Egg: Part 5

by Leafmuncher

Troove woke up half way to the herd; he almost fell out his portable bed. Leaf Muncher let him walk the rest of the way. He was very sturdy; Flat Tooth and Leaf Muncher didn’t think that he would last walking and would soon want a lift, but Troove plodded on, with each step he got better at walking.

“I hope he doesn’t get hungry in a hurry,” said Flat Tooth watching the kitten sized dinosaur run in and out of his friend’s legs as she walked. “In fact, do you want me to go find Rolo now? And you go onto the herd?” he added.

“That’s a good idea. I’m worried about him getting hungry soon too. Right, I’ll go talk to the herd leader, and you go get some frogs,” said Leaf Muncher stifling a laugh at the thought of Flat Tooth pouncing onto frogs.

“I know what you’re thinking! I’ll meet you at the herd. Good luck!” called Flat Tooth as he headed into a different direction.

Leaf Muncher carried on, watching Troove chase about madly after a fly, and comforting him when he tripped on his own foot and fell on his face. He’s very hardy, she thought, watching the little hatchling soon forget his ordeal and stalk a piece of grass. “Hmm I hope you don’t do that to any of us Troove,” she said, half to herself.

Troove turned around and looked at her upon hearing his name and forgot about the grass. She couldn’t help but laugh. It was evening when she reached the herd. She told Troove to stay near her and headed straight for the herd leader, chuckling at the puzzled faces she saw as she walked by.

The herd leader was called Tanner. Tanner was called Tanner because of his light tan color. Iguanodons always have one thing in common when it comes to color, they almost always have green on them. Tanner, although a tan color, had dark green stripes going down his back, like the color of her own patches. Tanner was friendly and wise; he wasn’t too old yet, wasn’t too young, and he was prepared to listen to anyone and give them a go.

“Tanner, hello. Breathe deep, seek peace,” she said politely. Troove, slightly worried with all the other strangers about, was hidden behind her back leg.

“Ah hello Leaf Muncher, how are you? Has that egg of yours hatched?”

“It has indeed. That’s what I’ve come to you to talk to you about. It hatched into a Gianotosaurus. His name’s Troove,” she said, knowing that with the mention of his name Troove would appear. Sure enough Troove came out from behind her leg and looked at her with a toothy grin. His attention was soon drawn to Tanner though.

Tanner stared in amazement at the small hatchling before him. He had heard stories of Gianotosaurs terrorizing travelers going through the Rainy Basin.

“I understand if you don’t want him here in the herd, but we thought maybe because he thinks I’m his mother that he would never touch an Iguanodon. And when he gets older, I’ll teach him to eat the fish the other carnivorous saurians eat,” she said.

Tanner managed to find his voice “What’s he eating now?”

“Flat Tooth’s gone to find a friend, Rolo, who will help catch frogs for him to eat, and he eats insects too.”

Tanner looked down thoughtfully at Troove who was still looking up at the big dinosaur. Tanner was bigger than Flat Tooth and Troove was very impressed. “Well I suppose he can stay, but you realize if he ever so much as snaps at one of us then he must leave. Giganotosaurs are deadly animals and we can’t take the risk with the herd if he has an off day and gets snappy. You understand,” he said finally.

“Yes, I do understand. Thank you for giving him a chance though,” she replied.

“I’ll get the herd to form a meeting tonight and let them know what’s going on,” he said. Then, turning his attention to Troove, bent his head down to his level. Troove backed away from the big head, frightened. “Hello Troove, you have to be a good boy and not eat anyone,” laughed Tanner. Troove came close to him after his name was mentioned. “I’ll see you later on this evening Leaf. Bring Troove along; let them get a good look at him. Breathe deep, seek peace.”

“Breathe deep, seek peace,” answered Leaf Muncher. She called Troove to leave, even though she didn’t have to; the hatchling was already waiting at the sound of her feet moving.

Flat Tooth met Leaf Muncher later on. She was lying down on the grass with Troove asleep, curled up against her forearm. In his hand was a dead frog. Fortunately Rolo, who had detested the idea of catching frogs and killing them, was acquainted with a small crocodile named Swamptooth. Swamptooth was more than happy to help, as he enjoyed catching the frogs more than eating them himself. Flat Tooth had promised to return each morning and collect three frogs off of him. He lay down next to the snoozing Leaf Muncher. “Hey, wake up I’ve got Troove his dinner,” he said plopping the dead frog down in front of her.

“Arg, did I have to see that when I woke up?” She called to Troove and nudged him to wake up. Troove woke up and looked at the frog on the floor, he sniffed it then looked at his foster mum. “He wants you to show him how to eat it,” joked Flat Tooth.

“Don’t be silly he just wants me to say go ahead, don’t you Troove?” She pushed Troove towards the frog with her beak as she said this. Troove, without further ado, sank his little teeth into the frog, characteristically putting one big foot onto the frog, holding it down while he pulled a lump of flesh away with his mouth’ all the time he purred contentedly. Flat Tooth shuddered.

After Troove spent a good hour chewing on the frog’s bones and eating every last scrap he became tired and nodded off, leaning up against Flat Tooth’s back leg, his little belly tight as a drum.

“Well, I think you ought to teach him how to share more, really Leaf!” laughed Flat Tooth.

“Hey, what on earth is in that satchel around your neck? You haven’t taken it off the whole time I’ve seen you,” he added.

Leaf Muncher laughed; she had completely forgotten about the satchel. She stood up and let it drop over her head and onto the floor. As she lay back down she opened up the satchel and showed Flat Tooth the statue.

“Who did that? It’s very good, very professional.”

“The kind man named James and his friend Parle. They looked after me when I was in Waterfall City,” she said, suddenly thinking about them. They had been like a mother and father to her. Her own parents had died not too long ago; both had been quite old, she wasn’t their first hatchling. They caught a tropical disease from the swamps. Back then the Iguanodons lived closer to the swamps; now the herd steered clear of the wetter grounds, their lost ones a reminder of why. Her attention was drawn back to current happenings when Tanner’s loud bellow sounded across to them. “He’s calling the meeting,” she said, half to herself.

“Leave your statue here for now Leaf, we’ll take gory-guts here in the satchel,” said Flat Tooth smiling.

“Ok, hang on though.” Leaf Muncher quickly gathered up any loose fodder on the ground and made a sort of nest bed; she placed the statue at one end. There was no need to hide it, no one on Dinotopia ever stole. Flat Tooth held open the satchel with his hands and beak, while she gently picked up Troove by the scruff on the back of his neck. Safely between her beak Troove hardly even woke up, although he opened one eye as she gently lowered him into the satchel. “There you go,” said Flat Tooth placing the satchel round her neck. “Come on, let’s go,” she finished, as they both headed off towards an already gathering group of Iguanodons.

They made there way up towards the front of the group where Tanner was standing on top of a grassy knoll along with his mate Kiela. Kiela was very peculiar color-wise for an Iguanodon; she was a deep slate blue, with almost lime colored patches on each shoulder, and black markings on her back. But although peculiar, she was also very pretty and very friendly. “Hello there Leaf and Flat Tooth. Oh, is Troove in the bag? Can I have a look at him?” Kiela said brimming with a smile; she obviously was not the least bit worried of a Giganotosaurus joining the herd.

“Sure, but he’s currently asleep, so be careful not to wake him,” Leaf Muncher answered lifting up the flap on top of the satchel. Kiela peeked inside.

“Careful, might bite off your nose,” laughed Flat Tooth.

“Oh, isn’t he a darling? You’re very sweet aren’t you? Yes you are, you’re not going to bite off my nose are you?” said Kiela in a soppy voice.

Leaf Muncher gave Flat Tooth a look as she could foresee the comment coming from him, although she herself was trying to stifle a laugh.

Kiela pulled her head away just as Tanner came over. “I don’t think he will be any threat love, just look at him!” she said lovingly to her mate.

Tanner looked inside the bag too. He smiled as he saw Troove’s stripy body curled up into a ball, but his face went serious again when he spoke. “He’s sweet now, I agree, but we’ll just have to hope he stays that way as he grows. Flat Tooth and Leaf, come with Kiela and me.”

Leaf Muncher and Flat Tooth followed Tanner’s brown shape up to the top most point of the small hill.

Tanner turned and addressed the herd. “Herd of the Acacia, a well known and well trusted member of the herd, Leaf Muncher, has favor to ask of you all.”

The herd turned their gaze from Tanner to Leaf Muncher. Gingerly she stepped forward, comforted when Flat Tooth walked up beside her and gave her a wink. “Herd, as most of you know I was recently away for a short period, having found a lost egg and taking it to Waterfall City to get help.” The herd murmured in approval of this, Leaf Muncher continued. “Well the egg was transported to the Dolphinback nursery not far from here, and has hatched. I ask for the herd’s help and acceptance in raising the hatchling.” The herd murmured again and most were nodding heads. “Before you decide though, take a look at Troove.”

At that point Flat Tooth gently lifted Troove out of the satchel and held him high in the air by his scruff. Troove was semi curled and in a dozy state wondering why all of a sudden he was being showed to all the Iguanodons below. The herd uttered a loud gasp of surprise. At this noise Troove was wide awake and started squeaking and chirruping in fright, so much so that Flat Tooth had to put him down and let him go hide behind Leaf Muncher’s leg. The herd was silent.

“See how afraid he is of just your gasp? Surely if Leaf here raises him properly with all your help, he will grow to respect us and not see us as food,” said Kiela coming forward.

“He’ll grow bigger and as he does he’ll get meaner! Monsters from the Rainy Basin are meant for the Rainy Basin!” shouted a voice, spurring the herd into another murmuring session.

“Troove is not a monster; he’s a saurian like you or me. Already he has not been exposed to the ways of the Rainy Basin saurians, only to the ways of me and Leaf Muncher,” Flat Tooth spoke up.

“Gianotosaurs are not normal saurians; they are not as intelligent and advanced as we are, they do not respect other saurians,” shouted another voice.

Flat Tooth’s voice cut through the herd’s murmurs before they could talk. “I beg to differ. I believe Troove is a very bright little fellow. His kind has not used their intelligence for our same uses; instead, they use theirs in the cunning and skill involved in hunting. We will teach Troove to use his intelligence for things like learning to read and write; he will never know how to hunt.” The herd calmed down at this and became more reasonable.

The issue carried on long into the night. The herd pressed their worried thoughts towards Tanner, Leaf Muncher, Kiela, and Flat Tooth who came up with good answers and plans for the future. Troove, meanwhile, had fallen asleep, still behind Leaf Muncher’s leg. Finally, after everyone’s worries had been allayed and the herd had all gotten a good look at Troove for themselves, they went away to sleep, contented with the result. Troove was going to stay; he would grow and learn the ways of civilized saurians and be classed as an Iguanodon. No one was to treat him any differently.

Leaf Muncher and Flat Tooth, after thanking Tanner and Keila, made their way back to the statue, with Troove in the satchel. Leaf Muncher took off the satchel and just left Troove in it not wanting to disturb him, then she herself flopped down onto the makeshift nest bed, quickly falling into a deep sleep. Flat Tooth looked at the exhausted Leaf Muncher and the bulging satchel. The future was going to take a lot of effort and time, he thought as he laid down next to his friend and drifted off into sleep.

The next morning Leaf Muncher and Flat Tooth didn’t wake up at the crack of dawn as they usually did. Instead they still slept soundly. Troove opened his eyes and stared at the woven wall in front of him, he knew the satchel well, he’d been in it enough times. He stood up and backed out of the bag, treading on the lid’s flap and falling over with the bag on his head. He tossed his head from side to side thrusting the bag onto the ground, squeaking with triumph when his head was finally free. Troove looked at the two huge figures, almost mountains before him; he recognized one as his mother, and the other was a friend and posed no threat. They were both asleep. He decided not to tell his mother that he was awake and ask her why she wasn’t; instead he explored his surroundings, sniffing and tasting everything he saw. He looked at the statue that was roughly the same size as him, and smelt the scent of his mother, one other friend and two new scents. One of the new scents was distinctly human, the other was another saurian. He paused and tried to make up a picture of the saurian smell, but couldn’t. Instead he busied himself with a large dragonfly that had landed not too far away.

Troove instinctively sniffed the air, one to learn what the scent was of this new creature before him, and two to check in what direction the wind was blowing. Much to Flat Tooth’s ignorance, he’d been born with years of hunting skill. Quietly he sneaked up to the dragonfly, somehow knowing that it was neither saurian or human, it was food. His head was lowered, creating an almost perfect straight line from nose to tail and his feet automatically placed themselves in between natural booby traps such as cracking twigs and crunching leaves. All the while his eyes were totally focused onto the dragonfly. Every three steps he paused before continuing on again until he was about half a meter away from the large bug. His blood raced through him, ancestral knowledge telling him exactly what to do next. Troove ran; already he was becoming skilled at it after just a day’s practice. He charged on top of the big dragonfly, snapping it’s middle between his small jaws before it had chance to realize what hit it. Troove, the feel of the dragonfly’s big body in his mouth, spurred off blood instinct and he violently thrashed his head from side to side until the dragonfly split in half. He gobbled down the part he had in his mouth, then quite innocently walked over to the other half and ate that too, wings and all, the instinct rage disappeared as fast as it had come as Troove started chasing the shadows that the long grass cast onto the ground.

“Wha, hmm. Oh! We slept in!” said Leaf Muncher in a surprised tone, whacking Flat Tooth with her tail in order to get him to wake up.

Flat Tooth groaned in protest. “Oh wow. So we did,” he mumbled sarcastically, slowly getting up. “Where’s Troove gotten to?” he asked, taking note of the empty satchel and the little three toed footprints everywhere.

Leaf Muncher reared up onto her back legs and looked about. The herd was up and awake; its numbers had halved as most of the saurians had gone out to do jobs or visit friends. Mostly mothers and young hatchlings remained. She soon picked out Troove’s small two-legged figure running about in the tall grass, just as a Dimorphodon came and landed beside her. She recognized it as Redtail. “Hello, Redtail. What brings you here?” she asked keeping an eye on Troove. Troove on hearing his mother’s voice started to run up to meet her.

“James asks if you will come and meet him outside the caves today with the hatchling. I’m fine!” announced Redtail just as Troove appeared running straight for Leaf Muncher. Redtail let out a loud squawk and shot up into the air screeching, “Look out!”

Troove, upon hearing the commotion and seeing the strange creature fly into the air, cowered on the spot and let out frightened cheeping noises. Leaf Muncher rushed towards Troove to soothe him, while Flat Tooth calmed Redtail and explained the situation. With Troove back to normal and Redtail calmer they resumed the conversation, although Redtail politely perched up in a tree rather than stay on ground level with Troove.

“Thank you Redtail, tell James that I’ll meet him today with the hatchling. Breathe Deep, Seek Peace,” replied Leaf Muncher, watching the little pterosaur fly off. “Look’s like we are going for a walk today,” said Leaf Muncher to Troove. Troove purred in response, although he didn’t understand a word she said to him.

“I’ll go with you some of the way, and introduce you to Swamptooth and the joys of carrying dead frogs, then I might head over to Treetown to see Juno,” said Flat Tooth. Juno was a Camarasaurus, an old friend of Flat Tooth’s.

“Well, let’s go then, otherwise we’ll run out of time. I’ll take the satchel again just incase Troove gets tired,” said Leaf Muncher picking up the satchel and putting it round her neck. “Troove, come here darling,” she called to Troove who came rushing over. Flat Tooth burst out into a loud hooting laugh that sent Troove behind Leaf Muncher’s leg. “What’s so funny? You scared Troove!” Leaf Muncher yelled.

“Sorry Leaf, just that you’re starting to sound like my mother. Call it a fit of giggles,” apologized Flat Tooth.

“It’s a fit of something,” laughed Leaf Muncher, realizing how motherly she had just sounded. Troove came out from behind her leg with a puzzled look on his face, which made the two Iguanodons laugh some more.

“Come on lets go,” giggled Flat Tooth.

Leaf Muncher, Flat Tooth and Troove headed off out of the herd and followed a road down to the swamp. The area around the swamps was marshland, and the Iguanodon’s feet sank into the soft ground, often making slurping noises as they pulled them out again. Troove would cock his head at these strange noises and make squeaks that almost sounded like a laugh, much to the entertainment of Leaf Muncher and Flat Tooth. Troove’s large three toed feet spread his body mass equally over the ground, added to that was the benefit of his light weight, so he didn’t sink at all. He found the whole ordeal of soft squelchy ground fascinating and would jump and pounce onto the ground. They met up with Swamptooth, who gave them two dead frogs and wished them luck with raising Troove, before they marched out of the swampy grounds and joined up with a road that lead to Waterfall City.

They stopped for a while and let Troove eat one frog while they themselves had a snack on some near by trees, which took the best part of an hour, and then they carried on down the road. When they came to a fork in the road, Flat Tooth said goodbye and left down one side to go to Treetown while Leaf Muncher and Troove went down the other, heading for Waterfall City.

Troove seemed to be fine walking, even after eating a frog. He carried on running and pouncing about after various bugs and insects. They passed with a traveling caravan that was being pulled by a colorful Stegosaurus on its way to Tree town. The whole caravan seemed to look at them both in wonder as it passed by, which made Leaf Muncher laugh to herself.

Half way there Troove started to tire and hitched a ride in the satchel with a dead frog. Half an hour later, when Leaf Muncher pulled up the lid to see if Troove was ok, she found him still asleep but with no sign of the frog in the satchel. She laughed, thinking how silly it was to put him in there in the first place with his dinner.

The heat of the day passed them by while they traveled down the dusty road, safe and cool under the shade of overhanging trees. It wasn’t long after that Leaf Muncher found herself nearing the caves. Troove was wiggling about in the bag chirping to be let out, so she gently lifted him out before carrying on towards the caves. She witnessed Troove’s stalking techniques when the little Giganotosaur hunted and caught a butterfly. She pulled him aside afterwards and told him sternly that he was only allowed to do that to the bugs. She knew that Troove probably didn’t understand, but she had to tell him what was OK and what wasn’t even if he only replied with squeaks.

Soon after she made out the figure of James and Parle waiting beside the caves along with Whiptail, Shinoba, Cassandra and Simon. She was delighted that everyone had taken the time to come see her and Troove, and her heart raced when they saw her and cheered a welcome. Troove, to say the least, was a little put off by all the noise and hid behind her leg. Leaf Muncher soothed him but let him stay behind her leg so it was more of a surprise to the others.

“Leaf, you made it! Where’s the hatchling? Don’t keep me in suspense anymore!” laughed Parle, upfront as usual.

Everyone laughed, Leaf Muncher turned and told Troove to come out. “Brace yourselves,” she added as Troove came out from behind her back leg and looked at all his admirers. He recognized the scent of two of them, the strange saurian scent on the statue coming from Parle.

“Oh my!” gasped Cassandra, breaking the silence. Shinoba stared at the hatchling with amazement, blinking in disbelief and surprise. Troove just looked back. He was becoming accustomed to this treatment.

James cleared his throat and walked up to Troove. “Hello there, what on earth are you then? You know you look nothing like your mother or any of us.” Troove squeaked in reply, letting James scratch him under his chin, then started to purr.

Leaf Muncher walked over to James and Troove. “He’s quite friendly, hasn’t shown any aggression towards anyone apart from the insects, and he frightens easily,” she said.

Simon and Parle walked over, leaving Cassandra and Shinoba to follow. “Wow, he looks just like his mum,” laughed Parle.

“It’s the teeth,” added Simon, making everyone laugh. Troove turned away from James and looked at the large blue figure of Parle. He squeaked and chirruped in admiration of her size. Parle bought her big head down to his level and looked him over. Troove backed away towards James and his comforting strokes and smiled at the appearance of the big-billed head in front of him, causing everyone to laugh again.

“Didn’t think I was that scary,” Parle laughed.

Shinoba came up to him next and admired his health. “What do you feed him Leaf Muncher? He’s very healthy,” Shinoba asked.

“He’s been eating any bugs he can catch and frogs,” Leaf Muncher replied.

Shinoba nodded. “Very wise. When he gets older, move him onto soft fish like Salmon, then when he grows some more he’ll probably manage all sorts of fish.”

"Hopefully not dolphins as well!" added Simon, half seriously half joking.

They all talked and fussed over Troove after the initial realization and shock that Troove was a Giganotosaur, and Troove had the time of his life being petted, stroked and loved by all the different Dinotopians. “You all must come back to our house for awhile and talk some more.” Suggested Parle, who was letting Troove play with her tail, his previous fears of the big Saurolophus forgotten. “Yes, Parle’s right, let’s go to our house everyone.” Announced James, getting up to stand. “Good Idea James.” Said Simon. “I think I have some tasty bugs for Troove to eat, I’ll fetch them first, then meet you at James and Parle’s house later.” Said Whiptail, who up until now hadn’t said much at all, which was most unusual. Parle pulled a disgusted face at the thought of eating bugs. “Thank you Whiptail, that’s very kind of you.” Said Leaf Muncher. The nimble Struthie bowed then ran off into the caves. Troove stopped playing with Parle’s tail and immediately took off after the running struthiomimus, his ancestor’s telling him to pursue the retreating prey. There was no way that Troove would have managed to catch up with the Struthie, let alone attack it, but that didn’t stop Leaf Muncher, she charged after Troove and knocked him flat with a swift knock of her hand. She didn’t knock Troove hard enough to badly hurt him, just give him something to remember, Troove went rolling over and over at the blow ending up upside down against a rock. Leaf Muncher went over to him and very sternly yelled at him “Don’t you ever chase anyone again! That’s bad!” Troove got up, he was hanging his head and tail very low, and he whimpered softly looking up at Leaf Muncher through hang-dog eyes. Leaf Muncher kept her stern face and just told him quietly to follow her. “Very well handled.” Complemented Cassandra. “ We’ve got to remember that games like that can end in disaster when he’s older.” Said Shinoba, she and Cassandra walked alongside her, Troove was looking very sorry for himself and walking a little way behind. “You think so? I think I might have hurt him. Look how upset he is now.” Said Leaf Muncher in a worried voice. James and Simon were on Parle’s back and the walked on the other side. “Certainty not! Why I would have whacked him one harder if it were me. Cassandra’s right, you’ve done the right thing by showing him immediately what’s wrong.” Confirmed Parle. “Shouting at him wouldn’t have done any good either.” Added James giving her a relaxing smile. Leaf Muncher felt comforted, she hadn’t meant to hurt Troove. “I’m sure he’s not hurt either, perhaps a little sore.” Said Simon as if reading her thoughts. Troove looked sadly at the wall of back legs and tails in front of him. His side ached from where Leaf Muncher had toppled him over, and he was miserable that he had upset his mother enough to make her hit him. He shook his head as if trying to shake things in his mind into place, promising himself that he would never chase another thing again if it meant she had to hit him. Yet she let him chase the insects, he thought. Must be only the insects I’m allowed to chase then, he confirmed, his face in a deep frown. He looked up again, his heart filled with joy as his mother and the others had stopped walking and waited for him to catch up. He ran up to them, ecstatic to be wanted once again, but quickly changed to being miserable just incase they had stopped to punish him again. He looked up at Leaf Muncher. “Well, you mustn’t chase people or saurians. Now all is forgotten, just don’t do it again.” Said Leaf Muncher. Troove flinched when she said “Well” but soon understood what she meant when her voice changed into a cheery tone. He looked up at her and whimpered a thank you, then he nuzzled her foot, the only thing he could reach. Everyone laughed. Leaf Muncher bent her neck down and gave him a loving lick, much to Troove’s joy, then she picked him up by the scruff and put him in the satchel, not wanting for him to get cold in the dampness of the caves. “Well, that was the most sorry looking carnivore I think I’ve ever seen.” Said Simon Laughing. Everyone laughed. Troove, thankful to be loved again and safe in the bag, fell asleep, his aching side a reminder of his mistake. It wasn’t long before they were all outside James and Parle’s house; Whiptail was there, waiting with a bowl of bugs in his claws. “I bought some more for Shinoba,” he said. “Why thank you Whiptail how thoughtful, mm yum I see you’ve got beetles, my favorite.” Said Shinoba “You like beetles too? I love them!” Whiptail and Shinoba were fast into a conversation about how tasty beetles were, Parle pulled another face. “Hey, this carving looks familiar.” Said Simon, stopping the beetle conversation and drawing everyone’s attention to James and Parle’s murals on the front of their house. Leaf Muncher looked round at the particular carving and smiled, at the bottom part of the wall was a picture of a young Iguanodon holding an egg, plants were skillfully carved into the picture making intricate patterns, above the picture was a blank piece of wall. “I was going to carve a picture of you and Troove there.” Said James reading her thoughts. “That’s so nice of you, thank you James! You too Parle!” Said Leaf Muncher looking fondly at her friends. “Well come on everyone inside!” Said Parle, crouching down to allow James and Simon off. Leaf Muncher walked inside, Troove was still in the satchel asleep. “Everyone sit around the main room somewhere I’ll go get everyone something to eat, Whiptail you better bring those bugs of yours into the kitchen.” Said Parle. Leaf Muncher lay down comfortably next to James and Cassandra. She carefully took the satchel off and placed it on the ground in front of her. Shinoba walked in with Whiptail carrying some ferns in a basket in one hand and in the other a bowl full of bugs, they placed them down in the middle of the room “What are you going to do when he talks?” Shinoba asked tossing a beetle into her mouth. “I guess he’ll have to learn Iguanodon tounge. It’s not a very hard tounge to learn, I think he should be able to pronounce all the words well, and if he doesn’t then I’ll have to learn some basic Rainy Basin tounge myself.” Replied Leaf Muncher. “I know some basic carnivore’s tounge, I could teach you or Troove when he’s older.” Said Parle coming into the room with yet another basket of ferns and a bowl of vegetables for the humans. “Thanks Parle, I think that offer will come in handy. Troove has a right to speak his own tounge, and lern about where he came from and what he is.” Troove didn’t wake up until later on, when Leaf Muncher was just leaving. Thankfully he got to say goodbye to everyone in his own way of squeaks and chirps before Leaf Muncher walked out of the caves and headed back towards home. It was going to be a long walk, and most of it was going to be during the night as they had left a little later than planned. They found Flat Tooth waiting for them at the fork in the road, he accompanied them back the rest of the way. Troove enjoyed the night’s walk, and didn’t become tired until he finally stopped walking. At that point he crashed onto the nest bed and fell into a deep sleep, Leaf muncher and Flat Tooth weren’t far behind. Days passed them by, and with them Troove grew a little bigger everyday and demanded yet more frogs. Leaf Muncher took him to the swamps and left him with Swamptooth for one day, who taught him how to catch frogs himself. Troove had never ever tried chasing anything except bugs after his lesson from Leaf Muncher, and it took a lot of explaining on how frogs were OK to catch and eat aslong as you weren’t greedy, and that you in turn did them a favour when you weren’t hungry. On one such occaision Troove transported frogspawn from a dwindleling puddle into the bigger swamp, as thanks. Troove had become a well known face at the nursery, and played with all the young human hatchlings as gently as a kitten, even when they pulled his tail a little too hard. Leaf Muncher’s statue had come to rest at the nursery, as it was becoming weather worn out at the herd with her. Days trickled into weeks, and Troove kept growing. The Caravan travelers returned to visit Lef Muncher and were shocked at what the egg turned out to be, everyone agreed that it was a fine story that could be told on travels. By three weeks Troove was the size of a large dog and started to eat fish now more than frogs. The nursery managed to have a regular supply transported in just for him. Troove and Leaf Muncher often went to visit Parle and James, receiving plently of worried facial expressions on their travels. Troove’s speech had come about and although he had some trouble talking in Iguanodon tounge he managed very well with Parle’s help, naming everything he saw. Weeks turned into months, and months eventually turned into a year. At one year old Troove was fully-grown, and he had grown indeed. He was now a full fifteen metres in length, Leaf Muncher herself was only eight metres and she wasn’t even fully grown. His dark green back had turned even darker, but once you look at it closely you could see that it was actually lots of greens mixed all together, he still kept the dark brown stripes that weaved down his back. His yellow underside had darkened considerably and was more of a lighter yellow green now. Above and slightly before each eye was a triangular point, and although a very dark green now, they beared faint flicks of red in them, showing what colour they would soon become when Troove reached full adult hood. From between his eyes down to his nose was a bony ridge that had formed as he grew, this too was currently dark green, but had swirls of red mixed into it, giving hints of the future. He was fit and healthy, and strong muscles could always be seen from under his skin, his feet looked something to fear, each three toes now had a deadly looking claw on each end. His forearms although puny-looking also carried small dagger like claws, but the thing that made all saurians and human shudder was his jaws. His jaws were huge and they carried a lot of big ripping teeth. When you looked at them you could not help but imagining them clasped around you body, even though they belonged to Troove. Troove, ever since that day when Leaf Muncher punished him, had never chased any saurian again, and the herd trusted him as much as any other Iguanodon. Troove often went along with Leaf Muncher and helped out at the hatchery.The young humans were fasinated by him and would always fall silent in awe when he appeared, very few became scared, but if they did the hatchery workers would prove that he was friendly by patting him and talking to him, encouraging the children to do so also, Troove loved the attention. When Troove wasn’t with Leaf Muncher he was usually out with Flat Tooth. Flat Tooth didn’t do a specific job, rather he wandered about from town to village asking if he could help them out in anyway. Sometimes a village would have a problem that required his size and strength to help them out, especially if there were no large saurians living there. Other times he would pass by a village, ask if any jobs needed doing, if there weren’t then he might carry a message from someone to the next town. Mainly he headed towards Tree Town, where his size was more useful. At Tree town there were huge sauropods that towerd above everything, humans and small saurians lived up in tree houses. There weren’t many dinosaurs his size about and he was often useful with tasks that were too big for a human or small saurian to do, but too small, fiddly and hard for a sauropod to manage. Flat Tooth didn’t mind Troove coming along with him at all, he loved the looks that faces changed to when they saw a huge Giganotosaurus and an Iguanodon walking side by side, and he loved Troove’s company. Troove himself benifited from the long walks, his body as many have said was bult to survive, and with out the long walks and sometimes laborous tasks that he performed, he would become unfit and lazy. “Where to today?” Asked Troove in his deep rumbling voice. He had just polished off a pound or so of fish and now looked towards Flat Tooth for an answer. “Tree Town. Leaf Muncher gone already?” Replied Flat Tooth, swallowing a last mouthful of ferns. “Yes, she left early this morning. I was going to go with her, but I feel in a working mood, reckon I could pull a whole caravan full of Saltasaurus today!” Answerd Troove, snapping at the air after a dragonfly. “Oh, you think so do you? Well we’ll see what we can find for you to do at Tree Town today, I’m sure Juno would want a free ride.” Laughed Flat Tooth, size was not everything. Troove, although huge was just a big kid really. Troove laughed at the image of him pulling a sauropod along in a cart, his deep laugh sounded like a roar and echoed across the grazing herd. The herd, over time, had learned not to panic at the terrifying noise, and they just calmly grazed on not a least bit deterred. “Come on you, let’s go.” Said Flat Tooth who started to head towards the dusty road that lead to Tree town. Troove followed him, making the earth shake as he bounded to catch up. They carried on walking up the road for a long time, Flat Tooth marveled at Troove’s ceseless energy. Troove would constantly be doing something as he walked, looking up at tree tops, admiring pterosaurs that flew over head, or even purposfuly lagging behind so he had an excuse to run and catch up again. Tree Town was the furthest of all Flat Tooth’s visiting places, and quite soon the figeting Giganotosaur became bored. Flat Tooth looked across at Troove, noticing he had for once stopped admiring everything and now looked at his big feet as he walked. “Want to race?” Flat Tooth asked. Troove snapped awake, a big toothy grin spread across his face and he looked at Flat Tooth eagerly. “Yeah! You bet I do!” He replied. Flat tooth reared up onto his hind legs and looked ahead, a fake look of determination on his face. “Ready?” Flat tooth asked. “Ready!” Replied Troove, practically dancing on the spot with energy. “GO!” Cried Flat Tooth, racing off as he said so. Iguanodons are quite nimble when they run on their hind legs, but a young heathly Giganotosaur is no match. Troove sped off, the ground shook with every mighty blow his large feet deliverd to it. Flat Tooth laughed as he saw Troove go racing past him, Troove wore an expression of almost passion on his face, this reminded Flat tooth of what he really was, and where he should really be. Exhuastion finally over took Flat Tooth, Troove was way ahead when he called “OK! I give up you’ve won!” to the departing two-legged carnosaur, as he himself slowed to a halt, panting heavily. Troove stopped when he heard Flat Tooth’s call, barely panting he turned and walked back towards his good friend. “Wow, you are in a working mood! You’re full of energy!” Exclaimed Flat Tooth. Troove smiled his toothy smile in response. “Come on, let’s go.” Finished Flat Tooth, who had finished panting and started to walk forward again. It was mid-morning when they arrived at Tree Town. Juno was there to meet them at the road, his large orange/brown bulk was massive, even compared to Troove. “Well if it isn’t Toothy-Troove, and Flat head.” Called Juno cheerfully. Flat Tooth pulled a mocking face and replied “The charm never stops with you around.” Troove just opened up his large mouth and bared his dagger like teeth with mock ferosity at the Caramasaur. “Woah, call him off Flat tooth I take it back!” Laughed Juno, along with the others. “So what have you got for us to do today? I’m in a good working mood!” Asked Troove, in his normal rumbling voice. “Oh, good to hear! Yesterday a big tree fell over and into a bathing lake, it was a really old tree, we knew it would fall one day, all visitors to the bathing lake had been informed of the danger, so thankfully no one’s been hurt. We need yours and Flat tooth’s strength to help pull it out.” Replied Juno, leading them towards the lake. Troove snapped his big jaws together excitedly in anticipation making a loud “Chop” noise, making everyone jump, a habit he had learnt off his adopted mother. “Troove, I wish you wouldn’t do that, honestly it makes me jump!” Laughed Flat Tooth. Troove chuckled, in a deep throaty growl then looked up in awe at the huge trees and sauropods they passed. Most of them looked down in surprise at seeing Troove, other sauropods had told them about a visting Giganotosaur, but still it was always a shock to any herbivore when they looked upon the biggest carnotaur on the island, even if they were a mighty sauropod. “Here we are.” Anouced Juno, moving aside so they could see the scene. Before them was a huge tree, it’s branches were almost non-exsitant, most of them dead and frail had already broken off, leaving behind a huge trunk and some roots. Wrapped around the trunk were many vines, humans were still tieing up knots and making it secure. On the end of the vines were harnesses strapped onto two saurians. Apart from Juno, a Saltasaurus was the biggest one there, it’s peachy armoured body relaxed in the harness, waiting for the OK to start pulling. Alongside it was a large stegosaurus, placidly chewing on ferns. Three empty harnesses were set aside for them. “Where are the larger sauropods? A Seismosaurus would heave this out in no time.” Asked Troove. “The ground in this particular area of the bathing lake is very soft, a Seismosaur or even a Brachiosaur could easily sink in the soft earth and become stuck, and there would not be anything big enough to pull them out. Or, if they didn’t become stuck they would certainly churn up the ground more than nessasairy and might slip and break a bone, for such a large saurian a broken bone could prove fatal. Besides I though you were eager to work today?” Replied Juno teasing Troove with his last comment. “Show me the harness.” Said Troove, as if challanging Juno to a duel. Flat tooth laughed and glanced knowingly towards his old friend, Juno laughed in reply. They all walked over towards the Saltasaurus and the Stegosaurus, both saurians looked rather worried at the sight of Troove, but looked at Juno expactantly for an answer. “Hello Rout and Green Foot, these are my friends Flat Tooth and Troove. Don’t worry Troove is as harmless as a hatchling, but he’ll pull as strongly as any sauropod.” Said Juno introducing them. Troove over the years had learned to smile without scaring anyone, so instead of a big toothy grin as usual he just smiled polietly along with Flat tooth. “You must be Troove, and you must be Flat Tooth. Juno told me all about you two” Said a strong looking man, with a dozen or so young boys and girls behind him, too frightened to come forward and meet Troove, yet too fasinated by him to leave. “I’m John, and these people behind me have been aching all day to meet you Troove.” Added the kind man, the kids looked at Troove shyly. Flat tooth laughed. “Pleasure to meet you John, glad we can help, I hope Juno hasn’t told you too much.” Troove walked up to John, his huge frame towering over the human, some children backed away others stayed, either scared stiff or transfixed. “Hello John, pleasure to meet you.” Said Troove smiling polietly, to the children he said “Hello kids” And gave them a huge toothy grin. The children gasped then laughed, their fear forgotten with Troove’s hospitality. “Come on Troove, we haven’t got all day! Let’s get you into this harness.” Called Flat Tooth who, along with Juno was already being fitted with one by some human helpers. Troove, who had been showing off his teeth and letting the children pat him, told them he had to go then hurried to catch up with the others, making the ground tremble once again. John along with five other healthy humans fixed a harness made of thick vines entwined onto him. They stood on wooden platforms designed for such tasks with sauropods, in order to reach his shoulders. The vines went around his chest in an X fasion, along his back and around his powerful thighs. When Troove was all strapped up the humans moved onto Juno who was stood beside him, raising the platforms to do so. “Right, now, when I give the signal everyone start pulling, slowley at first.” Yelled John, he was stood infront of the saurians, gesturing a signal to them. He lifted up his flat hand and said “When I do that, pull harder and when I do this, stop.” John finished bringing his hand sharply downwards. The saurians nodded their reply just as John lifted up his hand in a wave position, signalling them to pull. Troove was shocked at the wieght of the large tree at first, but he called upon his muscles for help and they responded. There was all sorts of commotion going on behind him, but he ignored it, focasing entierly onto John’s hand. John lifted his hand up slowly, guesturing them to pull harder. Troove pushed all his wieght into the harness, relishing the pain of his muscles working, enjoying the challenge before him, his face was screwed up in effort and he snorted out breathes, almost as if he was snorting insults towards the tree and it’s weight. Slowley the tree moved. “You- doing- ok- there?” Asked Juno at length, in between heaves of breaths. Troove looked up toward’s Juno and noticed the expression of concern on his face. “Never- felt- better- !” Troove puffed the reply, then strained even harder at the encouraging shouts from John and interested villagers, including the children who he had previously met. They had come to watch the event, and were now cheering the saurians on. Troove felt the huge tree move faster and the strain was becoming less fierce, John moved his hand downwards slowley. Troove slowed down, and then finally came to a halt, some twenty metres away from where they first started. He hung his head along with the other saurians, exhausted, his side’s heaved from the effort. Just then Leaf Muncher appeared, she was wearing a harness and pulling a large water trough towards him. “Hello Troove. You did very well back then, here have a drink.” She said. Troove was surprised at first upon seeing his adopted mother here, and gratefully drank, submerging his whole bottom jaw before lifting his head vertically and letting the water pour down his burning throat. Leaf Muncher left early that morning, Sandclaw had sent her a message via pterosaur asking if she could come in earlier, as a pair of human hatchling twins had just arrived along with their nine year old brother. Leaf Muncher thanked the pterosaur by giving it a bug, previously caught by Troove, who was in a particularly energetic mood this morning. She told Troove and Flat tooth where she was off too, and wished them luck with the day before she started off towards the hatchery. It was a beautiful day, the sun was pleasently warm on her back as she strolled down the beaten road towards the nursery. On the way she passed a mother Syrachosaurus with a three day old hatchling, the hatchling was tiny compared to Troove she thought, at three days old he was bigger than that, and Styrachosaurus weren't even small saurians. "Hello, Breathe deep, seek peace. What a beautiful day it is for walking!" She said in the universal saurian tounge. The Syrachosaur, who had been previously watching her hatchling, besotted with every movement it made looked up at Leaf Muncher and smiled. "It is isn't it? Tangula and I are off to Tree Town today, a big tree has fallen into their bathing lake, there should be some muscle power going on later. I want to show Tangula all the different saurians there are there." At the mention of the hatchling's name it looked up at it's mother happily then at Leaf Muncher. "Hello Tangula, you're a very pretty saurian arn't you?" Said Leaf Muncher to the hatchling, Tangula made little grunts in reply, her mother chuckled at this. "Well I must be on my way, careful they grow up fast!" Warned Leaf Muncher bidding farewell to the happy duo, then walking on-wards. I wonder if that's what Troove and Flat Tooth will be doing today, she thought as she entered the hatchery. "Ahh, Glad to see you made it Leaf! Where's Troove? He's not coming today?" Asked Opo in her usual cheery voice. "Nope, he was bursting with energy so he's gone with Flat tooth today, I think they are helping to shift a fallen tree at Tree Town." She replied. "Hmm sounds like fun and alot of hard work! Troove's favorite combination." The workers at the hatchery had become uncles and aunts to Troove over the years. Opo moved away towards the nursery's big main room. "Well here are our newest members, meet Paul, Larissa and Melissa. Paul, Melissa and Larissa meet Leaf Muncher." Introduced Opo. The boy who was around Andrews age smiled nervously and gave a small wave, the two twins were very young and just cluched their brother's clothes. "Hello there, you must feel very worried at the moment, but don't worry." Said Leaf Muncher, the children stared blankly at her, this puzzled Leaf Muncher but she smiled polietly then went off in search of Rosaline, Paul grabbed his sisters and backed away as she passed by. "Hello Rosaline, have the new dolphinbacks spoken to anyone yet?" She asked, walking into the kitchen area where Sandclaw was cleaning babies bottles. Rosaline was chopping up various plants into a fine mash, when these were mixed with water they would become the equivalent to milk, although it would appear green and taste somewhat different. "Hi Leaf, no they haven't not as yet, the young boy told me his name and his sister's name, but that was only to me, they won't talk to Sandclaw or Opo. Don't supposed they talked to you did they?" Rosaline asked. "No, I wonder why. You know I don't think they understand what we are saying to them, even though we spoke to them in their tounge called English." Replied Leaf Muncher thinking out loud. Rosaline stopped cutting the herbs, an expression of wonder on her face. "Leaf Muncher, you are a genious!" She cried. Sandclaw and Leaf Muncher both looked baffled at Rosaline. "They speak a different language! They proberly don't speak English! Quickly Leaf! Go to Tree Town and get a few pterosaur messangers, send them out to Waterfall city and the other towns asking for human translators." Said Rosaline in an excited voice, thrilled with having solved the complication, like finding the last piece of a one thousand piece jigsaw puzzle. Leaf Muncher laughed "Calm down Rosaline, I'm going, I'm going! I think Troove is there today, so I'll proberly bring him back with me later, perhaps Flat tooth too. Breathe Deep seek peace." She said still laughing as she left. "Breathe Deep seek peace!" Called out Sandclaw and Rosaline together. "Where you off to Leaf?" Asked Opo, who was becoming upset at not being able to comfort the new arivals. "I'm off to Tree town to get help, Rosaline think's these dolphinbacks might speak another tounge. Good luck with them, keep trying. Breathe Deep seek peace." She replied. Opo smiled and called out "Breathe Deep Seek Peace." to her departing friend. Leaf Muncher, instead of walking, set off at a sort of run. She ran on all four legs though, this loping gait could carry her on for hours without her tiring. As she ran she thought of what Troove and Flat Tooth might be doing at Tree Town, and then of what language thos three children might speak. Perhaps it was one like James's she thought as she ran. Later on after running for hours, she found herself at Tree Town, the huge trees and sauropods towerd over her. She headed towards a large wooden hut at the base of a red wood tree, this hut was designed as almost an Information center for saurians such as herself that could not get acess up to the tree tops above. She walked in, the hut was empty of people apart from a Protoceratops who was stood behind the counter reading from a large scroll. the room was decorated with sketches and pictures of Sauropods and large trees. "Hello there, Breathe deep seek peace, My name is Leaf Muncher and I'm in need of some messangers." She said polietly. The small ceratopsian looked up from the scrolls and gave her a beaky smile. "Hello, I'm Garfield. If you wait here a second I'll try and find some for you. What seems to be the problem?" Said the orange and black saurian. "Our nursery for dolphinbacks is in desperate need of human translators." She replied. "Ah, ok then, hang on a moment Leaf Muncher. Have a drink if you want you look tired." Said Garfield motioning towards a water trough at the side of the room, before dissapearing out a back doorway. Leaf Muncher gratefully went over to the trough and took a long drink, unlike most saurians she possesed cheeks, and although primitive in design they served her well and she didn't have to tilt her head back after every mouthful of water, but instead just slurped it up. After her drink she waited paitiently in the hut, admiring the pictures. It wasn't too long after that Garfield appeared with three Dimorphodons pearched on his frill. "These were the only messangers I could find. Meet Polly, Maderan and Repp." He anouced. Then pterosaurs flew over to Leaf Muncher, Repp landed on her head while Polly and Maderan sat on each shoulder. "Hello you three. Breathe deep seek peace. I need you three to fly out to all villages asking if they have any human translators that can go to my nursery right away." Leaf Muncher explained to them where her nursery was and how to get there before wishing them luck on their way, watching the little saurians fly out of the doorway and into the blue sky. "Thank you for your help Garfield. Breathe deep seek peace." Called Leaf Muncher as she left the hut. "Good luck!" He called back. Leaf Muncher after leaving the hut headed towards a large crowd that had formed, she excused her way to the front and laughed. Infront of her was Troove, Flat Tooth and Flat tooth's friend Juno, all pulling and starining as hard as they could, trying to move a huge tree from out of a lake. The crowd was yelling encouragments at the five saurians and Leaf Muncher yelled as loud as them. "Come on Troove! You can do it! Come on Flat tooth! Pull harder you're almost there!" she was in mid-yell when a young human apeeared by her said and said "I see you know Troove, would you mind helping us out?" Said the man. "Sure. My name's Leaf Muncher, Troove is my adopted son." She replied as she followed the man towards the back of the crowd. "Hello Leaf Muncher I'm Jonathan. If you wouldn't mind we need a saurian your size to pull a water trough to Troove and the other's once they are done pulling, they will be very thirsty, you understand." Said Jonathan. "Sure, I'd love to!" Replied Leaf Muncher, she held still while Jonathan and a group of other humans fixed a harness onto her, then attached her to a large water trough. A huge cheer roared up from the crowd. “I think they have finished, come on let’s go.” Said Leaf Muncher. Leaf Muncher pulled up alongside Troove, he was hanging his head in exhaustion “Hello Troove, you did very well back then, here have a drink.” She said and watched her over grown son take a huge mouthful of water. When Troove had quenched his big thirst he looked up at Leaf Muncher. “Thanks, talk to you later when I’m out of this harness, the others look pretty thirsty.” He said, smiling his big toothy smile. Leaf Muncher waitied while some humans filled up the water trough before she moved on towards Juno. “Hello Juno, I think you pulled the hardest out of all of them, have a drink!” Juno nodded a thank you at her kind remark, then started to lap up the water. “I dunno, Troove was very good!” Juno replied after a while of drinking. Leaf Muncher moved along again to the saltasaurus and the stegosaurus, the humans re-filling the water trough each time, until finally she came to Flat Tooth. He was stood, looking very worn out, but he had had more time to compose himself while he waited for his turn to drink and on his face was a proud smile. “What are you so happy about? I saw you sleeping while the others pulled!” Leaf Muncher mocked. Flat Tooth pulled a face and said “ha ha.” In a very raspy dry throat voice, before he took a long satisfying drink. Flat Tooth pulled a face and said “ha ha.” In a very raspy dry-throat voice, before he took a long satisfying drink. What seemed like hours passed, everyone was un-harnessed and given something to eat (Juno knew Troove might have come so fish was on hand) before John, the man that had been incharge of the operation stood up to make a speech. “Well, thanks to Troove, Juno, Trek, Quisa and Flat Tooth the tree has been sucessfully moved out of the water. I want to thank everyone who helped to organise this event, and provide the food and water for all. I thik we all deserve an aplause!” He cheered starting to clap. All the humans clapped while the saurians hooted, honked and squawked, but the loudest noise of all, was Troove’s magnificent roar of victory. “You know, my chest still aches a little.” Said Flat Tooth quite pathetically, as he, Troove and Leaf Muncher walked along the path towards their home. Leaf Muncher pulled a face at him, the sort a mother gives to their child when they get a tiny paper cut, and said in an equally pathetic voice. “Poor little Flat Tooth.” She and Troove started to laugh, Flat Tooth snorted in fake anger. “I’m bigger than you Leaf! Plus I didn’t see you there pulling either!” Leaf Muncher laughed then replied “Don’t be silly, I’d end up with a sore chest if I did all that pulling!” they all laughed. Troove was quiet on the way home, he walked along silently listening to Leaf Muncher and Flat tooth’s humorous bickering. Leaf Muncher worried about him. “Troove, you are very quiet. What’s wrong?” she asked, looking up with pride at her enormous son. “I don’t know. I mean I’m happy, but my heart feels sad is all.” He replied, looking at his smaller, dwarfed mother. “You are probably just tired Troove, I know I am!” Said Flat Tooth. “Hmm probably.” Replied Troove. “We’ll soon be home, not much longer to go.” Added Leaf Muncher. The stars were just apearing in the sky when the trio finally reached the herd. Leaf Muncher wondered whether the nursery had managed to get any messangers. That would have to wait till tommorow now she thought. She hadn’t intended to stay so long at Tree Town, but she had gotten caught up with the day’s activities. Troove yawned, the moonlight making his big teeth seem even bigger, he settled himself down with Leaf Muncher and Flat tooth beside him, then fell into a deep sleep. Leaf Muncher was up again bright and early the next morning, she wanted to know how Paul and the other two twins were getting on. She nudged Troove, getting him to wake. “Psst! You coming with me today Troove?” She whisperd, trying not to wake the snoring Flat Tooth. Troove opened his blue eyes and looked at Leaf Muncher, trying to control the morning’s blurred vision. “Yeah, I’ll go with you. What about Flat tooth?” He asked, standing up slowley so as not to wake Flat Tooth and stretching his tail and legs one after the other. “The snore-bore can stay here. He’ll proberly want to sleep off that pulling today anyway.” She replied, laughing quietly at her friend who was still snoring away with a big stupid-looking grin on his face. They both giggled quietly at the sight before moving away, down the road towards the hatchery. They both walked quiety, both looking at the morning’s splendors before them. Leaf Muncher admired the tiny dew droplets upon the leaves, and licked her beak, thinking about it made her hungry. Troove walked along looking at the sky, his sad heart had gone he thought, must have been tired after all. “Hang on, I can’t resist.” Said Leaf Muncher, who stopped walking and went over to a fern bush on the side of the road, she took up a large beakful of plants then carried on walking. Troove gave her a fake look of dissaproval, which was answered by Leaf Muncher sticking her tounge out at him, if was covered in mashed leaves. “Awww, That’s gross!” He laughed, his big booming roar. Leaf Muncher had to surpress her laugh, for fear of losing her mouthful, she came out with a bizzar snorting noises instead, which made them laugh even more. By the time they reached the Nursery they were both in a fit of giggles. “Hello Leaf. Hello Troove!” Called Sandclaw to them, she had a basket over one forearm and was picking berries. “Hello Sandclaw! How are you today? Did we mangae to get any translators for those dolphinbacks?” Leaf Muncher called to her. “I’m fine, No we haven’t. I’m not to clear on the details, you should go talk to Rosaline. “You might aswell stay out here and help Sandclaw Troove. I think the new arrivals will be scared of you, they are of me.” Said Leaf Muncher. “OK, good idea.” Replied Troove, walking off towards Sandclaw. As Troove had grown he had slowley out-grown the nursery, and no longer fitted inside it, he sometimes felt left out when he had to go sit under a tree when it rained while everyone else was inside. Of course if Leaf Muncher wasn’t running back and forth tending to the dolphinbacks she’d come out and sit with him, but still he always felt bad, making others come out and sit under a tree just for him. His heart was starting to feel sad again, and for the first time in his life, it suddenly occurred to him that he was different. “Why so glum Troove?” Asked Sandclaw, noting the sad look that had spread across Troove’s face. “Oh, me? Ha ha, nothing. What sort of berries are you picking?” Replied Troove cheerfully, laughing his sadness away. Sandclaw paused and looked at him for a moment before smiling and replying “These are called blackberries, they are very tasty. Want to try one?” She held out her strange looking hand, three fingers were welded together by skin, a lot like Leaf Muncher’s except Maiasaurs looked more dainty than Iguanodons. On her hand was a single deep purple berry. “Why thank you.” Troove said, his small hands could not reach his own mouth, so he had to bend his big head down and the pick the berry quite skillfully for such a large saurian out of Sandclaws hand. He rocked back on his hind legs tasting the berry, a thoughful expression on his face, Sandclaw picked another one and tossed it into her mouth. “Mmm these have to be my favorite!” she exclaimed. Troove looked at her in surprise, the berry tasted awful to him, he polietly swallowed it nether the less, but declined when the Maisaura offerd him another. Troove’s heart went heavy again, everything he did was like someone yelling in his ear that he was different, Troove didn’t mind being different, individuality was always good in his mind, but this sort of “difference” was not like individuality, it gave him a sense of not belonging. The wise old Maiasaur, who had seen and experienced many things knew what Troove was thinking and said “We all love you just the way you are Troove, don’t feel bad.” Sandclaw gave him a warm friendly smile, which was returned in the form of his classic big toothy grin. “Thanks Sandclaw. Ohh, I found a green one are these tastier perhaps?” He said looking at another bush, soon the two were involved in a race on who could pick the most berries, both with their mouths to make it fair. “Ah, Leaf. Glad to see you back!” Said Rosaline as Leaf Muncher entered the room, Paul and his sisters were in the corner still, this time though they were all in new clothes. “Did any of the translators help?” She asked. Rosaline looked sad. “No, unfortunatly not. We had seven of them all together, one spoke Russian, I think the other was Spanish, English and some other weird names that I can’t remember.” Rosaline replied. “Oh, really? What a shame. Did James come? He lives in Waterfall City and I know he speaks one of those weird languages.” She asked smiling at the children. “Actually no, come to think of it. He didn’t come, he must have been away somewhere, perhaps with Parle.” There was a long silence, both Rosaline and Leaf Muncher looked in the direction of the children thoughtfully, Paul smiled at them politely but still looked very confused and worried. “They have some new clothes on now, that’s good, they are beginning to understand we don’t want to harm them.” Said Leaf Muncher, noting the new clothes. “Yes, Paul wouldn’t let us near him, but we left the clothes out, he dressed his sisters and himself. We leave food out for them, bottles too. They won’t let us near them though, really we just need this translator to explain things to them. Other-wise we are fine.” Confirmed Rosaline. “Well me staring at them isn’t going to help, I’m going to go and help Sandclaw and Troove pick berries, perhaps I’ll get an Idea.” Said Leaf Muncher starting to leave the room. Paul said something just as Rosaline spoke “Oh, is Troove here-.” “Shh!” Cried Leaf Muncher urgently, rushing towards Paul. “Sorry Rosaline to cut you off, but Paul. He just said something James has said before.” Rosaline rushed to Leaf Muncher side excitedly, they both looked at Paul again. Leaf Muncher tried desperatly to remember the word James always said on partings. “Orevore?” Said Leaf Muncher, not certain of what she was actually saying. Paul looked at her puzzled for a moment, then the young boys face lit up as he said “Au Revoir.” Leaf Muncher hooted with joy, making the dolphinbacks flinch. “He speaks James’s language! James says that word whenever we part! I’ll be back later on this evening, I’m going to get James!” Cried Leaf Muncher. Rosaline who was now laughing at the situation, and how confused the young children must be clapped her hands together and called after the departing dinosaur. “Au Revoir!” A small smile of hope spread across Paul’s face as he soothed his crying sisters who had been most upset by the Iguanodon’s hoots. “Come on Troove! We are going to Waterfall City! Bye for now Sandclaw, we’ll see you later on this evening!” Cried Leaf Muncher again as she rushed out the door. Troove and Sandclaw both were looking at her with surprise, they had heard the hoots and were wondering what on earth was going on when she burst out of the door. “Looks like I’m going to Waterfall City. Thanks Sandclaw for letting me help!” Cried Troove as he bounded away shaking the earth with each step, Leaf Muncher’s excitement had rubbed off on him. Sandclaw just laughed at the pair of them, they were as bad as eachother really, she thought as she swallowed down another berry. Leaf Muncher loped along in her four legged run fashion, while Troove jogged along beside her, his gait never faultering. “So why are we going to Waterfall City?” He asked, not even out of breath. “Because James speaks the same tounge as the new dolphinbacks.” Replied Leaf Muncher “Oh good! I’m looking forward to seeing those two again.” Troove replied with enthusiasm. He often missed seeing his “Aunt” and “Uncle” He ran on steadily, but as the familer wind rushed around him something was different, as he ran a memory that was strangly familer, but wasn’t his, flooded his vision. The dirt road benieth him slipped away and was replaced by a thick forest floor. Around him was a dense jungle, to the sides were thick green walls of vegetation, his heart raced with pleasure and joy, and unconciously he started to run faster. Gone were all worries, fears and doubts, he looked at the ground. Inbetween the ferns and grasses there were tracks not unlike Leaf Muncher’s that had been running before him, the pleasure flowed through him pumping his heart to run on. Then with a leap of excitement his heart jumped, as infront of him he saw a terrified Hadrosaur running away from him at full bolt. His jaws opened automatically and he quickend his pace in order to make the final attack. He’s mine now, nothing can outrun me, he hasn’t a chance thought Troove, as he charged onto the hadrosaur, holding it’s back with his mighty jaws. Soon I’ll be eating- “TROOVE! STOP!” Yelled Leaf Muncher for the fifth time, finally breaking him away from the memory. Shocked at what he had been thinking, Troove stumbled about trying to slow down. Disorientated, the voice of Leaf Muncher cut through him, bringing back dreaded memories of chasing Whiptail. He stumbled more, he seemed to have lost control over his legs and weaved about, threatening to topple at any moment. “Troove! Are you alright?! What’s wrong?!” Cried Leaf Muncher frantically, dodging Trooves wild steps. Then as soon as the memory had come, it went, leaving the giganotosaur standing alone. Troove stood there, he had his eye’s closed, mostly out of fear, he didn’t want to open them just incase he would find a body infront of him. Dust clung to the sweat that covered his neck, and he trembled. “Troove, are you OK? You can open you eye’s it’s just me here.” Said Leaf Muncher soothingly. Gingerly Troove opened his eyes, he looked down through tears at his foster mum. Leaf Muncher looked back at him, baffled by his behavoir and wondering what on earth had just happened. “I- I- I’m sorry.” He stutterd blinking away tears. “That’s alright, you haven’t done anything wrong Troove. Well apart from running off!” Leaf Muncher laughed. Troove chuckled, he had stopped trembling now and the tears were all but blinked away. “It was so strange. One minuate I was running with you, the next I was in this jungle, I was chasing-.” Troove paused and looked at Leaf Muncher, she looked back up at him and smiled, re-assuring him. “I was chasing this Hadrosaur.” He finished. Now it was Leaf Muncher’s turn to be sad, and it swamped over her heart like grey clouds covering the sky. Troove wasn’t a hatchling anymore, he was growing up and needed more things than just her, Flat Tooth and the nursery. Tears rolled into her eye’s, she wasn’t old enough herself to know what to do or say, and she desperatly wished Sandclaw, Parle, Rosaline and James were here to help her. She quickly got ahold of herself and forced back the welling tears. “It’s OK Troove. It’s OK, James and Parle will be able to help us.” She said. They walked the rest of the way in silence, neither of them knew what to say to eachother. Leaf Muncher although still confused on what had come over Troove, made a start of conversation as they reached the caves, the silence was becoming unbearable. “Troove, what exactly happened back then?” She said quietly, looking at the wet stones benieth her feet. “I’m not sure. One minuate I was runing alongside you, then the wind, the wind reminded me of somewhere. I felt like I was running through this steamy jungle, I was happy though, really relaxed. Then I noticed these footprints, and up ahead I see that I’m chasing a Hadrosaur.” Troove paused, debating whether he should tell his foster mother about the part when he attacked the creature. “Then I heard your voice, and it was over, I remembered where I was.” He concluded looking at Leaf Muncher. She looked back at him and smiled. “Well I dunno what’s wrong with you, perhaps you just need a rest, although I didn’t think you were very stressed anyway.” Her voice returning back to it’s usual cheery tone. “Niether did I.” Added Troove, just as they appeared at the entrance to Waterfall City. “You know I’m always so impressed by this place.” Said Troove in awe of the white buildings, trying to forget the previous happenings. They both walked down through Waterfall City into the winding pathways that lead towards Parle and James’s house. Almost on cue there were soon worried yells and fleeing saurians at the sight of Troove. Usually Troove found this prospect funny, and always enjoyed it when Leaf Muncher would explain that he was friendly, then he’d give them his best smile, full of teeth. But today Troove was miserable, although he smiled and comforted all those he could who feared him, it was just like before, and the feeling of being different crept through him. “Oh, Leafy! Good to see you! Oh, and my favortie therapod Troove! You’ve grown again haven’t you? I swear he gets bigger each time I see him!” Cried Parle, thrilled that they had come to visit her and James. “Hello Parle. How are you? Is James in?” Said Leaf Muncher. James appeared at the doorway “Yep I’m here. Hello Leaf, good to see you. Hi Troove, gee he has grown hasn’t he?” Replied James his old familier smile spreading across his face. “Hello Parle, hello James.” Said Troove. “Hang on a moment!” Said Parle rushing inside. “There she goes again, I’ve never seen such an active Saurlophus!” Laughed James. Leaf Muncher and Troove both laughed, but not as normal. James paused and looked both of them over for a second. “OK, what’s wrong?” He asked. Troove turned away, some-what embarassed by his revieling face, just as Parle came back outside. In her arms was a huge reed woven rug. Parle walked past them all and spread the rug out in the middle of the road, then she dashed inside to get another. Leaf Muncher and Troove looked at James, puzzeld and asking for an answer for his friend’s behavoir, James just looked at them back, just as baffled. Parle rushed out a second time and spread the second rug next to the first one. “Well don’t just stand there! Come, sit down!” She laughed, starting to lie down on the rugs. Troove and the others sighed, then burst out laughing as they walked over to sit down, the rugs were big enough for Troove to sit on aswell as everyone else. “Well I couldn’t just leave poor old Troove out here on his own could I?” Parle laughed. James sat down beside her and patted her neck. “So what brings you two out here?” He said firmly, already making the point that he wanted all the reasons. “Well at the nursery we have had three young dolphinbacks come in. We think that they speak your original tounge James, and If it’s OK we need you to come translate for us for awhile.” Said Leaf Muncher. “That, and the fact that I don’t think I’m normal anymore.” Added Troove half joking, half serious. “Well-.” Started Parle before James could open his mouth. “James can come if I can come, I haven’t been out of Waterfall City for awhile, besides I’m interested in learning more about James’s original tounge, he doesn’t ever share with me!” She laughed then grew serious “And why Troove, don’t you feel normal anymore?” She added, again before James could say it. James shook his head, smiling, then looked at Troove. Troove spilled out the whole lot to them, he hadn’t wanted to worry Leaf Muncher with such problems, he hadn’t even wanted to worry Parle and James either but once he started he couldn’t stop. He soon found himself telling them all about how he felt different and left out even though there was no reason to think such things. James and Parle listened to his words silently, Troove talked on, telling them about how he lost control on the way over. When he was finished Parle and James still looked at the unhappy duo silently thinking the situation over, for a change is was James who spoke first. “Man goes to man at the last.” He said simply, confusing all the dinosaurs. Parle gave him a face “James, this is no time to make jokes.” She said, shocked at her friend’s bizzar behavoir. “I wasn’t making a joke, it’s a quote from a book, er, scroll I’ve read. It means that Troove, you are a giganotosaurus and although you have been raised differently, deep down you are still a giganotosaurus. You can’t deny it or learn to live with it, it’s what you are and nothing will change it.” Troove looked totally lost and confused even more so at the second statement. “But I know what I am, I’m not sad bcause I’m a giganotosaur.” He said. “No, you are right, but because you are a giganotosaur, you’re sad.” James answerd, walking over and sitting next to the huge saurian, stroking his thick neck. “I think I understand.” Said Leaf Muncher letting her sentence trail off. “He means, that Troove, you are a Giganotosaur-.” “Yeah, we have estanblished that.” Interuptted Troove, his worry turning to frustration then anger. Leaf Muncher looked at him and was going to say something, when a comforting look from Parle stopped her. “Anyway. What I mean Troove, well what James means is that you can’t go on living like you are now. Not because we, or anyone else has said so, but because you yourself are trying to tell yourself so. You are a Giganotosaur, even though you don’t fully realise it, you long for the Rainy Basin and it’s habitants.” Finished Parle. Troove lifted his big head off the ground and looked away blankly. “I don’t understand, it doesn’t make sense. I don’t want to go to the Rainy Basin. How can I long to go if I’ve never been there? I don’t want to leave you lot and end up scaring caravans for food!” He growled angrily, got up and stomped off towards the small town square shaking the ground as he went. Leaf muncher got up to go with him “Troove, wait! Come-.” She didn’t finish, Parle had grabbed her by her tail as she passed by. “Leafy, let him go for now, he needs to think things out.” She said soothingly. Leaf Muncher understood and turned to face her friends. “He’ll end up leaving me won’t he? One day he’s going to want to go, and I can’t go with him.” Tears welled into her eyes and she started to cry big Iguanodon tears. James came over and hugged her around her neck. “Don’t worry so Leaf.” He said. Parle dissapeared back into the house and then re-appeared with a bowl of warm vegetable soup. “Here, drink some of this. It’ll calm you down a little.” Parle said placing the bowl down infront of Leaf Muncher. “Do you want some James? I think I’m going to have a bowl too.” Asked Parle heading back towards the kitchen. Soon all three were sat, each enjoying a bowl of soup. A while later the faint vibrations through the ground signified Troove return, he came and sat down with them all again. “Sorry. Really I am.” Troove said sincerely, his deep voice barely a whisper. “Think nothing of it.” Replied Parle. “You will always be welcome here, no matter what.” Added James, smiling his relaxing smile as Leaf Muncher looked at him lovingly. Parle rushed outside “I’ve got good news!” She boomed. After Troove’s brief upset Parle had gone inside to prepare some dinner for them all, while James, Leaf Muncher and Troove enjoyed the afternoon sun and had a snooze. Now Troove and James were groggily coming to with Parle’s voice ringing in their ears while Leaf Muncher finished off saying farewell to a dimorphodon messanger. The messanger was bound to the nursery telling them not to worry, help would arrive tommorow. James mumbled something in French at the Saurlophus’s voice. Troove yawned. “What?” He said drowsily. Parle focased her attention on James “You know that they were putting on a play at the library James? I think it was called Cinderoll or something. Anyway, I just got a messanger from Kyla, that they are in need of a replacement for the side kick bad-guy.” She was now looking at Troove, a hint of a smile creeping across her face. “Well for a start it’s called Cinderella, not Cinderoll. And what’s happened to their original bad-guy?” Asked James. “Well you see, it wasn’t anyone in paritcular, It was a model of a Tyrannosaur. It’s head just appeared and roard now and then to emphasise the main baddies point. Looked really good, I remember watching them make it when I was at the library, unfortunatly it’s been trodden on, by a Triceratops. Now, they are asking anyone and everyone to bring in any supplies they have to make a new one, quickly I imagine, the play is tonight.” She finished, giving James a quick glance. “They’ll never finish that in time. Hey Troove, can you act?” Finished James, as if the pair rehersed it. A big smile spread across Troove’s face. “I haven’t done it before. But they sound in a bit of trouble.” “Oh, You’d be really good at that Troove, you’re better than any Tyrannosaur anyway!” Said Leaf Muncher excitedly. “Well, we better get going then, don’t want to be late. What’s this story about?” Laughed Troove. “It’s about a young Gallamimus named Cinderella who is really spoilt and ungrateful, her family is even more so. She falls inlove with Aladdin, the nastiest Gallimimus there is, who takes pride in robbing caravans with help of his side kick White fang, he’s the Tyrannosaur, well Giganotosaur now. Eventually love saves the two from their bad ways and they start up a new life being decent dinotopians. White fang goes back to the Rainy Basin, cross at Aladdin’s new found good ways, and Cinderella’s family, well they just stay the same.” Said Parle, James burst out laughing. “You know James always does that when I tell the storyline to anyone, He finds it hilarious.” Said Parle to Leaf Muncher and Troove. James, wiping a tear from his eye. “It’s nothing, just the storyline, it is very different from the one I know, and it always makes me laugh.” Parle sighed. “Come on let’s get going, dinner will keep till we return.” Finished Parle as the four walked off in the direction of the Library. The Library’s entrance had a large handpainted banner hanging over it saying “Cinderella, one night only- Tonight!” and all around were humans and saurians of all sorts holding bamboosticks and other materials, hoping to help with building the new White Fang. The appearance of Troove stirred up the crowd, and the once peaceful environment turned to one of frantic yells as everyone ran for cover. “IT’S OK! DON’T RUN! HE’S FRIENDLY!” Yelled Parle as loud as she could. Troove, trying to look positivly at the situation, not wanting or allowing James words to come true laughed and also yelled. “I LIKE VEGETABLE SOUP TOO!” The crowd stopped running at this last remark coming from the jaws of a giganotosaur and roared with laughter, slowly coming back into line. Dinotopians were very accepting. Leaf Muncher smiled, glad that Troove wasn’t so sad anymore, she playfully whacked him with her tail, hardly causing him to flinch. “I don’t know Troove, I think you prefer ferns better!” She added, they all laughed. They made their way up to the big main doors and went inside, the library was well big enough to accommodate a small Sauropod, and Troove didn’t have to duck out of the way of anything. A young looking Archeopterix, feathers a brilliant purple ran over to greet them. “Hello Parle, Hello James. Well I think you just solved our White Fang problem.” It chatterd to them. “We certainly have Kyla. Meet Troove, your new White Fang for this evening, and his foster mother Leaf Muncher.” Replied Parle introducing them. “Nice to meet you.” Said Leaf Muncher, Troove smiled. “Nice to meet you too Leaf Muncher! Come this way, I’ll take you to the stage and introduce you to some of the characters.” Replied Kyla, who walked off deeper into the Library with the others close behind. The stage in the library was normally used to host community gatherings and things like that, but today it was vividly decorated in a jungle scene. On the stage was a black gallimimus with yellow stripes zig zagging down his back. He had red scars painted onto him and as he stood on stage he yelled out “As much as I hate snails, all civalised dinotopians and thee.” James stifled a giggle, he had heard this phrase used before perhaps thought Leaf Muncher. When Troove came into view the black Gallimimus stopped, with a whoop of joy he jumped off the stage and ran towards them. “Oh Kyla, you clever thing! That is the most realistic model! Where ever-.” He was cut short with everyone’s laughing, including the model’s. “Hello, I’m Troove.” Said Troove polietly. “He’s offerd to play White Fang tonight.” Added Kyla. “Oh, Sorry Troove, for a moment there I though you were a model! Wow, this play will be brilliant with you in it now! My name is Canter, pleased to meet you.” Said Canter bowing gracefully. “This is Leaf Muncher, James and you know Parle don’t you?” Said Kyla “Oh yes I know Parle. Hello Leaf Muncher and James good to meet you both.” Replied Canter. “You too.” Said James, just as another Gallimimus a creamy pink in colour appeared, an excited expression on her face. “Oh my!” She gasped at the sight of Troove. “This, Sundae, is our new White Fang.” Explained Canter as Troove bowed polietly, copying the gallimimus’s dramatics. “Wow, Troove, I have a feeling you are going to make this play one to remember.” Said the elegant creature. “Now Troove, let’s not waste anymore time, come with Sundae and I. We’ll show you around and more importantly show you the plot.” Anounced Canter. “We’ll catch you later Troove, on stage!” Called Leaf Muncher after him.

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