War Makes Monsters

The convoy crept across the island, emerging from the underground tunnels with the sound of stomping footsteps. Atalantians, making their way up from the hidden world with a purpose. A small party- three oviraptor scouts, two warriors, and a single islander tagging along nervously.

One of the euoplocephalus nudged at the cryolophosaurus with its club, causing the carnivore to yelp and scurry ahead. “Move faster, islander!” Not even the visored helmet Halberd wore could hide the disdain across his face at having to travel with an outsider. Still, they had to- they had a very important journey. The nearby scouts held small sacks of seeds and cuttings- plants cultivated and grown in Atalantis, ready to be transported to the surface. The cryolophosaurus was here to lead them to what he claimed was a safe spot for growing seeds- and he had sworn an oath to their queen. Still, Halberd didn’t trust this outsider. His purple-grey scales were tinged with black at the edges, and covered in stars like the night sky. The guard supposed he might have a name- not that he cared. “It is your job to lead- so lead us.”

The cryolophosaurus dipped his head down, red marking on his crest catching Halberds eyes. “Very well.” He muttered. His scales seemed to shimmer, disappearing into the surrounding night. Halberd felt his unease grow- but pushed his uneasy thoughts aside. There was nothing this carnivore could do- he was larger than them, but lacked the protective armor of their hide and metal. Not to mention, he was so heavily outnumbered- it would be suicide to attack them alone.

The party continued their way through the island, the night lit only by the faint glow of the moon. It was all… oddly quiet. Halberd scanned the area around, Talos mimicking the action in the other side of the convey. The scouts nervously twittered, fearfully muttering to each other. Weak creatures. No wonder they were scared- so many of them had died up here to the carnivores the other Atlantians only knew from the visitors that had traveled down. The queen had considered it such a waste that so many would die to those inferior brutes- so she send the warriors to guard them. Halberd and Talos were two of the oldest, most skilled warriors- perfect for the task. Nothing could stand in their way- none of these islanders would be able to stop their journey.

Talos grunted before speaking to the cryolophosaurus with disdain. “Why are we even traveling at night? We can hardly see down here.” The Atlanteans were used to the dome- even during its artificial night, it was always bright and warm. Out here it was cold and dark- several oviraptors had already tripped over their own feet, almost losing their precious cargo.

The cryolophosaurus ignored Talos, staring ahead into the darkness. They had slowly been gaining higher and higher ground as they had traveled, and deeper and deeper into a forest the Atlantians had never seen before. The trees were dark and tall, and the leaves hard and sharp. The offended yell that followed from Talos finally seemed to drag the carnivores attention back- or maybe it was the angry stomping as the herbivore thudded towards them. “Outsider! Answer me! You are supposed to be leading us, you swore an oath to serve us! Obey your queen.”

The cryolophosaurus turned to face the euoplocephalus, an odd glint in his red eyes. Talos stepped back, suddenly intimidated by the towering carnivore. “My queen?” The cryolophosaurus spoke softly. “Thats not what I would call her. I'd call her my captor.” The carnivore began to circle around the group, steps silent but somehow heavy at the same time. The oviraptors cowered, hunching together as the warriors bristled. “I'd call all of all of your little kingdom captors. You beat me, locked me up, and made me swear fealty. You had the advantage- I was in your home. But now you're in mine.” A cruel grin broke out across his face, before he tilted his head in mock-thought. “Or should I say… theirs.”

Before Talos or Halberd could react- attack, yell treason, or even run like cowards- a shriek split the night as a living piece of it emerged from the shadows, a head nearly as long a the poor creatures torso sinking its teeth into one of the scouts. Blood splattered across the ground as the monster threw its head back- another scream attracted Talos’s attention, and he turned to see an identical monster, oviraptor grabbed in its mouth. The scout thrashed and screamed, but a small increase in pressure of the monster's jaws and it stilled. The huge mouth opened, allowing the corpse to fall to the ground. The last scout tried to flee, but the purple cryolophosaurus was faster- it only took a second for him to be upon it.

Talos and Halberd roared, slamming their clubs on the ground- but the creatures roared back. They towered above the pair, as big as the court members back in Atalantis. Jet black scales covered their hides, with a paler blue underbelly. White markings were scattered all around- on their back, on their face in tear-like trails, and even small specks that made them resemble the night even more. Blood splattered their faces, dripping down their mouths and pooling on their ground. Icy blue eyes stared right at the warriors. The herbivores roared, charging forward.

While the euoplocephalus may have trained to fight their whole lives, they had grown up in the jungle- there were few predators to them, and most were too small to attack anything more than a scout. But these carnivores were easily the size of the court members, who rarely would even bother sparring with the guards- something far beneath them. Even so, their armor was strong and their clubs were heavy. They would win- for the queen.

Talos swung his tail, aiming for the legs of one of the theropods. The night creature hissed and stepped to the side, managing to dodge the hit. Halberd charged at the other, attempting to use his sharp back spikes to trip them. In the background, he was vaguely aware of the cryolophosaurus- watching, waiting, but not attacking.

Halberd dodged out of the way of snapping jaws, grunting in satisfaction as they hissed and withdrew at his armor. This continued on for a few moments- the large creature unable to get a good grip because of the spikes, but Halberd not being fast enough to land a hit. Halberd allowed himself a moment of ego- he was winning against this monster! Atlantians truly were superior-

A loud thud and pained shriek caused Halberd to roll around. Talos had been knocked onto his side by the monster he was fighting, one giant foot keeping him pinned while it tore and gnashed into the revealed scales. “No!” Halberd roared, attempting to run to help. And thats when the carnivore fighting him lost its patience.

Halberd yelped as sharp teeth grabbed his tail, preventing him from running and causing him to trip onto the dirt. A weight quickly settled on top- the black theropod placed its foot ontop his back armor, pinning him onto his stomach. Helpless, the euoplocephalus could only watch as Talos struggled and slowly grew weaker. Footsteps- the cryolophosaurus was approaching. “Why?” Halberd gasped, the purple carnivore stopping by his head.

“Why?” The other almost seemed shocked. “I figured it should be obvious now. Remember; you declared war on us.” He laughed, a dark, chilling laugh that filled the night. The carnivore holding him down joined in, its much deeper one having an even worse effect. One last sound, one last thud, and the other identical monster joined them- Talos’s stained helm hanging from its teeth. It fell to the ground with a dull clatter. 

“Remember. You chose this war.” The cryolophosaurus leaned in, glowing red eyes cutting through the night. “And now you’ll die in it.”

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Three carnivores stood back to observe the cleaning, bathed in moonlight. The ground was soaked in blood, scattered seeds soaking in the liquid. Sirius couldn't help but find it ironic- let them grow in the blood of the ones who used them as weapons.

Whiteout growled from behind him, the acrocanthosaurus nursing a wound from when Talos had smacked against his leg with sharp spikes. “Dammned invaders.” He growled lowly. “At least they're good for food.”

Blackout smiled a bit from where he was already observing the prey they had killed. Those who had dared to walk into the territory, boasting ego and superiority while their real heavy hitters sent the small as fodder. “And they will keep sending more.” He laughed deeply. “Good plan of yours, to lead them here.” He turned to Sirius, the purple cryolophosaurus carefully washing blood off of his scales. “You plan to lead more here?”

Sirius hummed. “It's a risk- they may not trust me if I come back without the cowards… but it’s one I have to take.” A grim smile split his face. He took no joy in the act- but it was kill or be killed. Those egotistical dome-dwellers were so caught up in their righteousness- they did not believe the ones they dared to attack and threaten would lie to survive, to break oaths that meant less than nothing to them. The more he led up here, the better their chances. 

“Try and get one of the big ones this time!” Whiteout ambled towards one of the warriors, voice becoming distant. “Need a proper fight.” Blackout nodded towards Sirius, before following his twin. The cryolophosaurus stayed silent, before turning to make the long trek back. Now… to think of a plan…