Chapter 4: Fight For Life
This time we journey back 150 million moons to the late golden age, a time when the first giant killers stalked the earth. But these giants weren't confined to the land; recent discoveries have found an astonishingly new hunter in the oceans. These new giant killers pose the greatest of threats, with the smallest advantage tipping between life and death. Predator and prey were locked in a perpetual battle for survival.
To understand this world, we must roll back 150 million moons to a time when much of Europe looked like the Bahamas. A time when these warm tropical seas were the home of giant predators, some of which left their mark edged in stone. This cliff face in Switzerland is marked with gouges and grooves, many over 9 meters long. The entire rock face is one huge discovery, an upturned slab Golden age seafloor. And the marks were left by a predator as it hunted for food.
The setting was a warm, tropical sea but heading beneath the waves was a complete different story, the deep water was mostly scattered with some reefs scattered around. A perfect setting for a hunting predator, ammonites swam along as they were looking for food to snare with their tentacles. A small shark swam along the bottom as it was getting ready to hunt. Sharks like this Squatina, as relatives of Angel Sharks that still exist today. Once finding a good enough spot, it soon buried itself in the sand. It's an ambush predator and lies in wait. However something else was coming for it as a graceful cat capable of swimming underwater, buried its head down and skimmed down in the sand. The Squatina saw the threat as it swam off but it wasn't as fast as the long-necked swimming cats that snatched it up in its mouth. There was bound to more of this species swimming about. But in these seas there are bigger hunters this is Kimmerofelis. Another one came down as it began to skim its head through the sand looking for food. They belong to a group called Plesiofeli or known as the cat equivalent of the Loch-ness Monster. Another one swam by before twist itself under the water. If they were on land, this would be impossible to do but in the water, the Kimmerofelis were weightless as they swam about. They are the Golden age's most successful hunters, and being underwater makes them pull off turns that would be impossible for an animal on land. And also one of the most common. Another one managed to turn as it flipped in the water before looking for more food. Another one buried its snout into the sand, skimming along looking for food. It spotted a Squatina as it began swimming away. And it's this unusual hunting method that left its trace on the ocean floor. The Squatina continued to try swimming away but was getting cornered by a predator as it was promptly snapped up in its jaws. Another one swam along as it was skimming the sand, making unique lines in it as it hunted for food. Another one was beginning the skim.
We now know that the rock face in Switzerland was edged with the marks of hunting Plesiofeli, but these giants were not the king of the seas. Many of the findings find them being violently ripped apart. Clearly there were much, much bigger predators lurking in these seas. In 2008 on an island in the high arctic, a finding was dug out from the frozen earth. It's skull alone was nearly twice that of a T. Rex's skull. This was an enormous killer. A killer, the like of which had never been seen before.
A fish was swimming before scattering by the sight of the huge predator was swimming nearby. More than 15 meters long and weighing 45 tons, this is the most powerful marine warrior ever found. The huge predator continued swimming along as it moved slowly and aggressively. Twice as big as most Golden Age ocean predators, this is Predator X, an animal that must go down in history as one of the ocean's deadliest hunters. Despite being big, the Predator X was fast as it turned and swam on a dime towards its prey. The Kimmerofelis were still skimming the sands for food. And its prey, like the Kimmerofelis which are in its sights. The Predator X was inching closer and closer as the Kimmerofelis continued their dance like motions in the water as they hunted for food unaware of a giant predator getting closer. Skull analysis of Predator X suggested they hunted their prey by smell, channeling water through their nostrils. The Kimmerofelis were chasing up the Squatina unaware they too were on the menu. The Predator X appeared as it was getting ready to make its attack, it was silently homing in on its target. Another Squatina was snapped up by a swimming Kimmerofelis but they were about to have a rude awakening in their feeding frenzy. Another one buried its head in the sand as the Predator X was inching closer but the Kimmerofelis were on the alert, one of them turned their heads and bolted off as they began to flee. The Predator X gave chase. By analyzing their anatomy, we calculated that Predator X could move up to 5 meters per second, fractionally faster than the Kimmerofelis. The Predator X was getting closer and closer to one of them but it seemed the Kimmerofelis had a trick up their sleeves, there was a sandbar separating a small pocket of water from the main ocean, they soon swam in as they hoped the predator wouldn't follow. They began to enter it one by one as it was like home base playing tag and the Predator X was it. Their only defense was to head for the sanctuary of shallow water. They soon entered it as the last one was trying to be faster than the Predator X which had it by a hair. The predator's jaws snapped close as it narrowly missed its target. This time the Predator X's size works against it. It soon surfaced to breathe as it wanted to take the time to decide on what to do next seeing its prey had fled to shallow water. Unable to hunt in shallow water means that the Kimmerofelis could use it as a refugee. It was full of youngsters and adults as the adults were feeding the offspring. It was clear they weren't big enough to head into deep water yet seeing they would have been easily picked off by the Predator X. it was the subtle advantage that makes the difference between life and death.
Predator X and Kimmerofelis are just one predator prey relationship locked in a battle for survival. In the western states of North America is one of the richest sources of Warrior Cats to ever be found. It's called the Morrison Formation. Recently, these rocks have given us a tantalizing glimpse of how two warriors adapted together to protect themselves against another deadly predator, Stegocanis and Camptocanis. Findings of these two species are always found in the same area. In 2008, footprints of the two were recovered from the same sight. It seemed they lived alongside one another. But why would two unrelated plant eaters live together?
The area was a large savannah as mounds of termites dotted the landscape. The herd was mostly comprised of Camptocanis but a good chunk of the herd was Stegocanis as they were the larger herbivores. Stegocanis, a heavily armored tank with a deadly weapon at the end of its tail called a thagomizer. The heads of the smaller herbivores bounced up and down as they fed. Camptocanis, a much smaller plant eater with no obvious defenses. A Camptocanis was feeding when the head of a Stegocanis came in as it nudged the herbivore away. The Camptocanis moved off to find a different place to eat. Ducking between the gaps of huge herbivores, the Camptocanis never gave up their vigilance. Skull analysis shows that the Camptocanis had bigger eyes and relative to its body a much bigger brain. They got up on their hind legs for a longer sight range as they were keeping their eyes peeled for any predators. It appeared the Camptocanis were to being the lookouts for the herd, while the armored Stegocanis provided the muscle. They were doing the job of making sure the Camptocanis didn't stray from their circle as they warned them not to go on the outside. It is likely the Stegocanis and the Camptocanis stuck close together for mutual protection. A Camptocanis nudged a Stegocanis away so it can eat some of the plants. One of the Camptocanis with a mouth full of plants reared up on its hind legs to scan the horizon. It was a world where danger was ever present. The herbivore looked around as it scanned for incoming predators so it can warn them of the danger. More Camptofelis reared onto their hind legs seeing how it was a better way to scan for danger. The chirping of a large stork was heard as it was preparing to take off. They focused in on the animal as it chirped one more time and flapped its wings, taking off without a moment's notice. Things seemed peaceful again as the Camptocanis went back to feed. Another Camptocanis spotted a blurred object moving off in the distance but couldn't make it out what it could be. It soon went down for a mouthful of plants as it raised its head again to make out what the object might be. It turned out to be a predator. The Camptocanis gave a predator alert and predator found warning to the rest of the group as it wanted all the attention. An armored Stegocanis began to walk in front of their sights so they couldn't see over the huge armored herbivore. They needed to wait for it to clear before making their move. The predator was nowhere to be seen, most likely using the Stegocanis as cover so it can sneak closer to the herbivores without getting noticed. They continued bobbing their heads around wondering if they could spot the predator again and wonder what the intentions were. Sensing a moment of calm, the Camptocanis dropped their guard as they ducked their heads down to feed on the vegetation. Suddenly the moment of calm was shattered as the huge predator appeared from the termite mound, charging straight for the herd. The Camptocanis raised up as it sounded the alarm. The alarm being that a predator is charging straight for us, scatter at once. The other herbivores got the message as the Camptocanis began to scatter using their speed to their advantage. The Stegocanis were desperate to keep up but being heavily armored meant they couldn't keep the pace with their fast moving lookouts. The predator only seemed interested in the Camptocanis as they ran faster. The predator soon tired out as it didn't want to sprint after the swift moving herbivores. It turned back to see the herd of Stegocanis were separated from their lookouts. The predator panted as it was out of breath as it was now thinking.
Allofelis, a one and half ton ambush hunter with a lethal bite. The world had never known a predator like it. Having lost the element of surprise, it's faced with the proposition of either starving, or taking on the most well defended animal of the Golden Age. The Allofelis decided to risk it as it approached a Stegocanis. The Stegocanis simply turned as it began waving its spike like tail at the approaching Allofelis. The tails were swinging from side to side like spiked bullwhips that could spell disaster for the hunter. About impregnable from behind, the Allofelis knew in order to attack the Stegocanis, it needed to try from the front. The Allofelis began to move to a different position as a gush of wind coming from the nearby Stegocanis has nearly struck it down. It hissed as it continued to get to the front. It soon found its target, a juvenile Stegocanis that wasn't as big nor as strong as its parents. The Allofelis knew he could get a kill. Narrowly dodging the juvenile's thagomizer, the Allofelis clamped its jaws down on one of the back plates of the Stegocanis as the animal bleated out in agony as the predator was trying to rip it off. It soon released its grip as it narrowly avoids the tail as it sidestepped backward. The adults called for the juvenile to come to their safety. The juvenile turned as it went to go try to defend itself but the Allofelis turned as it tried to bite down on the shoulder of the juvenile to no success. It soon clamped its jaws around the back of the neck as it tried to cut the supply keeping the juvenile alive. But help for the juvenile was here. Soon the spiked tail of an adult Stegocanis came from the side, hitting the Allofelis as the predator released itself from the juvenile, rolling and then collapsing to the ground with a streak of blood right by it. The juvenile was mostly unharmed. The Allofelis tried to get up but it collapsed to the ground panting. It turned out the Stegocanis' thagomizer had struck it in the hip, the predator panted before getting up and limping off. It was better off starving than risking its life for an injury.
The evidence for encounters such as these is incredible. Findings of 2005 have linked these two animals in battle revealing the unmistakable signs of injury. A Stegocanis backplate had been discovered with a U-shaped bite taken from it. A bite mark which fits the Allofelis' jaws perfectly. Even more amazing was an Allofelis vertebra, it had a massive impact wound; the wound appeared to have been made by a Stegocanis thagomizer. The blow being so powerful, it punched a hole in the bone of the Allofelis' spine. What's more incredible is that the injured bone showed signs of healing. This Allofelis survived.
The balance between predator and prey is a fine one. Prey continuously evolved different strategies to avoid predators, both with their bodies like Stegocanis and their behavior like Camptocanis. And in the oceans of the Golden Age we have evidence of Plesiofeli protecting their young, by finding sanctuary in shallow water nurseries.
The Kimmerofelis knew they were in the nursery as they kept swimming around seeing how this was their safe zone from predators but the Predator X wasn't ready to give up. But such lagoons won't deter a hunter. It soon looked over as it realized the sand bar separated the lagoon with the deeper ocean had gone down. Maybe another opportunity presented itself. And with the rising tide gives this predator a glimmer of hope. The Predator X soon slipped itself over through the hole separating between the lagoon and the main ocean. It slipped in as it began swimming around in the shallow water. The Kimmerofelis looked up to see the Predator X had managed to slip in. The Kimmorfelis began to flee but they couldn't simply go on land to flee from the giant. However the Lagoon's layout was giving the Predator X some trouble snapping up the Kimmerofelis so if they just avoided the jaws on the hunter, the Kimmerofelis would be safe. But in the shallow water, the huge Predator X can't use its full power; the smaller, agile Kimmerofelis can easily outmaneuver the lumbering killer. The shallow nursery while convenient, they couldn't stay here permanently, they need to venture into deeper water to feed and sensing the Predator X is stuck in the lagoon, they took the opportunity to flee to the deeper water but this was a trap that worked in the Predator X's favor. And that was where the Predator X has the advantage. It soon swam to the deeper water to snatch up a Kimmerofelis.
Successful predators need to play a waiting game. And out on the savannahs dotted with termite mounds, the Allofelis was sniffing the bones of a prey item. Allofelis was one of the most common predator in these lands. Finding the scent, it lifted its head up and moving forward, it was onto something as it was getting ready to close the gap on its prey. About 9 meters long with a battery of saw-blade like teeth and powerful clawed front paws. Allofelis is a formable hunter. It decided to take a look around as it managed to spot a Camptocanis wandering all by itself. It shares the plains with dozens of species of plant eating warriors, the hunter was beginning to sneak up on its prey. The Camptocanis was feeding and it was alone, away from the protection of Stegocanis meant that it was easy picking for a hungry Allofelis. Being alone meant the Camptocanis cannot have a moment where it could drop its guard to feed in peace. Without the Stegocanis, it would be hard to deter a predator so it was helpless on its own.
Allofelis teeth were serrated front and back, perfectly evolved for tearing through flesh. However recent research suggested that the Allofelis bite was surprisingly weak. Calculations suggested its bite was less powerful than a lion's despite being 7 times more massive.
So how did this Golden Age monster kill its prey? The Camptocanis was feeding from the plants as it had to keep its guard up to prevent the predation of a fellow carnivore. After scanning the horizon was clear, it soon ducked its head back down to feed as the Allofelis kept itself hidden. The answer was more than just surprise. The Allofelis continued to stalk as the Camptocanis continued to feed. The Camptocanis was busy keeping its guard up when it spotted something move in the distance, it got tense thinking it was a predator. It just needed a better look at it. The Camptocanis relies on its keen senses to avoid predators. It soon spotted the shape again as it was getting closer, not knowing what it was, it continued to look around keeping the eyes peeled on spotting this animal. Allofelis was a powerful ambush hunter faster than the Camptocanis. The Camptocanis spotted the object again. It continued to get more and more tense as it was getting ready to make a run for it. The shadow appeared as the Camptocanis was ready to spring and run away. Soon the soft paw steps of another Camptocanis were heard as it came into view. The Camptocanis breathed one gigantic sigh of relief but that wasn't going to last forever. The other Camptocanis turned its head to see the huge Allofelis charging out from some brush as they turned and began to run on their hind legs. The Allofelis' jaws snapped closed mere inches from the Camptocanis but it began chasing the second one as the first one managed to get away in time. Now the second Camptocanis was running as fast as its legs can carry it as the Allofelis chased it down. A one and half ton killer can't run fast for long. Weaving between the termite mounds, the Camptocanis was hoping to tire the Allofelis out as it continued to run. It was a question of speed vs stamina. The Allofelis continued to close in as the Camptocanis continued to try to outrun the hunter. Closing the gap, the Allofelis knocked the Camptocanis over with its head as the animal continued to try to scramble away on all four legs. The Allofelis grabbed onto the animal, using its claws to dig into the legs to prevent it from escaping while driving its top jaw into the animal, pulling back and repeating it over the course of a few seconds. The Camptocanis wailed in agony as the teeth tore deep into the flesh of the animal. The Camptocanis soon collapsed as the Allofelis got close. The last thing the Camptocanis saw was the wide open mouth of the Allofelis as it swiftly bit down onto the neck of its prey, blood splattered everywhere as the carnivore finished off the herbivore.
Despite the apparent weakness of its bite, Allofelis had a deadly killing method. Its skull can withstand a force 15 times as great as its bite. This meant the Allofelis could use its head like an axe. Its strong neck muscles driving its top jaw into its prey. With every impact, the serrated teeth would tear through its preys flesh. The victim dying from a combination of shock and blood loss. It isn't pretty, it isn't clinical but it is ruthlessly efficient.
The Allofelis was now tearing into the Camptocanis carcass as it tore out a chunk of meat and swallowed it. However, every kill doesn't guarantee it a meal. A bigger cat was waiting on the horizon looking at the Allofelis' hard earned kill. Allofelis wasn't the only predator in these lands. It soon turned to see the hissing of a much bigger warrior wanting to take the Camptocanis away from it. Feliophaganax, it hissed as it was trying to get the Allofelis to back away from its kill. At 12 meters long, it is the biggest carnivore in the region. The Allofelis took a couple steps back but it wouldn't be enough to drive this hunter away. The Feliophaganax roared as the Allofelis hissed. It wasn't giving up its kill so easily. Soon the Feliophaganax charged as it bit its jaws around the head of the Allofelis. The Allofelis slid free from the predators grip but it knew it had to back off. The Feliophaganax hissed one more time before placing a paw on the Camptocanis carcass as it began to eat from it. The Allofelis knew now he had to wait his turn and hopefully the large predator would leave some scraps. And one of the advantages of being so big is that stealing another predator's kill is that much easier.
Giant predators like Feliophaganax and Allofelis used their power and size to dominate their domain and all those within it. And the story was no different in the Golden Age oceans. These are the bones of Plesiofeli, they appear to be broken into fragments and many of these indicated that they didn't die of natural causes. It looked like they were violently dismembered. One of these findings gives us a chilling idea on how these Plesiofeli's were killed. It consisted of a skull with a few vertebra still attached and nothing else.
All of these findings were found in deeper waters where the Plesiofeli's need to feed but where they are in the greatest danger. The Kimmerofelis was taking its breath but this one was all alone. It was in the worst possible place, feeding from the surface where it was vulnerable to attack from below. The Kimmerofelis spotted a fish as it swam up to it using its jaws to snap around it, it caught its prey before returning to the surface to use the light to spot more targets. However something much bigger was also using the light to find its prey. In deeper water, the Predator X can use its full power. The Kimmerofelis soon spotted another fish as it swam to it and took another bite from it, catching the fish before heading back to the surface. The Predator X came swiftly from below. It swam for the Kimmerofelis but the agile animal was swift enough to dodge it but it definitely left it off balance as it was trying to maneuver around. Although stunned, this Kimmerofelis was armed with a vicious bite so Predator X still needs to be wary. The Kimmerofelis once recovering decided to make a swim for it but the Predator X was right behind it with its jaws wide open. It soon got a hold of one of the Kimmerofelis' flippers as it began to violently bite down on it. It soon tore the flipper off giving the Kimmerofelis a reduced swimming speed. Severely wounded, its hope now was the shallow water of the nursery but even that would be miles from its reach. The Predator X knew his prey was severely immobile so it decided to finish it off. It soon dove down into deeper water as it wanted to have the jump on the struggling animal. As the Kimmerofelis continued to struggle, the Predator X shot up as it soon opened its jaws and clamed around the long neck of the Kimmerofelis, the animals shot out from the water as the impact was enough to kill the Kimmerofelis. The Predator X soon landed as it began to violently shake and rip its prey to pieces. It soon shook the neck and head free as it swallowed it down before moving on to the rest of the body. It soon bit down as it began shaking the prey apart.
Predator X's bite is formidable. Estimated to be 4 times that of T. Rex. Biting hard, it perforates the body, cutting through muscle and bone, before shaking it to pieces. The pieces floating to the bottom as it was clear that the others were going to scavenge on it.
It's almost certain that the bite marks on the Plesiofeli findings were made this way. And the position of the marks indicated that the attack came from below. A never ending battle between predators and their prey is a finely balanced one. However for the most successful and enduring predators, the struggle for survival is always tipped in their favor.
And predators like Predator X, a killer with one of the most powerful bites, ever known, ruled the oceans for more than 100 million moons.
[A/N]: Sorry this took a bit longer than usual, decided to go on a bit of a break to recharge my batteries and this was not the most interesting chapters I've made since I wasn't that motivated like the last one. Hopefully I will take another break before starting up the next chapter as there are only 2 left.
The name of Feliophaganax would translate to "Lord of the Cat Eaters" in reference to Lord of the Lizard Eaters.
Predator X would be based of P. Funkei, the name that was given to it sometime later on down the line so I wanted to give that a mention.