I'm unfortunately at the mercy of whatever characters decide to speak through me whilst I write, no matter how many ideas for other projects I have planned. Thus, this chapter came out. Which is a plus for you guys!
In case anyone doesn't know, I've already written the first chapter of an AU of Dynasties where Mount Sibo never erupts. (Un)Natural Hybrids focuses upon the offspring of Rexy and the Bull. I decided to make the story because it will go completely different from Dynasties, and because I want to better explore and develop the freaky little monster hybrids, as well as their potential influence upon the world.
I also attempted to write the next chapter of Error: Code Catholican. I can't. As much as I enjoyed writing the Raptor Pack, for some reason I just find it difficult. Rather, I'm planning a prequel on how The Magnificent One originated, ended up on Isla Nublar, and ended up integrating himself into into the sisters' pack.
Because I quite like the freakishly big Utahraptor-and it makes him the first Utah in the franchise. And because I get to play with him more and develop him. :D
Either way, thank you all for putting up with my unorganized bullshit!
I hope you enjoy.
As time passed, the two apex predators living upon opposite sides the how storm recovered knoll encountered a problem: They had eaten the last of their surplus kills.
Indeed, Sorna's Spinosaurus was hungry, and desperate. So much so, that the Bull would attempt to lick any remaining flesh off of the bones of their prey that was not eaten by birds or insects. He even attempted to lick out any bone marrow that was exposed in the aftermath of Roberta's bone crushing jaws.
Finding nothing to salvage, the sailed predator craned his head backwards, and began to turn away from one of the carcasses. A snort left forcefully from his nostrils in frustration, stomach growling and hurting. His head tilled ever so slightly skywards to look upon the Tyrannosaur that rested upon the very top of the knoll. Rather than actively search for prey-for her leg was still quite injured-the Queen utilized a different tactic: To simply not move, and conserve energy until an opportunity for prey arose.
Roberta lay in a light torpor, deciding to sleep in order to conserve energy. Indeed, the female's muscular chest expanded and fell with each breath she took, a quiet rumble slipping from her with each slumbering exhale. Tail swaying ever so slightly, and stout, muscular forearms twitching and curling in on themselves was one of the few signs that Roberta was even alive. Otherwise, Nublar's Tyrannosaurus was completely, and utterly dead to the world.
That is-until the haunting, swan song of prey caught her ears-the cries of prey fluttering up from one of the lush valleys down below. Upon hearing the calls of herding prey, the Queen's honey colored eyes shop open, pupils instantly adjusting to the source of light that rained upon her from the cerulean skies. Roberta's hungry stomach become all the most noticeable-and much more difficult to ignore. A deep riveting grumble rung from her throat as Roberta slowly rose upon her two legs, stiff limbs cracking and aching. Saliva welled within her jaws, the thought of prey already awakening her body.
As the Tyrannosaurus turned her head towards the direction she heard the flocking calls from-so did the Bull.
They were done waiting. Done scrounging for mere morsels of flesh upon aged bones.
It was time to hunt.
Alas, hunting in pairs was not something the duo was used to, but something they would be forced to do, if they desired a successful hunt. For the Queen could not run, and her rival could not kill.
Thus, the pair moved towards the nearby valley in which they heard the haunting, swan-like calls. If a bit with some mistrust, for neither predator walked outside of the eyesight of the other. The Spinosaurus moved ahead of the lame Tyrannus, Roberta's injuries hindering her sight and stride, though she still kept the male within the line of sight of her uninjured eye. The fact that he was moving made that simple task far easier. Her rival, also, would keep the Queen within his sight, the Bull craning his neck in order to look back at her ever so often, before turning his jaded gaze forward to transverse the wood-and keep an eye out for prey.
Their walking through the forest caused a disturbance among the low lying brush, the sound of hooves pounding against the ground, followed by flickers of brown in the shadows of the underbrush could faintly be seen. Several Nublar Tuffed Deer were currently fleeing the large predators, having been kicked out of their sheltered bedding, awaiting nightfall to graze.
Alas, such tiny prey was not on the pair's concern. They needed a larger food source to restore their vigor.
Sorna's Apex ceased his walking upon noticing a heard of crested prey out within the field, grazing and singing their haunted calls in courtship. Roberta ceased her stride as well-if only due to her rival stopping.
She could hear them. She could smell them.
The knowledge that prey was there caused saliva to lazily drool out of the female's maw. The only thing that growled louder than Roberta's grumble from her throat, was the gurgle from her aching stomach.
The Bull looked upon the oblivious, courting prey, the males bellowing and trumpeting loudly in display. His taloned hands grasped and released at the air, thinking, debating.
He could not kill prey even if he could catch it-at least-not easily. Not with his wounds.
His prey could not run after their conjoined quarry, even if she had the jaws to kill.
Thinking, and debating, the Bull then turned towards Roberta, and made a sneeze like noise. Turning his head in the direction of the herd, the Spinosaurus then began to skulk off, moving along the edge of the wood in order to circle around the herd.
Roberta blinked, perplexed and confused. When the Tyrannosaurus moved to follow, the Bull forced himself to snap his jaws in warning, before releasing another sneeze like call again.
The Queen was unsure of what was going on. She didn't understand. But her rival apparently wanted her to stay?
Thus, the female remained where she was as the Bull moved off.
Roberta waited.
And waited.
And waited.
Every second appeared to last forever, despite the sun not even changing positions within the sky. Her stomach's pain and rumbles were only getting worse, and with prey so close, it was difficult to resist the instinct to charge forth. Her muscles were tense, instinct telling her to lunch forth and chase. But her instincts also said to remain still, and save energy.
But her hunger was too great.
And hearing the harrowing, shrill call of her rival on the opposite edge of the field, along with the panicked bellows of flocking prey, thundering along in fright-it was too much.
Seeing the panicked quarry stampede forth, trails of dust and upturned grass within their wake-Roberta couldn't handle it.
With a thundering bellow, the Queen emerged from the brush in an explosion of leaves and branches, adrenaline forcing her injured leg to act.
The flocking prey-upon seeing the charging Tyrannosaurus-began to veer off to the side-which was something the Bull noticed as he shepherded the herd along.
What-Why were they veering?
Why were they veering?
It was then he realized his hunting mate-did not know how to hunt.
And she was going to cost them a meal.
A scream of rage erupted with force from the Bull's maw, saliva flying. The Spinosaurus then changed direction, ceasing his chasing to the herd in order to move across the field-and try to sever the veering herd from escaping.
But try as hard as he might-his legs grew tired and strained, and his lungs began to burn. But the greatest fault-was that the Bull was simply unable to cover enough ground in time to once more cross the open field, and the heads of the herd slipped into the shaded woods.
The Spinosaurus' running slowed into a canter, before falling into a light trot. Then a walk. And then a complete stop. With jaded eyes the Bull watched as the last remnants of the herd slipped into the trees, a cloud of dust within their wake.
The Bull would have released a roar in frustration, had he not been so busy catching his breath-and eating dust. Sorna's Apex then turned his head in the direction of his hunting partner. There was at least some hope that she was successful.
Lungs still ablaze, the sailed predator made his way towards the Queen with some flicker of hope.
As he got near, that flicker of hope drew dimmer and dimmer. And eventually died when he spotted Roberta flailing upon the ground-attempting to get up from a fall when her leg gave out in her attempt to hunt.
A low, threatening, crocodilian hiss escaped the Bull.
He was angry.
He was tired.
He was hungry.
He did all that, just for the hunt to fail.
Maybe he should just kill the female while she was down? Then he could eat as much as he wanted. But he was unsure if his broken jaw could actually muster up enough force to bite through her hide.
It was probably better to simply not waste energy.
Upon rising to her feet, Roberta released a grumble in frustration, and snapped her jaws in warning.
Both were fatigued, and on edge.
And worst of all, both knew there would be no sleeping tonight.
There would only be hunting.
Predators fail nine times out of ten. Everyone writes carnivores killing everything they see with a 100% success rate. Reality isn't like that. So I wrote a scene about complete and utter failure and desperation.
I also found out that Nublar has various mammals living upon it. The Nublar Tuffed Deer is one of them.
I also assume the Bull knew basic hunting tactics from watching the various raptors hunt prey, but alas-communication and cooperative hunting is not the pair's strong suite.
Thank you for taking the time to read this!
Feel free to R&R!