Triple Teamup

Plants were growing rampant across the islands, invasive weeds spreading their reach all across the native plants and crushing them. And there were no normal plants- they must have been cooked up in some lab, for they boasted sharp, lashing vines, snapping jaws of thorns, and some even spat venom.

It was times like these that brought strange allies together. Despite his hate of the terrestrial creatures of the island, Ignis was in need of something he currently lacked- bulk. And he knew just where to get it.

Below him, grazing in the long grass of the savannah, was his target. Spiraling down, Ignis landed onto the back of his target. The styracosaurus grunted, frill raising. Yellow feathers covered his body, a black hood and rosettes spiraling off of it. Yellow almost glowed on his horn and frill, and orange eyes turned to look at Ignis.

“Solstice.” A second styracosaurus stepped forward, pale brown and covered in orange and brown stripes. Purple eyes glared at Ignis, but the tapejara just sent a smug grin. 

“Hold, Hyperion.” Solstice shook himself off, sending Ignis back into the air. “Ignis. What do you want, foul beast?” The styracosaurus almost seemed amused at his presence. They had run into each other in the past, resulting in tension filled arguments that had left both parties unsettled. Despite that, they both had a small bit of respect for each other- Ignis admired the pure brute strength of the duo, and Solstice admired how he wielded the sun's light (fire) with such power.

“I think there's a problem.” Ignis cackled as he landed in the tree the two had been underneath. “Im sure you’ve heard of it. Strange plants growing across the forest? I'm sure that's why you're here now, mucking it in the savannah.”

“Indeed.” Hyperion stalked forward, walking around the tree. “And what do you know of that, Ignis? In fact, why help us? I know the disdain you feel for us who walk upon the land.” He circled the tree, pointed horn never leaving Ignis.

Ignis smirked. “You see, the plants being gone is all the better for me. While I hardly mind more fuel, these plants are not right. I fear burning them would fail with how many there are. But, I have spotted the cause of this- strange creatures, feeble and skinny with long claws and small beaks. They have been spreading seeds across the island- but they bolt as soon as I appear into the foliage.”

“So you need our help.” Solstice sat back, clearly thinking as he watched Hyperion circle Ignis. “You must be desperate to come to us.” He snickered a bit. Ignis clamped back a hiss. If he wanted his, he had to be polite- no matter how hard it may be. 

Hyperion turned to Solstice, and the two herbivores whispered together for a bit. Ignis tapped his wing on the tree impatiently- they were wasting time! Finally, Solstice turned to him. “Where do we start?”

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Hyperion huffed as he and Solstice followed the tapejara flying above them. He had promised to lead them to the latest place he had found one of these creatures, but the styracousaurus was loath to trust him. “Are you sure about this? It could be a trap.”

“Very.” Solstice reassured. “Ignis couldn't possibly beat the two of us. And he’s right- he’s just a weak little bird. He needs us for this.” A caw from Ignis caught their attention- the signal. Quickly the two crouched down right before they entered the clearing. It was time to see if the tapejara held up his promise.

There were a few minutes of tense silence as the duo sat in the bushes, waiting with baited breath to see what would emerge. Ignis was nowhere to be seen- and his feathery wings meant he was a silent flyer as well. All they could do was sit and wait.

A pile of freshly disturbed dirt was evident in the clearing, with a trail leading out into the dense foliage- as if something had been interrupted in the middle of the process. And now they were waiting for the return.

And there it was- Solstice’s eyes widened as an odd creature silently emerged from the bushes, looking around nervously with huge bug eyes. It was like nothing he had ever seen before- tall and slender, covered in spikes and having a beak and big ugly head. Thick banned stripes covered its body, and some kind of blue goo covered its neck to create a pattern. All in all- what a hideous creature!

Ignis suddenly landed behind the creature as it entered the clearing, stopping it from leaving. The creature jumped, turning to face Ignis and backing up- right towards them.

With a loud roar Hyperion charged, hooked beak clamping onto the creature's leg and horn sweeping it off its feet. The poor creature yelped as it was dragged along the ground, before being thrown right at Solstice’s feet. Solstice quickly shoved his foot down on the creature's tail before it could escape, trapping it in place. Hyperion was quick to shove his horn in its face- purple eyes bearing into it.

The unknown dinosaur trembled as Ignis stalked up. “Now.” Ignis cooed. “Your going to give us answers, the ones we want, or my friend here” Hyperion snorted, which Ignis ignored “will prove his horn isn't just for show. Now, do you want to talk? Or do you thinking it could perhaps improve your face…”

“Wait! Wait! No no nonono!” The creature blubbered, only sombering up once Solstice shook it a bit. “They sent me!” She yelped. “We didnt want to go- I didnt want to go- but they told us!”

“Who told you?” Solstice took over for Ignis, ignoring the offended squawk of the bird. “Your speaking nonsense. Just what are you?”

“Im-Im an oviraptor.” The “oviraptor” sniffled. “The… the queen. She made us come here. Told us to spread the seeds.” 

“Why would your queen want that?” Ignis questioned. Hyperion and Solstice bristled up. A queen? Nonsense. They were the kings. Who dares-?

“I dont know!” The oviraptor wailed. “They sent us through the tunnels- they were so long and dark and scary. This place is scary! You're scary!”

The three turned to face each other, herbivore and flyer sharing the same thought for the first time in this whole mission. Tunnels… some hidden location. They had to know. They had to find out.

Hyperion pushed the oviraptor up onto its feet, carefully positioning himself so it wouldn't be able to bolt. “You're going to take us there.” Solstice and Ignis nodded in agreement. 

The oviraptor looked like she was about to refuse for a moment- before a horn pointed in her direction changed her mind. With a defeated nod she pointed with her weird claws in a random direction. Ignis grumbled as he took to the air. Maybe this alliance would work out after all…