Disclaimer: Age Of Reptiles isn't mine, I didn't make it up, and I made up some of the cast but not all. Land Before time SURE aint mine though I did make up all the children.
"ROAR!"
Slash was one of the more intelligent out of the pack, though she didn't know it. She spoke rarely, sparing her own family no words at all and only speaking if something truly stirred her. She spoke to Ravener recently because she knew if she didn't he'd get scared. Still she thought such calculations were common to children, why shouldn't they be? She was one out of thirty youngsters alive in the pyramid, could she really be the smartest?
She was naïve, it was one of her failings, but she was young.
She watched this new monster, this two finger, and she looked at the new monsters, the small dinosaurs that yelled at them. It was evident right away that they were not dangerous, but the two finger was. It was also evident that he wanted to kill the lot of them. Slash knew this because of the actions that other two finger had taken on the pack hunters they'd encountered not so long ago. She wasn't scared because she didn't know of her own mortality, but she did want to make sure that Ravener and these new monsters survived. She wanted to watch them, see what made them tick and if they were interesting enough, maybe even play with them.
She let out a commanding roar, words would be useless in this panic. Ravener seemed to grasp her meaning though and with her assistance herded the frightened leaf eaters into the woods. Slash was by no means a commander, and she had little to no knowledge of their area, but she could hear water, and by the sounds of it, a waterfall. A trick One Claw had taught her once was that in a bind there is often a cave behind a waterfall. Its just one of those weird things.
If only the flat foot monsters were fast enough to keep up with her and Ravener.
They came out of the clearing to see . . . a huge lake, a waterfall and a huge two fingered sharp tooth sleeping over the remains of a big mouth.
Short Tail's eyes snapped open as he heard the splashing. He saw another mixed pack! "What the-" he saw that it consisted of leaf eaters as well as two young pack hunters. "This just gets weirder and weirder." He thought.
Then he saw Blue Back barrel into the lake. Short Tail was surprised, but ran out to salute the larger Sharp Tooth. At that moment Long Jaw barreled out and crashed into him! They both fell over, and then Climber came out and tripped over them both, her surprised yelp confused Talon who side stepped to get to her aid, but unfortunately Talon ended up side stepping over Short Tail's dinner, falling into the water herself.
The plight of his clan Got Blueback's attention, he turned towards Short Tail and the lot, and let out a roar of frustration when he realized that he'd lost his prey.
"Idiot!" Long Jaw roared as he lashed out at Climber.
"Me? Gerrof me Talon!" Climber cried. "I'll bite your throat out Long Mouth!"
"It's this rouge's fault!" Talon said, keeping the peace. Short Tail took up a defensive posture.
"Well then, let's tare HIS throat out!" Climber growled.
Short Tail growled angrily. "This IS my territory still, or are you moving in old ones?" He said, tossing the blood relation aside.
"Old we may well be, but there are three of us and one lowly rouge before us!" Long Jaw snickered.
Short Tail stomped his right foot, making a huge splash. "Come then! All who dare! I'll send you to hell's gates!"
Alleria watched in horror as three of the four giant sharp teeth rushed on their smaller cousin. They all rushed him together, but he stood his ground against the three of them, not being moved or forced to withdraw.
Alleria could see that Tri found it very exciting, but she was horrified to see a species so violent towards it's own kind!
"Come stupid-heads!" one of the small sharp teeth said. "Not safe yet, come fast!"
"Stupid-heads!" Pteras exclaimed. "Who you to talk Sharp Tooth Stupid-head!"
The young pack hunter seemed taken aback. He had dark brown scales, with extremely dark brown, almost black stripes. His tail was almost completely black, as were portions of his legs, and his fingers. He had light pink eyes that shone in the night. He had large claws on his feet, one huge one on each foot.
"You come! We lead." The second one said, but it was to far away for Alleria to get a good look.
Alleria followed the dark sharp tooth, afraid for her life. They were led to a small cave, but the dark sharp tooth halted the group.
"We go in?" He asked. His companion was silent now, but it would seem that the darker one got some sort of affirmation because he ran in. He stopped at the cave's mouth and said "You no follow yet." Then he added, as he turned his back, "Stupid-heads."
Pteras perched on Alleria's head. Thorny curled up next to Tri, and Tri stood resolute, impassive of their current crisis.
There was a low roar from inside the cave. Then the young sharp tooth came out. He made some gestures that Alleria understood meant for them to come in.
Alleria let Tri lead the way-he didn't give her much choice-and let Thorny take up the rear.
They came into the cave, Alleria was expecting to have to let her eyes adjust, but there was no need for the entire cave was lined with strange glowing bugs.
"Gross!" Tri groaned.
The small meat eater looked them over, then let out a croaking sound.
He turned to them and said simply "Your children."
"Yeah? So?" Tri said.
"You're smaller than the ones we usually eat." The small sharp tooth said.
"Eat?" Thorny gulped. "Usually? You're going to eat us?"
"They can try!" Tri said, standing defensively in front of his friends.
The young pack hunter shook his head. "I have no intention of eating you!" He looked over their heads. "Slash? Slash! Stupid!" He growled.
"Stupid yerself." Slash spat as she came into the cave. Alleria wondered if it was odd to think it about such an alien dinosaur, but she was amazed, Slash was beautiful! Her features were sharp, she had tan scales like Alleria, and dark brown stripes, like Alleria. Her eyes were light pink like the other one's. Her tail had two dark brown rings around it, then was completely dark brown from the mid point to the tip.
"What took you so long?" The small male demanded.
Slash made no attempt at response. She simply circled Alleria and her friends, her manner was neither aggressive nor friendly. She made a few lunges towards each of them every now and then, Alleria stood firm, only moving to defend herself whenever Slash lunged. Tri would try to scare her off, and Thorny would crumble before her. Pteras was safe on Alleria's head.
Slash never followed through in her threatening movements, instead she'd withdraw quickly and lower her head in apology (Alleria later learned that it was actually how the Pack Hunters prepare to pounce) then continue to circle them.
"What are you doing?" Tri demanded.
"She doesn't talk much." Ravener said. "Because she's stupid."
Slash ignored him, and then finally nodded and left them alone. Alleria watched her curiously. She'd become very interested in the glowing . . . things . . . on the walls of the cave.
"Why did we bring them here?" The young male asked.
Slash made no attempt to answer.
"What's your name?" Alleria asked.
"Ravener! Son of Neckbiter!" Ravener announced proudly.
"Hey!" Thorny said. "Neckbiter! He's in one of my dad's stories! Remember?"
"Yeah . . ." Tri said.
Ravener's chest puffed with pride. "See Slash? My dad's a legend even with the leaf eaters, is yours? Nope! Na-ah!"
Alleria didn't want to burst Ravener's bubble by mentioning that Neckbiter was never portrayed as a . . . savory character. Tri on the other hand had no such reservations.
"Is he really evil? Did he really try to raze the great valley? Is he really jealous of his brother Dark Eye?"
"Dark Eye!" Ravener roared. "Dark Eye? My dad jealous? Fah! What has my dad got to be jealous of? Dark Eye is just a punk!"
Alleria noticed Slash stiffen at those words, but again she didn't give Ravener the time of day to answer. "Was your dad Dark Eye?" She asked.
The pair of young sharp teeth gave each other confused glances. Slash shook her head. Ravener picked up the slack for her- "No, worse her father is a nameless loser, not worth the mentioning. Dark Eye has no children, he can't find a female that can stand him!"
"That's no true, he just can't find a female he can stand!" Slash snapped. Then she quickly checked herself and went back to inspecting the glowing things.
"She's his biggest fan." Ravener 'whispered' to the leaf eaters.
"Am not!" Slash protested.
Dark Eye stood watch over the small pack he'd assembled. Pytor, Blain, and One Claw all lay curled up together for warmth. Neckbiter was, characteristically by himself as far away from the rest as safety would allow, and Quetzal was-also characteristically-nowhere to be seen at all.
He'd seen signs of the Bone Crunchers movements during his hunting trip. He knew that no matter how powerful they had become, they wouldn't attack the pyramid. At the same time, he also wanted to be sure that if he should run into any, or if the children were in danger, he'd have a good chance of getting his pack out of it.
In truth Dark Eye feared Neckbiter now, he was desperate to find Ravener, he'd never seen his nest brother like this. There had nearly been a skirmish between the two when Dark Eye commanded the troop to rest for the night rather than continuing on.
It wasn't that he feared fighting Neckbiter, he knew that he could win or draw, but he was afraid that Neckbiter might do something stupid. One Claw was nowhere near as worried as Neckbiter, but then One Claw had a whole nest of juveniles that he found acceptable, Neckbiter's standards were ridiculously high, and now that he had a child that could reach them, Dark Eye understood his concern for the juvenile's safety.
"Dark Eye." Quetzal said softly. "Come, I've found something."
Dark Eye turned to face Quetzal, she stood before him, holding a dead hopper. "I found it in the smashed guts of one of our kind." She said. "Slash was near it a day ago."
"That means what?" Dark Eye said coldly. "They were taken by another pack?"
"No." Quetzal said. "They ran off, but there was a sharp tooth in the area, a two finger. I fear he hasn't left."
"Our position is a good one?" Dark Eye had no doubt, but he wanted his tracker's opinion. Quetzal was the best of the pack, of this Dark Eye had no doubts at all.
"Aye mate." She nodded. Dark Eye noticed her odd choice of words, mate rather than her usual 'Cap' or 'Boss'. "We should get a move before dawn though, I don't fancy a brawl with the bugger. Judging by the tracks he'd have to be enormous!"
Dark Eye nodded. "You command the leave tomorrow." He said. "I'm going ahead as soon as Neckbiter wakes to take over the watch."
"I don't think that's wise." Quetzal said. "If he knows your going ahead he'll start something. I know that their loyal now, but I wouldn't put it past Blaine and Pytor to side with him, and with his child missing One Claw may not jump to your assistance."
"What about you?" Dark Eye asked nonchalantly.
"Do you have to ask?" Quetzal asked. "Listen, you go and scout ahead, and I'll take over the watch."
Dark Eye considered this for a moment. "You haven't slept." He said.
"I've been on more hunts than you." Quetzal said. "And I can survive with less sleep than you."
Dark Eye considered things for a moment. Then nodded. He sped off into the trees.
Short Tail was left sulking in the waters as Blueback and the others tried to track the hatchlings. They'd spared his miserable life when they recognized his scent, but they left him with quite a few wounds. He was proud to know that he'd lasted against three fully grown two fingers.
However whatever ego he'd had was gone now. He was miserable.
Blueback could smell so many different predators in Short Tail's territory, he knew by the scents on Short Tail that most of them had been killed off. Blueback was disgusted, he'd taught Short Tail better than that. The only rival predators in his territory were the pack hunters, Dark Eye and his pack of fools.
The next morning the group of children moved out towards Bone Valley, though they didn't know it. Slash had been more or less silent, but when Ravener heard that there was adventure to be had he decided to come along, Slash followed along but didn't seem to thrilled about it.
Alleria watched Ravener and Tri take up the front of the line, thy were talking about the adventures they had already had. Tri was making up all of his, Alleria didn't know about Ravener, but the occasional roll of Slash's eyes suggested that his too were all fake.
At some points Alleria would try to initiate conversation with the beautiful sharp tooth, complimenting her on her scales, or asking what her various interests were, even going so far as to grasp at straws and ask what sorts of dinosaurs she liked to eat. Slash's only response to any of this was to smile, or laugh softly, but she rarely spoke. She became interested in most large insects the troupe came upon.
Alleria tried telling her about the various insects that she'd encountered in the great valley, but Slash didn't seem interested.
Pteras didn't fly, she didn't want to get lost, Thorny kept close to Ravener, Alleria guessed that was because Ravener looked so fierce even though he was just a child.
It was midday when Ravener ordered the group to hide in the bushes. There was a rustling sound, then a low grumble.
Then a bolt of tan and brown appeared, a huge pack hunter appeared. At least, he was huge as far as Alleria was concerned. He was much larger than Ravener was, four times at least. He had a stripe like a \ going from the top of his eye to his chin, the stripe was dark brown, his eyes were blood red. He looked around for a moment. He had tan scales with dark brown stripes like Slash, his legs were dark brown as if he'd been moving through mud that went up to his knees, but those were his own scales. He smelled like blood, Alleria was surprised it was not so much an unpleasant smell, as it was just incredibly terrifying.
"Dark Eye!" Slash exclaimed.
"Dark Eye." Ravener sighed.
Dark Eye looked around, he was, Alleria decided every bit the fierce creature Spike said. He was tall, sleek and deadly looking. Alleria was scared to death just looking at him. Slash ran out to him, as did Ravener.
"Where's my pa?" Ravener asked.
"Coming." Dark Eye whispered. He smelled the air. "Have . . . any dinosaurs come through here recently? I smell . . ."
"You smell death." A harsh voice said. Alleria looked to the side, there was a pack hunter, huge! As large as Dark Eye! It was dark brown where Dark Eye was tan, it was almost black where Dark Eye was dark brown. It looked like Ravener! "This is Bone Cruncher territory now, unless you're joining up, your dead."
Two more Pack Hunters appeared, they were less impressive than this black female, but Alleria was scared to death.
HISSS! Alleria turned around, she moved out of the bushes, being followed by a small red and black pack hunter.
Slash leapt in front of Alleria, she hissed at the red pack hunter, Ravener made similar moves towards a pair of Ova Raptors, though they looked less formidable than the red pack hunter-though it was half Dark Eye's size.
"Littlefoot?" Dark Eye mused. "You can't be Littlefoot. You're a girl."
"Dark Eye, what do we do?" Slash whispered.
Dark Eye growled at the black pack hunter. "You! Who are you?"
"You can call me Maim!" The female growled. "And don't bother asking the names of my comrades, their worthless fools. But . . . you . . . who are you, the pack that moves with children and food at the same time?"
"I'm Dark Eye." Dark Eye said coldly. "Of the Dark Eye clan!"
"An alpha?" Maim said, showing noticeably more respect. "Oh well well . . . Reaver will want to meet you. I must insist you come with me."
"Try and take me." Dark Eye said coldly.
Maim flashed an evil smile, her fangs were flashy white. "You don't want to refuse me." She said calmly. As she finished several more small sharp toothed dinosaurs appeared.
Dark Eye glared at her. "I'll go. Let the infants go free."
"No." Maim said simply. "They come, we may need a snack on the way home."
Dark Eye glared at Maim. "Touch any one of them and I'll kill the lot of you."
"I meant the leaf eaters. We may need leaf eating snacks." Maim said calmly.
"You need leaf eating snacks as much as you need a broken neck." Dark Eye said.
Maim nodded once, and a huge pack hunter (normal tan/brown colors) leapt at Dark Eye! Dark Eye fought expertly, though Alleria was scared she couldn't take her eyes from the grizzly sight.
The enemy Pack Hunter was a little bigger than Dark Eye, it fought violently, but Dark Eye made his opponent's movements look slow as he quickly leapt onto his back, and biting down he tore the Bone Cruncher's head backwards, breaking it's neck no doubt. As the creature fell over Dark Eye leapt easily to the side.
Alleria finally managed to look away in horror when the other Bone Crunchers lunged on their fallen comrade, tarring him to shreds and eating him right there!
Maim smiled wickedly. "Okay. We'll do without snacks. Come then, lets go."
"I'm going nowhere." Dark Eye said coldly.
Maim glared at him. "Don't think that slaying one of us makes you powerful. Black Teeth was a good hunter, but he was expendable, not to mention nothing in comparison to me and the rest of this pack. Now come before I force you, Dark Eye of the Dark Eye clan."
Dark Eye growled, then whispered "Lets go brats. Stay close to me."
By noon Blueback and his herd found the scent of Dark Eye! Dark Eye of all dinosaurs! Along with the scent of the infant dinosaurs! Blueback had a slight tinge of fear, but at the same time he was all the more excited. Dark Eye and a group of others were going into Bone Valley. This would be well worth the watching!
That night Chomper and Short Tail met in the lake. Chomper inspected the smaller T-Rex for a moment or two. He smelled him, and was satisfied that he wasn't the one that'd gone into his lair and killed his offspring. Chomper was about to move on, but the strange T-Rex made a friendly grunt.
"Passing through my territory?"
"What's it to you snot brains?" Chomper spat back in rough Sharp Tooth speech.
"I eh . . . I'm following a group of our kind into Bone Valley. The mixed packs and all, I want to see what's going on. But it may not be wise to do so alone."
Chomper scoffed. "Idiot. I don't hunt with a pack."
"Nor do I, but we'd be safer together."
"Listen 'ere muck-fer-brains I don't care to go with you to this valley, I'm looking for a new kind of predator, it's bigger than any of our kind, it's got a big sail on it's back, and a mouth like a swimmer sharp tooth."
"Those monsters live in Bone Valley!" The smaller Rex said.
Chomper wheeled on him. "You'd better not be lying!" Chomper spat. "If you're lying I'll eat yer guts!"
"I don't lie to me own kind." The smaller Red said. "I'm Short Tail, what's yer name?"
"Chomper." Chomper spat. "Now lead to this valley, and make with the speed!"
He and Short Tail ran off into the night, whenever Short Tail slowed too much for Chomper's taste he'd bite the smaller Rex's flanks. It was making him hungry.
Littlefoot reached the lake not long after the two rexes left.
Petrie told him that he smelled the children, but they hadn't been here for a long time, maybe a whole night. Littlefoot moved on. In the morning he'd send Petrie out to look around, while he slept. Sleep in the day, move at night, that was how it went.
Quetzal landed softly, her feet touching down exactly where Dark Eye's had. Though it was hard to tell with Blueback's enormous prints drowning everything out. Quetzal had fought Blueback enough to know his tracks from any other. She growled ferociously. "They were here. They took this path, it looks like their going to Bone Valley."
"We go now!" Neckbiter said. "Run, no stopping!"
"No!" Quetzal snapped. She looked at One Claw and the others. "You know well that they won't keep up with us Neckbiter." She said, appealing to Neckbiter's ego rather than fighting him.
"Yes . . . yes your right." Neckbiter said, he shook his head. "Your to fast for them, and I'm as fast as you . . . fine, we move out at a quick march, we let them keep pace, we don't stop until we have the children back!"
"Aye!" One Claw said. "Dark Eye is with them. Why would he go into Bone Valley? He knows what's down there."
"Not again!" Neckbiter cried. "Dark Eye always seems to know about some valley he doesn't tell us about!"
"We know about Bone Valley." Quetzal said. "You weren't with us, we followed a leaf eater there once, it ran for dear life . . . we were attacked by a huge mixed clan, we barely made it out." Quetzal said.
Neckbiter growled. "Then we go!" He said. "Who knows what they'll do to the children!" He set off running fast, but at a speed the others could keep up with.
Halla smiled weakly at the five hatchlings around her, trying to get her attention. They were of various ages, none of them-apparently-were good enough for Neckbiter but she didn't feel that way.
Leopard approached her slowly. "You know . . ." He said. "I've been thinking."
"I know." Halla said softly. "You've been pacing back and forth all night."
"Halla . . . we have to do it. I don't care what Neckbiter says about you, I'm going after Dark Eye and your coming."
"Hell's teeth I am."
"I'm the Alpha right now, and I just gave you an order." Leopard said coldly. "I want you to come."
"Why?" Halla demanded.
"Because I'm tired of seeing you waste away on that nest! When was the last time you left the lair? You're coming, you were a good tracker once, now you're going to have to learn the skill again."
Halla dug her claws into the hard soil of her nest. "I'm not moving!"
"I'm taking our fighters, were going to find Neckbiter and Ravener, you're coming."
"I wont abandon my-"
"Pyke, Black Tail, get our fighters together. Were going after our alphas." Leopard said, not listening to her. He turned on her with a fire in his eyes that Halla had never seen even in Neckbiter's intense hateful glares. "And *you*! Fall offa that nest and stretch your bones, were going you don't have a choice."
"No!" Halla yelled.
"Scream until your lungs hurt." Leopard said. "I know you want to go."
Halla growled at him. "What about my nest?"
"Your eggs are going to be fine with another female."
"Hell's teeth they will!" Halla snapped.
"Everyone ready? Lets go." Leopard said. "Raja, if Halla comes take over her nest." Leopard said.
"Don't you take a step towards it Raja!" Halla snapped.
"Ignore her." Leopard said coldly. "Nata, you're in charge. Let's go." Leopard said coldly.
Halla watched the ten pack hunters leave, the pyramid had another twenty adults, but it felt so empty now. She hesitated five seconds then shouted "Take it over Raja, but if one egg is damaged when I return I'll show you that my mate isn't the only one who can bite a neck!" She ran off into the night, into the cool air. She saw Leopard waiting for her outside. He smiled wickedly.
"I knew you'd come logs-fer-legs."
"Shaddap flat tooth." Halla snapped. "Let's go."
"Lead the way tracker." Leopard said.
Halla ran off into the night, at the head of the pack.
To Be Continued . . .
"ROAR!"
Slash was one of the more intelligent out of the pack, though she didn't know it. She spoke rarely, sparing her own family no words at all and only speaking if something truly stirred her. She spoke to Ravener recently because she knew if she didn't he'd get scared. Still she thought such calculations were common to children, why shouldn't they be? She was one out of thirty youngsters alive in the pyramid, could she really be the smartest?
She was naïve, it was one of her failings, but she was young.
She watched this new monster, this two finger, and she looked at the new monsters, the small dinosaurs that yelled at them. It was evident right away that they were not dangerous, but the two finger was. It was also evident that he wanted to kill the lot of them. Slash knew this because of the actions that other two finger had taken on the pack hunters they'd encountered not so long ago. She wasn't scared because she didn't know of her own mortality, but she did want to make sure that Ravener and these new monsters survived. She wanted to watch them, see what made them tick and if they were interesting enough, maybe even play with them.
She let out a commanding roar, words would be useless in this panic. Ravener seemed to grasp her meaning though and with her assistance herded the frightened leaf eaters into the woods. Slash was by no means a commander, and she had little to no knowledge of their area, but she could hear water, and by the sounds of it, a waterfall. A trick One Claw had taught her once was that in a bind there is often a cave behind a waterfall. Its just one of those weird things.
If only the flat foot monsters were fast enough to keep up with her and Ravener.
They came out of the clearing to see . . . a huge lake, a waterfall and a huge two fingered sharp tooth sleeping over the remains of a big mouth.
Short Tail's eyes snapped open as he heard the splashing. He saw another mixed pack! "What the-" he saw that it consisted of leaf eaters as well as two young pack hunters. "This just gets weirder and weirder." He thought.
Then he saw Blue Back barrel into the lake. Short Tail was surprised, but ran out to salute the larger Sharp Tooth. At that moment Long Jaw barreled out and crashed into him! They both fell over, and then Climber came out and tripped over them both, her surprised yelp confused Talon who side stepped to get to her aid, but unfortunately Talon ended up side stepping over Short Tail's dinner, falling into the water herself.
The plight of his clan Got Blueback's attention, he turned towards Short Tail and the lot, and let out a roar of frustration when he realized that he'd lost his prey.
"Idiot!" Long Jaw roared as he lashed out at Climber.
"Me? Gerrof me Talon!" Climber cried. "I'll bite your throat out Long Mouth!"
"It's this rouge's fault!" Talon said, keeping the peace. Short Tail took up a defensive posture.
"Well then, let's tare HIS throat out!" Climber growled.
Short Tail growled angrily. "This IS my territory still, or are you moving in old ones?" He said, tossing the blood relation aside.
"Old we may well be, but there are three of us and one lowly rouge before us!" Long Jaw snickered.
Short Tail stomped his right foot, making a huge splash. "Come then! All who dare! I'll send you to hell's gates!"
Alleria watched in horror as three of the four giant sharp teeth rushed on their smaller cousin. They all rushed him together, but he stood his ground against the three of them, not being moved or forced to withdraw.
Alleria could see that Tri found it very exciting, but she was horrified to see a species so violent towards it's own kind!
"Come stupid-heads!" one of the small sharp teeth said. "Not safe yet, come fast!"
"Stupid-heads!" Pteras exclaimed. "Who you to talk Sharp Tooth Stupid-head!"
The young pack hunter seemed taken aback. He had dark brown scales, with extremely dark brown, almost black stripes. His tail was almost completely black, as were portions of his legs, and his fingers. He had light pink eyes that shone in the night. He had large claws on his feet, one huge one on each foot.
"You come! We lead." The second one said, but it was to far away for Alleria to get a good look.
Alleria followed the dark sharp tooth, afraid for her life. They were led to a small cave, but the dark sharp tooth halted the group.
"We go in?" He asked. His companion was silent now, but it would seem that the darker one got some sort of affirmation because he ran in. He stopped at the cave's mouth and said "You no follow yet." Then he added, as he turned his back, "Stupid-heads."
Pteras perched on Alleria's head. Thorny curled up next to Tri, and Tri stood resolute, impassive of their current crisis.
There was a low roar from inside the cave. Then the young sharp tooth came out. He made some gestures that Alleria understood meant for them to come in.
Alleria let Tri lead the way-he didn't give her much choice-and let Thorny take up the rear.
They came into the cave, Alleria was expecting to have to let her eyes adjust, but there was no need for the entire cave was lined with strange glowing bugs.
"Gross!" Tri groaned.
The small meat eater looked them over, then let out a croaking sound.
He turned to them and said simply "Your children."
"Yeah? So?" Tri said.
"You're smaller than the ones we usually eat." The small sharp tooth said.
"Eat?" Thorny gulped. "Usually? You're going to eat us?"
"They can try!" Tri said, standing defensively in front of his friends.
The young pack hunter shook his head. "I have no intention of eating you!" He looked over their heads. "Slash? Slash! Stupid!" He growled.
"Stupid yerself." Slash spat as she came into the cave. Alleria wondered if it was odd to think it about such an alien dinosaur, but she was amazed, Slash was beautiful! Her features were sharp, she had tan scales like Alleria, and dark brown stripes, like Alleria. Her eyes were light pink like the other one's. Her tail had two dark brown rings around it, then was completely dark brown from the mid point to the tip.
"What took you so long?" The small male demanded.
Slash made no attempt at response. She simply circled Alleria and her friends, her manner was neither aggressive nor friendly. She made a few lunges towards each of them every now and then, Alleria stood firm, only moving to defend herself whenever Slash lunged. Tri would try to scare her off, and Thorny would crumble before her. Pteras was safe on Alleria's head.
Slash never followed through in her threatening movements, instead she'd withdraw quickly and lower her head in apology (Alleria later learned that it was actually how the Pack Hunters prepare to pounce) then continue to circle them.
"What are you doing?" Tri demanded.
"She doesn't talk much." Ravener said. "Because she's stupid."
Slash ignored him, and then finally nodded and left them alone. Alleria watched her curiously. She'd become very interested in the glowing . . . things . . . on the walls of the cave.
"Why did we bring them here?" The young male asked.
Slash made no attempt to answer.
"What's your name?" Alleria asked.
"Ravener! Son of Neckbiter!" Ravener announced proudly.
"Hey!" Thorny said. "Neckbiter! He's in one of my dad's stories! Remember?"
"Yeah . . ." Tri said.
Ravener's chest puffed with pride. "See Slash? My dad's a legend even with the leaf eaters, is yours? Nope! Na-ah!"
Alleria didn't want to burst Ravener's bubble by mentioning that Neckbiter was never portrayed as a . . . savory character. Tri on the other hand had no such reservations.
"Is he really evil? Did he really try to raze the great valley? Is he really jealous of his brother Dark Eye?"
"Dark Eye!" Ravener roared. "Dark Eye? My dad jealous? Fah! What has my dad got to be jealous of? Dark Eye is just a punk!"
Alleria noticed Slash stiffen at those words, but again she didn't give Ravener the time of day to answer. "Was your dad Dark Eye?" She asked.
The pair of young sharp teeth gave each other confused glances. Slash shook her head. Ravener picked up the slack for her- "No, worse her father is a nameless loser, not worth the mentioning. Dark Eye has no children, he can't find a female that can stand him!"
"That's no true, he just can't find a female he can stand!" Slash snapped. Then she quickly checked herself and went back to inspecting the glowing things.
"She's his biggest fan." Ravener 'whispered' to the leaf eaters.
"Am not!" Slash protested.
Dark Eye stood watch over the small pack he'd assembled. Pytor, Blain, and One Claw all lay curled up together for warmth. Neckbiter was, characteristically by himself as far away from the rest as safety would allow, and Quetzal was-also characteristically-nowhere to be seen at all.
He'd seen signs of the Bone Crunchers movements during his hunting trip. He knew that no matter how powerful they had become, they wouldn't attack the pyramid. At the same time, he also wanted to be sure that if he should run into any, or if the children were in danger, he'd have a good chance of getting his pack out of it.
In truth Dark Eye feared Neckbiter now, he was desperate to find Ravener, he'd never seen his nest brother like this. There had nearly been a skirmish between the two when Dark Eye commanded the troop to rest for the night rather than continuing on.
It wasn't that he feared fighting Neckbiter, he knew that he could win or draw, but he was afraid that Neckbiter might do something stupid. One Claw was nowhere near as worried as Neckbiter, but then One Claw had a whole nest of juveniles that he found acceptable, Neckbiter's standards were ridiculously high, and now that he had a child that could reach them, Dark Eye understood his concern for the juvenile's safety.
"Dark Eye." Quetzal said softly. "Come, I've found something."
Dark Eye turned to face Quetzal, she stood before him, holding a dead hopper. "I found it in the smashed guts of one of our kind." She said. "Slash was near it a day ago."
"That means what?" Dark Eye said coldly. "They were taken by another pack?"
"No." Quetzal said. "They ran off, but there was a sharp tooth in the area, a two finger. I fear he hasn't left."
"Our position is a good one?" Dark Eye had no doubt, but he wanted his tracker's opinion. Quetzal was the best of the pack, of this Dark Eye had no doubts at all.
"Aye mate." She nodded. Dark Eye noticed her odd choice of words, mate rather than her usual 'Cap' or 'Boss'. "We should get a move before dawn though, I don't fancy a brawl with the bugger. Judging by the tracks he'd have to be enormous!"
Dark Eye nodded. "You command the leave tomorrow." He said. "I'm going ahead as soon as Neckbiter wakes to take over the watch."
"I don't think that's wise." Quetzal said. "If he knows your going ahead he'll start something. I know that their loyal now, but I wouldn't put it past Blaine and Pytor to side with him, and with his child missing One Claw may not jump to your assistance."
"What about you?" Dark Eye asked nonchalantly.
"Do you have to ask?" Quetzal asked. "Listen, you go and scout ahead, and I'll take over the watch."
Dark Eye considered this for a moment. "You haven't slept." He said.
"I've been on more hunts than you." Quetzal said. "And I can survive with less sleep than you."
Dark Eye considered things for a moment. Then nodded. He sped off into the trees.
Short Tail was left sulking in the waters as Blueback and the others tried to track the hatchlings. They'd spared his miserable life when they recognized his scent, but they left him with quite a few wounds. He was proud to know that he'd lasted against three fully grown two fingers.
However whatever ego he'd had was gone now. He was miserable.
Blueback could smell so many different predators in Short Tail's territory, he knew by the scents on Short Tail that most of them had been killed off. Blueback was disgusted, he'd taught Short Tail better than that. The only rival predators in his territory were the pack hunters, Dark Eye and his pack of fools.
The next morning the group of children moved out towards Bone Valley, though they didn't know it. Slash had been more or less silent, but when Ravener heard that there was adventure to be had he decided to come along, Slash followed along but didn't seem to thrilled about it.
Alleria watched Ravener and Tri take up the front of the line, thy were talking about the adventures they had already had. Tri was making up all of his, Alleria didn't know about Ravener, but the occasional roll of Slash's eyes suggested that his too were all fake.
At some points Alleria would try to initiate conversation with the beautiful sharp tooth, complimenting her on her scales, or asking what her various interests were, even going so far as to grasp at straws and ask what sorts of dinosaurs she liked to eat. Slash's only response to any of this was to smile, or laugh softly, but she rarely spoke. She became interested in most large insects the troupe came upon.
Alleria tried telling her about the various insects that she'd encountered in the great valley, but Slash didn't seem interested.
Pteras didn't fly, she didn't want to get lost, Thorny kept close to Ravener, Alleria guessed that was because Ravener looked so fierce even though he was just a child.
It was midday when Ravener ordered the group to hide in the bushes. There was a rustling sound, then a low grumble.
Then a bolt of tan and brown appeared, a huge pack hunter appeared. At least, he was huge as far as Alleria was concerned. He was much larger than Ravener was, four times at least. He had a stripe like a \ going from the top of his eye to his chin, the stripe was dark brown, his eyes were blood red. He looked around for a moment. He had tan scales with dark brown stripes like Slash, his legs were dark brown as if he'd been moving through mud that went up to his knees, but those were his own scales. He smelled like blood, Alleria was surprised it was not so much an unpleasant smell, as it was just incredibly terrifying.
"Dark Eye!" Slash exclaimed.
"Dark Eye." Ravener sighed.
Dark Eye looked around, he was, Alleria decided every bit the fierce creature Spike said. He was tall, sleek and deadly looking. Alleria was scared to death just looking at him. Slash ran out to him, as did Ravener.
"Where's my pa?" Ravener asked.
"Coming." Dark Eye whispered. He smelled the air. "Have . . . any dinosaurs come through here recently? I smell . . ."
"You smell death." A harsh voice said. Alleria looked to the side, there was a pack hunter, huge! As large as Dark Eye! It was dark brown where Dark Eye was tan, it was almost black where Dark Eye was dark brown. It looked like Ravener! "This is Bone Cruncher territory now, unless you're joining up, your dead."
Two more Pack Hunters appeared, they were less impressive than this black female, but Alleria was scared to death.
HISSS! Alleria turned around, she moved out of the bushes, being followed by a small red and black pack hunter.
Slash leapt in front of Alleria, she hissed at the red pack hunter, Ravener made similar moves towards a pair of Ova Raptors, though they looked less formidable than the red pack hunter-though it was half Dark Eye's size.
"Littlefoot?" Dark Eye mused. "You can't be Littlefoot. You're a girl."
"Dark Eye, what do we do?" Slash whispered.
Dark Eye growled at the black pack hunter. "You! Who are you?"
"You can call me Maim!" The female growled. "And don't bother asking the names of my comrades, their worthless fools. But . . . you . . . who are you, the pack that moves with children and food at the same time?"
"I'm Dark Eye." Dark Eye said coldly. "Of the Dark Eye clan!"
"An alpha?" Maim said, showing noticeably more respect. "Oh well well . . . Reaver will want to meet you. I must insist you come with me."
"Try and take me." Dark Eye said coldly.
Maim flashed an evil smile, her fangs were flashy white. "You don't want to refuse me." She said calmly. As she finished several more small sharp toothed dinosaurs appeared.
Dark Eye glared at her. "I'll go. Let the infants go free."
"No." Maim said simply. "They come, we may need a snack on the way home."
Dark Eye glared at Maim. "Touch any one of them and I'll kill the lot of you."
"I meant the leaf eaters. We may need leaf eating snacks." Maim said calmly.
"You need leaf eating snacks as much as you need a broken neck." Dark Eye said.
Maim nodded once, and a huge pack hunter (normal tan/brown colors) leapt at Dark Eye! Dark Eye fought expertly, though Alleria was scared she couldn't take her eyes from the grizzly sight.
The enemy Pack Hunter was a little bigger than Dark Eye, it fought violently, but Dark Eye made his opponent's movements look slow as he quickly leapt onto his back, and biting down he tore the Bone Cruncher's head backwards, breaking it's neck no doubt. As the creature fell over Dark Eye leapt easily to the side.
Alleria finally managed to look away in horror when the other Bone Crunchers lunged on their fallen comrade, tarring him to shreds and eating him right there!
Maim smiled wickedly. "Okay. We'll do without snacks. Come then, lets go."
"I'm going nowhere." Dark Eye said coldly.
Maim glared at him. "Don't think that slaying one of us makes you powerful. Black Teeth was a good hunter, but he was expendable, not to mention nothing in comparison to me and the rest of this pack. Now come before I force you, Dark Eye of the Dark Eye clan."
Dark Eye growled, then whispered "Lets go brats. Stay close to me."
By noon Blueback and his herd found the scent of Dark Eye! Dark Eye of all dinosaurs! Along with the scent of the infant dinosaurs! Blueback had a slight tinge of fear, but at the same time he was all the more excited. Dark Eye and a group of others were going into Bone Valley. This would be well worth the watching!
That night Chomper and Short Tail met in the lake. Chomper inspected the smaller T-Rex for a moment or two. He smelled him, and was satisfied that he wasn't the one that'd gone into his lair and killed his offspring. Chomper was about to move on, but the strange T-Rex made a friendly grunt.
"Passing through my territory?"
"What's it to you snot brains?" Chomper spat back in rough Sharp Tooth speech.
"I eh . . . I'm following a group of our kind into Bone Valley. The mixed packs and all, I want to see what's going on. But it may not be wise to do so alone."
Chomper scoffed. "Idiot. I don't hunt with a pack."
"Nor do I, but we'd be safer together."
"Listen 'ere muck-fer-brains I don't care to go with you to this valley, I'm looking for a new kind of predator, it's bigger than any of our kind, it's got a big sail on it's back, and a mouth like a swimmer sharp tooth."
"Those monsters live in Bone Valley!" The smaller Rex said.
Chomper wheeled on him. "You'd better not be lying!" Chomper spat. "If you're lying I'll eat yer guts!"
"I don't lie to me own kind." The smaller Red said. "I'm Short Tail, what's yer name?"
"Chomper." Chomper spat. "Now lead to this valley, and make with the speed!"
He and Short Tail ran off into the night, whenever Short Tail slowed too much for Chomper's taste he'd bite the smaller Rex's flanks. It was making him hungry.
Littlefoot reached the lake not long after the two rexes left.
Petrie told him that he smelled the children, but they hadn't been here for a long time, maybe a whole night. Littlefoot moved on. In the morning he'd send Petrie out to look around, while he slept. Sleep in the day, move at night, that was how it went.
Quetzal landed softly, her feet touching down exactly where Dark Eye's had. Though it was hard to tell with Blueback's enormous prints drowning everything out. Quetzal had fought Blueback enough to know his tracks from any other. She growled ferociously. "They were here. They took this path, it looks like their going to Bone Valley."
"We go now!" Neckbiter said. "Run, no stopping!"
"No!" Quetzal snapped. She looked at One Claw and the others. "You know well that they won't keep up with us Neckbiter." She said, appealing to Neckbiter's ego rather than fighting him.
"Yes . . . yes your right." Neckbiter said, he shook his head. "Your to fast for them, and I'm as fast as you . . . fine, we move out at a quick march, we let them keep pace, we don't stop until we have the children back!"
"Aye!" One Claw said. "Dark Eye is with them. Why would he go into Bone Valley? He knows what's down there."
"Not again!" Neckbiter cried. "Dark Eye always seems to know about some valley he doesn't tell us about!"
"We know about Bone Valley." Quetzal said. "You weren't with us, we followed a leaf eater there once, it ran for dear life . . . we were attacked by a huge mixed clan, we barely made it out." Quetzal said.
Neckbiter growled. "Then we go!" He said. "Who knows what they'll do to the children!" He set off running fast, but at a speed the others could keep up with.
Halla smiled weakly at the five hatchlings around her, trying to get her attention. They were of various ages, none of them-apparently-were good enough for Neckbiter but she didn't feel that way.
Leopard approached her slowly. "You know . . ." He said. "I've been thinking."
"I know." Halla said softly. "You've been pacing back and forth all night."
"Halla . . . we have to do it. I don't care what Neckbiter says about you, I'm going after Dark Eye and your coming."
"Hell's teeth I am."
"I'm the Alpha right now, and I just gave you an order." Leopard said coldly. "I want you to come."
"Why?" Halla demanded.
"Because I'm tired of seeing you waste away on that nest! When was the last time you left the lair? You're coming, you were a good tracker once, now you're going to have to learn the skill again."
Halla dug her claws into the hard soil of her nest. "I'm not moving!"
"I'm taking our fighters, were going to find Neckbiter and Ravener, you're coming."
"I wont abandon my-"
"Pyke, Black Tail, get our fighters together. Were going after our alphas." Leopard said, not listening to her. He turned on her with a fire in his eyes that Halla had never seen even in Neckbiter's intense hateful glares. "And *you*! Fall offa that nest and stretch your bones, were going you don't have a choice."
"No!" Halla yelled.
"Scream until your lungs hurt." Leopard said. "I know you want to go."
Halla growled at him. "What about my nest?"
"Your eggs are going to be fine with another female."
"Hell's teeth they will!" Halla snapped.
"Everyone ready? Lets go." Leopard said. "Raja, if Halla comes take over her nest." Leopard said.
"Don't you take a step towards it Raja!" Halla snapped.
"Ignore her." Leopard said coldly. "Nata, you're in charge. Let's go." Leopard said coldly.
Halla watched the ten pack hunters leave, the pyramid had another twenty adults, but it felt so empty now. She hesitated five seconds then shouted "Take it over Raja, but if one egg is damaged when I return I'll show you that my mate isn't the only one who can bite a neck!" She ran off into the night, into the cool air. She saw Leopard waiting for her outside. He smiled wickedly.
"I knew you'd come logs-fer-legs."
"Shaddap flat tooth." Halla snapped. "Let's go."
"Lead the way tracker." Leopard said.
Halla ran off into the night, at the head of the pack.
To Be Continued . . .