Finally, a relatively quick update, compared to my previous schedule. This would have come out sooner, but in recent days I've been repeatedly slammed by the flu. It's knocked me on my butt pretty good, to the point I had to stop making art and writing for WSB.
After being in bed all day, I decided to take my time and edit a chapter I finished. It was a little taxing, so I apologize for any mistakes in my writing that I might have missed. I just wanted to get this out rather than sit on it for however long I'm sick. (I promise I'll look over it better once I've recovered.)
On a side note, I'd like to thank WildRebel93 for making two fanart pictures, following the events of chapter 21 with the Compy scene, and the Dilophosaurus attack. :) They turned out so amazing and can be seen on my DeviantArt page "WhenBooksFly101" under my favorites folder "Why So Blue?: Art made by others".
All together, this story has gathered 23 pieces of fanart so far, not including my own pictures. All of the artists are SO amazing and kind for making pictures, whether as gifts or for commission. They deserve a round of applause!
:) So. I hope you guys like this chapters and what takes place in it. I'm hoping, although work may be slow, that the following chapter will be posted soon.
I'm trying really hard to get these things out to my readers in good time. After working on the plot a bit I have 48 planned chapters, so there's plenty of work cut out for me. ^_^ I'm excited, nonetheless.
Thank you so much everyone!
Jurassic World: Why So Blue?"
Chapter 22
"Intruder"
The first thing Blue sensed when she woke again was the morning sun. She could feel it, warm and tingly on muscles that had gone numb from the cold, glowing red against her eye lids, and giving promise that the rain storm had passed. Was it morning already?
Very slowly, Blue slit her eyes open and shifted. She felt mud beneath her, caking to her belly and legs in painfully chilled layers, making soft squishing sounds when she moved. She felt droplets trickling down the scales of her flank, but she also felt something hard pressing up against her ribcage.
It was then that Blue remembered she hadn't slept alone. She remembered where she was and what had happened the day before, bringing an anxious feeling into her heart.
Alpha? Younglings?
Opening her eyes fully, the omega's vision was filled with black scales just inches from her muzzle. In such close quarters every breath brought a storm of scents, specifically the smell of male raptor, stale vomit, urine, and the acrid stench of Dilophosaurus saliva. It made her muzzle wrinkle but she squinted, then lifted her head with a small yawn and click of her teeth.
Around Blue the meadow was a mess. The sparse grass did little to hold the earth together, resulting in massive puddles of water and vast areas of dark mud, churned up by the pelting rain. There were leaves and dead foliage brought in by flooding currents, sometimes accompanied by a branch knocked down from the tree canopy.
Blue only lingered on ground details for a moment. The storm was an impressive one, considering standard dry-season weather patterns. Its damage was done but before long the sun would dry up all the water, till almost all evidence was gone and the air was warmed, welcoming creatures back into the light. The sky was clearing, dotted by areas of grey clouds which gave way to beautiful blue and the sun's rays.
Unfortunate creatures like Blue would appreciate the change. She had yet to stop shivering since the night before, and her muscles were aching because of it, like one's jaw might feel after clenching it for several hours. She tried to shake out her scales and get the blood moving, but movements were hindered by crowding sleep-mates. Ever so often she could feel the younglings shift, letting out sleepy grunts and sighs as their little claws kneaded into her thigh, like cats kneading with their paws to show affection.
It was then that Blue sensed activity at her side, and remembered her alpha. She felt his shallow breaths against her ribs and immediately she became concerned. Her inner protective instincts demanded she evaluate him, to make sure he had improved at least a little in the past hours.
In looking down, the female didn't expect much. She expected to see Kilo laying just as she had left him, flat out on his side with head curved awkwardly downwards towards his stomach. She didn't expect that the venom wore off at all, but what she saw made her blink in awe.
Kilo was laying up on his stomach, with legs curled underneath him and arms spread out from his chest. His tail and neck were curled around her until she was boxed in with nowhere to move, the shadow of his larger body draped over her. When her shoulder brushed up against his, it no longer felt weak and limp behind paralysis. Instead she could once again feel the muscles, ever so slowly returning to the power she had always admired.
Alpha was getting better. He wasn't a hundred percent, judging by the way he wheezed with every breath, or how his limbs experienced occasional muscle spasms. Blue was relieved by his progress, but she knew he had a long way to go, so she didn't let the relief overcome her.
She must remain vigilant. Her work was far from over and she needed to consider the next course of action.
Shifting back on her haunches, Blue sat up until she could see the younglings beneath her. They stirred a bit, but nestled into a group and began cooing softly, which made her heart swell. Loving instincts made her tail wag softly and drew a purr from her throat, reveling in the sweet innocence that surrounded the younglings.
Suddenly, as Star rolled onto her back, Blue heard a gurgling sound. At first she failed to identify it but soon the realization came to her. Her head reeled back and she made a shocked noise. Of course! How could she have forgotten!
After the unexpected turn of events the previous day, Blue and Kilo had been unable to get food for the group. The younglings hadn't eaten in twenty-four hours, and realizing that gave Blue a heavy dose of guilt.
Where could she possibly find food? How was she going to leave the group and protect them, but also look for prey?
The female made a small whimpering sound. Kilo stirred beside her, and she saw his lips twitch before he reached out with one weak paw and pressed it against her shoulder. He groaned softly, then went still and fell back into his sleep. It didn't appear as though he knew what was wrong, or that he had pulled from sleep long enough to notice Blue was awake.
In that moment Blue looked up. She pressed her lips together and chuffed, then bobbed her head.
She had to figure something out. Every instinct in her mind was gearing towards pack protection, to feed and provide for the young as well as her injured alpha.
She would have to get up and investigate what was available.
So, Blue grunted softly before looking her sleep-mates over. Very slowly she lifted up on her legs and away from the younglings, hoping to remove herself from them without waking them up in the process. When they made little whimpers she froze, waited, then continued standing up until she was on her feet and free to move.
Blue stepped away and made a small breath of relief. She was about to shake the mud off her scales and begin her search, when a little chirp sounded and movement caught her attention.
Blue?
Star looked up from her place with the adolescents. Her sleepy eyes opened and closed as though she were fighting to stay awake, head swaying and tongue hanging out one side of her jaw.
Blue stiffened, but stooped down and licked the little one with a singing purr. It seemed to soothe her and lull her back to sleep, and soon she laid her head back onto Curare's flank with a coo.
Sleep little one. She was going to find some food.
~...~
At first, Blue didn't know where to go. She couldn't possibly figure out how she was going to hunt, but still keep within sight of Kilo and the younglings. How was she going to feed them if she couldn't leave them?
But then, looking to the single Guanacaste tree at the center of the meadow, Blue remembered something. Her head lifted and her golden eyes brightened with hope. Her tail flicked and her claws wriggled with consideration.
Would it be good to eat, she wondered.
The female strode forward through the squelching mud. She chittered softly to herself and rounded deep puddles, then ducked under the lowest leaves and looked up to inspect what was above her. At first she saw nothing, but then her foot touched something and she looked down with wide eyes.
Like the day before, the ground was littered with Compy bodies. After the rain had come they drowned, unable to move and save themselves from basting in puddles of water mixed with Dilophosaurus venom. She stared at them for a moment without the slightest of sympathetic thoughts, then flared her nostrils and again looked up.
There!
The sent of rancid meat reached her, followed by the buzzing of flies and the sight of something draped over branches. It touched her predator instinct with joy, relief, and a curiosity.
The hung Dilophosaurus kill was cleaned by the rain, no longer spoiled by venom that had kept scavengers at bay the day before. When Blue smelled it she was pleased by the lack of alarming stenches, casting out the usual smell of decomposition.
Now...how to get it down...
Usually, raptors didn't try to climb trees. They did not hide in them because they had pack members to protect one another. They did not hide food in them because kills were almost always picked clean, or simply left behind. They did not sleep in them because there was usually a den site to return to.
Blue had never climbed a tree, so automatically her first response was to jump and try reaching the meat with her jaws. It worked, but rather than dislodging the entire carcass she fell back with a small portion in her mouth. She reveled in the taste of blood on her tongue, but she looked back up at the branches with glaring eyes. After a few more attempts she gathered an acceptable amount, before turning and striding back to the other raptors.
Star was the first to wake, lifting her head and blinking in the sunlight before letting out a surprised chitter. Her limbs shot out in all directions, then she stood up and called out. Her nostrils quivered frantically upon sensing the meat scent.
Food! Blue got food!
The adolescents flinched, but it took them a moment before they understood what Star was so excited about. It was when Blue stepped above them and plopped down a big pile of meat, right before their muzzles so that its scent flooded their senses and woke their stomachs.
Curare blinked. Mike lurched to his feet and chittered. Food!
Star leapt onto the pile and began gorging herself. Her tail wagged back and forth slapping into the adolescents' shoulders, ceasing only when she stood up on her toes and tipped her head back, swallowing a chunk of flesh and letting out a content gurgle.
Thank you, Blue!
The older female purred, before turning and fixing her eyes on the fourth raptor in her care. She moved to Kilo before laying down beside him, his portion of meat still hanging from her mouth as she bent forward and nudged him.
Alpha?
He grumbled, but with a little tremble of his claws his golden eye opened and fixed on her. At first he seemed confused and startled by her close contact, but eventually it appeared as though he remembered where he was and why he was laying in the mud.
His eye lowered to her jaws, and Blue purred when she heard his stomach grumble in the presence of ripe meat. It pleased her to see the alert surprise in his eyes. It pleased her to see his jaws work and hold back a wave of saliva.
She was a good omega and found him food. Wasn't she good?
Blue reached her neck forward and offered the meat. She cooed, prodding it against Kilo's muzzle in a request to help feed him.
At that thought, Kilo clamped his lips together and growled. He tried to move but his body was half numb, resulting in him falling on his side into the mud, before he growled again.
He would not be fed like a newborn hatchling, squawking and pleading for meat from its mother's maw. He was an adult alpha raptor, perfectly capable of feeding himself!
Blue blinked. She pulled her head back but she chuffed in a challenging tone. Could he really feed himself in his state?
There was silence, and the female narrowed her eyes. She made a soft sound, then reached forward again and dangled the meat in front of Kilo. She asked him, offering her assistance so that he may recover. He couldn't recover on an empty stomach, and she knew for a fact his stomach was empty, after all the vomiting he went through the night before.
Kilo grumbled. He looked away but she touched his lips with the meat and forced him to take in a deep breath of its scent.
Come on alpha! Be good and eat your breakfast!
The male growled, but that time it was softer, and he began looking at the meat with a greater passion. He licked the juice from his lips, tasting its flavor, before grunting in exasperation.
Fine!
Blue purred, and watched as Kilo slowly parted his jaws, lifting the end of his muzzle as far as he could off the ground. He breathed heavily and made little sounds of discomfort, so Blue was quick to lean forward and gently put her snout between his teeth, then release some meat onto his tongue and back away. With a bit of a struggle he worked it back and swallowed. The soft purr he made nearly caused Blue to wiggle with joy.
Did he want more?
Kilo hesitated, but staring at the omega he opened his jaws again. She again put her snout between his teeth and gave him another serving of meat, which he swallowed.
See? That wasn't hard.
Kilo grunted, and Blue made an amused chuff. Her chest puffed out with pride of her success in breaking through to him, even if her reward was simply being able to feed him. The act of providing food for an alpha was in her basic instincts. Charlie used to offer her food gifts, as a lower ranking raptor to its beta.
It was only right that she helped him.
As Blue licked the juice from her own lips, Star lifted her head and swallowed a hefty chunk of meat. She purred happily, but upon looking across the clearing her eyes widened. Her chest puffed out and her nostrils flared, testing the air for scents.
A second later there was a distant cry, and the hatchling quivered on her toes.
Blue! Look!
The group tensed. As Mike and Curare dove behind Kilo to hide, he grunted and attempted to get to his feet. He only got so far to sit up, then his weak limbs gave out and his chin clipped into the earth with a short yelp. Blue shot her head up with a savage growl, but the moment her eyes met the opposite edge of the clearing she blinked. Star quivered again and chirped.
Mother?
From the tree line a dark figure appeared, and the call came more clearly. It was female raptor in tone, familiar to the group in such a way it made them all go rigid with excitement. Blue stood up on her toes and cackled happily.
Beta Shadow! She came and found them!
Star yelped and lunged forward, racing across the muddy grass crying with every breath. Her tail wagged frantically and her golden eyes sparkled, reacting fiercely to the appearance of her mother Shadow.
Shadow stepped into the light and chittered. Her ebony and blood scales gleamed in the sunlight, as did her yellow eyes when she gazed upon her daughter with relief and love. Her tail thrashed back and forth and she bounced on her toes. Once Star finally met her she crouched and nosed the little one to the ground, licking her and purring frantically.
When the group didn't return from their Field Day the previous evening, Shadow and the pack were overcome by worry. Despite the storm she arranged a search party to find them, tracking their fading scent trails from the watering hole until they lost them in the trees. For hours they searched and searched but the rain forced them to take cover until morning. The time that went by made Shadow begin to panic and worry for the worst.
Had something attacked them? What happened?
Star chittered happily and licked her mother back, but after a moment the older female froze. Her eyes fixed on the small red mark over Star's muzzle, and she whimpered.
Was that a bite mark on her daughter's nose?
Star cooed. She wagged her tail and reassured that she was alright, but Shadow licked her healing wound and crooned, expressing untold fear and worry as her inner tension built up.
She had vowed to never see her daughter hurt, after what happened to the other younglings. It broke her heart to see it but soon she came to realize.
The rest of the group wasn't going up to meet her. What was wrong? Why did her brother continue to lay on the ground?
Shadow's eyes widened and she lurched to her feet, letting out an alarmed cry that echoed through the trees. Her heart froze in her chest and fear went wild in her gaze, while her legs sped into a running gait.
KILO!
Blue ducked her head and backed away as Shadow came to a sliding stop. She made room for the female to go to her brother's side, cooing and whimpering as she knelt and licked his face. He gave little growls to her frantic efforts, trying to communicate through his disability that he was alright and she didn't need to fuss over him.
When Kilo remained limp, yet Shadow could detect no open wounds on his body, she turned to Blue and whined.
What happened to him? What was wrong?
Blue looked to her alpha and sucked in a breath. He was watching her, eyes calm and mouth parted open in soft breaths. She flicked her tail and answered with a chuff.
The group was attacked by a venom spitter. Kilo tried to defend the young but he was struck by venom, putting him in the state Shadow saw presently, then-
Star jumped in from behind, wagging her tail and showing her teeth in a happy way.
Then Blue attacked the spitter and drove him off! She helped protect them from the storm, and even got them food to eat!
Shadow blinked. She stared at Blue with a look of wonder and shock, similar to how she looked upon her after the Utahraptor attack, or when she started playing with Star every day.
Blue was lost in an air of suspension, when suddenly the beta female strode forward. As Blue pulled her head back with wide eyes, Shadow chuffed, then guided her nose into the crook of Blue's throat in a tender pack member gesture. When she pulled away Blue was still. The praise she received was soft.
Thank you, omega, for keeping her family safe.
Blue bobbed her head and purred. She would always protect pack. Pack was meant to be family...or at least that was how she felt.
Shadow seemed pleased by that. Her eyes were bright and she flicked her tail, before glancing back at Kilo.
The others just needed time. They would be fools to continue ignoring her after what happened.
Give it time, Blue.
~...~
The day alpha Kilo started his recovery was a long one. After beta Shadow found the group, they had to contact and wait for the arrival of her search party, consisting of Tango, Alden, and Hook. Once they arrived they had to wait some hours more, until the venom in Kilo's system wore off enough for him to walk back home, with the assistance of the elders on his either side.
It was safe to say that things would be different for the Waterfall pack, until Kilo had healed back to his full strength. Many tasks and routines would have to be altered with his absence.
One specific change were the roles of assigned pack hunters. Where Kilo was once hunt leader, beta Shadow took his place and began to leave the den on a regular basis. Tango and Lima were left behind to care for the young and ill, while the elders and Blue were called to heavy duty.
Blue came to enjoy hunting with Shadow. The female was patient and incredibly intelligent, devising strategies where every raptor was used to its full advantage, as opposed to Kilo's simple ambush and maul. She was kind, gentle in her orders, and understanding when a mistake was made.
Under Shadow's guidance and teaching, Blue became a better hunter than she had ever been before. She connected with the other hunters and strengthened her attacks, until she began making as many kills as Shadow herself.
Blue became anxious for the day when Kilo would rejoin them. Every part of her wanted to show him her improvement, and to once again race in the thrill of hunting by his side, proving herself as a good pack member.
Before long, that day came.
It was late afternoon when the usual hunters began their trek to the prey valley, exiting through the secret meadow's waterfall and climbing down the wet stone path. As per usual Blue's heart was racing with excitement, and her sharp mind was reeling with scenarios that could take place, whether good or bad and what she could do to counteract such events.
The omega was walking behind Alden, just at the bottom of the secret path, when a skittering of rocks came from above. She glanced over her shoulder with one eye to see a dark form appearing from behind the water, neck arched in brilliant confidence and body sleek with shining health. Her chest puffed out with pride, and her body subconsciously straightened into a position that best displayed herself, trying to hold an appearance of strength.
Kilo himself was the image of a king.
Walking down out of the water the male's gait was long and exaggerated, with no hint of weakness in the limbs or a trembling where he stepped. His once numb muscles rolled and bound over and over each other in powerful layers. The graceful arch of his neck bulged, a sign of good feeding and health that all raptors sought to have.
As Kilo approached Blue, he looked down at her with his single golden eye. It was bright and alert, yet calm in the way it glanced over her and acknowledged her presence in the hunt. To Blue's surprise, his gaze mirrored her emotions of excitement, and she could only suspect it was true.
Alpha was very nearly driven to madness, being locked up in the den for so long. By order of beta Shadow he had laid in his nest and rested under the enthusiastic care of Lima, whom was devastated when he returned to the den ill. She hovered over him day in and day out, gifting him food and grooming until he began snapping at her every time she got too close.
Blue didn't blame him. She wouldn't have enjoyed Lima doting over her like that.
So, when Shadow finally gave her brother permission to start moving around, his first wish was to go on a hunt. He wanted to go out and run through the grass. He wanted to feel the adrenaline pumping through him, as he tackled prey and struck them out of life.
He wanted to be alpha again, doing alpha duties.
As Kilo walked down the path Blue chittered and wagged her tail. He looked at her in a moment of silence, but under her friendly gaze he sighed heavily and bobbed his head in a returned greeting.
Good luck in the hunt, omega.
Blue bowed her head as Kilo took lead position, guiding them through the black ravine, approaching the land they proudly called home. No one suspected the change that lay before them, or the danger at their door.
On that day it all began.
~...~
When Kilo's hunting group made it to the edge of the prey valley, the optimistic atmosphere of the group was fogged, and things got complicated. Usually the strategy was to locate herds, travel to their position, then choose and ambush a select animal. Usually the order of actions was smoothly executed, but that day everything came to a grinding halt on the first step.
The valley was empty.
At first the hunters were confused. When Blue stood up on her toes and looked out over the green, she didn't see any distant forms. When she flared her nostrils and breathed in, the scents were weak if not missing. Her heart was heavy with concern and her mind buzzed with confusion.
Just the other day she went hunting with Shadow. The valley had been as full as it always was, providing them prey and meat wherever they looked.
If there was no prey in Kilo's territory, why had they left? If there was no prey, how would they eat?
Blue made a small whining noise and glanced to the others. They were all looking at the valley as well, the elders chittering to each other and the alphas remaining terrifyingly quiet.
Kilo was staring into the distance, tail low and eye holding a gleam of fear. His breaths were short and his body was tense like a rock, signaling great stress and worry in his thoughts. When Shadow tried chuffing to him he didn't respond, and only did when she proceeded to nose his shoulder. His eye flashed upwards and his tail flicked, but just as quickly his body signs transferred to his usual calmness. Trying to hide his concerns no doubt, but Blue could see his trick.
Shadow crooned. What would they do now?
With a little bit of hesitation Kilo bobbed his head and stepped forward towards the long-grass. He chuffed, gait long and cautious as he urged the hunters onwards.
The only thing they could do was scout and hope they come across something worthwhile. They had lived through famines before, there was no need to be concerned.
But even so, Blue was concerned. Somehow she knew that it wasn't a famine they were dealing with, and deep down she knew Kilo was also aware of that disturbing instinct. How could the prey disappear so quickly? How could a famine be behind it, when the grass was so green and the water was still plentiful?
Blue knew Kilo was just buying his pack some optimism. She admired him for it but she also worried for his choice to just shrug it off.
She felt wrong, like something deep inside of her was shaken and trying to tell her something. The moment they arrived in the valley her senses were heightened and her heartbeat quickened, as though she were in danger of dying yet no danger could be seen. It scared her, because it reminded her of Jurassic World's falling, when Hoskins sent them out to hunt the Indominus Rex.
Those weren't memories she often liked to recall.
As Kilo and Shadow moved off into the grasses, Blue hesitated. She looked around and gurgled uneasily, before Alden nudged her forward and she was forced to enter the grass. He chittered softly as if to encourage her but she did not return the optimism.
For a long while the group scouted along the eastern side of the valley. They found dung markings, tracks, scents, and foraging sign on the plant life. All of them were from the previous night or the day before, and most of the trails led off into the trees, where the herbivores seemingly disappeared.
It was odd for the larger herbivores to retreat into the forest and stay there. It wasn't easy for them to walk through thick trees and brush, yet all of the land surrounding Kilo's territory was made up of thick foliage. The valley also provided a large source of water, which Blue thought they seemed heavily dependent on, further confusing her.
It was when the group reached the watering hole that things started to look up.
As Blue crouched on the bank for a drink, Kilo dropped down beside her and began lapping at the water. She tried not to look over at him, but when she did she saw him staring blankly ahead, making like grunts and growls out of his inner frustration.
Blue felt sorry for him. Even when she was once a beta, she never had to worry for the wellbeing of her pack. They were all cared for and protected in their enclosure, well fed, watered, and given medical attention. Only when the park fell did they have a taste of freedom and the danger that came with it, but just as quickly Blue lost her sisters, as well as any chance of experiencing what it was like to worry about their survival in the wild.
Without prey, Kilo's pack would go hungry. It was all on his shoulders and Blue wanted to comfort him in some way, but before she could utter the softest of croons, she froze.
Kilo was staring ahead, but his gaze was no longer deadpan. His body was no longer numb but his muscles were taught, trembling and flexing with an inner excitement Blue recognized right off. Her own eyes lifted and her body stiffened, while her senses went into overdrive.
Just ahead, inching silently through the long grass, was a massive bull Parasaurolophus. The mere sight of him was enough to put the entire raptor group into a trance, eyes wide and lips curling in the ever so soft urge to snarl and charge. The moment Blue saw him she looked to Kilo, seeking his orders and their first mode of action.
Usually, they wouldn't risk hunting an adult bull, especially one so large. They were stronger than the females and, when concerning herd leaders, they were often driven by the urge to protect their females. They could rise up on their hindquarters and smash raptors with their forefeet, break ribs with their tail, and strike with their head. They were also high stamina bipedal runners when out in the open.
Normally Kilo would have passed up such a creature, but given that the bull was seemingly alone and they were on a shortage of prey, he was quick to look Blue's way. His head bobbed in quick succession, silently communicating his decision to the omega.
The hunt was on, risk or not. If they could make the kill, it would provide meat that would last for days. His mistake would be the pack's good fortune.
But, even as Kilo shuffled into the grass, Blue turned back to the water. She watched the Parasaurolophus as he lumbered close, but in doing so she noticed his behavior and her curiosity spiked.
The bull seemed cautious in the way his head swooped about. His eyes were fixed on the water and his mouth was moving in anticipation of drinking, but his body was tight as though he was constantly ready to run. Just like Blue he seemed to have a feeling of death about him, but the need for water overrode his instincts to hide and drew him out of the forest into open plain.
As Kilo claimed, the prey's mistake would be the pack's good fortune...but as Blue gazed on she couldn't help the sick feeling in her gut.
Omega?
The female flinched. She turned and saw Kilo poking his muzzle out of the grass, then heard his teeth click together in a soft beckoning.
Come. He had a plan.
Slowly, Blue made a small grunt before turning and shuffling into the grass. She followed her alpha and never uttered a sound as they rounded the watering hole, making their way to the prey's position. Even from the grass she heard it snorting and drinking, but from what she could tell it hasn't yet noticed the raptors just a few dozen yards away.
Before long, Kilo led Blue through the grass until they came to a stop behind the Parasaurolophus. In doing so they put themselves between him and the forest, blocking his escape and lessoning the chance that he would break away and take them on a chase.
Kilo lowered onto his stomach and put his chin on the ground. His one eye fixed on the prey and his scarred lips twitched in thought, while his hips shifted similar to a cat getting ready to pounce, and his tail swished back and forth. Blue saw this and she laid down next to him, waiting a moment before chuffing.
So what was his plan? Where were Shadow and the elders?
Kilo grunted. Shadow was to the left of them, the elders were to the right. Together they all created a half circle, closing the Parasaurolophus against the water's edge with a wall of claws and teeth. His plan was to wait for the bull to go to them, and once he was close, Shadow and the elders would make the first strike.
Blue listened intently. She studied Kilo's actions and felt her heartbeat quicken with the excitement, before she rolled her own shoulders.
What did he want her to do?
There was a pause, but the alpha male's eye glanced her way and fixed with her own gaze. She blinked, but he chuffed softly and with a hidden tone of stern expectation.
She would be making the killing blow, of course. Over the past few days Shadow had been telling him of Blue's advancement in hunting, praising her skills and what she had learned. So, he wanted to see those skills. He wanted to test her to see if she could make as impressive of a kill as she did her first hunt, with the Edmontosaurus.
Blue blinked. Her chest puffed out with shock and her body stiffened, before she let out a little squeak.
Her? Make the kill?
When she hunted with Shadow she never made the kill alone! Why couldn't he do it, like he always did? She was an omega, and omega's weren't supposed to lead the hunts on any regular basis.
Kilo narrowed his eye. She expected him to be angry, but when his head tilted he gave her a soft gurgle. The omega before him had no problem taking down Utahraptors, hunting Edmontosaurus, or fending off Dilophosaurus. How was she scared of the task he asked of her then?
Blue faltered and had half the nerve to give a retorting grunt. Scared? She wasn't scared! She was just concerned that his decision was a little...well...brash?
In truth, Blue was concerned for her own rate of success. In such a moment when prey was so scarce, the pack needed a high chance of success. If she failed the hunt then she would fail the pack.
Was alpha Kilo willing to take that risk?
To that the male chuffed in vague amusement, making her go quiet. Her head ducked and her heartbeat quickened, then stilled when he gave her a stern but soft growl. His lips twitched and his tail rustled over the dirt.
He took a risk when he let her accompany him on the field day. She saved him from death and protected the younglings, risking all of her own self comfort and preservation in the process.
The risk to take her along was well worth it...so he was willing to try another risk for her sake. He was offering her a chance...a test of sorts. Did she accept it?
Blue remained quiet. She stared at Kilo, shocked, before she gave a slight purr and ducked her head submissively.
She would try her best.
Kilo seemed pleased. He went to turn his attention back on the prey, but suddenly his eyes went wide and his body stiffened. His lips curled and his claws dug downwards out of anticipation, which drew Blue's own eyes upwards just in time to see a large shadow pass over them. At the sight of it her head pressed against the ground and her haunch muscles bound, while her claws also dug down and jaws clenched.
This was her chance. This was her true moment to prove herself, that she was a strong hunter, and that she was truly worthy of Kilo's trust.
She couldn't mess this up.
The bull was walking past them, blocking out the sun with the arch of his back, tail up and head in an alert S shape. She could see his eyes glance over the distant grasses. Her inner voice rejoiced in his failure to see them lurking below.
He was a sitting duck. They had him!
In that moment, time slowed. With a sharp grunt Blue rose to her feet and made her position known with a loud snarl, also signaling the other hunters in the process. To the left of them Shadow screeched and lunged upwards, while the elders did the same to the right. Their claws slashed deep wounds into the bull's legs and drew blood, making him rear into a bipedal stance and bugle loudly.
The bull tried to call for his herd, but they were nowhere to be seen. He was alone and vulnerable, and in that moment he knew he made a fatal mistake.
He had to escape!
So, whirling around, the bull began running in the last direction he could; towards the water where he hoped to swim to safety. He jumped into the shallows and sent up a torrent of water, but the further he ran in the slower he became. His eyes bulged with terror and his legs began pumping with a furious vigor.
Blue blinked and lifted her head. He couldn't swim as fast as he could run...that was their advantage!
The female gave a quick look to Kilo. Immediately he was beside her, arching his neck and snarling in savage ferocity to the prey. His tail thrashed and his body tensed, signaling that he was ready to strike.
Now!
Blue snarled, and the two jumped forward together. Mirroring each other's movements they rushed to the edge of the water, both binding their legs and in one massive leap throwing themselves after the bull Parasaurolophus. Blue landed on his shoulders, while Kilo landed lower on his hips and nearly stumbled off into the water.
Startled, the prey thrashed his tail and swam faster towards the opposite bank. Pain flashed down his spine as the raptors' claws dug into his flesh for a good hold, before Blue snarled in his ear. His mouth parted in a bellow, and his legs kicked faster in order to reach ground soon enough to save his life.
Blue glanced back at Kilo and began striking, kicking with her back feet so that the tip of her death talons dug in, then flicked downwards to make long jagged gashes. They bled profusely, so when Kilo began to do the same the prey began loosing copious amounts of blood. As he neared the opposite shallows the water began turning red, and his flesh became covered in many large wounds.
Suddenly, one of his feet touched the ground, and Blue swayed when he gave a powerful struggle. Both back feet thrashed about in a bucking movement, then kicked against the rocky gravel bed which made his back end rise with a sharp jolt.
Kilo yelped, and he stumbled forward until he almost lost grip and went head first into the water.
Alright...think Blue...how was she going to end this?
Their hunting strength was down three raptors, after Shadow and the elders were left behind on the far bank. They called encouragement to Kilo and Blue, edging them onto the kill.
Blue looked up to the prey's head, and her eyes fixed on its red crest. Her mind saw an opportunity, and a second later her body complied by jumping up to latch onto the back of the bull's neck. She snarled, then reached out and snapped her jaws over his crest. By grabbing his crest, Blue gained a small amount of control over their boat. He tried to shake her loose but she dug her death talons in and used them for leverage, pulling back until his head was tilted painfully over his spine. He bellowed again and thrashed, but he stumbled on the rocky waterbed.
Kilo noticed the fault, and his teeth bared in a bloody hiss. He adjusted his position and slashed downwards across the bull's thigh, slicing his muscles apart and weakening the power in his strides through the water.
The bull stumbled, but that time his feet hit awkwardly on the rocks, and he swayed a moment before crashing forward into the shallow water. He went down onto his knees, then onto his side, which dunked both Blue and his head under the surface with a massive splash.
All of a sudden the omega's head was ringing from the impact. Her third eyelid slid into place and she blinked through red water, before realizing she was still holding onto the prey's crest. He was struggling, thrashing about and half submerged with Kilo above the surface on his back.
Blue clamped her nostrils closed and grit her teeth harder. Letting go with her talons she reached downwards for the ground, and when she found it she drove them into a crevice between two rocks. Anchoring herself in she held the prey's head underwater, putting it under the mercy of suffocation.
The raptor closed her eyes, thrashing her tail as her own lungs began to burn. The bull tried to pull away from her, but even when he nearly dislocated her hip from the jolting force, she slashed his neck with her hands and held on.
Above the water, Kilo was doing his best by attacking the prey's flanks and back. The blood loss was impressive but the prey was still struggling, and Blue was still under the water. When she went under he had been both surprised and shocked, but she had yet to surface, which put a slice of worry into the alpha's heart as he began to make sharp calls.
Omega?
She did not appear, and he proceeded to put more effort into his attacks. His body reveled in the action after so many days of being weak, but his heart raced for Blue's safety.
From behind, Kilo heard his sister shrieking. At first he refused to acknowledge it, and for a good long moment she went on and on, probably freaking out that Blue had gone under.
But, through the violence of the bull's thrashing and the splashing waves, Kilo heard Shadow wail. It was a tone of fear and rage, calling to him with a passion.
Danger! Look out!
Kilo was confused. He looked up from the prey's hide and across the watering hole, only to see Shadow and the elders pacing back and forth in quick passes, across the bank and flailing their arms. Hook and Alden expressed fear, on such a level that Kilo went wide eyed and stiffened. His eye swooped around, but he became aware of a presence on his blind side, big and looming and giving him a chill of dread.
The alpha snarled, but when he turned, he found his head tilting upwards, and his eye bulged before his aggressive tone choked out behind shock. His tail shot straight out and his neck arched, before he stood up and flailed his own arms.
A growl came from above, low and powerful like thunder in the distance. A great shadow fell over him, and a giant foot splashed into the water just off shore.
Shadow wailed again. DANGER! RUN! FLEE!
Kilo shuddered, before looking to the water and shrieking, trying to call to Blue.
Omega! Come back! Danger!
She did not respond, and the presence from above snarled. Long teeth bared, amber eyes gleamed with hate, and long arms swung back and forth tipped with massive talons. It stepped forward into the water and roared, then shot its head down towards Kilo with jaws wide.
The alpha male cackled. He wanted to resist and protect his property, but his reflexes went into action, making him leap backwards and off of the Parasaurolophus. His body hit the water and his head went under for a moment, but when he broke the surface he again saw jaws bearing down on him.
Instincts demanded him to swim. They directed him to the shore that Shadow stood upon, abandoning the bull and their hopes for a successful kill.
As Kilo fought to keep his head above the surface, he glanced over his shoulder and cried out.
Blue!
Under the surface of the water, Blue was fighting a battle of stamina and strength. Completely unaware of what transpired above, she focused wholeheartedly on the task of holding both her prey and her breath, until every moment that passed was filled with burning pain in her chest. Her lungs longed for breath, but she knew she couldn't give up.
The Parasaurolophus was still struggling in her grasp, going strong due to its large lung capacity. Although the water around them was thick red, when Blue cracked her eyes open she saw him quivering and struggling. His own eyes were bulging and staring into the dark distance, fear riddled in their dying gaze.
But suddenly, as Blue fought the urge to gasp for air, she saw the prey's expression flash behind terror. It was the same terror she saw in his eyes when he arrived at the watering hole, the look that made her feel sick inside as though death itself hovered over the valley.
The prey was looking dead ahead, growing more panicked as that very feeling once again entered Blue's heart.
Something was very wrong.
Flashing her head around best she could, Blue went wide eyed at the sight of two massive feet wading towards them. Above her the sun's light went out, and behind her she heard the underwater sound of something splashing down. When she turned again she saw Kilo, half submerged and swimming away with frantic movements.
What was wrong? Where was alpha going!
Body quivering with fear, Blue was about to let go of her prize, when the water pressure around her exploded into movement. Bubbles filled the space around her and something swept past, so close that it knocked against her and nearly jarred her loose.
A mouth full of long fangs closed around the Parasaurolophus' neck, then the thrashing began. Whatever was standing above them tossed its head back and forth, the motion shredding and cutting the prey's neck until all Blue could see was red. She was flung around and around, till her head was filled with a ringing and her jaws opened in a sharp inhalation. Water poured down her throat, but the raptor barely had time to stop herself before something hit her, throwing her upwards so that she broke out of the surface and flew a few dozen feet through the air.
In the short moment that Blue was out of the water, she heard deep roaring and Shadow's terrified scream. Her body was limp with shock and her chest burned from water intake. When her body hit the water again it was like a boulder after being thrown, and the impact was enough to jog her brain in and out of blackness.
For a long moment Blue drifted, but then her eyes snapped open and she looked up. Swimming towards the surface she thrashed and kicked with her legs, until her head broke out of the water and her jaws parted in rasping breaths.
The air was welcome, but it hurt and hit her with a wave of shock so hard she struggled to stay afloat.
Blinking, fighting past a coughing fit, the raptor looked around.
What happened! What was that thing!
The air was full of crunching and snarling, sounds that originated behind Blue towards the shallows. At first she hesitated in spinning around, but when she did she looked up and blinked in the overhead sunlight.
The creature before her was so big it partially blocked out the sun. It was a dinosaur, she could tell that much by its initial shape, similar to what she remembered of Isla Nublar's Tyrannosaurus.
But it wasn't a Rex. It was bigger, and when Blue focused through the sun's rays she realized that on its back was an unusual arching sail, something she had never seen before on any creature.
The more Blue studied her attacker, the more confused she became. Her fear heightened when she saw long arms and sharp talons ripping through the Parasaurolophus carcass, reminding her of the Indominus and how easily she destroyed flesh.
What Blue had just discovered was a large male Spinosaurus. Overall, he was 43 feet in length from the tip of his long snout to the tip of his tail. He was 19 feet tall to the top of his fin, dwarfing the creatures Blue had so far scene on Isla Sorna. In all her life she had only seen three large carnivores, and thus far she had come to associate them with death and fear. Her eyes widened and her burning lungs wrenched out a loud whimper.
That was the first mistake she made.
Snorting, becoming aware of the Velociraptor lingering around his kill, the Spinosaurus looked up and around. Blue tried to duck her head down but soon his eyes wavered over the water, locking onto her so that he tilted his head and let out a curious growl. Blood dripped from his fangs, accompanied by a piece of flesh from his messy eating.
Blue felt her instincts scream as her eyes locked with his. Swim! Swim for the pack!
The raptor whined again and spun around in the water. She began swimming frantically in the other direction, but from behind her she heard a low hiss and the sound of water splashing. A shadow followed her, and the feeling of danger clung to her back.
No...no no no it was following her!
Blue gave a low snarl in reaction to her fear and pain. She went to look over her shoulder, but in doing so she saw a mouth full of teeth lowering down, rushing towards her.
The Spino snarled, his voice drowning out her own in a tone of evil mischief. He was knee deep in the water and stood over Blue, so that he could lean from side to side in a studying way, like a cat watching a fish swim around in its tank. He reached out with one big hand and batted into the water. Waves splashed in his wake and covered Blue's head, making her sputter and gurgle, in turn making him arch his neck.
The Spino had never gotten so close to a raptor before. They always ran away from him and were always too fast to catch, but this one was stuck. He caught her when she wasn't looking and now he could have some fun.
So, rumbling deep in his chest, the big predator snarled and swung his snout down towards Blue. She looked up but the moment she did he hit her, shoving her under the water and swinging back and forth in a stirring motion.
Blue choked on more water. Her claws flashed out trying to defend herself, but the Spinosaurus pulled away, then hit her again so that she tumbled about with big splashes. Her mind and her heart were filled with terror. She was blinded and shaken, lost on what to do and how to survive as she went up and down in the water faster than she could breath.
She was going to die. She couldn't take it.
All Blue's could think as she thrashed about was one thing.
What would happen to the pack, if this creature was in Kilo's territory and was there to stay?
~Kilo's POV~
The moment he reached the shore, Kilo was greeted by his sister's frightened voice. She raced to him and looked him over, prodding her muzzle against his hide in search of any wounds.
The alpha growled sharply and spun. Immediately his eyes fixed on the water and to the opposite shallows, where he could see the tall dark figure stooping over the water.
Where was Blue! Did they see Blue?
The elders chittered and looked about. Everyone search through the water and over the shores, but nothing turned up and they all uttered soft grunts.
Suddenly, the Spinosaurus roared. Kilo's eyes shot to his movements just in time to see the bull Parasaurolophus being pulled out of the water by his neck, then thrashed about in a deadly shake, similar to how a crocodile rolls with its prey. Water spouted up in all directions and the air was filled with cries, but from beside him Kilo heard Shadow scream.
There!
He followed her eyes, and his body went rigid as they saw a small figure flying through the air. He recognized it as Blue a second before she hit the water, disappearing in the chaos of larger dinosaurs.
Kilo snarled and rushed forward. He raced into the shallow water despite the exhaustion in his legs, but Shadow raced in to stop him. She whined, eyes wide and full of fear.
He couldn't go! He would be killed!
They knew the sail back dinosaurs well, from previous years before Kilo's territory was established. They were fierce and aggressive predators with a selfish drive for territory and prey. They would attack on sight, no matter the size or significance of its target.
But Kilo bared his teeth and stared at the water. His tail snapped back and forth in furious movements, challenging his sister.
Blue was in there! He had to go help!
Shadow seemed lost. She watched him, but she whimpered and continued to stand so that her body pressed against his chest.
There were only two ways this could end. Either Blue would find a way out...or she'd die. It hurt her to think about the latter, but she nor the pack could bear to lose their alpha as well.
There was another roar, and Kilo watched as the Spinosaurus moved into the water. He watched as it began playing with something, splashing around and dunking its snout in like it was bobbing for apples.
He still couldn't see Blue. His heart ached and he closed his eyes, body not knowing how to feel.
He had believed that day to be a breaking point...a day when he promised to change himself...to take into account all that his omega did for the pack, and finally give her the chance Shadow had been trying to make him give all along. After what she did to save him and the younglings, he was willing to put aside his frustrations and work with her.
Was that chance gone?
Suddenly, he opened his eyes and looked up. The Spinosaurus no longer splashed around in the water, but it was looking around, raking his claws downwards as though combing for something it lost. Its tail thrashed, before it gave up and let loose a disappointed grumble.
The game was over. The mega predator trudged back to the carcass laying on the shore, digging its slender snout in and resuming the feast.
Shadow stepped away and Kilo snapped his jaws. He immediately walked down along the shore and ordered them, voice harsh, not willing to waste a second.
Start searching! NOW!
For a good few minutes they inched down the shoreline, calling out into the water with soft voices, searching for their omega. Kilo was at the head of the group, moving the fastest and calling with the most enthusiasm. Shadow followed behind with a guilty expression, watching his desperation and feeling horrible for the loss they might have just claimed.
But then, Hook's head shot up and he snorted. Kilo froze, looking back at him with a growl.
What was it. What did he find!
The older male sniffed the air. His tail arched and his one talon clicked, but after a moment he gurgled.
He smelled her up ahead, maybe 50 yards?
The group tensed, but before any of them could react Kilo snorted and jogged forward, keeping his head down in the grass so that they were not spotted by the Spinosaurus nearby. He chittered softly, calling, before coming to a stop and staring at the embankment ahead.
There was a grey form splayed out over the gravel, half submerged in the shallow water. He could see a splash of brilliant blue, activating the part of his brain linked with social recognition.
For a moment, the alpha raptor stiffened. His lips twitched in sharp worry, before he slid forward and broke through the grass, coming out just above Blue's still form.
The female was on her side, arms and legs spread out and head tucked in towards her chest. Her eyes were clamped closed and her chest rose and fell in shallow breaths, signaling to Kilo that she was alive.
He couldn't see any outside damage...but he knew that drowning typically had no affect on outward appearances.
So, snorting softly to himself, the male crouched by Blue's head. He arched his neck, hesitating, before chuffing sharply and reaching down to nuzzle her face.
Omega! Wake up!
She didn't respond, and feeling his worry worsen Kilo's voice deepened into an order.
He ordered her to wake up! Now!
Blue remained still. He nudged her again, shifting on his feet before baring his teeth and uttering a soft gurgle. His head tilted so that she was in his full range of vision, his eye giving her a stern look as though his dominance would simply make her better.
But then, the female's chest heaved. Her body tensed onto itself and her jaws gaped open, before a chorus of sharp coughs rose and water flowed from her mouth. Her ribcage shuddered and her tongue lulled out in sharp gasps.
From behind, Shadow walked up and whimpered. Blue?!
Blue coughed again. Kilo made little clicking noises with his teeth and she opened her eyes, disorientated before her mind recovered and she looked around at them with full consciousness.
When the Spinosaurus was tossing her about, it had seemed like all hope was lost. For a long while she felt as though she could never escape the battering, but then he waited too long between strikes, and she swam deeper into the water until he lost track of her completely.
After some swimming, Blue surfaced close to the nearby shore before clambering up onto the sand. By then she was exhausted and out of breath, having taken in more water than her body knew what to do with.
Still laying in the gravel, looking up with soft eyes, Blue saw Kilo kneeling over her. She watched him, before groaning.
She was sorry...for loosing the kill.
Kilo blinked. He stared at the omega as the elders chittered softly to each other, before he arched his neck and made a little snort.
Nevermind the kill, Blue.
She exhaled, then moved her sore legs and coughed. He stiffened as though worried, but eventually his eye looked away and he stood up. He shook the worry from his chest and took on a hard tone, hiding the softness of his heart which he so much despised.
Stay still and recover. They had work to do.
Shadow looked up. Work? What work?
The alpha looked across the way to the Spinosaurus. Hate burned in his eyes, followed by concern and curiosity.
Blue and his sister would return to the den. Him and the elders were going on an investigative scouting mission. He had to find out what was happening to his territory.
Alden's quills on the top of his head rattled. He clicked his teeth in confusion, and Kilo explained. The thoughts had weighed heavily on his mind since he crawled to shore during the Spino attack. His dominant nature demanded answers and reassurance for his pack's safety.
Utahraptors, Dilophosaurus, and now a Spinosaurus. They hadn't seen anything like it.
Kilo growled. Something was wrong. In all his years as alpha, they never had problems with rival predators in the territory. Now all of a sudden they were coming in on a regular basis? Acting like this was their home when for years they had their own places in the far lands?
Something was wrong. Even as a raptor Kilo could sense that the big predators were coming in for a reason.
Blue coughed. With trembling arms she propped herself up, giving a small determined growl. She wanted to come. If something so foul was threatening the pack, then she wanted part in the investigation. Kilo looked down at her and she wheezed. She looked at him, confident through her weakness, holding a look in her eyes that shocked him.
She was afraid, deathly afraid, even though her actions conveyed anger. Something about the Spinosaurus shook her up, and it wasn't just its attack and her near drowning.
So, the alpha flicked tail.
Alright...they would wait for her to recover, then they would move on together.
Hook grunted. Was he sure? The outer forest was a dangerous place.
Alpha growled. It wasn't any more dangerous than their own territory was at the moment.
He was right, and the pack knew it as they heard the Spinosaurus roar in the distance.
