Impressed? Yes

The jungle was a terrible, writhing place. The ground was soft and muddy and gave away in some places, thick mud sucking at Flurry’s feathers and attempting to keep her stuck in place. Green vines lashed as if they had a mind of their own, green tendrils curving and lashing. Thorns scraped along the albertosaurus’s feathers, chunks of blue and white fluff left behind whenever she pulled away. And the worst part was the heat. It was like nothing she had ever felt before, humid and heavy where the heat above was usually dry and arid. 

Flurry looked at Snowshoe with a slight bit of envy. The brown oviraptor was more at home in this undersea jungle than she ever had been on the surface, footsteps too light to sink into the sucking mud and small enough to slip between branches and ivy. Bassoon was perhaps the worst off- unable to fly in the cramped jungle, he had stuck himself to Flurry’s back as they traveled through the foliage. Occasionally the tapejara would let out a loud screech, scurrying around on Flurry’s back in order to avoid the reach of the creeping vines that snagged his wings. It almost seemed like some plants were alive- vines reaching out for them, strange mouths opening as they passed. Flurry shuddered. This place was horrid.

“Snowshoe.” Flurry called softly, shuddering as another plant scraped against her back. Bassoon snapped at it with his beak, tearing off a bit of vine and causing the rest to hastily pull back. “Is your memory fully back yet? These plants aren't… alive, are they?”

Snowshoe paused from where she had been leading the way, a claw absently scrapping at a tree as she thought. The wood was smooth yet ragged under her claws- a familiar feeling that brought back quiet memories. “It’s coming back. Slowly.” She finally answered. “I still don’t know why we came to the surface- what our goal was. But I suspect that will come back once we make our way through this.”

Bassoon clawed his way up to Flurry’s head, hanging off like a large fruit bat. “Hey, you didn’t answer the second part!” Flurry shook her head ever so slightly, wincing as it caused Bassoon to hang on tighter. 

“Well. Plants are always alive.” Snowshoe answered slowly, trying to find the best way to word it. “The ones down here are just alive in a different way than the ones you're used to.” She pointed at a large pitcher plant. “Many of the plants here are just as much of a hunter as you two are.” As the two watched, a large rodent scurried down into the plant. With a snap the top closed, frantic squeaks becoming muffled. Flurry and Bassoon winched. 

Loud crashing sounds made the trio turn around, looking into the depths of the forest as something lurched towards them. Bassoon hid behind Flurry as the albertosaurus stepped back, Snowshoe crouching down herself in anticipation. 

A glowing blue visor was the first thing to emerge from the shadows. Gold and grey armor attached the visor to a spiked head, hiding most of the Euoplocephalus’s face from view. The rest of the body slowly came into view from the shadows. Dark grey and white, long bands stretched across its body and vanished across the stomach. Black splotches made their way up the arms and legs, and the tail club was sharp with white points on the end. All together, a much more intimidating sight than the first of the herbivores they had run into.

“Halt!” The stranger barked, slamming his tail upon the ground. “Who goes there? Who intrudes upon our jungle!” His lashing tail scraped against a plant, leaving deep wounds in the green flesh. Bassoon winced. That tail seemed even more deadly than the last.

Snowshoe stepped forward with her arms lowered, careful to appear harmless. “We seek passage through the forest. I am bringing my companions with me to the center. Please, we mean to harm!”

The Euoplocephalus huffed, seemingly looking them up and down from behind his visor. “Hmm. An oviraptor? Back from your journey of utmost importance?” His head then turned ever so slightly towards Flurry and Bassoon. “And strangers? You're not supposed to bring above-grounders back!” His tone quickly turned angry.

Flurry stepped forward, huffing lowly as she carefully eyed that sharp tail. “Listen. We’re not here to start a fight. Is there anything we can do for you, in order for us to pass?”

The herbivore looked Flurry up and down, lingering on Bassoon for a long moment. Or at least it seemed behind the visor. “You want to get past me? Then impress me. Show me that you can survive here, and bring me food. Show what you can catch.”

Flurry looked at Snowshoe, who shrugged. “We can do that.” The oviraptor responded, quickly ushering the other two away. “We’ll be right back!”

“What can we find around here?” Bassoon finally jumped off of Flurrys back, taking a clumsy flight through the canopy. “I assume we need to bring back something impressive in order to pass?” 

Snowshoe nodded, sighing. “The guards are easy to impress, at least. They appreciate displays of great strength. It should be easy enough for us to find something…” her voice trailed off as movement caught their attention. “Hm… that would work.”

_________________________________________________________

Halberd looked up from where he was chewing on foliage, only for his jaw to drop and release what he was holding. There, the three intruders had returned- and had brought something else with them. 

Wrapped in the jaws of Flurry, helped along by the tugging of Bassoon and Snowshoe, was a huge anaconda. Mutated beyond sizes their species were known for, the huge snakes were well known predators of the Euoplocephalus. 

The albertosaurus threw the dead snake on the floor right in front of Halberd- if ever asked, he would fervently deny the shriek he let out as he jumped back.

“So.” Snowshoe examined her claws, a smug grin hidden. “Impressed?”