Teeth and Thorns

Ares ran through the dense jungle that led to what the Euoplocephalus knights called Atlantis. Tiny rays of sunlight could barely shine through the thick canopies above to reach the carnivore’s black scales. He cared not for the trees he bumped into and scraped himself with as he stomped on and any vines that littered his path would be shredded with every ounce of strength he had.

He tried the passive way. The knights wished to see talents from outsiders to earn entry into the sacred grounds, but Ares only knew one talent that could have benefitted the situation. He stood before some of the knights and chirped a song his mother had taught him when he was very young. Some of the herbivores had liked it, but many more didn’t see it as enough to impress them and escorted him farther from the border.

The thundering steps of his pursuer echoed behind him, growing closer each minute. Ares growled. I will get in!

He kept his gaze forward as he ran, but lashed his tail hard against a loose branch that hung low from one of the trees he passed. A crack could be heard from behind him, then a loud thump! After that, silence. No more footsteps. Ares slowed to look over his shoulder, but saw nothing following him. He smirked and pressed on.

Suddenly, a flash of brown and black whipped out of the greenery and slammed into Ares’ face with a force powerful enough to send him flying backwards into a bed of thorns. Vines of sharp points dug into him, some breaking skin and drawing out small droplets of blood. The Cryolophosaur hissed and winced as he struggled to get back on his feet.

Regaining his senses, he glanced over and realized what had hit him. A brown and black crested Euoplocephalus stood before him, her fluffy, yet bludgeoning tail lashing from side to side, threatening to knock Ares off his feet once more. Like the other knights, she wore armor and warpaint. Small purple eyespots were painted near her back on both sides and the armor she wore was made of leather that protected her legs and neck. However, spikes that were likely the bones of other dinosaurs were embedded within each leather plate, the ones that covered her thighs carrying huge, curved pair.

Ares snorted and circled her, slowly creeping to the side. Perhaps if he caught her off guard and made another run for it…

The guard jumped to block him and emitted a low bellow. “You cannot enter our home, outsider! You had your chance!”

“I did what your herd told me!” Ares snarled back. “You and your overgrown birds may be fine with having your plants run wild within your territory, but they grow stronger each day and will soon grow beyond even your control.

“They have poison in their blood and their breath! The thorns are death traps to those unfortunate. Some spawns have grown mouths and teeth to swallow us whole! The lives of my mate and my children were nearly lost to those abominations!”

A roar filled with rage escaped from Ares’ jaws. “As long as they continue to thrive, my family will be in jeopardy and I will not sit idly by while this goes unpunished! Now move aside, Korppi!”

Korppi snorted and readied herself into a battle stance, still standing her ground against the carnivore. She scraped the ground and positioned herself to charge as Ares bared his teeth. “You wish to fight? You will only risk in making an enemy out of the warriors of Atlantis!”

“I will do what I must!” Ares made the first move and charged forward. Korppi lunged towards him and both dinosaurs clashed into each other, their skulls pressed against one another. Ares snarled and shoved forward with enough force to knock Korppi back, but not enough to topple her over.

She quickly regained her balance and swung her tail at him, but Ares was ready this time. The carnivore veered to the side and the Euoplocephalus’ tail hit a massive trunk in his place as he dashed past the knight. He sprinted forward as fast as his legs could carry him in hopes of losing her and reaching deeper into the jungle, but Korppi was on his heels.

Ares came to a sudden stop and lashed his tail into her cheek as he turned to face her again. She stumbled in confusion, seemingly unsure of what exactly happened. Ares held back a chuckle. See how you like it!

Korppi shook her head, her blue eyes shone from her dark crested head. Her piercing glare almost gave the carnivore a shiver down his spine. She charged into his side, pushing and shoving him hard repeatedly until he was knocked off his feet again and pinned against a hollow trunk dressed in thorn-ridden vines.

The knight let out an enraged roar and slammed both of her forelegs into the Cryolophosaur’s side. Ares shrieked as he felt the thorns underneath him dig deeper and deeper into his flesh. He snapped his jaws at her, only to get a scratch on the muzzle by her claws. His tail lashed furiously and his feet kicked aimlessly at the herbivore that was just out of range to knock off.

He snapped again, only this time, followed by a slash across the side of Korppi’s neck. The rope wrapped around her that was attached to the leather platings snapped and the armor that covered her neck fell off her pelt. Korppi let out a confused squeal at the sight of her armor coming apart.

Ares snapped his jaws at her once more. Korppi jumped to the side, closer to the carnivore’s feet, exactly what he wanted her to do. Ignoring the pain from moving in the thorns, he kicked as hard as he could into Korppi’s shoulder. The knight shrieked and reared in response. Slamming both of her forelegs into the ground, she swung herself around to deliver a skull-cracking blow with her tail.

Keeping his head low to avoid the incoming bludgeon, Ares rolled forward out of the thorns. Just as the hard tip of the Euoplocephalus’ tail passed over his head, he struck forward and clamped his jaws around her tail. Korppi squealed. Fangs dug deep into her feathery pelt.

With one massive tug, Ares swept Korppi off her feet and began to slowly drag her across the clearing. He wasn’t going to give her the chance to retaliate. Putting all his strength into his upper body, he swung his head up with the knight’s tail still in his jaws and threw her into the hollow trunk of thorns she had pinned him against just moments before. The Euoplocephalus crashed into the trunk with a loud thump and the trunk itself was nearly destroyed, leaving the herbivore in thorns more than hard wood.

Ares circled where he threw her and regained his stance. He readied himself for another attack. Korppi winced, letting out a low hiss as she struggled in pain to get back up and out of the thorns.

Watching her pant, Ares reared up and roared. His eyes met hers. Do you still want to get in my way?

Korppi said nothing, nor did she acknowledge his continued challenge. She stood speechless, panting. Tiny streams of blood ran down her side and tail. Scratches on her neck from where Ares struck her were visible. No wounds were made there, but the skin was no longer covered by the feathery pelt that enveloped most of her body and was exposed. She would definitely have to be careful on future battles until the feathers grew back.

One last look at the carnivore, and the knight limped away, disappearing into the underbrush. Good riddance, Ares snarled to himself. He sat down and began to clean his wounds. Red dots lined his scales. Some were starting to bleed. Better get cleaned up before she alerts the others.