To the Winners...

The sun was rising on the islands when Apis sleepily stirred from her thrown together nest of shrubbery. Unlike many others of her kind, she spent her time out in the vast grasslands of the hidden islands. Apis had a strikingly yellow hide- abandoned by her birth pack as soon as she hatched, she had been forced to lurk out a living on her own in a hostile environment. Much too bright for the shadows of the forest, she found a home in the rippling yellow grass.

But that was not all she found. By her side, a bundle of orange feathers shook the last of the sleep off of his pelt. Katydid yawned, pulling himself from the foliage and scratching slowly at the ground. The younger cryolophosaurus had been taken in by Apis when she had found his egg, abandoned much like she had been- although she doubted it was for the same reasons that she had been.

The two made their way onto the scorching grass, carefully scanning the horizon. Wild boars, cows, and species of deer often made their homes in the area, tempted by the wide open plains and plentiful grass. While cows were much too large for the young pair to take down at the time, boars and deer were prey items that they often attempted to chase. Just the day before Apis had almost been taken down by a boar that had turned on them mid chase, only saved by the quick actions of Katydid. Apis hissed as she remembered the pain of having its tusks scrape her side, reaching back to scratch at the shallow wound. At the very least the kill had been enough food to fill them completely- they were actually on their way back to it now, in order to scavenge some more from it. 

Katydid ran ahead of Apis, nipping at the bugs that crossed his path as they jumped through the long grass. The older cryolophosaurus purred, shaking her head. The sun was bright, but her light hide was a great adaptation. Apis pushed down the anger that stirred inside of her at the thought of her family that resurfaced. That didn’t matter now. 

Apis ran to catch up to Katydid as they approached the site of the kill. They had dragged the boar into the shade of a tree to enjoy their meal, and they were both quite excited to enjoy it. However, as they approached, something caused the feathers on the back of Katydid’s neck to rise. Some kind of strange scent was filling the air- dangerous, it set off all the alarm bells it could. Apis pulled back her teeth, slinking forward and poking her head through the grass.

Something had beat them to it. Attracted by the scent of the free meal, another dinosaur was feasting upon their kill. At first Apis thought it was another of her kind, feathered like Katydid. However, instead of a double crest, a pair of pointed horns were atop its head. A rounded snout bit and tore at the remains of the boar, stained red at the tips. Large spots covered its body, and a white star on its chest was even lighter than the rest of it. Apis felt her blood run cold. A carnotaurus- specifically, Leos.

The duo had run into each other before. While Leos was a good bit younger than Apis, he was already around the same size- perks of being a much larger species. The two had met before when they were hatchlings, quickly growing some sort of rivalry. Both were competing species, and when you were small, the only thing you could really eat was something else small. They had gotten into fights several times- Apis had bit a large chunk of feathers from the other's tail, and Leos had knocked several of her teeth out in retaliation. Thankfully, both grew back.

Apis hissed, stepping forward. Leos raised his head, letting out a low grumble deep in his chest as he stood over what was now his. Apis snarled, showing off her fangs. Katydid hissed, stepping over the grass to stand by Apis. The two cryolophosaurus advanced on the other carnivore- that was their kill, and they wanted the rest of it. Leos growled back, stomping his feet. They had left it to rot in the sun- it was his now. And if they wanted to change that, they would have to force it.

And force it they would. With a howl Apis leapt, teeth finding a place in the thick feathers of the other. Leos snarled, raising himself higher into the air and slamming his head down. Apis let out a harsh sound as she was slammed down, her side aching. Sharp horns dug into her back, causing her to screech in pain.

Katydid was quick to respond, letting out a cry of his own as he snapped at Leos’s legs. The larger theropod kicked out in annoyance, shifting his center of balance. Apis lunged like a shark in water, thrashing her tail in order to push Leos back. The carnotaurus stumbled, almost falling but managing to catch himself. With a loud hiss the trio faced off again- Leos, pacing and kicking up dirt, Katydid hissing and snapping his jaws, and Apis snarling lowly. Leos finally lowered his head, grumbling as he moved off. The two cryolophosaurs hissed. Victory.

Apis nudged at Katydid happily, brushing off her own wounds. While sore, bruised, and battered, she was far from in bad shape. They had worked together to secure a meal, and that was well worth it.

Katydid sniffed at the boar, the goal of their fight, only to recoil with a hiss of disgust. Apis nudged it with her nose only to mimic the noise. What was left of their meal was very, very gross. Having been out in the hot savannah and having been used as multiple meals, what little was left was hardly edible. Well. Apis always did call Leos spoil-breath…