Chapter 13: Jake and Backstop, David's climb, and Karl's decision
Disclaimer: I got nothing to say this week, on with the fic.
"This look's safe" said the sarcastic Jake. They had been walking now for a few more hours after leaving the swamp…well, they would have been their sooner, but Jake's injury was slowing him down abit. Even with all the endurance training he went through, the herbs he got from Rosemary, and his medical skills he learned from his grandpa, it still ached whenever he stepped on that leg.
Before the trio, was two waterfalls on the left and right, the water rushed down past them, and a small wooden bridge that connected to the other side. Plainly, the boards looked weak, and not very stable.
"This bridge look's like it's about to collapse any moment" Jake said. Glancing to his left and right, trying to get a feel of the environment, he sighed in aggravation. There was no other way across, and there was no time to turn back, and locate an alternative route…not with Samantha's life hanging in the balance.
"Umm…I'm not so sure about this" Backstop mused.
Jake laughed inwardly. He still hadn't got used to Backstop speaking in English. "Well, we don't really have a choice at this moment…unless you feel like walking all the way back" Jake said.
Backstop shook his head. "No way, this place is completely creepy, I want to get out of here as soon as possible, and going back will only be adding insult to injury, no pun intended" he said as he glanced at Jake's bandaged leg.
Jake raised an eyebrow as he said wittingly "Oh I see, getting scared huh".
Backstop huffed as he said, "HA, I'm a triceratops, and we don't get scared very easily".
ROAAAAAAAAAAAAARRRRRR!!!!!!!
"GAHHHH" shouted Backstop as he backed up in shock from the loud roar that echoed through the thick forest. "What…what was that?" he demanded. Looking around frantically, he demanded, "What the…there's no one here…where'd that roar come from".
"Pfft…pfft…Ga ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha" Jake roared as he collapsed to the ground, laughing hysterically.
Backstop blinked twice before realizing that the roar had come from right next too him, which ment…
"YOU ARE SO DEAD" Backstop roared!!! He growled as Jake pounded his fist onto the ground in laughter.
"Oh god…ha ha ha…that..Ha…ha…was hilarious…hahahaha" Jake laughed. Struggling to control his laughter, he got up, wiping the tears from his eyes. Glancing at Backstop, who was still glaring furiously at Jake, he chucked.
"Anyway, you should cross the bridge first, since you weight more" Jake concluded. He watched as Backstop turned away, grumbling threats under his breath. As he started to step on the bridge, Jake remarked, "Don't break the bridge…fatty".
Backstop whirled around, his eye's blazing with anger. He huffed furiously as he narrowed his eyes at the laughing mammal. "I am seriously considering the thought of leaving you here alone" he started. But then his growl changed into a smirk when he said "But you'd probably get stepped on……or shatter your rusty metal stick".
Jake stopped laughing as he glared at Backstop for insulting his blade like that, and insulting him. "You wanna come over here and say that again," Jake demanded.
"Would love too…but your not worth my time, I could flatten you in an instant" he retorted coolly as he turned and started to cross the bridge. The bridge creaked nosily as his paw touched the wooden structure. Nice and slow. Gently, he raised another paw and the bridge creaked again. He repeated this process as the bridge continued to moan and groan. If this kept up, he would defiantly fall to his death. As he took another step…
CRACK!!
"OH SHOOT" Jake shouted.
Backstop's right paw went straight through the bridge. Now he was laying against the wood, struggling to pull his paw back up.
"Okay, slowly…don't rush or you'll go through" Jake called. He'd go over and help…but the bridge already had enough weight on it. Anymore, and they'd both go bungee jumping without cords.
Backstop huffed as he lifted his leg up back through the hole. Looking up, he smiled as he saw he was almost to the other side. Continuing his trip, he moaned as the bridge creaked louder with each step. Closing his eye's he thought. "Please, let it be quick". Suddenly, he felt ground again. Opening his eyes and looking down, he saw that he had made it. Collapsing on the ground, he said "Okay, your turn…and don't screw up rag-wearing human" he called.
"I''M GONNA MAKE YOU EAT THOSE WORDS" Jake shouted as he slowly started to cross the bridge as well. "Oh just you wait, when I get over there, your in for a serious beating" Jake grumbled. "Why am I acting like this towards him, I don't do this to anyone else, not even David or Karl" he thought.
The answer was simple. He and Backstop were too much alike!! And that seem to piss Jake off!!
Just like with Backstop, the bridge creaked and groaned unsettlingly. "I am apart of the environment, I am one with nature, I move swiftly and quietly like a ninja, and I" Jake started, as he recited a philosophy he came up with when suddenly.
CRACK!!
Jake froze as he saw apart of the bridge collapse next to him. The weight from Backstop earlier was apparently too much. At this, the bridge began to crack faster. Jake backed up in horror as he realized what was happening.
"DAMN" he shouted as he jumped away from the bridge as it collapsed!! Grabbing on to the edge of the side he came from, he groaned as he struggled to pull himself up. Getting one arm up, he flung a leg up as he rolled over and onto the ground again.
"Oh crud" he grunted as he saw what was left of the bridge fall into the pool below.
"Are you alright" Backstop called. He was certain that something was going to happen, he just knew it!!
"Yeah fine…but I'm gonna find another way across, wait there" he called.
"Alright…just don't take all day" Backstop called.
Jake gave a casual wave as he walked towards the edge of the cliff, and peeked over. Indeed, he was high above the waterfall's pool. So if he by some chance falls, he would land in the pool. But if he did fall, then he would have difficulty getting back up.
Glancing at the cliff's interior, he grinned as he noticed there were plenty of ledges in the cliffs. All that looked strong enough for him to climb.
Kneeling over, he slowly put his good foot on one of the ledges and tested how strong it was. Indeed, it was strong!! Sighing he climbed all the way down, and grabbed the edges of the cliff, while firmly placing his feet against the wall. (If you're having a hard time imagining this, think the prince of Persia).
"Okay, let's get started" he said determined.
Glancing to his left, he noticed another ledge, a good few feet away. Kicking off the wall, he grabbed the ledge in mid-air and slowly started to traverse the wall.
Slowly going to the left, he climbed down to another ledge. Then he had to shimmy his way to the left, whilst jumping over towards another ledge.
Noticing a lone vine sticking out of apart of the rocks, he shimmied towards it. Reaching out towards it with his good hand, he grasped it. Giving it a strong tug, he nodded, satisfied and confident that it would hold.
Letting go of the ledge, he started to quickly run back and forth on the vine, kicking his feet on the wall to gain speed. The next jump was abit far, and if he missed…then he was screwed.
"On three" he decided. Faster and faster he swung on the vine. He was good yes, but not good enough to wall run or jump. He was still learning how to do that…
"One……two……three" he shouted!! Jumping from the vine he found himself in mid-air again. Flying towards the ledge, he made a wild grab for it. His good hand grasped it, but since he had traversed under the waterfall, his left hand had gotten wet and slipped.
"SHOOT" he shouted as his left hand slipped from the ledge. Now dangling with one arm, he struggled to grab the ledge with his other arm. "C'mon, a little closer" he decided.
CRACK!!
He froze.
The ledge was beginning to give away.
"Oh you've gotta be kidding" he moaned softly. "Please don't break, please don't break, PLEASE DON'T BREAK," he thought wildly.
CRRRRACCKKK!!!
"NOOOOOOOO" he shouted in fear. The ledge had broke! Now he was falling!!! Swinging his arms wildly in the air, he grasped a ledge that had undoable saved him.
Unfortunately, his momentum when he was swinging caused him to ram his bad knee into rocky wall.
"OWWW" he shouted. Further injuring his leg wasn't exactly helping!! Glancing up in pain, he groaned as he reached up with his free arm, and slowly scaled the cliff wall. Grabbing another vine, he climbed that as well. He reached to grab the next vine, which was unfortunately, weaker then the others!! So the moment he yanked at it, it gave away.
Jake grunted as he jumped from the vine and grasped the next vine. Apart of the cliff fell out as he fell to the water below, making a large splash!!
"Gah, it's like I'm that Prince from that upcoming game, the something Sands of time" he muttered to himself as he climbed up towards the top.
Climbing for a good seven to eight minutes, he looked down at the bottom as he sighed. His arm's we're really getting tired. Looking up he grinned. He was almost at the top!!
Grabbing the edge of the top, he lifted himself up!! That was defiantly a trip!! Looking up, he expected too see Backstop grinning, or saying something offensive.
Instead, he saw trail of blood. That led away from the spot he had rested in!!
Jake's blood ran cold as he looked around wildly for any sings of his missing companion. "BACKSTOP" he called. He was greeted with nothing but his own echo. "BACKSTOP, WHERE ARE YOU" he called.
ROAAAAAAARRRR!!!!
Snapping his head to the left, he immediately identified the roar as Backstop's.
SQQUEAALLLL!!!!
"Huh" he said as he rushed towards the sounds. What was that squealing?? Rushing through the bush, he soon discovered what it was…
Backstop was breathing heavily as there were several large claw marking on his back, all deep and bleeding freshly. In front of him, licking their lips for more, vicious looks in their eye's were velociraptors!! They squealed and communicated with one another as Backstop tensed up, ready for attack.
The raptors nodded towards one another as they slowly stalked towards Backstop, surrounding him so he couldn't escape.
"Your kidding, raptors" Jake growled. Slowly, but surely, he unsheathed his katana. Reaching into his back pocket, he removed the hunting knife Rosemary gave him. He was confused why Rosemary of all people would have a hunting knife. She claimed though that she had gotten it when she was younger, and when her sister went off and joined the Outsiders. Who in the world are the Outsiders??
He'd ask her later as he tensed up, ready to attack.
"Wait for the one on the left to pass by here" he decided. The first raptor was slowly circling Backstop, squealing eccentrically, eager for more blood. As he passed by Jake's bush, Jake struck.
"HIYYAAAA" he shouted as he leaped out of the bushes and jumped onto the back of the unsuspecting raptor!! Completely surprised, the raptor squirmed rapidly, trying to get Jake off. This proved hopeless as Jake, jammed the hunting knife into it's skull. The raptor squealed in pain as it fell over and died.
Angered by the lost of their comrade, the remaining raptors turned towards the human. Licking their lips, ready to devour and spit out his bones.
Backstop wouldn't allow this…
"ROAAAARRRR" he roared as he gored one of the raptors in the side, causing it to spilt open and bleed, as it crashed into a tree.
"You just can't stay out of trouble" smirked Jake.
"Not when I'm hanging out with humans like you, no" Backstop smirked back. He then focused his attention on the remaining raptors. The one who he rammed into earlier go up, shaking its head to get off the dizziness. Narrowing its eyes at Backstop, it growled as it charged.
Jake intercepted as he tackled the raptor. Both rolled on the ground, trying to get on top of the other. The raptor succeeded as he got on top of Jake, and tried to rip his throat out, with Jake holding his snout and keeping him back. Letting go, he moved his head to the left as the raptors missed and snapped at the ground. Jake took advantage of his moment as he rammed the knife into the raptors side and sliced a nice cut into him.
The raptor roared as it backed off.
Backstop rammed into another raptor. It flew and collided with the other one. The one that Jake kicked off jumped at Backstop. Backstop, in response, flicked his tail and rammed it into its chest, knocking it aside.
Jake slashed at another ones head, giving a nice cut across its right eye, blinding it. One of the two that collided jumped at Jake and bit into his shoulder.
"AGGGGGGHHHH" Jake screamed as it sunk its teeth further into his flesh. He struggled with all he had, but it refused to budge.
"LEAVE MY FRIEND ALONE" shouted Backstop as he gored the Raptor off Jake, knocking Jake down in the process.
"Damn" Jake muttered as he glanced at his massive injury. This was defiantly worse then his first one. He was already starting to feel light headed from blood loss.
"Gotta finish this quickly," he muttered as he got to his feet. The one he blinded had took off in a panic, the other two remaining, had no intention of running.
"Get out of our way" Backstop huffed as he pawed the ground, ready to charge.
"Backstop wait" Jake shouted. Backstop glanced at him as he said, "I have a plan". Leaning towards Backstop, he whispered the plan into his ear. Backstop backed away, grinning.
"Sounds risky…but I like it" he laughed.
"Just get ready to move" Jake ordered as he sheathed his sword.
The two raptors growled low as they slowly stalked towards the two. Neither of them went to the left nor right, both were coming straight for them…
"Get ready" Jake said as the Raptors tensed up to attack. They leaned back, ready to pounce.
3…
2…
1…
0…
They both lunged at once.
"NOW" Jake shouted as he and Backstop dove aside. Now behind them, Jake rushed towards Backstop and jumped onto his back. Unsheathing his sword, he raised it high like a general commanding his troops into battle.
Backstop roared as he charged to the two surprised raptors. Both desperately tried to defend themselves, but…
BAAAAAAAAAMMMM!!!
SLAAAAAAAASSSHH!!!
One of the raptors had been gored by Backstop as it hit a tree trunk hard, breaking its spinal cord and killing it, whilst Jake sliced through the other raptors side. It fell to the ground in a pool of blood…dead.
Jake sighed as he hopped off Backstop's back. It was over…
"Okay…I think I went a little over the top in attacking these guy's" Jake said as he collapsed to the ground, holding his shoulder injury.
"All I want to know is if you'll live," asked Backstop. He was grateful. Very grateful for Jake's timely arrival. If he hadn't shown up in time…he would probably be dead.
"What I want to know is how these guy's found us," Jake said as he applied some of the herbs to his wound, before bandaging it.
Backstop narrowed his eyes at Jake. "Remember when you made that T-Rex roar earlier in a attempt to scare me, that ring any bells?" asked a stern Backstop.
Jake was silent as he glanced up at Backstop and gave him a weary grin.
"I'm……sorry" he tried, with a sheepish grin.
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"Very Impressive" spoke a Scottish voice.
"What" Karl said as he turned around in confusion. Currently, he was working on repairing an old rowboat that he had found on the shore near the hatchery. It was in great shape too. A few pieces of lumber missing, but that was easily fixed when he took the boards from his bed.
"Oh, hey Cyrus" Karl said, happy to see a friendly face.
Looking at Karl's boat up and down, he said, "Never had you down as a nautical man".
Karl chuckled as he remarked "My father used to race yachts…so uh, what brings you here Cyrus" asked Karl.
Cyrus sighed sadly as he looked down with guilt. "I've been thrown out of waterfall city for asking the wrong questions…still, they know best about everything don't they," he asked slyly.
Karl nodded "Yeah, they always seem to know best". Turning back to his boat, he continued nailing in some of the boards.
Cyrus chuckled as he remarked "You know what I like about you Karl, life's done you no favors, your like me, you've been knocked down so many times, but you always manage to get up again, don't you, you're a fighter".
Karl nodded, feeling abit weird about being compared to Cyrus.
"Listen…forget it," he said as he gave a light tap to his boat. "Try to cross that razor reef, it'll slice you in half" he said casually.
Karl snorted in laughter as he said "What you think I'm gonna spend the rest of my life here or something" he chuckled.
"Listen, without a pirates chart, your dead…now the gap of the reef, with this chart, at low tide…you can sail straight through" he said.
Karl's expression turned serious, as he asked "Well can you get it for me".
Cyrus nodded, also serious as he said, "I will if I can…I will for you Karl…you can rely on me".
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Bright an early it was for David Scott.
His training was finally complete!!! After he received his saddle, he would ride a skybax for the very first time…provided he didn't fall and kill himself.
Lined up behind the other cadets, he glanced at Romana, who smiled warmly at him. He smiled back, as he glanced at Oonu, who was currently giving a short explanation before giving out the saddle.
"As you have now completed your training, I have something to give you before I dismiss the class" he said. The first cadet came forward, his left arm raised so Oonu could place the saddle on it; he saluted Oonu before walking off. The next cadet came forward and repeated the process. "When you've flown your skybax for a full year, you may add your name to the other great riders engraved on the saddle".
The process repeated itself as all the cadets went up, collected their saddle, saluted Oonu, and moved onto the sidelines. When Romana's turn came, Oonu smiled. "Cadet Romana, I have something special for you" he said proudly. Walking over to one of the cases, he removed a saddle, old, but experienced. "You should have this" he smiled as he handed her the saddle.
Glancing down at the name, she smiled. The name William Denison was engraved on it in black letters with gold trimmings. "This was my father's" she smiled. William Denison was a great man. He, along with his father, came to Dinotopia long ago. He became a skybax rider, and although was taunted for being an otherworlder at first, he became one of the best skybax riders ever known. After his father Arthur died, he found happiness with Romana's mother, married, and had wonderful child. Unfortunately, he died by T-Rex attack six months ago…
"He would have been very proud" Oonu said kindly. Strengthening up he said "Breathe deep".
"Fly high" she responded proudly.
David smiled. It was now his turn. Stepping forward he inhaled as he raised his arm, ready to collect his saddle. Exhaling, he smiled.
Oonu in return, stared at David with sadness as he turned towards the other cadets.
"What the" David thought. His grin dropped as he lowered his raised arm in confusion. Why…why hadn't he been given a saddle?
"Before you leave, you must remember, that the Pteranodons are now hunting above the sentinel lines, and that Canyon city has a curfew at sundown. Turning to David, he remarked "Cadet David, please stay behind". Turning back to his students, he said "The rest of you, are dismissed, breathe deep".
"FLY HIGH" shouted the cadets with pride. With that, they turned and slowly left the room, eager to tell their other friends of their success.
Oonu watched as his students left, and then turned to David. Sighing, he stared at the young Cadet.
David, wanting to know what was up, said "So…"
"You have made great process…but you are still bound to the earth" Oonu said truthfully.
David's expression of confusion switched to incredulous as he half-shouted "Your gonna fail me". Oonu said nothing as David ranted, "I've done everything you've asked me to, and I'm just as good as the other cadets, what more do you want me to do".
"Spend a night with the skybax, sleep in their nest, then…I will give you a saddle" Oonu said sternly.
David let out a humorless chuckle as he asked with a sarcastic grin "Is this some kinda joke".
Oonu's stern looks indicated otherwise.
At this, David's look changed from incredulous to nervousness and negativities. "That's impossible…you know I can't do that" he said upset at the injustice. Did anyone else have to do this?! No. So why him?? Was Oonu singling him out?!
What Oonu said next, ended any protest or arguments David had in mind. "Cadet David, you are dismissed.
David swallowed hard, giving Oonu a salute before turning and leaving in bitter anger.
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"Not fair, it's just not fair!! Why didn't he give me a saddle? Climb into the skybax nest, and spend the night their?! IS HE MENTAL?! How in the world does he expect me, the cadet with being afraid of heights, expect me to accomplish such a thing?!?! Did I do something to anger him?! Was refusing to make the jump earlier made this possible?! Yeah, that's probably it…".
"I heard what happened" spoke a kind voice, snapping David out of his negative thoughts… David nodded briefly as Marion came and sat next to David on his bed. He had been in his room for probably an hour now, wallowing in self-pity, and hatred.
"You know I'm leaving," he muttered bitterly. Marion said nothing as David grumbled, "It's just a waste of time. He just want's me to resign from the corp., that's all it is".
"David" Marion said sympathetically.
Finally looking at Marion, he gave her a pleading look as he said, "How can I climb up to those nest". He could never do it on his own, never in a million years!!
Marion glanced down thoughtfully as she asked, "Did he say you had to climb on your own".
David raised an eyebrow, as he said "No".
Marion smiled as she offered, "Well then I'll climb with you" Her smiled faded as she looked down. "Unless, you'd rather climb with one of your fellow cadets, such as Romana Denison" she said some what sadly.
David nodded as he looked away, commenting, "I like Romana very much".
"I thought so" smiled Marion.
David then looked back at Marion as he smiled. "But I don't want to climb with Romana".
Marion smiled, getting the hint as she said "We'd better get ready for the climb then". Getting up, she headed for the door. Noticing David wasn't following, she said, "Are you coming".
David slowly smirked as he said "Yeah".
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"Hey Cyrus" Karl called. He had spent the last few hours working on the boat and was doing a good job. Already he had patched up all the holes, gotten a usable sail, and was now collecting nearby provisions.
"Don't talk to me, don't call me a friend, I won't be when I give you the bad news" Cyrus said thoughtfully. Glancing up at Karl's confused faced, he remarked "I can get you this pirate chart, but I won't part with it for nothing".
Karl shook his head as he said, "You know I don't have any money".
"No, no, no, not money I need, I'll tell you what I want" he said. Pointing up at the hatchery roof, he said "That little sunstone from the hatchery roof".
"No, no way" Karl immediately said. "Stealing the book was bad enough, but I'm not going to steal their sunstone".
Cyrus's expression went sour briefly before switching to half-amusement. "Oh very noble choice, what's more important, your life or one of their silly little sunstones, they've got vaults full of them in waterfall city, I've seen them with me own eye's" Cyrus lied.
Karl glanced up at Cyrus as he worked on the roping for his ship. Shaking his head, he muttered, "I don't know Cyrus".
Cyrus now lost his cool as he remarked hotly "What have the scalies ever done for you eh, I'll tell ya, nothing, big fat nothing".
"I can't, it's a hatchery" Karl argued. His consciousness already ate away at him for stealing the Rebecca's Folly from Zippeau. But stealing a sunstone, a rock that provided warmth and life towards all the unhatched dinosaurs, that he couldn't abide by. Glancing up at Cyrus, he sarcastically remarked "Anyway, if this chart is so great, why are you still here".
Cyrus glared before saying "Oh, I'm going, don't worry about that, when I've got enough treasure to make me king of the world, I'm going".
Now done, Karl covered the boat with a sheet, satisfied with his work. But… "I'll take my chances, without this chart".
Getting up and in Karl's face, Cyrus, annoyed and aggravated, said "Well you do that, you do that and your dead, dead as dead, you understand, that what you want".
"No" Karl said.
The next thing Cyrus said motivated Karl. "Or do you want to go home".
"Yeah……I want to go home," Karl said, hoping he would be able to forgive himself.
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"I've changed my mind, let's go back" David said fearfully. He was now once again in the same position he was in earlier during the climbing part of his training. He was also in the same state: negative and afraid out of his mind.
"Don't look down, just take the next step," Marion said encouragingly. The high winds blew past them wildly. Almost threatening them to fall to their doom. "Remember, one rain drop, raises the sea," she said, reciting the first code of Dinotopia.
David grew annoyed as he said in exasperation "Will you quit with the sayings, you do know that you have a saying for everything".
Marion ignored this comment as she heard a squawk. Turning around, she smiled. "David look, it's the albino, I think he's following us".
Indeed, the albino pteranodon was following them, a strange thing since most pteranodons would attack on sight of mammals. But not this one. Could it be perhaps that he is an outcast? Or was it something about this two that intrigued him??
Climbing up to a small alcove of the cliff, they hugged their backs against the wall as they slowly moved. Heading to the left, David commented "I can't take much more of this".
"David, you've got to stop fighting with yourself, you must learn to let go of your fears" Marion said somewhat sternly, yet encouragingly at the same time.
David allowed a touch of anger into his voice as he grunted, "Well your not exactly perfect yourself.
Marion looked offended as she remarked, "No one is perfect, but since you clearly having something to say, perhaps you can tell me what my imperfections are, maybe I can improve".
David shook his head, as he argued "No, let's just stop this right here, because we'll only end up arguing".
Marion shook her head as she took the lead again. "I don't argue with anybody," she denied.
David looked as he pointed at her. "There, that's it, its things like that, I don't argue with anybody" he mocked. "And why is that, because you're convinced that your right, and everybody else is wrong. I mean, why can't you loosen up, or behave badly, or tell a lie?" he asked.
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CRASH!
"What the…" Karl thought wildly.
Hearing a familiar honk, he sighed. After his conversation with Cyrus, he went back inside to rest. He had to think hard on what he should do. Should he go with what Cyrus said?? Or find another way off the island? He wanted to get off now!!
Glancing down, he sighed in half-amusement. Twenty-six had hit one of her balls into a stack of blocks, which had fallen and awakened him. Getting up, he kneeled down in front of Twenty-six, picked up of the blocks and said "Twenty-six, did you do this". "You know the rules," he scolded.
Twenty-six, wanting Karl to play with her, gave one of the blocks at tap, before jumping back. "Karl" she honked.
Karl blinked twice. "Did she just say my name?" he thought. Shaking his head in amusement, he picked up Twenty-six. "I told you to stay in your crib, so just stay here and sleep," he said softly.
Twenty-six at first protested in honks, but succumbed to Karl as he laid her back in her crib. Placing a blanket of her, she looked up at Karl with loving eye's as she went back to sleep.
"That's it" Karl said softly as he rocked her crib. Wow, she's really having an affect on me. Before I probably wouldn't care less, but now…is this the feeling of being a father?? He let out a snort of amusement. So he was taking care of her? So what? That didn't make him some her daddy………did it??
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"It's pretty incredible up here huh" David smiled as he lay against the nest. He and Marion had made it up to the top a while ago, after David saved Marion from plummeting down.
"Oonu's father made him climb up here, before he could join the corp." Marion smiled as she rested softly against the sticks and twigs that surprisingly, were comfortable. Maybe it had something to do with the clumbs of large yellow grass that was placed up there as well…
David glanced down guilty as he looked up, remorse "I'm sorry I shouted at you before. I was just…………I was just scared" he said softly.
Marion smiled as she kindly remarked "It's nothing, it's forgotten……your going to fly David, I'm sure of it, my mother is never wrong about such things". Noticing that David was giving her a romantic look, she asked "Why are you looking at me like that, what is it".
Sitting up, David's expression turned stern and serious, as he said truthfully "Marion…ever since I saw you with that Ankylosaurs, you know the one with the toothache" he started. It was really becoming difficult for him to get the words out.
Marion smiled at the memory as she said "Oh him, such a long time ago".
"Right so I think it was then" he started. "Say, just say it" his mind shouted. "What I mean is…" he started. Say it damnit!! He looked up as he said "I think I'm falling in love with you…I don't know how else to say it"
Marion's genuine expression turned to shock. "In love" she repeated.
David, think he made a mistake, turned away muttering, "I'm sorry, I shouldn't have said that, I'm sorry". He should have never expressed how he felt. Now she was going to hate him!!
Marion shook her head as she said, "You don't have to apologize for the way you feel…I'm very flattered".
"Flattered" David repeated. Did that mean… "So there's no chance that you have any sort of feelings for me," he asked hopefully.
Marion seemed to struggle with what to say. Looking away briefly, she said "When I saw you with Romana, I felt something, I don't know how to describe it".
"Were you feeling jealousy," David thought. Of course he wouldn't say that aloud. No sense in ruining his friendship with Marion. "You did," he asked hopefully.
Marion looked away briefly as she said "Well there are…certain things my training hasn't seemed to prepare me for".
David smiled warmly as he knew exactly what she was talking about. Opening his mouth to say something, he was interrupted when suddenly.
"Why do birds, suddenly appear" sung a voice.
Getting to his feet, David was shocked too see a messenger bird fly into view and land on the nest.
"Anytime, you are near, just like me, they long to be, close to you" sung the messenger bird. Finishing, it said "Message for Marion, hope you enjoyed the song".
"Message from who" demanded David; wanting to know who was the jerk who ruined the time he was spending with Marion.
"Message from Karl Scott" replied the bird.
Marion let out a small chuckle, whilst David had an incredulous look on his face.
"WHY THAT NO GOOD, LOUSY" he thought. "I don't believe it, this can't be happening" he half-shouted. Walking away from Marion, he grunted "How can we be here, alone, on top of the world, and my brother is sending you singagrams, that is so……typical".
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Speaking of Karl, he unfortunately had made a difficult decision. Climbing up to the top of the tower in the hatchery, he sighed as he approached the sunstone.
"I'm not stealing it…I'm just borrowing it without permission" he thought. There wouldn't be a problem. He would give it back…soon as he got the chart of Cyrus.
Grasping the sunstone, he wondered briefly how Twenty-six would respond when she saw her father was gone… It was for the best. He could barley maintain his own life, let alone an infant dinosaur.
He just hoped that Rosemary would find a better father for her to be with…
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Night at fallen over Dinotopia as David and Marion rested in the skybax nest. They had to get a good night sleep in order for them to climb back down. The loud rustling of wings flapping, and the squawk of a pteranodon shook David from his slumber.
Looking up and seeing the winged dinosaur, he tapped Marion gently on the shoulder. "Marion, Marion get up, look" he pointed.
Both of them watched as the pteranodon circled the nest. "It's like he dropped out of the sky…like he was in freefalling or something" David awed. Barely hearing Marion that is was alright, he backed up in shock as the Albino Pteranodon landed in front of him.
"He's communing with you…you must speak his name" Marion said softly.
"His name…how am I suppose to know his name" David argued softly. Not wanting to make any sudden movements as the albino stared at them curiously.
"Find it inside yourself" Marion said softly.
Slowly, David reached up to pet the Albino. It leaned forward as it allowed him to touch its beak. Closing his eye's David searched for a name. A name that would well fit such a magnificent creature. Opening his eyes, he smiled.
"His name is Freefall," he said softly.
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"Karl, I knew you wouldn't let me down" chuckled Cyrus as he saw Karl climb down from the tower. Noticing the bitter look on his face, he smiled. Outstretching a hand he said, "May I have the sunstone".
"May I have the chart" Karl shot back.
Cyrus looked offended and saddened as he reached into his jacket. "From the tone, I think you didn't trust me".
Taking the chart, Karl unfolded it and took a look for himself. It did look genuine. Flipping it over and looking at the back, he knew it was the real deal. Chuckling he folded the map back up, and handed the sunstone to Cyrus.
Laughing, Cyrus said, "I wish you all the luck, Cyrus Crabb has at his disposal". Shaking Karl's hand, he smiled as Karl thanked him. "Chin up, I'm sure you'll make it," he said. Karl nodded as he walked off towards his boat. "We'll miss you Karl" Cyrus called.
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Karl grabbed the ropes and hoisted the sails. Moving his boat into the water, he hopped aboard and sat down. HE was finally off!! As he sat there, wondered, how would his brother's react to him leaving? He wanted to tell them he was going, to even have them come with him. But both of them liked this place way too much. They wouldn't leave. Besides, if he had told them that he was leaving, or of his plans, they'd try to stop him…probably.
His thoughts then drifted to twenty-six, the baby chasmosaur. In the short time he had known the toddler, she had grown rather fond of him. Always wanting him to play with her…which he did, a few times. Always wanting to be by Karl's side… It really did see him as a father figure…and although he didn't admit it, he liked the idea.
Him, Karl Scott, probably the most selfish out of his brothers, was a father… He never even thought such a thing was possible. He knew that she loved him, but……did he love her back?
Karl shook his head, he really should stop dwelling on the subject, and otherwise he'd feel guilty and want to stay. Removing the map, he thought "Now the tide is low, if I sail due south, at forty-eight degrees, whilst the wind is in a pleasant state, I should" he thought. He was interrupted when he glanced back at the hatchery roof, and remembered.
Reaching into his pocket, he removed the sunstone that he had supposedly given Cyrus. Cyrus had received a rock of the same size, so he didn't argue. Lightly tossing it in the air, he heaved back, and with the throwing arm of a guy who played baseball all the time, tossed the sunstone as hard as he could back towards the hatchery.
Watching as it flew, he smiled as it landed near the roof in plain sight. Now if somebody went looking for it, they'd spot it easily. Sitting back down, he sighed. Now all he had to worry about was not getting cut in half by the reef. Then he would be able to.
A sudden coldness at his legs snapped him out of his thoughts.
"What the…" he said as he looked down. His eye's widened as he noticed water filling into his boat. Somehow, he had sprung a leak. Getting up, he started to use his nearby canteen to remove the water. Which did no good as more filled in!! Glancing up, he noticed he was approaching the reef. "Oh god" he muttered as he removed more water. It took him a few more moments before he realized who had done this to his boat.
"Cyrus" he thought bitterly. So, he either had this planned before he got the ready, or he had done this after Karl had first shown it to him…
Faster and faster, he removed the water. It was hopeless!! More and more just kept coming!! Thinking he heard a honk, he glanced up for a moment, and saw nothing, before returning to his boat.
A louder honk got his attention. Now he knew he heard something. Glancing back at the cliffs, he saw a speck in the distance watching him leave. Standing up, he removed his telescope, thinking, "Is that"? Zooming in, his blood ran cold. It was twenty-six!! She was calling his name!!
"NOOOO!!!! YOU CAN'T BE HERE!! I DON't WANT YOU TO SEE ME!! I'M LEAVING!! PLEASE GO!! I DON'T WANT YOU TO BE SAD!! I…I…
"GO AWAY" he shouted, tears streaming down his face. It was breaking him to watch her shouting his name. Why did she have to follow him??
KAAARRRLLL!!!!
With one last shout of his name, twenty-six leaped from the cliff, and into the freezing water.
Karl blinked twice as he saw suddenly the image of his father drowning in his head. Watching as he struggle to free himself from the doomed plane, his last breathes of life leaving him as he slowly died…
"TWENTY-SIX" Karl screamed. "NOOO, IT CAN'T END LIKE THIS"!!
Without giving it a second thought, Karl leaped from his boat and into the water, desperate to save the baby dinosaur. Kicking his feet like a manic, he swam in her direction.
"C'mon, faster, faster, she needs you" his mind screamed as his thoughts whirled like a tornado.
Kicking faster, twenty-six came into view; she was struggling to kick, as she couldn't stay above water. "I won't let you down, please, hold on".
Despite the fact that his legs were now getting tired, and begging for him to stop and rest, Karl ignored the thoughts as he reached twenty-six. Grasping her, he swam for the surface. Reaching it, he swam towards the shore, twenty-six tucked in his right arm.
Reaching it, he sighed as he left the water, holding twenty-six. Removing some seaweed from her head, he sighed. "I'm glad your safe now" he whispered.
Twenty-six honked back at him. Karl couldn't help himself as he smiled. Glancing back, he watched as his boat sank into the waters……Fine, he shouldn't have left twenty-six anyway!!
Turning around, he saw Rosemary and Samantha. Rosemary had a stern, yet relived look on her face. Karl sighed. He had some explaining to do…
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It took sometime of explaining, but Karl came up with a plausible explanation. He had taken twenty-six out of her crib to the shore, so he could show her the water. She got to close to the cliffs and fell in, and Karl saved her. He kept the part out of the sunstone, as before he went to explain, he went and put it back. Rosemary had scolded Karl for doing something so irresponsible. Now back watching twenty-six. He sighed. She really had affected him. He had changed. He wasn't as selfish as he was when he first came here. He was different. He was…was……daddy.
Rosemary was working on some of her herbs in the room, whilst Samantha was cleaning some of the place up.
Karl then realized something as his thoughts briefly left twenty-six. Why hadn't Jake come back yet?? It wouldn't take this long to deliver something to waterfall city and back. Karl knew cause-knowing Jake, he probably ran since he always had to be moving. And come to think of it, Backstop, his new friend, wasn't here either…
"Rosemary" Karl started. Rosemary looked up, still somewhat annoyed.
"Yes Karl" she asked, aggravated with Karl for doing something so foolish.
"Why hasn't Jake come back yet?" he asked. He raised an eyebrow as he saw her face pale. She knew something, no doubt. He could tell just by mentioning Jake's name.
"Well……he must be running a little late, that's all" she said, quickly trying to cover mistake.
Karl could tell she was lying. "It doesn't take a person this long to go to waterfall city and back, where did you send Jake" he asked.
Rosemary got up, as she looked away, guilty. "I……I can't tell you Karl, I made a promise to him".
"What promise, that you wouldn't say what he was up too?" Karl said, now raising his voice.
At this time, Samantha grasped her forehead as she began to sweat again. The disease was getting worse by the second.
"Karl I…can't" Rosemary started.
What Karl did next, shocked her.
Karl stood up swiftly, knocking the table he was sitting under aside, causing it to crash next to him.
"Where is he" Karl demanded.
"Karl" Rosemary said, trying to be reasonable.
"Where…is…he" Karl said more forcefully. Where she had sent him must be dangerous for her to get nervous like that. And not telling him was making him angrier!!
"Karl…please" Rosemary pleaded.
Karl slammed his fist down on the table, getting her attention to show he ment business.
"Where is my brother?" he shouted. He was really concerned for his well being.
"Karl, I'm sorry, but I a promise to him" Rosemary pleaded, tears streaming down her face as she knew why Jake had gone, and for whose sake he had gone for.
Karl, furiously, grabbed Rosemary by her shoulders and shook her,
"WHERES…MY…BROTHER" he screamed in anger.
THUMP!!
Karl and Rosemary looked to their left in time too see Samantha collapse to the floor, breathing heavily. "SAMANTHA" Rosemary shouted…
That was probably the longest I've ever written. Hopefully this will keep you people in suspense. R&R please. Also, I'd like to thank White Hunter, maranic, Tellemicus Sundance for pointing things out for me, Jelsi4Life, and Jedi472 for being loyal reviewers, thanks.