to give ground, but Maximus proved much too strong as Chomp found himself having to dig in his heels and being pushed back multiple times either at rocks or trees! Yet he never gave up and hang on as best he could, a sight to behold for the rest of the young trikes. For a brief moment Chomp was able to cause Maximus to ram into a tree stump which knocked him off balance for a moment before he rushed in and tackled his side! Sadly that was the only move he managed to get, as Maximus enraged by being struck, retaliated with a brutal head shove which then flipped Chomp over onto his unprotected side, to which he began stomping at violently with his forelimbs! The other triceratops backed away, now fearful of Maximus' power and violent nature, none of them lacking the courage to stand up to him now and fearing their future if he were to take charge. They could only look on, frozen in place as Chomp was now as Maximus' nonexistent Mercy, as he groaned in pain and closed his eyes as the darker trike lowered his horns ready for the final blow!

Fortunately for unfortunately for Chomp, he was about to get a lucky break from an unlikely saviour, for right when Maximus was about to pierce his gut with his horns a loud roar suddenly sounded out which caught the whole herd's attention! Looking up they saw the herd's alpha roaring out at them from front, warning them all to get away as he stood his ground against a large female tyrannosaurus rex which had just ambushed him! At the sight of the massive predator, the rest of the herd including Maximus, panicked as they retreated further away from the fight! Chomp, lucky to escape death, soon got back to his legs and regrouped with the herd at the back of the area, as the alpha roared out at the female rex!

Roaring out threateningly at one another and yet neither budged, both dinosaurs then engaged in a close battle! As they charged one another, the rex grabbed hold of the alpha's horn and in her vice like jaws and iron grip it was clear she wasn't letting go anytime soon! The trike pulled away but couldn't break free, till eventually with the rex's bone crushing jaws she snapped the horn in half making the Alpha roar out in pain! The rex spat the horn out and charged again this time grabbing the alpha's frill! It was made of solid bone and she didn't have as good a grip on it instead so she was forced to let go as the alpha trike swung out his head and smashed at her! The herd watched on in awe as both dinosaurs fought violently and it was clear they were other evenly matched so it would be decided by who made a mistake first! In case worse came to worse, the adults began to gather around the rest of the young forming a protective wall as the last line of defence as their leader continued to fight.

Eventually the female enraged managed to sidestep the trike's charge, anticipating it before biting hard into his side! Blood gushed out onto the ground as the alpha roared out, as Maximus looked on widening his eyes and Chomp was speechless. Thankfully the trike was able to buck and back kick in time to make the rex dislodge her bite, and quickly he turned around and slashed out with his remaining horn landing a cut on the rex's stomach! Roaring in pain and staggering back, the trike could see the Rex was now off balance as he rushed forward and pierced through her thigh! The horn driving deep inside as she roared out in pain and staggered back! Realising she may have bitten off more than she could chew, the t-rex then limped away weakly while the Alpha roared out strongly before limping back to the herd. The herd gathered around their alpha roaring cheerful bellows, including Chomp, feeling inspired by how bravely their leader fought to protect them all, something he hoped he could inspire to be. Maximus however, scowled seeing his father gave away an opportunity to finish the rex off when he had the chance to do so.

Eventually, the alpha trike then suddenly collapsed on the ground to everyone's shock as blood continued to gush out from his open wounds. His victory came at a heavy price, and with the injuries he sustained it was clear from blood loss and infection he would not last the night. The rest of the herd could sense this too but they remained around him pityingly and also out of respect for their alpha who had kept them safe and lead them for many years. Maximus however had no such feelings even for his father, to him he felt only the strongest should lead or even live, he planned to take charge the moment his father would pass on and when that time came he intended to weed out the weaklings and make this a herd worthy of his leadership. That was something Chomp could sense from his almost murderer, and as much as he detested that triceratops, it was clear he was no match for him at all. For now he and the rest of the herd would just have to bear with him and hopefully they'd be able to persevere through the trying time that soon lay ahead of them when morning arrives.

In case anyone hadn't noticed it, the rex that attacked the herd was Terry's mother, and the injury she got came from Maximus' father.

Regarding Chomp vs Maximus I used inspiration from the walking with dinosaurs movie with Patchi vs Scowler. Also here as we can see with Gigas having a role in Terry's life before here with Maximus in Chomp's.

Reply to reviews

Drew Luczynski

I know what you mean though Chomp at times brash and bold he is also courageous and stands for others too a little more than Cera from land before time.

Not sure who Bizo is, though you can be sure how Maximus ends up next chapter.

Also a predator did past tense someone here and will next chapter.

tsukikami02

Glad you find it adorable.

One more chapter after this and I'll devote it to my other story.

I see that's fine though wonder if anyone would do that story idea.