Mock Fight

The information given to them by the oviraptor had turned out to be enough when combined with the rumors spreading across the islands faster than the plants. Whispers of a tunnel found in a building long abandoned, a tunnel not made of stone and earth but metal and steel. A tunnel that, somehow, winded under the ocean. So the trio of Mary, Mintee, and Oboe had made their way into it. It was a tight fit- specifically for the herbivores, who had barely managed to squeeze through some of the halls. But finally, they had made it- and whatever they had expected to see, it certainly was not this.

Mary stared in astonishment, beak agape. When they had gone under the ocean, there were many things she had expected- she had tried to keep an open mind. What she had not expected was this- a glass dome that perfectly mimicked earth and sky, except for patches that flickered in and out. Something felt so wrong about this place- but all Mary could do was shake her head and continue on their mission.

“Our best bet is to probably head into the jungle.” Mintee’s soft voice broke the silence, the patchy green para looking forwards the trees thoughtfully. “There seems to be a passageway. Oboe, do you think you can lead the way?”

The black and white tapejara was clinging to Mintee’s feathers mournfully, letting out a pained crying. Being underwater and underground at the same time had sapped her energy, and the added effect of a fake underwater sky was not helping much. “Fine.” She squawked, managing to lift her wings and take off into the air. The two herbivores stared after her in concern- but there was not much they could do to help her deal with the discomfort.

The two continued walking the way Oboe had gone in silence- but it was not long before the tapejara returned, landing on Mary this time. “You’ll want to see this.” She responded to their questioning look, nodding forward. The two others shrugged, plodding forward.

As they approached the jungle, it became clear what had caught Oboe’s attention- laying straight across the path was an oddly dinosaur shaped rock. A cool green in color, pale tan bumps covered its body. But the strangest part was the armor- human made and unnatural, resembling clocks clinging to its body. The trio stopped and stared at the roadblock- just what was happening.

“Greetings.” The strange creature stood on her short legs, shaking herself out. Mintees eyes instantly caught the powerful club on the end of its tail, causing her to tense. While it may seem harmless and slow, it was clear this unknown dinosaur could do some real damage. “I am Pumpkin Seed.” Yellow eyes blinked up at them, cool, calculated.

Oboe felt that she was being judged, and she did not enjoy the feeling. The tapejara ruffled her feathers in defiance. “What do you want?” She croaked, raising her neck pridefully. She would not let this rock judge her, damn it!

Pumpkin Seed snorted, thumping her tail on the ground. Oboe cowed. “I am a warrior of this jungle. The court has charged me with guarding this part of the jungle, and has instructed me to let no intruders past.” Mary and Mintee tensed- those were fighting words, even if neither of them really wanted to fight.

“However.” And there it was. The three paused, looking at the stranger in confusion. “I am far from a loyal warrior.” She looked between the three of them, seemingly deep in thought. “I have little love for the court, and the way they treat the rest of us. I think sending you through, those that resemble them so much, could result in something… interesting.” Pumpkin Seed smiled. It was not a nice smile. “So here’s the deal. In order to pass through me? We gotta spar. Convince the elites we brawled, yea? Lets see… yeah! If you can shove me over, flip me onto my side, I’ll let ya pass.” Pumpkin Seed slapped her tail. “But I won't hold back on you!” 

Mintee and Mary shared a glance, Oboe chirping. “We can do it!” The tapejara spoke passionately, eyes practically blazing with competitive spirit. “You two are so much larger, and she's so tiny! And I move so fast, theres no way the rock can beat us! We gotta do this!”

“Fine.” Mary groaned, raising herself onto her hind legs. Silently Mintee copied the option, moving to the opposite side as she circled Pumpkin Seed. Oboe took to the air, flapping overhead and letting out a loud call. 

It did not start with a shouted phrase of start, but with a charge. Without a warning Pumpkin Seed charged forward, letting out a deep bellow and aiming for Mintee’s leg with a bone-shattering club. Wasn't the goal supposed to be only pushing them over?

Mintee honked, raising onto her hind legs and dodging out of the way of her blow. With her forelegs she attempted to hook around the middle of the smaller herbivore, but the armor deflected any blows. Annoying.

Mary charged in from the other side, snorting loudly and kicking out with her front legs. However, the natural and human made armor both absorbed the blows. Terrible!

Pumpkin Seed roared, tail smacking on the ground again as she faced towards Mary. Mary pushed again, but the herbivores center of balance was far too tight for her to have any luck. They needed a distraction.

And that distraction arrived in the form of Oboe, swooping down from the sky with a shriek and swooping towards the relatively unprotected face of the other. With a whooping sound she latched on, covering the face of the other with her wings.

Mintee took the opportunity- with a sound from her crest she charged forward, pushing with all her might. Mary quickly joined in and together they managed to pile all their strength together to push. With a thud, Pumpkin Seed hit the ground, rolled onto her side. Oboe just barely managed to take off in time, quickly finding her way back onto Marys side.

Mary and Mintee stared down at the other herbivore with some concern, only the startle as a loud laugh broke out. “Excellent!” The other snorted, managing to flip herself onto her front where she lay limp. “Now go.” She waved off their offer to help. “Just do one thing for me, will ya? Keep this between us.”

The trio quickly walked away, eager to put as much distance between themselves and the scene of the scuffle as possible. This place was proving to be… interesting, that was for sure.