The Fight To Survive: A World Away- Chapter 9

Chapter 9

Going Separate Ways

Years have flown by. Star is now a little bigger than Vega. The drought has decreased in severity, but won’t go away completely. Between the drought and Star’s larger size, the pair is finding it harder and harder to get enough food. They both know that it’s time to go separate ways. Star looks to Vega and Vega returns the look. Star nudges Vega in an effort to say thank you for everything. Then, he turns around and walks off. Vega gives a loud roar out of both respect and pain. He hopes to see Star again.

Star is about sixteen miles from Vega’s territory when he stops to rest. He finds an oasis and goes to get a drink. As he drinks, he realizes this is a decent area. After getting his fill of water, he sets the boundaries and claims the area as his own. As he heads back to the center of the territory, he comes across another carnivore. It’s a lone Achilliobator. Star realizes he’s taking this territory from the raptor. Star needs a place to live and decides it’s worth the risk. He moves to engage the sixteen foot raptor. The raptor sees Star approaching and ruffles his head feathers in a sign of aggression. The Achilliobator is somewhat surprised to see the juvenile Tarbosaurus actually challenging him, but he will take this fight seriously. Star is the same size as him and can do some damage. Star circles the raptor and flashes his long teeth. The raptor leaps forward and extends his sickle claws as his eight hundred pound body sails through the air. Star is fast though and when the Achilliobator lands, he lands on sand. Star comes in and slashes the raptor’s thigh and then retreats to avoid a counterattack. The raptor screeches at Star and charges. He sidesteps and slashes Star’s flank with his hand claws. Star retaliates and clamps down on the raptor’s left arm. Star shakes his head, turning the arm into a bloody and mangled mess. The raptor slashes Star with his teeth and Star lets go. Then the raptor leaps back to get some space between himself and Star. He tries to think of what to do next. Star’s smarter and tougher than he expected. The problem for the Achilliobator is that Star is used to dealing with raptors. This one’s just bigger than the usual Velociraptors he takes care of. The Achilliobator flexes his legs and prepares for the final assault. He leaps forward and extends his sickle claws. Star tries to sidestep, but loses his footing and falls. He rolls over in time to avoid a fatal blow to the stomach, but he takes a nasty series of slashes to the back and flank. Star kicks out and knocks the raptor down. He places his foot on the raptor’s neck, but doesn’t kill him. He simply growls at him and the raptor understands. Star lifts his foot and the raptor moves off. Star now has a territory to live in. He would like to go hunting, but he needs to rest and let his injuries heal. There will be time for hunting later.

A few hours later, Star wakes up. He surveys the area around him, then he gets up and begins to track some prey. It’s not long before he finds a flock of Gallimimus. He sets up an ambush and manages to pull a juvenile down. He settles down to eat. It’s his first meal alone. The thought sends a chill up his back. Then, he beings to eat. When he’s full, he takes the skull of the Gallimimus and tears it off the neck. Then he stomps it, crushing it and reducing it to pieces. It’s Star’s way of taking out some anger towards Redeye.