In the infinite Cosmos within a galaxy amongst the sea of stars there is a solar system and orbiting around its yellow star exists a planet. A jewel, a precious existence, with its brilliant blue oceans and vibrant green continents a beacon that stands out amongst the dead and barren worlds in the vast cosmos.This world is precious for on it exists a treasure unlike any other....Life
On one of its continents, the sun rises and brings light and warmth from the cold night. The dew has settled, the creatures of the night retreat back to the lairs and for a brief moment there is silence and peace.
As the morning suns rays shine through the woods, an ancient forest shrouded in a erie and otherwordly mist with trees that reach out to the heavens hidden beneath the underbrush and ferns the denizens of this world begin to stir. From a makeshift nest cobbled together with grass, branches and sticks two small creatures awaken.
A mated pair the Male stands up on his back 2 legs swinging his tail and stretching his forelimbs he prepares to face the day. He stands around 1 foot tall with a length of roughly 2 feet with eyes of gold and wielding a blunt beak, a small but vibrant yellow frilled crest and scales mottled green and black spread across his scarred body provides this small herbivore with the added camouflage he needs to help keep him safe.
He is small but muscular wielding a fiery and yet restrained demeanor alert and ready he let's out a sharp chirp calling out to his mate a female similar in appearance with a dull crest, a more streamlined body, eyes sparkling with intelligence. She exudes a motherly and patient aura as she responds and answers his call excitedly for today is a very special day for beneath her their eggs.. which they have guarded for the past few gruelling months have started to hatch!!
This is their first brood...a small clutch of no more than 5 eggs pale with small swirls they begin to shake and crack as the struggle to break from their shells but soon they are free and open their eyes as they take in this strange new world.
From this clutch 1 Male and 3 females shake of the last of their shells and eagerly chirp at their parents eager to explore and hungry.
However as for the last egg the hatchling inside is struggling to break free from the confines of its shell. Seeing this, its mother with a soft chirp encourages her baby and using her beak gently helps peel away the egg and with a final CRACK another male stumbles free from is shell exhausted but alive.
He gasps and takes in his very first breath and lies on the ground struggling to regain his strength overwhelmed by all the new sights and smells. He takes after his father in color and tone, and his mother in shape however he is a runt... being a size twice as small as his siblings and clearly being underdeveloped.
Seeing this his father (Scar)with what could be taken as a look of disappointment gives a harsh chirp at his offspring knowing that this heir of his isnt likely to survive this harsh world.
The runt unaware of his father's disapproval chirps excitedly as he takes in his parents massive forms breathing in their comforting scent, looking at them with a sense of awe and wonder.
Shortly after observing his parents his eyes wander and settle upon his loud and noisy siblings. His older brother has a very large head and prominent crest with an air of superiority and a short temper. Annoyed by his sisters he grunts, while pawing the ground in irritation.
Their sisters take after Brook in color and shape. The oldest sister bares the strongest resemblance to their mother in appearance as well as demeanor, calm collected, and wise. The younger sisters on the other hand are active and chatty bouncing around from one thing to the next they pester their oldest brother.
Runts mother (Brook) not taking kindly to Scar's tone and disapproval of THEIR CHILD thrills back at him in anger. Scar realizing his mistake promptly lowers his head and body as he mutters a soft cry of apology and embarrassment.
While the parents settle their disagreements the hatchlings having familiarized themselves with their bodies begin to cry out to their parents.
They are starving and so Scar realizing this starts to gathers his mate Brook and his loud and rowdy children together as they prepare to head out into the nearby woods to forage.
Scar and Brook guide their hatchlings through the forest alert and vigilant! Keenly aware that their newborn children would make an easy and tasty meal to would be predators they stop periodically to listen to the cries and roars of the other inhabitants of this world as they scan for movement their children instinctively remain quiet and still while they follow their parents lead as they slowly but surely make it to their forage grounds.
Stopping by a creek along the way to quench their thirst and catch their breath before continuing on. As they make their way into the forage grounds they are greeted by the calls of large creatures as they step into the clearing Runt, Bighead and his sisters freeze at the sight before them.
Standing in the forage grounds is a herd of 8 individuals each standing on 4 legs nearly 14 feet tall and 30 feet long with plates running up their backs ending on a spiked tail. Green scales with black stripes. They graze on the ferns and cycads letting out deep bellows to talk to one another.
Scar and Brook unfazed nudge their children along to a spot near the massive beast cautiously Runt follows and his parents start to show their children what to eat. Tender young ferns and nuts scattered across the ground Runt excitedly digs in along with the rest of his siblings enjoying their first real taste of food.
Scar with practiced movements cracks a large nut with his beak showing his hatchlings how it's done while Brook softly and calmly points out the best ferns with some effort the children begin to eat. Hours later after everyone has had their fill Runt's parents lie down to rest and digest their food basking in the suns rays.
While his parents rest nearby Runt begins playing with a stick he had found dragging it and chewing on it in excitment. Seeing his weak brother having fun Big head snorts and rushes over knocking his brother down and snatches Runts prize as he proudly struts away with it towards their sisters and parents. Indignant and filled with anger Runt in a daze from being knocked over struggles to stand.
After getting back on his feet and shaking off his disorientation he prepares to approach his brother to confront him. He catches a glimpse of movement out of the corner of his eyes. He turns is head only to freeze in place as his breath eludes him, shivers run down his spine, down his body and across his tail. His blood runs cold because unbeknownst to him and his family something new had arrived..
The insects had gone silent, their melodies cut off, because at the edge of the clearing about 20 feet from Runt... the Tyrant had arrived...
Fear fills the heart of all who dare lay their sight upon him. Standing on two legs at 16 feet tall and nearly 30 feet long with a large head and prominent snout, wielding large teeth sharp as steel and two small arms with 2 clawed fingers on each hand a dark hide with firm scales coavered in scars; A testament to its prowess and will to survive. Their eyes lock and Runt is overwhelmed by the primal fear that takes hold of him.
For before him stands a reaper ready to snatch his soul in an instant. The Tyrant seeing this morsel; that couldnt even be used to pick his teeth; averts his gaze and set his sight on a true meal. The saliva drips from his maw, his prey is within reached so he makes his move.
Free from its gaze Runt's senses return to him. He regains control of his body and chirps crying out in terror to his parents as he rushes towards them. Upon hearing his call and seeing him scared as he rushes towards them they become alert and as their eyes land upon the Tyrant behind him they too panic as fear fills their hearts they let out a cry of their own alerting the rest of their children and the spike backs to the carnage that is about unfold.
Scar and Brook scramble into action corraling and herding their children away; the family starts to flee towards woods. The spike backs; Being slow to react, had failed to notice the Tyrant's approach. Silent as a ghost he charges at his target and catches them completely off guard!! One of the smaller spikebacks that had strayed to far from its herd.
The Tyrant lunges forward ramming into his prey from its side with his massive head. The spikeback loses its footing and falls. As its massive frame crashes into the ground fear fills its eyes as the Tyrant towers over it and with one swift motion he grasps the spikeback tearing into its neck and with one quick and decisive motion.
Twists its head and SNAPS the spikebacks head, breaking its spine. The light fades from the spikebacks eyes as its taken by deaths embrace. The Tyrant having claimed its prizes lets out a roar to the heavens deep and foreboding that shakes the ground.
With blood dripping down its snout he tears into the carcass with relish and hunger. The smell of death permeates the air. Looking back Scar, seeing the beast preoccupied with its kill urges his family onward pushing Runt and his siblings forward as the family flees. Scar leads the way as they dart into the safety of the trees and cover of the underbrush.
Panic had spread throughout the spikeback herd as they too flee away from the carnage and bloodshed. As the day's light begins to fade, as day creeps into night. The family exhausted, but alive finally arrive back at their nest and with the adrenaline gone their bodies weak and shaking they calm their nerves before they settle down for the night.
Huddled together in their nest beneath the starry sky. Brook gathers her children close to her as they lay in their makeshift nest singing a soft tune as her children begin to drift to sleep.
Runt with his eyes heavy raises his head to gaze at the Night sky as the stars dance and shine. Looking back on his first day in this wonderful but dangerous world. He reflects back to the Tyrant and his brush with death. he is filled with shame at his weakness and determination to overcome his fear.
He has survived his first day and no matter what may come; Whatever his future entails he is determined to face it head on and unafraid.
Runt settles down next to his mother snuggled in her embrace her smell filling his nostrils and her warmth soothing his weary body, he drifts off to sleep, before his eyes close completely he sees a star fall as sleep takes him... Scar looks over his family as he too settles down to begin the nights long watch.