Chapter 3: A Full Recovery, Chats, Defending the One You Love, Confessions and Mutual Feelings
A few days had passed since Shadow had been resting at the Raptors' hide-out.
It was a normal morning and Shadow had woken up same as Bad Rap.
Shadow said "Let's go to the kitchen."
Bad Rap nodded and was about to pick her up when she said "Let me try to walk on my own first."
He replied "I'll be here to catch you."
She smiled at him and got up and didn't fall then walked around a bit. Then said "At least the pain is gone when I walk now."
Bad Rap grinned at her and said "I'm glad your mobile now Shadow."
She said "I'm glad I am too. I need to shower since I haven't had one for a few days."
Bad Rap said "Oh, if you needed to you could have told me and I would have helped you into there."
Shadow said "I prefer having privacy when I shower."
Bad Rap blushed and replied timidly "I see. If you need to shower Shadow, you can use mine."
Shadow said "Thanks." the she looked around confused and asked "Where would it be at exactly?"
Bad Rap pointed to a door and said "It's right over there. I'll see about finding some clothes for you until yours are cleaned up."
She replied "That's very sweet of you."
Bad Rap got into his closet and got his winter vest out along with some sweat pants for her.
Then he said to her " I hope these will do."
Shadow looked at them and said "It's fine Bad Rap. Thank you."
She grabbed the clothes and went into the bathroom.
Shadow set her dirty clothes out side the door after she undressed then closed and locked the door and turned on the water to a warm and toasty 120 degrees. Shadow got the shower head on and stepped in.
Bad Rap was gathering up her clothes when he heard the shower turn on and a lot of thoughts filled his head.
Bad Rap shook his head as he walked out thinking "Don't think of her like that, at least not right now. She's a guest and should be thought of as such."
Bad Rap found Spittor and Haxx playing a video game and he said to Spittor "Shadow is up and walking around. She's in the shower right now. I was going to get her clothes cleaned up."
Spittor looked at him and said "That's good to hear Bad Rap. I'll get one of the Cyber-Raptors to clean them up for her."
Spittor got up and walked to the area he kept them in when they weren't in use and got one of them to handle Shadow's clothes. Meanwhile Shadow was drying off and getting dressed. She got on the clothes and walked out letting her feathers air dry.
She went down the stairs and was met by Bad Rap at the bottom.
Bad Rap looked at her and said "You look good Shadow, that color suits you."
She blushed lightly and replied "Thanks Bad Rap. Where were you heading?"
He replied "To check on you, but seeing as your out here, no need to do so now."
Shadow asked "You want to get something to eat."
Bad Rap said "Now that you mention it, I am kinda hungry."
He walked down with her and both of then headed towards the kitchen.
When they did Bad Rap asked "What is the name of your birth pack Shadow? The scale pattern seems familiar."
Shadow replied "Jungle Storm is my birth pack's name. What was your pack's name? If you don't mind me asking Bad Rap."
Bad Rap said "It's alright, It was Jewel Raider."
Shadow smiled and said "That would explain your scale and eye coloration."
Bad Rap smiled and said "How so Shadow?"
She replied "It's natural for you pack to have gemstone coloration in their scales and eyes."
He looked at her and asked "How did you know that?"
Shadow said "In my pack you learn about others near-by your home nest."
Bad Rap replied "Ahh I see, pretty smart if you ask me."
She nodded and Bad Rap asked "Anything you want to eat specifically Shadow?"
Shadow said "Not really, but I could make something if you want."
Bad Rap said surprised "I never knew you could cook Shadow."
She smiled and said "You never asked. One question do you guys like starfruit?"
Bad Rap looked puzzled and asked "What's that shadow?"
She said "It's a star shaped fruit that tastes like apple and pear together. It's really good."
Bad Rap said "Well, I guess I could try it."
Shadow smiled and said "You won't regret it. I'll call you three in when it's ready."
Bad Rap nodded and left the kitchen.
A couple hours later Shadow called in the guys and they were surprised with what she had out for them. They saw seasoned pork along with a few other things one of which was Starfruit.
Bad Rap said surprised "You made all of this Shadow?!"
She nodded and said "Go ahead and eat up guys."
The guys didn't have to be told twice and dug right in.
Shadow sat down with them and ate her fill along with the others.
They all said they enjoyed it. Which made Shadow very glad she decided to cook.
Shadow smiled and said "Glad you all liked it. It's the least I could do to repay you for saving me."
Bad Rap asked "It's fine Shadow, but where did you learn to make all of this?"
Shadow said "I learned a lot traveling the world with my friends."
Haxx asked "Why were you traveling in the first place Shadow?"
She replied "I was learning different fighting styles like Akihito, karate, and Thai boxing for example."
Bad Rap said "So that means you can fight as well as the three of us."
Shadow nodded and said "I also have a "gift" as my father puts it."
Haxx asked eagerly "Well, what is it Shadow?"
She replied "I'm able to sense my surroundings more so than a lot of others. I can even catch a projectile coming from behind me without effort."
Spittor chimed in "That is a very rare gift Shadow. Not many can do that."
Shadow said "Thank you Spittor."
Spittor asked "So who are your friends?"
She replied "Their my pack. I'm the leader, Desiree is second in command, Akivasha is the scientist in the group as well as medic and mechanic, Nemesis is the tactical specialist, Terra is the hand-to-hand combat expert."
Bad Rap asked "What do you call yourselves if you don't mind me asking?"
Shadow answered "Phoenix Strike."
Haxx said "That's neat Shadow."
Shadow responded "We all agreed on it too. So Spittor what's your part in the pack?"
He replied " I'm the Medic and Scientist. I create chemicals for my weapon as well as weapons for the others. I also help out when the guys are sick."
Shadow replied "They must be grateful then." Spittor nodded.
Bad Rap looked over at Shadow and thought about the future between them. If it exists that is. Shadow on the other hand couldn't help but think of what happened when he saved her.
"I'll get the dishes guys." Shadow said.
Bad Rap looked over and said "I'll help you out Shadow."
Shadow looked over at him gratefully and said "Thanks Bad Rap. It will be a lot easier with help."
He dried them off after she washed them and put them away. After they were done they went into the living room to relax.
Shadow looked through the movie cabinet and found Godzilla. She looked over at Bad Rap and asked "You want to watch it with me?"
He nodded and she came over to sit down after she put the DVD in the player.
She sat down on the couch next to Bad Rap and watched as the movie played.
She was watching intently. Then she heard Bad Rap clear his throat and ask "Shadow, what was your family like?"
Shadow looked over at him and said "I haven't really seen my family for a while now."
Bad Rap said "Your pack is still alive Shadow?"
She nodded and said "They survived extinction along with many others, but we were separated. I was in Florida at the time which was a long way from home and I went into stasis on my own. When I woke up I was in present day with no clue to how to get back to my family."
Bad Rap looked at her and said "I'll help you find where they are if you want Shadow."
She was about to cry happily and asked "Really?" Bad Rap nodded and she hugged him then said "Thank you a million times Thank you!"
Bad Rap thought to himself "I'm glad I could make her happy."
After the movie was over Bad Rap and Shadow went over to his computer and pulled up maps of cretaceous land area.
She pointed to an area and said "That's where I'm from."
Bad Rap cross referenced it to present day areas and found it to be an area know as the Atacama Desert.
Shadow said "Now all the myths about that area make sense."
"Myths? What do you mean Shadow?" Bad Rap replied.
She replied "The cryptids known as "Arica Monsters" are my family. Let me show you."
Bad Rap moved from the chair and let her sit down as she pulled up the Arica monster as well as many other different cryptids thought to be dinosaurs such as Mokele Mbembe, Kongamato, and Muhiru.
She got up and asked him "Do these cryptids look familiar Bad Rap?"
He nodded and said "Kongamato looks like a Pteranodon, Mokele Mbembe seems similar to an Apatosaurus, and Muhiru appears to be an ankylosaurus of some sort. They're all dinosaur species, but I thought we were the last of our kind next to the the Extreme Dinosaurs."
Shadow said "Why don't we take a trip to Africa to find out for sure."
He nodded and said "I'll get Haxx and Spittor and we'll be off."
Meanwhile Haxx and Spittor were playing Mario Kart Wii and Haxx kept knocking Spittor off Rainbow road.
Bad Rap walked in and said "So this is what you two have been up to all this time."
Spittor and Haxx jumped off the couch in shock.
Spittor said "What do you need sir?"
Their leader said "We're going to take a trip to Africa you two."
Haxx asked confused "Why are we going there?"
Bad Rap sighed and said "To see if we really are the last of our kind. Our encounter with Nessie proved that we may not be alone. Shadow has also brought another thing to my attention."
Spittor asked "And that would be?"
"There are more raptors than us out there that survived extinction." Their leader replied.
The other two were in a state of disbelief as they looked at the printed pictures of a raptor pack bringing down a stray cow.
Bad Rap said "We're going to go to the Atacama desert first guys to get the answers we need, then to Africa to truly see if we are on our own."
Spittor asked "What about Shadow?"
Bad Rap replied "I asked her to go with us since the first area we are going to is her family's home territory."
The two nodded and got packed for their trip. Bad Rap walked up to his room and saw Shadow had changed back into her original clothes and was deep in thought.
He walked over to her and sat down beside her.
"Shadow, there's something I've been meaning to tell you for a while now." Bad Rap said.
Shadow looked over and replied "What is it?"
He hugged her "Thanks for everything you've done."
Shadow smiled and replied "It was nothing really Bad Rap."
Bad Rap took her hand in his and said "Shadow, you helped me get over my nightmares, over the few days you've been here things have been going better for me. It was like you were a angel sent to help me let go of my past. I wouldn't call that nothing."
Shadow chuckled and said "I guess not Bad Rap."
He nodded and added "Hey, Shadow?"
She replied "Yeah?"
Bad Rap asked "You ready to go on our little trip?"
She nodded and went with him.
They got to the entrance of their cave and Bad Rap offered her a hand and helped Shadow on to his hovercraft, they then took off towards the Atacama desert.
At the dinosaur museum Stegz was monitoring the Raptor alert system and saw they were heading to the Atacama Desert in Chile. Stegz called the others in and had them take a look at the scanner.
Spike asked "Why are they going there?"
T-Bone looked to his friend and said "Probably to blow up more oil fields."
They all went out and got on to their cruisers and took off with Chedra right behind them.
Not long after the Raptors had landed on the outskirts of the desert. The trio got off their cruisers, Bad Rap helped Shadow off of his and they all walked off into the jungle.
Shadow looked around and said "Follow me guys."
They nodded and followed behind her until they saw a cliff around the corner.
Shadow looked over at the trio and asked "Can't you guys jump across it?"
Bad Rap said "We don't know Shadow. Remember we were evolved differently than you were."
Shadow replied "You should be able to either way."
Spittor asked "What do you mean?"
She replied "I mean, raptors have natural agility and being evolved it should have increased no matter if it was natural or scientific."
Shadow looked over at Bad Rap and said "I'll jump with you if you want. It was daunting for me the first time too, ya know."
Bad Rap shook his head no and said "I want to see how you jump it first so I can copy some what."
She nodded and walked back a little ways then sprinted at full speed and jumped at the cliff and made it to the other side.
The guys were all shocked as well as in awe of her.
Haxx said unsure of himself "I guess I'll jump next."
He backed up and copied what Shadow did and made it across as well.
Haxx called over "It gives you an adrenaline rush that's for sure."
Spittor jumped next and made it.
Bad Rap, who was sure he could jump it now backed up and ran at the cliff full speed and made the jump.
Shadow walked over to him and smiled "See that wasn't so hard was it?" she asked.
Bad Rap chuckled and said "Guess not Shadow."
She replied "My home nest shouldn't be to far now guys."
Shadow lead the way and after walking for a while they came across a nest site. Shadow smiled at the guys and let out a call. Soon a Raptor stepped forward and changed shape.
"Sis?" he asked.
Shadow smiled happily and said "Sis? You still call me that after all these years Drake?"
Drake pounced his sister and hugged her then said "We thought you were gone for good."
Shadow smiled "I've been trying my hardest to get home."
Drake smiled and asked "Terra still single?"
She chuckled and said "Yeah bro she's still single."
Drake saw the healed over bullet holes and asked "What happened sis?"
Shadow told what happened and gestured to the Raptor trio "If it wasn't for these three Raptors, I wouldn't be standing her right now. I'm indebted to them for that."
Drake shook hands with Bad Rap and said "Thanks for saving her."
Bad Rap said "Welcome."
Drake looked at the three of them and said "Jump the gorge?"
They nodded and Bad Rap said "It was a different experience."
Drake nodded and said "Yeah, it's pretty cool. You three look pretty tired, I'll bring you to our larger home deeper in, follow me." then lead the way.
Shadow was excitedly telling Haxx about all the places she's been near home as they walked on.
Spittor looked back at Bad Rap who was hanging back away from the group looking at Haxx with a jealous glare in his eyes and growling to himself.
Spittor walked over to him and asked curiously "You like her don't you Bad Rap?"
Their leader froze and sighed in defeat.
He nodded "More than anything. I would do anything to keep her safe. If I were to lose her Spittor, I'd feel like a part of me was gone forever. She's my other half, I'll love her no matter what."
Bad Rap growled at him and added "Just don't say a word of this to the others or else got it?"
Spittor nodded "Don't worry I won't say a thing, but you should Bad Rap."
Bad Rap said "I'll tell her eventually, when the time is right."
Spittor nodded and said "Let's catch up with the others."
Bad Rap chuckled and caught up with the group.
Shadow asked "Bad Rap, why were you hanging back
earlier?"
Bad Rap lied through his teeth and said "Just gathering my thoughts Shadow, that's all."
She smiled at him and said "Okay, we're almost there.
After walking a little more they came across a sight they thought they would never see again.
They saw a whole colony of raptors and saw Shadow switch her shape and stayed next to them. Haxx looked around wondering where Drake had run off to.
Soon the trio approached the alpha pair and heard the older female purr to her.
Shadow had tears in her eyes and let out a happy squeak.
The older female let out a call and a larger male raptor came over and nuzzled Shadow.
The male shifted forms along with the female and said "Are you the three that Drake told me about?"
They nodded and the male said " My apologies I'm Shadow's father and I wanted to thank you for saving her."
Bad Rap replied "It was the least we could do sir."
Her father smiled and said "Just call me Darksider, her mom is called Tiger Lilly."
Tiger Lilly said "Hello." then talked with her daughter.
Bad Rap said to Darksider "She's as beautiful as her daughter."
Shadow's father smiled and said "I can tell you love her..."
Bad Rap said "My name's Bad Rap, Darksider."
Darksider replied "Well Bad Rap, you have my blessing to become her mate."
Bad Rap blushed heavily "It's not like that though. I would love to be her mate, but I don't know if she feels the same way towards me Darksider."
Shadow's father chuckled "I would think she does, but she'll tell you herself when she thinks it's the right time."
Bad Rap said "Thank you."
Darksider said "Welcome. Let me guess your from the Jewel Raider pack correct?"
Bad Rap nodded and said "Is the pack still alive?"
Darksider nodded "They are. The massacre killed a lot of them though but it's made a rebound."
Bad Rap sighed in relief and said "Do you know who are the residing pack alphas?"
Darksider nodded then said "The pair is Morbius and Emerald."
Bad Rap said "They're my aunt and uncle."
Darksider said "I take it your relieved they're alive?"
Bad Rap nodded and heard Darksider say "I guess your going to find others then Bad Rap."
Bad Rap said "Yes we are."
Darksider said "Then I wish you luck on you journey Bad Rap, but will you and your pack at least stay for the celebration of our daughter's return home?"
Bad Rap talked with his pack for a second and said "We'd be honored Darksider."
Darksider said "Excellent. Come with me, you three look tired."
The trio followed and Darksider brought them to some sleeping quarters where they rested up for a bit.
Shadow walked in later and woke up the guys.
Bad Rap said groggily "Shadow, why did you wake us up?"
She responded "Did you guys forget the celebration?"
Bad Rap quickly snapped awake same as the others and said "Guess so, we'll be out soon though."
Shadow smiled and said "See you guys at the party then." then ran out really excited and went to figure out what she was wearing.
After the Raptors got cleaned up and ready they headed out to the celebration.
They got out to the party and Bad Rap saw Shadow was as beautiful as when he first saw her.
She wore an orange and gold colored Tiger Lilly chain in her feathers. She had some silver colored jeans with a raptor embroidered on them along with a gold tube top with a single sleeve on her right shoulder.
Darksider walked over and saw Bad Rap was looking over Shadow. He smiled as he thought about the time he saw his mate Tiger Lilly for the first time.
Bad Rap noticed Darksider and said "Shadow looks..."
Darksider saw his expression and finished his sentence for him and said "Stunning?"
Bad Rap nodded and heard Darksider add "She looks just like her mom the first time we met."
Bad Rap was about to go and tell her how he feels when a loud screeching roar came from the jungle.
Through the trees Bad Rap saw the monstrous creature from his childhood.
Darksider called to everyone "IT'S BLOOD FANG BRACE FOR COMBAT!"
The guards got to their positions and poised for the fight.
Bad Rap saw a blood covered Irritator charge at the guards. It's tail smacked Shadow in to the tree on her back and Bad Rap saw her pass out as she hit the hard wood. He saw the Irritator turn around to kill her and knew he couldn't lose the one he loves not again.
He charged the monster and said "HEY! OVER HERE IGUANADON BRAIN!"
The Irritator took it's focus off of Shadow and charged at him.
Bad Rap attacked it's head and bit down hard on the under side of it's neck causing a deep gouge "That is for my family"
He charged at the animal and jumped on to it and began clawing at the irritator maliciously leaving a large cuts "That is for my mother."
Drake whistled and got his attention. Bad Rap looked over then tossed him a sword and he caught it. "And this is for nearly killing Shadow and all the other lives you've taken."
The Monster opened it's mouth to kill Bad Rap, but he plunged his sword into it's mouth and made it bleed. The monster let out an ear-piercing scree as it backed away to strike again and Bad Rap blocked it's blow slicing the beast's head. The beast roared and Bad Rap roared back challenging it. It grabbed him slicing his side then hitting Bad Rap's jaw with it's head. Bad Rap wiped the blood off his mouth as the monster turned around for a final charge. Bad Rap ran at the creature then jumped on it's back and pierced it's hide on its shoulder, when the beast turned it's head he finished the battle by slicing the Irritator's jugular vein. Before the monster died it flung Bad Rap into a trunk of a large tree and all he remembered was seeing the monster perish before everything went black.
Bad Rap woke up in a medical area. He blinked his eyes a couple times to adjust to the glare from the overhead light. He sat up and felt a pain in his side. Bad Rap looked down and saw it was patched up.
He heard a familiar voice say "Bad Rap your alright!"
Bad Rap looked towards the source of the sound and saw it was Haxx.
Bad Rap looked around and asked worriedly "Where's Shadow?"
Spittor replied sadly "She's in a coma Bad Rap. When she hit the tree she got a bad concussion, a few broken ribs in addition to an injured leg."
Bad Rap asked full of sorrow "Could I go see her?"
Spittor nodded and helped him up. Haxx helped to support him and they got to Shadow's room. Bad Rap saw Shadow lying there unconscious. He saw her father, Darksider, next to her bed with tears in his eyes. He looked at Bad Rap and motioned for him to come over, he obliged.
Darksider put a hand on his shoulder and said "Thank you far what you did, you're a true hero Bad Rap. If there's anything I can do to repay you for what you have done."
Bad Rap said "Thanks Darksider and I have only one request."
Darksider asked "What would it be?"
Bad Rap whispered his request to him and Shadow's father nodded.
Darksider said "I'll give you some time alone with her."and got everyone out, leaving Bad Rap and Shadow alone.
Bad Rap held Shadow's hand in his own. He looked at her with tears filling his eyes and said "Shadow if you can hear me please come back to us. Your family needs you. Your brother is about to have an emotional break-down because he doesn't want to lose you again and I-I need you."
Bad Rap thought to himself "It's now or never."
Bad Rap said on the brink of tears "I... I... love you Shadow. You've helped me when no one else could,even though I've only known you a short I feel as If I have known you forever. I fell hard when I first met you though I didn't know it yet. I'd do anything to protect you, don't leave me please." and kissed her lips gently.
He was about to get up and leave the room when he felt a grip tighten on his hand. Bad Rap heard a weak voice say "B-Bad R-Rap?"
He looked over at Shadow and saw her eyes were open and ecstatically replied "Yes Shadow, What is it?"
She smiled and said "I love you, too."
Bad Rap felt his heart soar and held her close then felt her kiss him. Bad Rap let his tears fall and Shadow smiled and said "Now, now, none of that Bad Rap." as she wiped away the tears.
Bad Rap said "You want me to bring everyone in Shadow?"
She laughed and smirked then said "I'd be insulted if you didn't."
He walked out the door and went to her father "Shadow's awake Darksider."
He looked happier than ever and went in the room to see his daughter. The rest of Shadow's family followed.
Drake said "Thank you!" and hugged Bad Rap.
He replied "Welcome."
Shadow said "Bad Rap, you want to help me up?"
He nodded and held her bridal style and kissed her.
Shadow smiled "I love you my dark prince."
Bad Rap blushed and smirked at Shadow "I could get used to that nickname." Shadow chuckled and smiled at him.
Spittor and Haxx walked in after Shadow's family left and She said to them "Hey guys."
Spittor said "I'm glad your alright Shadow."
Haxx chimed in "Me too Shadow."