Weird Rock

The tunnels beneath the islands were, as you would imagine, damp. Mary shuddered as she pushed through the humid air, shaking her feathers out as they curled even more than usual. The tunnels were man made, made of strong steel and metal that were somehow strong enough to beat back the strong water pressure of the ocean. The parasaur huffed as she scraped at the metal. Behind her, Mintee let out a low groan which was quickly mimicked by Oboe as she miserably crowed. The black tapejara was hanging off of the green parasaurs face, looking seasick- or the opposite of it when you were underground. 

Mary shivered. Being so far underground, underwater in this case, was haunting. However, something had changed. The scent of sea and metal and rust was being slowly replaced by the feel of fresh air and the smell of plants- but not the same kind of plants that grew on the surface. Something was different about them- their scent was more dangerous, more bitter. The tang of poison and venom and blood was the same as the strange plants that had made their way to the island.

Mintee squinted against the harsh light as they approached the end of the tunnel. Oboe cawed happily, kicking off of Mintee and staggering her way out into the sunlight. Or, what she assumed was sunlight. Instead, Oboe gasped in horror as she was greeted with what seemed like the morning sky… if the morning sky had clear holes in it. Parts of the sky glitched, showing the dark ocean behind it. This place was wrong and unnatural in the most upsetting way. 

Mary scanned the area, shaking the moisture from her feathers. The area was certainly wet, rivers that smelled slightly stalking winding their way past her into a thick forest unlike any she had encountered before. All kinds of shrieks and buzzing sounds rang out from the trees, causing her feathers to bristle. That seemed like it would be a very bad time. Unfortunately, it did not seem like there would be anywhere else to go.

Mintee shuddered. “Agh. I know the oviraptors mentioned this place being a sanctuary… seems anything but.” She muttered, Oboe nodding in agreement. She hopped unsteadily, not quite sure how to travel this new place. The sky was not really sky, but underwater… was flying safe? Oboe settled to clinging tight to Mintee, well above the ground but not flying.

The trio unhappily began their walk towards the trees, their solemn sense of duty and urgency being the only thing keeping them from turning tail. However, another unusual occurrence appeared as stepped beneath the jungle’s trees- what Mary had taken as simply a muddy rock shuddered, rising to its feet as the trio watched in a mix of horror and fascination. The rock was actually a creature- about as long as a parasaur but much squatter, small enough to be. Well. Mistaken for a rock. Jagged spikes and osteoderms poked out of its back, creating a rugged appearance. A flat beak and a spiked face stared up at the trio in annoyance, tail with a heavy club swinging through the dirt. But what may have been the strangest part was the armor- not the natural one, but red leather straps that seemed man made- but man had been gone for so long. What could be the reason and origin of this?

Mintee took a careful step back, Oboe yelping and clinging to her head like an angry bat. Mary didn't move, instead staring at the strange creature in astonishment. “What are you?” She breathed.

The smaller creature scowled up at her, his armor moving with his body as he flexed. “I am Nigel!” He bellowed, a loud enough shout that Mary found herself backing up a step. “I am a euoplocephalus! We are the guardians of this sanctuary! State your purpose, and what you are!”

Mary snorted. “I am Mary. I am joined by Mintee and Oboe. We are just passing through. We have heard of your great home from the scouts, and wanted to see it for ourselves” She was careful to not mention why they were really here- if these guards were here to protect whatever was on the other side of this, they would surely not let them pass.

“Oh really now?” Nigel chuckled. “Well, only the strong can survive in the jungle- it is not nearly as calm as the life you must have had so far.” He nodded at Mintee and Mary. “If you want to pass, prove it! Push that rock into the river.” With a flick of his tail, Nigel gestured to the rock. It was large, about the same size he was, and a good distance from the water. “And you!” Nigel pointed to Oboe. The tapejara squinted at him. “You're small and weak looking. But, maybe you have other redeeming qualities- maybe you're fast. Go, then. Fetch me fruit from that tree.” The herbivore nodded back the way they had came, where a large tree held heavy, plump fruits that must have normally been out of reach for the short herbivores. Oboe opened her beak, likely to snap back a refusal, only to reluctantly back down as Mintee shot her a look. With a grumpy hiss the flyer took to the artificial air, making her way towards the tree.

Mary and Mintee pushed against the boulder, grunting with the effort as it skidded forward a few inches. It was heavy, but the ground was wet- which made it both easier to push but harder to move as it risked getting stuck in mud.

By the time they were finished, Oboe was already back. Her feathers were coated with sticky sap and leaves, and the look on her face was dangerous. Nigel was cluelessly snacking down on the fruit she had given him, waving a tail in dismissal as the mud covered duo returned. “We should have just ran for it… he wouldn't have been able to keep up.” The three groaned, entering the jungle once more. Here’s hoping they didn't run into more guards…