Side Quest- Lab Escapees

When Iodine first heard the news of strange, unnatural plants breaking out across the island, the first thing she thought of in a panic were the labs. The alpha labs were traumatizing enough to live through as an acrocanthosaurus born into a (for the labs standards) large family- Iodine had been born alone in a pod, and had been forced to live in the shadows of the larger beasts all her life. Eventually she had made alliances- some would even call them friends (or family, if you were foolhearted). And even now, years after having escaped the labs, just the thought of more of her nightmares escaping into the real world was enough to send her into a panic.

Others had been there, however- Shadestealer and Velvet had followed her out of the laboratory, ignoring her half-hearted attempts to shoo them off. They were a unit now- like it or not. So when Shadestealer delivered the news with his normal somber tone, Velvet had been the one to reassure the nervous cryolophosaurus. “They aren’t from the lab!” The pink acrocanthosaurus’s words broke through Iodine's daze. “There's this… kingdom? Underwater? I don’t know, I don't really understand this part. But some kind of underwater jungle, and they keep spreading these plants around.” The massive carnivore scowled. “Which is really annoying, because some of them are deadly. Seems like it may be an invasion.”

Iodine took a deep breath, able to find some semblance of calm with this added info. As Velvet spoke, rage slowly began to build within her- not much, Iodine was not a very angry dinosaur, but enough to stir her into action. “We need to stop them.” The cryolophosaurus spat, surprising both of the acrocanthosaurus. “How are they doing this?”

“They seem to be bringing shipments up of seeds with small groups.” Shade rumbled. “We heard rumors they are steadily approaching this part of the island.” 

Iodine lashed her tail, snarling lowly. “We better give them a warm welcome, then.” Shadestealer and Velvet grumbled in agreement- and they were off.

It did not take long to find what they were searching for. Velvet caught the scent first, huffing and flicking her head in their direction to get their attention. The three slunk through the foliage, two with more difficulty than the first. Shadestealer could understand why they chose to plant here- the soil was soft and wet, and the treetops ahead were spacious enough to allow new vegetation plenty of room to grow. 

The murmur of voices ahead caused them to pause in their already slow pace. Iodine raised a tail, signaling to the two behind her to slow. While her glowing scales made hiding outside of the already glowing labs an issue, the massive carnivores behind her were even worse at stealth.

Creeping closer, Iodine peered through the foliage. Two strange creatures- apparently known as oviraptors- were scratching at the dirt, carefully carving out a place for their cargo. A small bag of seeds was off to the side- Iodine narrowed her eyes. The scent that came from them was strange- exotic, and dangerous in a way that made her feathers raise. The rumors were true so far- and if they were to be believed, these seeds would grow into monsters just as bad as those that she had left behind. That could not be.

The two oviraptors jolted up at the sound of the grow, scattering back with feathers flared up. “What was that?” One called, eyes wide with alarm. “I told you we should have asked for an escort!”

“No way!” The other oviraptor responded. “There are so many groups being sent out the warriors can’t keep track of all of them all. Besides, haven't you heard the rumors? Only the court can stand against some of the monsters that lurk here… and they refuse.”

Monsters. Iodine had to stop herself from chuckling- so they thought they were the monsters? Maybe it was time to prove them right… Iodine figured she would give them a chance, at least.

Stepping forward, Iodine made sure to fault her bright, spotted feathers as well as she could. She could sense the presence of the acrocanthosaurus behind her- ready to emerge at her call. “Now what are you doing here?” Iodine asked as calmly as she could, dipping her head down to not showcase hostile intent- just yet, at least.

The two oviraptors puffed their feathers out nervously, before one warily responded “We-we’re just bringing some home here!” The other shot them a nasty glare, but Iodine interrupted the incoming argument with another low sound.

“Well, thank you for the offer! But I am afraid we don’t want any of your home here.” Iodine sneered. “Please surrender the seeds and go back to the watery pit you came from.” 

This seemed to kick the oviraptors into action- one clutched the bag of seeds tightly to its chest, while the other seemed furious. “How dare you!” He hissed. “These seeds are our mission- we will not give them up to the likes of you- you monster.”

Iodine paused. “Oh, monster?” Her tone became dangerous. “The only monsters I see here are the seeds in your bag. Last chance.”

The oviraptors glanced at each other, and Iodine had a molecule of hope- which was quickly dashed as the turned and dashed off. Shame. 

The acrocanthosaurus had not been idle. They burst out from the foliage with terrifying roars, charging past Iodine. The cryolophosaurus quickly joined in, letting her own shrieks carry in the wind.

The oviraptors were fast- but one was slowed down by the bag of seeds it was carrying. Velvet's teeth found its tail, dragging the screeching creature back and throwing it to the ground. Its friend cried in fear, but didn’t stop running.

Velvet tossed the oviraptor aside- it soared from the clearing, landing in the bushes further out. A scurrying sound and a screech implied it lived. Oh well. Iodine grabbed the bag of seeds that had fallen. “Such danger from such small things.” She hummed. 

Shadestealer leaned his massive head down to look at them. “I don’t know how we’re going to safely destroy them.” He mused. “If we crush or bury them, they may grow anyways.”

Iodine tilted her head in thought, but it was Velvet who responded. “Oh, it is simple.” The carnivore grinned. “Throw them in the sea. The salt will destroy them.”

“Fitting.” Iodine noted. Salted soils bore no fruit- and salted they were. “Lets hope they spread the word of our warning- or salted soil is all they will find here.”