Hello readers, a loooong time and no see.

I bet a good lot of you are wondering what happened, to make me drop off the face of the earth like I did. I apologize for that...and though I don't feel like going into a whole lot of detail, I assure you it wasn't a light event and I didn't enjoy abandoning things. Not one bit.

To put it simply...there was an unexpected and very unwanted turn of events that forced me to do what I did. It took a long time to get back to where I am now, and let me just say that I wholeheartedly appreciate the support I have received in my return, from those that knew of it. I am alright...just some things to work through and hopefully we don't have a repeat of THAT ever again.

And now...I suppose I should say with glee that I will be attempting to take up writing of my stories again, including our baby WSB. I will be working as I can to update chapters and provide content, and am determined to finish this project and to have the satisfaction of doing so, EVEN if I have lost many readers' interest due to the years I was gone.

Thank you so much to you all. I hope you enjoy these coming chapters as I have enjoyed working on them again.

"Jurassic World: Why So Blue?"

CHAPTER #34
"He With The Broken Crown"
_

After so much time and rainfall, evidence of Kilo and Muerte's battle had nearly all been washed away from the valley. The churned up earth, the puddles stained with blood, and the scent of wounds and alpha dominance; all gone without a trace.

Only one sign of the incident remained. A raptor carcass, half sunken into the mud and picked clean by scavengers, the skull of the perished creature just barely visible.

The pitiful remains of a defeated alpha? Too damaged by his wounds to get up and keep fighting? Too distraught by his failure?

That terrible night, such a fate certainly crossed Kilo's mind. He felt that maybe…...it really was his time to die. He had evaded it for too long. Maybe he deserved it…..

For some time after the pack had gone with their new rightful leader, Kilo simply laid sprawled out in the mud. It felt like an eternity, drifting in and out of consciousness. His body was broken and cold. He didn't dare try to move or even wish to.

But whether conscious or not, he couldn't get the look of Blue's face out of his head. The look of despair and fear as she had begged him to get up and fight back. The memory of her voice pleaded to him over and over whilst Muerte's cackles taunted him.

Nor could the poor raptor stop thinking about his family. Everything he loved and sought to protect was taken from him…..probably forever. His family was in the claws of a bloodthirsty tyrant, sentenced to endure all means of suffering. What of his sister? What of the younglings and his precious niece Star? Muerte was notorious for murdering younglings not of his line.

Kilo failed them….and once again he had broken the promise he made to himself years ago, after losing his mother, to never lose someone dear to him again. He broke it when the Utahraptors attacked….and again now that Muerte stole the pack from him. With every agonizing thought his body had sunk deeper into the mud, like a toxic grip that was pulling him in. His shallow breaths uttered hushed whines and groans. His glazed eyes became heavy.

All was quiet. Not a single living creature made a peep in the valley, and for some time Kilo really believed himself to be dead. Even the thoughts and images of his pack drifted further and further away…..until he began to see something else through the mental haze.

Memories of his childhood. He could see the old den in which he was born….with its big warm nest and the moonlight shining down through the entrance. He could see his brother and sister playing as just little hatchlings; Shadow gently batting the smaller baby with her paws whilst Grey tried his very hardest to climb on top of her.

They were happy…...and Kilo found himself fixing on the memory of happy little Grey. His heart ached and missed him dearly. It had been some years since he'd seen that face, and sadly the last time he had, it was not so happy or loving….

But then….there was a figure passing over him in the memory. A large raptor stepped into the nest, and sweet chuffs met his ears. Shadow and Grey both broke their play to run over and rub up against the charcoal scaled ankles.

Kilo's broken heart burst with happiness and love. Mother…...his memory of her was so clear now. She looked down at him with those intelligent golden eyes, returning the love and happiness. She was still one of the most beautiful raptors he had ever known, and he drank in every detail of her shiny scales and bold red markings. This memory was not tainted by grimy black mud or bullet wounds in her side. Her eyes were not glazed over or distant.

This memory was pure and perfect.

Kilo was faintly aware of a tiny whimpering sound coming from him, and the feeling of his tail wagging, though he wasn't certain if it was really him or the illusion.

But Mother chirped in response nonetheless, and as she laid down in the nest all of Kilo's woes were soothed. She first licked Shadow and Grey, then swooped her muzzle close and puffed warm air at him. Warm air he swore he could feel on his face.

Kilo whimpered again. He was tired, Mother…..he wished to sleep.

She gave him that gentle face of nurturing adoration, before bobbing her head. Was he sure? There was still time to play and do many great things. The night was still young.

But Kilo insisted desperately, and almost with a sad look, Mother purred. Softly she began to croon to her children…..a raptor's lullaby that she always used to sing when they could not sleep. Shadow and Grey cuddled close and eventually they faded from the memory, leaving Kilo and Mother alone.

Kilo welcomed peace. All the sorrow weighing him down became lighter and lighter with every note his Mother uttered. He began to hope and was comforted that maybe there was an existence after death. Maybe Mother was waiting for him.

Of course such philosophies were difficult for a raptor to even grasp. But it was the last bit of hope he could cling onto. In the very least he would gratefully accept Mother's presence in his last moments.

And as the moments passed and Kilo loosened his grip on the world, something began to change that was grabbing his attention. It was the way Mother's voice carried, or how she looked down at him. Every once in a while the gentle loving tone of her lullaby was broken by a growl or a hiss. She would swoop her head close and he'd again feel warm breath wash over his face. Her lips curled to show her teeth.

It barely registered that something was wrong, until a paw came to rest on his side. He thought at first that Mother was comforting him…..but the paw began to push down, harder and harder on his cracked ribs so that new pain blossomed across his body.

It was feeling too real. Not just an illusion that his dying mind was conjuring up, but actual physical sensations that were making him groan and resist. He didn't want to feel anymore.

He wanted to stay with Mother!

Eventually, Kilo felt the pressure leave his ribs. He thought that maybe it would leave for good….but no sooner had he hoped, the paws slammed back down onto his side, so hard that his broken ribs compressed and the pain was too intense to bear. His pleasant memories came crashing apart as his lungs expanded with a hoarse gasp, and his body jump-started back to the real world. His eyes snapped open and an agonized cry finally escaped him.

In response there was a raptor's sickening cackle. This certainly wasn't a memory of Mother, nor did Kilo think it was Blue or one of the pack members come back to him. He wouldn't be so lucky.

Instead when he turned his eyes upwards, he saw an unfamiliar face sneering down at him, lips curled and yellow eyes narrowed. It was a male Velociraptor, crouched close beside him, baring his teeth. His body was sickening to look at…...malnourished like all of Muerte's followers, covered in scars and wounds.

Maybe a straggler omega that was still trying to catch up to the pack? Or maybe a spiteful lackey, come back to finish the job Muerte started. Get his own taste of reefing on the broken and battered alpha.

Kilo couldn't remember if he saw him in the crowd or not…..

But that didn't matter anymore. Once the rival male saw Kilo looking at him, a gleam flashed across his wild eyes. His lips curled and the messy feathers on the back of his head perked up.

The former alpha of the Waterfall pack was still alive! Though just barely. Oh how the mighty have fallen! Clearly he didn't intend to let such a sad creature die alone in peace, and to that Kilo closed his eyes again. If the wretched thing wished to finish him off, so be it.

Death would claim him more quickly that way.

As if on que, the rival gave another snarl and bounced on his front paws just to see Kilo in pain again. And Kilo reacted with an angry rumble and his claws gripping into the mud.

Just get it over with! He was growing impatient and did not appreciate the games.

The rival cackled again in amusement. How sweet that this pathetic bag of bones would be so willing to die. Very considerate of him, and a wise choice!

But it was indeed all a game to him. Maybe if he returned to the pack covered in Kilo's blood and responsible for his death, the other subordinates would recognize that he did the thing Muerte would not. Maybe they would deem his act worthy of gaining dominance within the ranks; a chance far too tempting to pass up. He could become royalty.

So, the rival moved to pin Kilo's neck down with his paws. Finally he opened his mouth, clearly intending to rip out his life vein in one easy slash.

A quick death. That pleased Kilo and he let his eyes slip closed with a solemn sigh. He would think of his happy Mother and family while it was done.

But the killing blow never came. The rival became distracted by something out of the corner of his eye, and he stood up to poof his feathers with a hiss. Again the inconvenience made Kilo crack his eye open and growl.

What now?

But the rival seemed equally annoyed. He stepped away from Kilo and spread his arms with a possessive hiss, to state his claim to the kill. That was when Kilo realized he could sense another presence with them. Footsteps through the mud were nearing closer…..BIG footsteps.

The rival showed his teeth. Back off! Only one raptor was going to kill the dethroned alpha, and it was gonna be him!

The only response was a single deep throated snarl. A second raptor…..and it sounded like it was out for blood, aggressively challenging possession over Kilo's body like it was the prize of the valley.

Now the rival was starting to get visibly nervous. He flinched, and like an explosion something shot into Kilo's vision from the right, connecting with the rival so hard that it bowled him over into the mud.

A fight was started, just as vicious as the last. This new unfamiliar raptor was a blur of claws and teeth, and it was indeed big from what Kilo glimpsed of it. Had another Utahraptor migrated into the area? As if the territory didn't have enough problems already.

It didn't take long for the smaller of the two to be overpowered and outmatched. They scuffled about for a minute or two, but this new big raptor was experienced. It jumped and dove with calculated ease, striking massive blows that cut the rival omega up one side and down the other. Barely a scratch was placed on its own scales…..until finally the killing blow came. The rival was slammed into the ground, pinned there in a squalling and thrashing mess underneath big feet, then his neck was broken with a single quick twist.

The cries and snarling went silent. Everything went back to calm as though nothing had ever happened. It was all so fast.

Kilo, though curious of what happened, still held hope. Maybe this newcomer would be so willing as to dispatch him too. Death was death and at this point he didn't care who gave it to him.

Eventually, the big footsteps approached him through the silence. A shadow fell over Kilo's face and he growled pleadingly…...but nothing happened. There was no merciful slash or bite.

He heard the unidentified raptor give a few deep chuffs. Becoming impatient again, Kilo dared to look up and view whoever this inconsiderate brute was. His lips twitched to show his teeth and his head wobbled upright with some struggle. The most movement he'd dared to do that evening.

But what he saw through his blurred vision only confused him more. A massive raptor towered over him, yes, but it was no Utahraptor.

An adult male Velociraptor, lean yet muscled, with grey marbled scales shining despite the dimmed moonlight through the clouds. His bloodied claws remained tucked neatly at his chest. His thick neck arched gracefully with a crest of small black feathers, tail equally up at attention with feathered adornment.

And that face, sharply defined by masculinity….but somehow….it was familiar. Kilo had seen those yellow eyes before, somewhere. How? Was his blurred vision failing him?

For the smallest of moments, Kilo feared that this was Muerte standing above him. He couldn't help but curl his lips and cough out an angry snarl. Go away! He wished for death, but NOT from his father! The monster didn't deserve such satisfaction after what he did!

His threats were unfortunately rather pathetic. His claws lashed out sideways, but they were labored and the grey raptor merely sidestepped to dodge them, bobbing his head a few times and whimpering sadly.

Whimpers? Kilo couldn't ever remember his father making such a sound. Muerte never felt sadness or pity.

It made him pause in confusion, and blinking his blurry eye a few times he tried to look again harder. This raptor really wasn't Muerte…..

The stranger stared back with wide eyes, as though the sight of Kilo was mutually just as shocking. He was healthy and fit…...which surely meant that he wasn't affiliated with Muerte's motley pack. Only a spare few scars decorated his wide chest and the bridge of his nose. Scars of hunts and victorious dominance fights no doubt.

Kilo blinked in confusion. How did he know this raptor? What was the significance?

Such thoughts were interrupted when the stranger made a hushed coo and ducked his head. Despite his large frame dwarfing Kilo's, and despite Kilo's state of injury…...he displayed submission. He showed his throat and bent down low till he was laying in the mud too. Why treat a defeated alpha with so much respect?

Kilo just didn't understand! The stranger's face was full of intense emotion, and in those eyes he saw guilty sorrow. Somewhere in his memories he could recall seeing that face many a time. All the way back to his adolescent days, and in his teenage years…...when a particular sibling got on his nerves or went too far with his troublesome antics. Someone who often apologized afterwards with such a face.

Suddenly, it all started to click together. Kilo felt as though his heart stopped, and his trembling body sunk back into the mud. He couldn't tear his eyes away now that he recognized that face.

He couldn't believe it! After three long years, could it really be true?

Grey Brother?

As if to make sure, Kilo tilted his head and dared to utter a tender rumble. A family vocalization he often gave to Shadow. Without a second of hesitation the other male seemed to light up with joy. His tail wagged and he returned the affectionate vocal in earnest. Brother Kilo!

Rushed with a wave of different emotions, Kilo let out a big breath and felt light headed. Almost to convince himself he eyed the big male up and down, wanting to get another good look at him.

But "Skinny little Grey" hardly described his little brother anymore, and that both amused him and left him in a stupor. They'd always felt like the poor guy just hadn't hit his growth spurt yet….and growth spurt he had! He had grown up into a powerful young male, standing some heads taller than Kilo and seeming to be doing quite well for himself. He was indeed healthy and decently fed, lean but practically rippling with muscle.

And apparently he had learned how to fight? Contrary to his adolescent timidness and tendency to start fights he couldn't finish, Grey did just fine to hold his own against the rival male. But judging from the few respectable scars on his body, he must have encountered a brawl or two over the years. That was when Kilo recognized one particular scar over the bridge of his nose. A trophy Grey had earned when they were still young, after he riled up a group of bachelors and they jumped him.

So much change in his little brother…...was any of it real? Was Kilo's mind just playing more tricks and illusions in his weakness?

Kilo was beginning to feel the exertion of shock catch up to him. With a tremble in his body he began to sink back down into the mud, head becoming too heavy to hold upright.

Grey saw this, and with quick reflexes he reached out to catch Kilo's chin with his muzzle, before it would fall and clip the ground. Gently he rested it down and nuzzled his cold scales, then pulling away he took a turn to look over his brother…..a moment to reminisce and absorb just what had happened there that night.

For years he had lived as a lone bachelor along the rim of Muerte's territory. He got to watch the tyrant's rule from a distance, seeing all the terrible things his family had once endured. He watched many raptors go within the perimeter and never come back out, and a time or two he knew Muerte to venture off on conquests; attacking nearby packs in order to recruit worthwhile members into his horde, namely females of course.

But never had Muerte gone so far from home to challenge an alpha…..and never did he take his entire pack with him. Why?

The only reason Grey could think of, was the growing pressure on dinosaur territories towards the center of the island. Over the last few seasons he had seen both predator and prey fleeing for safer land….even if they were coming from territories that had been established since before he was born.

Not too long ago he had seen a pair of Utahraptors migrating through his stomping grounds, followed soon after by an old Spinosaurus. Prey was becoming even more scarce, and Muerte's already malnourished pack was suffering for it.

All from a creature he unfortunately knew well…...humans that made the center of Isla Sorna their home, not long after their first appearance on the island. The murderers of his mother….riding in big metal beasts and carrying the thunder sticks that had taken her life.

They came often to Muerte's pack. They were hunters that did not kill to eat, and they killed many raptors for a reason he could not understand. Until there were fewer and fewer left…...and finally Muerte struck out on his final conquest. Maybe he decided that his pack was in need of a new territory as well.

So Grey followed them, making sure to stay a good ways behind in order to remain undiscovered. The direction they traveled seemed very precise….and as they crossed over a perimeter of scent markers, Grey realized that they were entering another pack's territory. Muerte was going to do as he always did….steal and take what wasn't his.

When the screaming and fighting started, Grey knew there was nothing he could do. He huddled into a thicket to hide until it all blew over, and when it did, he became too curious to resist. Did Muerte win again? Or did he finally meet his match?

If only he knew that the pack Muerte chose to steal was his brother's. When he crept out into the valley and saw where the fight took place, he thought the mud covered figure laying at the center was a dead victim. Disappointed, he was going to move on…..until a rival male unexpectedly showed himself, and the victim was proved to still be alive. He killed the rival purely for the distaste of Muerte's pack…..but...

Grey grimaced and another whimper escaped him. Kilo…..he hadn't seen him in three years. He almost couldn't believe it when he recognized those coal black scales and the three talon scars on his face.

Now as he laid down before him, he saw a raptor with a broken spirit and body. He was skinny, and his shiny black scales had turned dull from malnutrition. New wounds and layers of mud covered the old scars that had formed from the last time they encountered Muerte.

No doubt if he had been another moment later, his brother would have died…...whether that be by the fangs of the rival, or by Kilo's own will. He seemed ready to slip away at any given moment, especially when recognition spread over his face at the sight of Grey…..followed by fear, sadness, and guilt all at once. It was almost enough to take what little strength he had left.

The feelings Grey had inside were mutual. All at once he was reminded of the last time he saw his brother, three years ago when they went their separate ways. He was filled with remorse….even anger, for a small moment.

Could Kilo really blame him for leaving? Grey made a soft purr and rested his chin on the ground in front of Kilo's, his eyes never leaving his brother's pained face.

Ever since he was born, Grey struggled to come to term with his differences. He was nothing like his siblings, or his mother…...he didn't even look like them. He was not tender and nurturing like Mother or Shadow, nor was he bold and loyal like Kilo. Even though they loved him, he knew they treated him differently, and were frustrated by him.

And so he had felt resentment in his younger years after Mother was gone, not only towards Hook and Kilo, but especially towards himself. Because every day that he lived beneath Muerte's rule, he feared that he was becoming more and more like his father. He saw Muerte in his reflection, and he heard him in his voice when he snapped at Kilo in anger, or when he looked to a female and believed he would find comfort from one's attention. It turned his resentment into a temper, and a desire to find more. He was trapped in an environment that would not allow him to become something more.

So….when they finally escaped it, Grey was faced with a conflict. Freedom was within his grasp, and he desired with every fiber of his being to go out and claim it, even though he still loved his family and was connected to them.

But after Kilo was wounded by their father in order to protect him, shame accompanied the resentment in his heart. It was his fault that Muerte attacked them, and it was because of him that Kilo bore the scars.

It made his decision easy….and in the dark of the night he slipped away, taking only a moment to bid farewell to Shadow and Kilo even as they begged him to stay.

He had learned much in his time living as a lone bachelor. At first it was hard, and every day was a struggle to survive. He wasn't a very good hunter, nor was he very good at avoiding other larger predators. They chased him away and stole his kills more often than not.

But he did learn, and eventually the hunts got easier. He learned the best way to stalk and take down large prey. He learned how to evade danger and stand up for himself, with no big brother to depend on. He got into fights with other loner raptors, earning a few keepsake scars to learn from, but after a while he was winning.

He grew both in body and in mind…..and eventually….he really did become something more. His lifelong desire was satisfied. He looked at his reflection and he saw Grey….not Muerte.

My how the tables had turned. He left as the smaller and weaker brother, but now he came back to find Kilo the lowest he had ever seen him. Kilo whom had lost everything he loved dear, giving up and losing hope.

If he didn't have the strength to get back up…...then maybe he needed someone strong enough to help him, even just for a short while.

Like a little brother with a debt to pay. After all, Kilo had saved his life those three years ago. Time to return the overdue favor.

So, Grey sat up and chuffed softly. Brother?

At first there was no answer, but eventually Kilo grunted in reply, and his narrow eyes opened just a bit further to give another blank look. His lips quivered and pursed hard together, unsure how to even look at Grey, feeling so ashamed of himself.

Grey ignored such a look and bobbed his head. Shadow…..where was she? And the rest of the pack?

He had to get his brother's mind going again. Maybe if he thought of their sister, it would motivate him.

Shadow?

Kilo whimpered. She was back at the den site with her mate, Tango, and the younglings…...and Muerte was headed straight for them. The rest of the pack were being forced to lead him there. Hook, Alden, Lima…..and Blue.

Grey perked up and tilted his head a bit. Shadow had a mate? There were younglings now? And who was this Blue? He didn't recognize the raptor Kilo referred to….though he did recognize with a wrinkle of his nose who Lima was.

Even in his despair, Kilo couldn't help the little amused twitch on his face at Grey's torrent of questions. He could sense his excitement was lighthearted and genuine…..so he shifted despite the pain and cooed. It hurt to think of Shadow, but recalling her development over the years comforted him.

Did Grey remember the skinny little omega that followed them out of Muerte's pack?

The one with the white speckles? Victor?

Grey seemed to become quite invested in the story telling. All at once he became serious and his feathers poofed. Did this male treat their sister well? Was he a good mate?

Kilo reassured him gently -though he admitted he was surprised to see his brother so protective, after being gone for so long. Victor was one of the best. He was gentle and adored Shadow, providing for her in every way a mate should. They produced a clutch of chicks together and he made for an excellent father as well…..though Kilo didn't have the heart to mention the Utahraptor attack, and the deaths of two of the chicks.

Grey's eyes brightened. Chicks? Shadow was a mother? They were uncles?

He never thought he'd be an uncle…...but then again it was no surprise that Shadow became a mother. She was born to nurture and love, and she had always looked at the pack chicks with longing eyes.

Kilo wagged his tail at the thought of Star. Their niece Star was a precious treasure, as bold and rambunctious as they come. And she was the sweetest little thing, always somehow knowing the best way to lighten his mood.

Grey pondered on this for some moments. He was happy to see Kilo distracted…...his eyes were not so out of focus and distant, and he was moving.

But he felt a surprising joy from hearing of the pack, and he wanted to know more.

So….if Shadow had a mate and family…..was Kilo so lucky as to finally find a female and settle down? Did he have younglings of his own yet?

Grey asked this with a mischievous bob of his head and show of his teeth. But Kilo looked at him and felt his moment of happiness deflate. A family?

No….no he didn't trouble himself with the games of courting females and "settling down". He was an alpha and he had a job to do. Wasn't Shadow and the pack family enough?

Grey seemed disappointed, and slumped down with a little snort. Sure….having the pack and sister were family plenty…..but clearly his big brother was still just as prudish as ever.

He hadn't considered courting for a mate even once? It had been three years! Three mating seasons with ample chance!

Kilo was almost ready to show his teeth and agree with a hiss that, yes, he had never considered courtship or a family…...but he softened and went quiet. Even he could admit that he thought about it, once or twice.

Most of those times being after a mysterious blue and grey female came into his life.

Suddenly, shaking his head and growling to himself at the thought of Blue, Kilo painfully pulled his head away from Grey and curled it around at his side. What was the use now? Muerte was in control again…...everyone he cared about and loved were taken from him. He was a failure. What female would find him worthy now?

Again he was thinking about the look of sorrow on Blue's face. She used to look at him with respect and admiration….but now what? Did she think of him as a sad weak link? Even if he did see her as a potential mate -which….he didnt, would the feelings be mutual?

Everything went quiet. Neither brother knew what to say next, at first. But Grey began to flare his nostrils and jut his lower jaw out.

Kilo was very deeply hurt by the loss of his pack, and it would be difficult to bring him out of that pit of shame. But it was not the time to give up! Kilo spoke of so many great things, and the happy life he had made with his pack.

So, Grey growled sternly and began to rise to his feet. Was this the mindset of a strong alpha? Did strong alphas give up so easily? Did strong alphas just lay around waiting to die?

Kilo became confused and looked up with one eye narrowed. What was Grey going on about?

Muerte had his pack! He stole it and everything he loved, yes! Why not do something about it!

THAT made Kilo wrinkle his nose and snort in reply. Do something about it? What was he to do? Waltz back up to Muerte and demand a rematch?

The fight declared the obvious winner. It deemed him weak and unfit to be the alpha.

To which Grey chuffed in defiance of his brother's negativity. With a poofed crest and flagging tail, he began to strut around his brother.

Forget tradition and what the alpha fight said! Muerte was not one to obey traditions and law, so why should they? After all, were there any other options? Let Muerte get what he wanted? Let their sister and her family suffer? How could he just give up in the face of such stakes?

Grey curled his lips. No….he would not stand for this. He would NOT come back to find his brother, just to lose him again. Or to see him throw his good life away.

Kilo was the alpha they needed, whether he wanted to believe it or not. Didn't he see there was so much to live for? The pack was still alive!

Kilo almost jumped when Grey stomped his foot and cackled. Get up! There was family to save! A crown to reclaim!

He was either going to lay here and die, or die trying to fight back. Did it matter either way?

Kilo hadn't thought about it that way…..and then suddenly Grey came closer. The big male was inspecting his wounds, trying to find a good place to start. Start what?

Such a question was answered, when Grey reached down and clamped his jaws gently over the scruff of Kilo's neck. He gave a tug and growled between his teeth. Up!

Kilo protested with pained cries, but Grey only pulled harder. GET UP! Then let go to begin pushing against his hips and side.

If he didn't get up in the next five seconds, he'd bite him! That was a warning!

All of this only seemed to make Kilo angry. He got more and more so, until his lips curled back to show his teeth and gums, and his eyes went wide. It made him forget his pain long enough to take a few nips at Grey, to which his brother whooped and hollered.

There we go! Get mad!

And suddenly…..Kilo felt himself wrenching to his feet. He snarled and snapped his jaws, reacting to the pain….but then he looked around. He wobbled on weak legs and grimaced at the sensation of dried mud cracking with his shifting scales. It amazed him. His lungs were on fire and his flesh stung, but he couldn't believe it.

He was standing….at least until the exertion caught up to him and his body began to teeter to the left. Now he was falling!

Whump. Something hard hit his shoulder, stopping the fall. Grey scales pressed against his side and a clawed paw reached out to hold tight onto his arm. It stabilized him…..and Grey's voice rumbled against his chest with pride.

Doesn't that feel better?

Kilo took in a few deep breaths and looked up to growl. He actually felt pretty awful.

Good.

They took some time to get Kilo accustomed to his legs, hardly making a sound aside from the wounded raptor's painful protests. Eventually Grey demanded he take a step, and Kilo did so…...even if it almost resulted in falling flat on his face.

Again. And again another step, until they were clumsily shuffling past the dead corpse of the rival raptor, making their way towards the trees. Kilo didnt know if he wanted to lick his brother across the cheek or bite him…..but he was starting to lean towards the former, and feeling gratitude for Grey's efforts. Maybe there really was a chance at redemption.

Where were they going?

He stumbled, but Grey's shoulder was sturdy support, and after a few hobbling steps he began to walk stronger. His heart was beating faster and he growled with a growing passion.

As they made their way into the trees, Grey tried to lighten the mood with a happy chuff. He knew of a quiet place to hide and rest. With a little time he'd be healed and good as new! And he'd show him a few tricks of the trade for winning fights.

Kilo blinked in shock. Fighting tips? From Grey?

Grey chittered again. Not only that, but he'd give him some courting tips as well!

Kilo tried to keep himself composed, but a snort escaped him and he slapped his tail playfully against Grey's, even if it hurt the bite wound on the end of it.

Of course Grey would be thinking of females at a time like this…..

But Grey shook his head. Oh he wasn't intending to find a mate for himself. He'd learned his lesson from the White Beauty, and had his fill of females for a good long while.

But Kilo? He had every intention of getting his brother introduced to the ways of wooing! No more brooding bachelor alpha! It was time to settle down and sire some hatchlings with a pretty girl. Did he really want to grow old, alone, and crotchety like their uncle Hook?

If Kilo was trying to compose himself before, it was impossible now. At the thought of such a thing he chuffed and rumbled as though he were belly laughing. And it hurt his lungs to do so, but he didn't care.

Once he finished and caught his breath, he looked up at his brother and cooed a thank you. It was good to have him back.

Grey arched his neck confidently. It was good to be back.

And he was sorry for everything.