Baby Race

It was sunset in Atlantis and the Euoplocephalus were winding down, eating their last meals before they settled down to sleep for the night. Each of the species down here had their own 'clans' usually between species, although it wasn't too rare for different herbis to group up. Most hang around in family groups- one euoplocephalus family in particular has recently had trouble sleeping.

"Momma, where are we going?" A small hatchling euo piped up from behind his mother as she led him down a dirt path. He knew this way was a little further than where his mother usually took him. His mother's eyes softened as she turned to him.

"We're going to a nighttime playdate. I thought it would be good to get you to meet euos outside of our family. She is a lovely little pup that's been having trouble sleeping." She smiled. "Maybe you can help tire her out."

"We're allowed to play? Can I play this late, momma?" Small beady eyes looked up at her.

"Of course…but then it's nap time!"

It had been a few minutes walk, but to a little hatchling it felt like running a marathon. The small male hatchling huffed and puffed as he looked at his mother again.

"Are we there yet?"

"We're here, Pelt."

Taking a big deep breath, Pelt peeked into the cave entrance. Although he was being greeted by a large male Euo, he instead immediately focused on the glowing moss closest to him. His mother spoke up instead.

"Hello again, Kielo."

"Greetings, Korppi."

The male then bent down to look at Pelt. "He's a strong little male, isn't he?"

"Oh yes, he takes after me of course." Looking proud, Korppi raised her head and closed her eyes before looking into Kielo's eyes. "I'm so happy we could raise our pups at the same time."

"Atlantis needs more warriors, after all." Kielo sat down, revealing his hatchling behind him, a female that looked almost like a copy of her father. He curled his tail around her, and she squeaked to get away. "This is my little Ruby. As I told you she's been having trouble going to sleep. Boundless energy, this one."

The little girl lifted her head up in defiance.

"Every night she's been keeping us up, wanting to play and explore. You know she isn't my first litter. My bones aren't as good as they used to be."

Noticing the kids watching them talk, Kielo addressed them.

"Go on kids, go play. We're going to chat. Stay in sight please!"

"Hello! My name is Pelt!" The little male was looking at his new playmate. "Do you wanna wrestle?"

Ruby looked a little confused at seeing another euo her size. She ran to hide behind her father.

"Ruby, why don't you want to play now? I brought you all the way here."

"I'm booooored."

Kielo huffed in frustration. "Why don't you play with little Pelt? I don't feel like going for another walk yet. Would you rather play or not play at all?" He laid his head down on some moss and closed his eyes. "Now's your chance to do whatever you want."

Ruby looked up at this with a small glint in her eye. Anything?

She suddenly got out from behind Kielo and stood a few feet away from Pelt. Pelt could tell what she was about to do and so he stood, tail in air in a play stance. Ruby then dug into the ground for a second, kicking up moss onto Kielo. He made a small snort.

Then suddenly she rushed towards Pelt and they collided, knocking him over right into Korppi's legs, who was trying to not laugh as to not encourage them.

"Watch where you're wrestling!" She brought up her front right foot to help flip Pelt back over. The whole time both hatchlings were giggling loudly.

"Which one of you can go the furthest into the long tunnel?" Korppi challenged the hatchlings, hoping to tire them out as quickly as possible. "I'll go sit at the end, and you can run to me. Imagine that sleeping old Kielo is the starting line."

While Korppi trotted far into the cave, still in sight but getting further away, the kids went back to Kielo and started to trash talk each other.

"I'm gonna win!" Pelt looked sure of his victory. Ruby gasped. "Last one there is rotten cheese!"

Realising they needed a countdown to start, Pelt turned to Kielo.

"Mister Kielo, can you do a countdown for us?"

"Please papa!"

"Alright, alright." He was still laying down, but facing towards where Korppi was at the end of the tunnel. "When I say go, go okay?"

Both hatchlings nodded. They looked back down the long tunnel. Korppi finally stopped, sat down and yelled.

"Ready?"

The young euos both yelled 'yes' as high as they could. They got into a stance to get ready to run.

Kielo winced at the loud noise. "Alright-"

"-Ready? 

Ready, set, go!"

With that, the hatchlings started to run as fast as they could. 

They both kept up perfect trot with each other, but Ruby started to play dirty and tried to knock Pelt over again. They both took turns trying to knock each other down.

Once they got close to Korppi, it was clear that Pelt had lost.

"Ruby! You did it! You're the fastest euo hatchling Atlantis has ever seen." She bent down and gave them both kisses on the head. "That's too bad though, Pelt. Maybe you'll win next time."

"I could have won if Ruby didn't push me!"

Ruby immediately retorted, "Nuh uh!"

"Yuh huh!"

"Come on now pups, quiet down. You will always get a second chance." She chuckled as she watched them argue. "It's not the end of the world."

"You smell like stinky cheese!" Ruby repeated what she had said before the race, prompting Pelt to ask her something mid baby argument.

"What's cheese?"

"One time I found a very stinky paper. It said Parmesan Cheese. It smelt like it used to be food." Ruby smirked as she then said, "Smelt just like you, stinky."

"Stop it!"

Korppi noticed that Pelt was starting to get frustrated, so she decided to be firmer.

"Alright, that's enough now." She nuzzled into Pelt before turning to Ruby.

"That's not very nice. What if someone called you stinky?"

Ruby seemed to stop and think for a moment. She hadn't really considered it before, but no, she wouldn't like it!

"I'm not stinky! My dad helps me preen my feathers!"

"See, so you know it's not true. We don't say things that aren't true. Nor are we mean to others. Just because you won doesn't give you the right to be mean."

"Now can you say sorry to Pelt?"

"I'm sorry, Pelt. You don't stink." Ruby looked a little sad herself now. She sat down for a second.

"It's alright, little one." Korppi looked up at where Kielo was at the entrance to the cave. "Let's start walking back now. Here-" She grabbed some of the glowing moss with her beak and set it down between her feet. Then she sat down again and made a small ball.

"-First one to get this ball to touch Kielo wins?"

Both kids looked at each other, making excited expressions.

"I'm winning this time!!"

"Nuh uh!! I always win!"

"You won once!"

"And I'll win again-"

Before they could continue, Korppi kicked the ball forwards. Pelt rushed to grab it first, and with that he was off.

Ruby screeched as she furiously chased him down. "Noooo! Gimme!"

Korppi decided to jog behind them as they ran as fast as they could. If this doesn't tire these guys out, nothing will!

Kielo could hear the yelling from a distance. At the sight of the hatchlings running, he sat up. What is going on here? And why are they running towards me?!

Finally, Pelt crashed into Kielo's side, mossball first. To Pelt he was putting his entire body weight into this tackle. In reality it felt like a small nudge.

Kielo began to belly laugh.

"Oh my, you did it!"

The others caught up right behind him. "Hey Kielo. Looks like Pelt won this time. Ruby won the first race." Both adults looked at each other in amusement.

"We sure do have some great warriors in the making."