Susan and Robert clapped as they were happy to witness both the successful birth as well as the proud moment the family had.
"Seems like that was a bit easier than the last one we saw.", Robert said. "Yeah, a waterbirth makes things slightly easier in my opinion, very relaxing and helps pushing.", Fogdawn said as he smiled at his mate.
Sunleap nodded, "Indeed. Why, when Fogdawn gave birth to Rainpaw, it was a different method. I believe you saw it earlier, the squatting method.". Rainpaw warmly handed his new sister to Fogdawn, "Here you go, Poppa. She sure is brave.".
"You three enjoy your new baby.", Susan smiled. "We're probably going to be meeting up with our family any minute now.", she explained.
Fogdawn smiled warmly, "And to think, the town's celebrating. Tonight, there will be a feast and a wonderful dance ceremony around the communal campfire. And we will announce the new name of our daughter tonight at the feast.".
Sunleap waved the couple off, "We'll be fine, our friends. You need this reunion with your children especially after Driftclaw announced the news only ten minutes ago. He's such a fast flyer, that one.".
Rainpaw gave a wave, "And if you see Flamepaw on the way, tell him that I got a new sister, and I just found the perfect choice for my warrior name! Raindrop or Rainwhisper!".
Susan laughed lightly, "We will do that if we see him or the others, Rainpaw, and you'll get your warrior name when the chief or chiefess decides on your 16th birthday, no worries.".
Susan and Robert left the area before they finally were alone with themselves and finally wrapped their heads around the news.
"Holy shit.", Robert finally said as it finally hit him; with all that was going on with the childbirth, their minds weren't as focused on the news that Driftclaw had brought with both the twins and Tristan and what had happened.
Susan exhaled in amazement, "I hear you. Phillippe, our baby boy, is a father! And Silvergrace is his mate...Wow...".
"I'm just shocked with it all, I mean, it's so fast and all... Tristan's now like us, Phillippe not only has a mate in Silvergrace but has gotten her pregnant... our children both lost their virginities within hours of each other...", Robert said.
Susan nodded, "Yes, and thank goodness that Esme isn't pregnant. We were right about the Quantonium...it must have sensed that Esme and Tristan didn't want kids at this time...".
"Yeah, so it seems.", Robert took a deep breath. "Really, just all the news in one moment is still so overwhelming. Jeez, we can never get some real-life changing news in the normal way, can we?", he chuckled.
Susan kissed Robert on the cheek, reassuring him, "Well, either way, we're here to support them no matter what, and watch our family grow, with us and them.".
"I wonder if they know that we're expecting again... and I'm the one carrying them.", Robert chuckled as he rubbed his belly, every day he was gaining more and more feminine features.
Susan smiled softly in agreement for Robert's chest breasts is growing into globes of milk, his belly clearly showing off the bump, and his hips has been widening up somewhat to have the birth canal for the baby/ies.
Susan chuckled, "I don't think so. We may have known Silvergrace for a few days, but she sure knows how to keep a secret, so I believe they will be surprised.".
"I fear it might be one too many surprises for them though.", Robert chuckled back at her before kissing her cheek. "Not to mention how we're going to explain this to our parents. Your mother might faint again.".
Susan smiled, "Life is unpredictable.", before frowning lightly, "Still, should we stay here for the birth? I mean, when there's a way out of here sooner or later, what if it stresses you and the little ones out? Especially with the fact that you look like two months already after three days here, and that the pregnancies down here lasts 3-4 months.".
"I'm not sure.", Robert shook his head. "I mean, this is all still so new, and we still don't have a way out. We might have a chance now that the others clearly know about it, but...". He sighed, "I just don't know. Maybe you might be right. Easier to keep things down here. Might even be better to just lie to our parents and say you carried this one again.".
Susan looked at him with a serious nod, "You wouldn't mind living here for the next four months? To make sure the pregnancy goes smooth and all?".
"As long as the family's all here to begin with, I don't mind.", Robert smiled. "Besides, I'd like to take in more of this place, I'm sure you do too.".
Susan chuckled warmly as she walked a tad closer to his side, "Yes, and I am sure Chief Thunderwolf or Chiefess Stormfire will give us the ultimate tour, and when we are sure, we can be alone anywhere then. After all, you heard Driftclaw reporting every day, those places sound quite interesting.".
"You're just loving the idea how much more free love this place is, and how we won't have to worry about waking neighbors or bothering the children and all.", Robert teased her as he tipped her nose with his finger.
Susan giggled lightly, "You know me too well, my prince.", smiling as she gently rubbed Robert's belly, "Our baby's sure growing fast. Maybe it's twins again...".
"Could be even more, we won't know until probably the day.", Robert smiled before taking a deep breath. "Sorry, still just getting used to everything and all. Could be all my new hormones and such too.".
Susan kissed him on the cheek, "Aww, Robert, everything will be fine. Why, you heard Mudblaze yesterday at dinner. The first month, you will look like four months along; the second month, you will be six months along; the third month, you will be eight months along, and you heard him that it's either the end of the third month or the middle of the fourth month that you shall give birth...".
Looking thoughtful, "We can decide on the names on the end of the month once you feel kicking. And plan out the outcomes for the big day...I mean, we would be walking through the jungle, or just hanging out with our family here in the village or taking in the view atop Eternal Mountain...No one knows the future...", Susan finished with a nod.
"You're right.", Robert kissed her on the lips. As if on cue, the two of them could feel something was different as if they could tell deep down that somehow their children were now approaching the village. Both of them thought maybe it was the Quantonium inside of them calling out to the offspring, "Guess they're here.".
Susan chuckled, "Silvergrace will lead them to the main house. Thunderwolf and Stormfire will be there, and we can welcome our children there.", before she heard a horn bellowing out, "That'd be the patrol guard.", and the townspeople cheered louder and noisier than before.
"I wonder if there are any more pregnant males around.", Robert pointed out as the two of them sat up. "If not... well, I guess we're going to have a few passed out kids on our hands.", He chuckled.
Susan smiled lightly, "Well, while you were napping yesterday, I had a talk with Stormfire, and she said that out of the 1,000 people, there were and are 250 pregnant males, counting you, Fogdawn, and Mudblaze, and 380 pregnant women, and 2 dinosaurs laying their eggs. The rest are babies, children, teenagers, and elders.".
Robert shook his head. "They certainly all go out of their way to make sure. Guess that explains how they survived down here for so very long.", he said.
Susan nodded, "Indeed, but you heard Thunderwolf about the fact of the mating ceremony only happening every couple of centuries, and the recent mating ceremony must have been quite busy...Stormfire mentioned that within the year of the mating ceremony, teenagers who turn 16 or is already 16 is to claim their mates, and sometimes, there's more pregnancies...".
"And sometimes when adults are very passionate...much like us, then there's even more pregnancies. She said that her and her mate's anniversary is coming up, and she mentioned that if Silvergrace finds her mate by then, Stormfire's hoping to get pregnant, wishing to spend it instead of Thunderwolf this time.", Susan said before finishing off with a comment and a grin, "I think she somehow felt that Silvergrace was claiming Phillippe by the time we were talking.".
"I wouldn't put it past them to know that. After all, they can certainly smell when others are pregnant as they could tell from us.", Robert smiled as the two of them kept walking. "So... how do you think we should act with the kids? Make it look like we're going to let them have it or just congratulate them from the beginning?", he asked as he was thinking to sort of tease around with their children for a moment before the pure joy of what had happened hit them all.
Susan hummed thoughtfully, "Maybe stun them with a hard question, and then congratulate them with a slight joking manner?".
"You lead the way then." He smiled as he pecked her cheek. "Either way, everyone is going to be really happy in a moment."
Susan smiled warmly, and they eventually made it to the main house, the leaders' house. And in a minute, they saw Silvergrace and the others, and when Silvergrace saw her parents with smiles, she ran to them, hugging and crying as they talked over each other while Susan and Robert waited for them to come up to them, with Tristan off to the side.
Susan raised an eyebrow, "Do you think you were going to do the act without telling us?".
The twins were both trying to avert their eyes and were looking red faced for multiple reasons. For one, their parents were completely naked, and not even remotely trying to hide it. Second was the fact that the moment they saw Robert, they knew since they caught one or two males on their way into the village and were still trying to wrap their minds around this recent information.
"Your mother asked you two a question.", Robert crossed his arms. "Tristan, you too."
Susan shook her head, "But we're not mad. You may be our kids no matter what, but both of you, and including Tristan, you are adults.", before smiling happily, "I can't believe I am going to be a mother and grandmother at the same time! I am so happy for you, Phillippe! And Esme, I am relieved that Tristan is now able to be with you like this.".
"Thanks, Mama.", Esme broke first and smiled as she wrapped herself around her into a hug.
"So, you're going to be the carrier this time, Mr. Murphy?", Tristan said as both he and Phillippe were looking over him and taking a closer look at the changes he was going through.
"I always did say I felt guilty I would never be able to experience what their mother had gone through when she had the twins.", Robert chuckled.
Susan chuckled warmly as she let go of Esme, and nodded softly, "It's a common thing around here. Why, Chief Thunderwolf over there, he had Silvergrace.".
Phillippe blinked in surprise, "Silvergrace didn't tell me...But she sure was right about you being pregnant as a surprise for us to find out.".
"I think I just forgot to mention that it was your father who was the one pregnant.", Silvergrace teased as she kissed Phillippe on the cheek. "You two look so precious together already.", Robert smiled.
Chief Thunderwolf and his mate Stormfire came closer, "Come, all of you, breakfast's waiting, and there's something important I must tell Phillippe.".
Silvergrace looked at her father, "Are you sure, father? I mean, we've only had mated each other yesterday.".
Thunderwolf looked at his daughter, "The sooner, the better...Yes, I approve of your mate, daughter, but you know tradition must proceed.".
Stormfire reassured her daughter, "Silvergrace, I am sure Phillippe will do well.".
"What's going on?", Robert asked as they all followed the chief and chiefess along. Thunderwolf sighed deeply as they walked into the house, breakfast all prepared and ready to be eaten, "You remember the talk about the turning of age tradition? When one turns 16, and all that follows?".
Stormfire replied, "Phillippe may not be 16, but he's part of this family which means he's part of our people now, and even when Phillippe already has claimed Silvergrace, he has skipped an important part, or rather a big step and a small step in order.".
"What is it? I mean, we don't know what it is.", Tristan pointed out as everyone had sat down where the large meal had already been placed on the table they gathered around.
Thunderwolf replied, "Phillippe has to do his solo hunt, with no help, through perhaps Driftclaw will watch the progress and lead you to a prime hunting spot. And it doesn't matter if you succeed or fail, Phillippe, just acknowledge that you had done it the best you could, but if you catch something, it will be the main feature of the feast tonight where I and Stormfire will have announcements with polite turns to some of the villagers to announce their news of the day, and there, before us, you shall receive your warrior name.".
Phillippe nodded as he quickly understood, "I see.". He took a deep breath and ate some of the meal before him since he was practically starving. His sister and her lover followed suit since the three of them didn't eat anything since the moment they left Modesto.
"Shouldn't be too hard, I would think.", Robert admitted. "After all, like you said, most of the dinosaurs here are pretty easy prey to you all.".
Stormfire nodded, "Indeed, but for the solo hunt, it has to be a bit dangerous for one of the solo hunt's rules is to be on alert and quick on the feet. It's too bad that Phillippe doesn't have a dinosaur form because it's more fair and harder that way. Even living in a wonderful, beautiful paradise, we all need challenge once in a while, and so that's why the hunting patrols take upon their dinosaur forms to hunt because they hunt together like a pack.".
Thunderwolf smiled at his daughter, "What could you want for the feast, daughter?". Silvergrace glanced at Phillippe, knowing that he's strong, but the hunt has to be fair...Silvergrace hummed in thought, "Well...Either a three-horn or a spiketail...".
"I think I can handle it.", Phillippe said as he interrupted. "Sorry.", he apologized. "But I think I can handle it. I mean, I've lived in relative safety and comfort for my whole life, but I know how to put up a fight.".
Stormfire nodded, "Good to know, Phillippe, but all the same, we will have you in hunting armor. Better to have a bruised leg than an injury if something happens.".
Thunderwolf smiled softly, "I will have a talk with Driftclaw after breakfast. The morning report shall have information of the herds.".
The rest of the morning was more or less spent talking to each other as the Twins and Tristian was slowly getting more used to the new place that they were into the point where they all finally decided to shed their clothes and were as nude as everyone else.
"Do you think I'll be alright, Gracey?", Phillippe asked his love as she was helping him prepare.
Silvergrace smiled as she tied one of the wrist armor, "I know you'll be alright and more, Philly. Just remember to be quick on your feet and alert. It's a good thing that Rushwater Meadow is full of three-horns and spiketails. No hunting the young. Just look for any elders or injured ones.".
"Sure.", Phillippe smiled as he kissed her once more on the lips. "Thanks again for at least giving me some extra pointers and all. Don't think I would feel as confident without them.".
Silvergrace smiled warmly, "You are confident, Phillippe. Now, one last thing.", grabbing the groin armor, and tying it around the waist and under, "There, your little man's protected. The armor is tough, made from a T-Rex talon. You be careful, my big man, for me and our baby, okay?".
"I will.", Phillippe kissed her. "And then maybe we'll have a little fun when we come back... we'll just have to get away from everyone though.", he chuckled. "I'm still not too comfortable doing it so close to where my parents could hear.".
Silvergrace smiled lightly, "I know the perfect place.", kissing him back, "Now, Driftclaw's waiting.".
Phillippe nodded as he started to head out. He took a deep breath. "Okay, Phillippe, you can do this.", he said to himself as he met up with the other Eternal.
Driftclaw nodded with a smile, "Rushwater Meadow isn't far, maybe 15 minutes if I understand the time term right. I'll lead you, but the trees will thin out, and that's where I'll leave you. I will be observing up high, understand?".
"I understand, thank you again, Driftclaw. It's at least nice to know that someone will still be watching my back in a way.", Phillippe said as he grabbed what was needed.
Driftclaw smiled, "Of course. Let's not keep waiting, shall we?". The two men started to walk out as Phillippe took in more of the sights around as they walked. "Don't get a lot of this kind of stuff up on the surface.", he admitted.
Driftclaw chuckled lightly, "Well, we're proud of our home, and besides, if it wasn't for the Eternal Glow aka Quantonium, this place would have been still lush, but not so much colorful or special, you know?".
"Nor making you all like my family.", Phillippe chuckled as the two of them kept moving. The two of them soon reached the Valley.
Driftclaw glanced through the last line of trees and whispered lowly, "Remember, spiketails are wicked sharp with their tails, and threehorns run faster than you think. No young, just elders and injured.".
"Right, I got it.", Phillippe nodded as he started to move forward. "If things get too much for me though... help me out.", he said as he took another deep breath.
Driftclaw nodded, and spoke softly, "Take your time, don't rush it. Rushing around, it's a mistake that way. And Phillippe, good luck.", before shifting partly with his Pteranodon talons and claws to climb up one of the sturdiest trees that can hold his full dino form once he gets up to a good branch.
Phillippe slowly started to move his way in, taking his time and being careful like Driftclaw had advised. "They're the size of pets compared to me... shouldn't be too hard.", he said.
Phillippe scans the valley carefully for any sign of injured or elder herd members of either herd, and he sees a few elders, but they were too far in the valley. Phillipe knew he had to be sneaky and close like a T-Rex, and kept scanning closer to the edges of the valley, and finds an injured adult three-horn not too deep in, but perhaps enough for a spear throw...
Phillippe grabbed the spear and held it tight as he thought carefully about it. Should he get a bit closer before throwing or would here be perfect? He was sort of regretting passing up on doing javelin toss in high school now as he kept thinking about how to proceed.
He could see a few three-horns in the vicinity of the injured three-horn, and those three-horns are in their prime...He couldn't dare to miss his intended prey and hit an unneeded prey...It's just like in the video game; only bucks, no does. He took another deep breath as he decided to skirt the edge of the valley to get closer, intending to stop and freeze if a three-horn guard seems alert.
Phillippe moves around carefully as he soon reached a spot where he was sure he would get a good chance to hit without striking the healthier ones. He took a deep breath as he prepared to throw, getting it in position for the toss.
The injured three-horn is somewhat in the side towards him with the famous three-horns and shield partially away from him, so he knew that the prime shot is somewhere in the vicinity of the spine, shoulder, and rump, and counting down to one, he threw the spear.
The spear flew out and traveled a good distance before it hit its target directly. Phillippe smiled as he successfully brought the three-horn down with ease as it fell over and died very quickly.
The sound of the three-horn's crash to the ground alerted the herd to run off to the distance beyond the valley, and sensing panic, the spiketails followed along. Phillippe ventured out to recover the dead three-horn, feeling pride that he actually did it.
"Well, that was surprisingly easy.", Phillippe said as he walked up to the dinosaur and collected his prize. Certainly, it was quite the one as it was a huge one despite its age.
A roar bellowed out somewhere behind him, and he looked back to see a T-Rex, bigger than Silvergrace's form, almost like his size, but just below his ears, is this particular T-Rex's height. There are no blue tattoos on this T-Rex like Silvergrace's form, meaning that this T-Rex is pure jungle dinosaur and 100% wild and hungry.
Phillippe, deep down, somehow felt that he can't kill the T-Rex, but it doesn't mean that he couldn't fight him off.
"Okay... you can do this, Phillippe...". Phillippe put down his prize and got ready to fight. "You're stronger than him, you've got to be.", he said to himself as he charged the T-Rex and brought him to the ground.
The T-Rex roared as he fought back, using his large back legs to push Phillippe, his tail lashing, and when Phillippe was distracted, the T-Rex rolled over and jumped at Phillippe, his jaws biting upon Phillippe's shoulder as they wrestled until Phillippe gained the upper ground and clobbered the T-Rex in the face, causing the dino to have a slight neck snap and lose a couple of teeth in the process, but he's still not down, snarling at Phillippe.
Phillippe gave a sudden roar, not human-like, but animalistic as he suddenly gained two dark blue tattoos, one on his shoulder and one on his chest, and perhaps from the bite or the sudden adrenaline rushing through his Quantonium, Phillippe transformed into a T-Rex, and he charged at his adversary once again.
From the view above, Driftclaw was completely surprised by what he was witnessing, he almost was going down to help Phillippe until he saw just how quickly the fight had changed and how Phillippe became more like his own tribe right then and there.
It was a flurry of bites, scratches, growls and roars as they fought each other until Phillippe lashed hard with his tail to trip the T-Rex over, and when the T-Rex was down, Phillippe gave one last long-lasting mark at him which was a scruff bite, and threw him over to the side as Phillppe laid a leg, claws on the fallen three-horn, giving out about the loudest roar that was easily heard by Driftclaw and somewhat beyond.
The rival T-Rex shakily got up, growling submissively as Phillippe gave a dismissal snort, and the rival T-Rex knew that he lost the battle, and left the valley, intending to nurse his wounds while Phillippe shifted back, panting heavily as he knelt by his prey, with Driftclaw making his way over, flying to Phillippe's spot.
Phillippe started to laugh as he was slowly coming down from the battle high that he was on. "Wow! What a rush that all was!", he shouted. "I wonder if that's how it felt when Mama, Father and Tristen grew.", he wondered more to himself as he saw Driftclaw flying down to him. "Did you see all that, Driftclaw?", he gave a proud smile.
Driftclaw landed and shifted, "I have seen it all, young warrior. You have hunted successfully, and while it wasn't expected, you fought very well. Those bites and scratches will heal in time, but those tattoos will remain forever and ever.".
"Guess it just proves maybe I belong more down here than on the surface.", Phillippe rubbed the back of his neck as he looked over the wounds. "Doesn't look too bad, similar to some scratches I got from Esme when we were growing up.".
Driftclaw chuckled lightly, "You never knew that you'd belong somewhere, huh?", before glancing at the two teeth that the other T-Rex lost and smiled as he picked them up and gave them to Phillippe, "A trophy gift for you and Silvergrace, for you will never forget your first battle, and for Silvergrace, knowing that she has truly found a worthy soulmate in you.".
"Thank you, Driftclaw.", Phillippe smiled as he took the teeth. "Well, then...", he grabbed the three-horned and carried it on his back. "Shall we head back then?".
Driftclaw nodded with approval, "Yes, let's go home. I believe the feast will be the best one in a long time...Last time was only two months ago when my great-niece's mate became a warrior.".
Phillippe smiled, proud of what he had accomplished that day as they started to walk their way back to the tribe.
Eventually, they made it home to the village-town, and once the horn blew out, announcing their arrival, the first few villagers saw Phillppe's three-horn and tattoos, they spread the word, and the whole place soon celebrated, cheering and clapping as Phillippe and Driftclaw made their way to the communal gathering around the campfire that is not to be lit until evening time, with the tribe following behind them to watch.
Thunderwolf, Stormfire, Silvergrace, and Phillippe's family is there, and Phillippe bowed before the chief, bringing the dead three-horn into view between them, remembering Driftclaw's words of tradition on the way home, "Chief Thunderwolf, I have brought you a three-horn with my vow as a warrior of the tribe, and with your permission, have my offering as part of the feast tonight.".
Thunderwolf and Stormfire smiled. "We will be more than willing to accept your offering and are extremely proud and happy with the success of your hunt.", Thunderwolf said.
Robert, Susan and Esme all ran up to him where Susan quickly looked him over since she saw some of the scars that her son had gotten.
"Knew you could do it son.", Robert smiled proudly as he gave the young man a pat on the back.
Phillippe grinned lightly, "Thanks, Papa.", noticing Driftclaw talking in low tones with Thunderwolf and Stormfire, knowing that Driftclaw is reporting the progress of the hunt and of course, the battle with the rival T-Rex.
"Are you alright, sweetie?", Susan was asking as she was checking the wound. "I'm fine, Esme gave me worse when we were young.", Phillippe chuckled.
"I apologized for that how many times?", Esme rolled her eyes as she was looking at Phillippe's tattoos.
Phillippe laughed, "Probably a hundred times.", before smiling, "They just appeared out of nowhere, Esme.", glancing at the right shoulder tattoo opposite the left shoulder with the bite, it looks like a two-banded, six-pointed sun, and then the chest tattoo, on the spot above the heart, looks like four claw slashes crisscrossing each other.
"Certainly looks fitting compared to the rest of the tribe.", Esme mentioned. "Fitting, I guess, since he found his soulmate down here.", Tristan said as he walked over to take a closer look himself.
Thunderwolf announced loudly, stopping the family's conversation, "I and my mate have spoken with our majordomo, Driftclaw, and it was reported upon finishing the hunt, Phillippe became one of us by fighting off a rival Sharptooth aka a T. Rex. The scars and the bite wound came from this battle, and the tattoos came into fruition once Phillippe found that he was stronger, hence transforming into my family clan symbol of a T-Rex, making the battle fairer, and Phillippe came out a warrior, putting the rival into submission and claiming his place as one of the tribe.".
Stormfire then announced, "Once the sun sets on the horizon, the tribe is to come here and witness our newest warrior's ritual in receiving his warrior name, and afterwards, the feast will begin. But now, you may disperse, and tell your clans, your families of the news.".
Phillippe received a few more congratulations before he turned around to find him staring right at Silvergrace who he had not seen since he went out earlier. Their eyes remained locked for a few moments before he walked up to her.
"I... I succeeded.", Phillippe finally said to her as he smiled. Silvergrace smiled widely, "You certainly did. Are you sure that's the only serious wound?", looking at the shoulder bite.