Skybax Rescue: Part 2

"Breathe Deep, Seek Peace Triforce and BigHeart. Where are the others, have they not surfaced yet?" Alkazra asked.

The tiny Dimorphodon hops to her shoulder and nestles against her ear whilst relaying the message of thanks from C'xoila. Mirajai circles above to keep watch for Aja while Triforce fills her in on the details.

"There have been no more falls and they would have surely sent BigHeart with a message if they were in trouble. What of the reinforcements?"

Running a hand through her hair and taking a seat on a fallen log the tired apprentice explained:

"There was much confusion in the city as all the masters are at training grounds, displays, or helping to make that end of the canyon safe. I have never had to deal with something like this before and I am lucky that Mirajai can keep a cool head." A cry from above signaled agreement. "I could not find Azonthus and as usual there are not many earth movers at the city. I was lucky to find Aja, a Lambeosaurus, as she has the strength to bring the food and she should arrive in the next few hours if all is well. My connection to the northies has proved useful as Sali and Strongback will arrive soon, this means however that I can not leave as they will bring no riders and I am the only one here that I know can communicate with them."

"You have done well, rest for a while or you will be no use to anyone."

She didn't need telling twice and after a blanket was un-loaded form Mirajai's pack she fell into a deep sleep.

"I hope nothing happened to Azonthus." Cyrrus was worried.

Tamith calls Triforce to lower the rope and we begin to ascend.

As C'xoila's head pops out of the ground he exclaims "Yes! We Dirt Demons have emerged from our hole! We found more sunstone chips, and footprints."

Blearily wiping the sleep from her eyes Kaz woke to sounds of movement. The rope had been lowered and the search party was climbing up amongst sounds of "Lee wait your turn", "Well if you weren't so slow". Once at the surface the group greets their apprentice friend and all try to tell her at once of what they found.

Suddenly Mirajai lands to the sound of a low hooting that signal the arrival of Aja with more supplies. Steadily making her way into the clearing the Lambeosaurus greets the group and after unloading her pack they all sit down to a well earned meal and a discussion of what to do next...

"I think we need to find out who/what we are looking for. I have been told two different things! We are looking for a Skybax rider and partner or a boy and his saurian friend. Which if either is correct?" Alkazra continued,

"My specialty is with those of the air although I have a vague knowledge of most languages. I need to wait to welcome the northies but as soon as they get here I can go where you need, it's no trouble it's what me and Jai came here to do."

Aja finally spoke up, "I brought enough food for 10 for around a week so lack of supplies need not hold you back."

As soon as the small raptor left C'xoila and the rest of the search party, she headed towards the canyon floor. Hoping to make better time once she reached the bottom, the agile theropod quickened her pace.

*ROAR* The loud T-rex challenge stirred awful memories within Azonthus. The scar near her left eye started throbbing. Heart pounding, Az let go of the rocks she was clinging to and jumped/dropped the last 20 feet to the bottom of the canyon.

As soon as her feet hit the ground Azonthus started running. A t-rex was coming swiftly from behind. Fear made the small theropod stumble, but she quickly regained her swift stride. A normal t-rex can run in speeds of 32mph for a short time, but a normal v-raptor can run faster for longer. Azonthus had that advantage and another, she was more agile. Slowly pulling away from the Tyrannosaurus, Az gracefully turned a corner without breaking stride only to run face first into a wall of rocks!

The pile of rocks completely closed up the canyon. She was trapped! Loosing hope, Azonthus gave herself up for dead.

When the Rex stumbled turning the corner Az had a brilliant idea.

Jumping straight up and turning a 180, Azonthus dug her sharp claws into the rocks that had been 20 ft above her. When she was sure of her grip Azonthus started climbing. As soon as she reached a giant boulder that was protruding slightly she climbed on top of it. Then she started jumping from rock to rock, working her way to the top of the canyon. She just might escape!

The T-rex head was just below her. He could reach her if he jumped, but for some reason he just stared at the rocks. Throwing his head up he started a pitiful howling.

The howl sounded vaguely familiar. Dismissing it, Azonthus continued climbing up. Once she had reached the top and had time to pause, Azonthus recognized the why the continuous howling and growling sounded familiar. It was a mourning song all Rainy Basin saurians sang when someone close to them died. The rocks and boulders that had saved Azonthus' life had taken that of the t-rex's mate, and entrapped him in the canyon.

Following Basin custom, Azonthus joined the Rex in his last farewell to his mate.

Leaving the avalanche of rocks and Tyrannosaurus behind, Azonthus turned once again towards Canyon City. She knew that at her regular pace it would take about 3 days, depending on weather, to reach help. If she pushed it and went her fastest, she could be there by tomorrow. Lengthening her stride Azonthus increased her speed. She ran her fastest for the rest of the day. Stopping only once for a drink of water and bite of dried fish, Azonthus continued on for the entire night.

Neglecting rest and nourishment, Azonthus continued her race for Canyon City and in turn help for her friends and the lost Skybax and rider. When dawn broke the horizon, Azonthus sighted Canyon City in the distance. Just another few hours and she would be there. The lost Skybax and rider would finally get help.

Hours later she was so tired that she didn't notice a rock in the middle of the path leading down to the ladders and tripping over it. At the speed she was going, Azonthus flew head over claws straight down into the canyon........

*Thunk* One of the main bridges leading across the city in a canyon stopped Azonthus' fall. Unfortunately, it also broke two of her ribs and knocked her unconscious.


Azonthus awoke to the sounds of a human and Ovinutrix talking. She tried to stand up and talk to them, but a lancing pain in her ribs stopped her. Growling, she clutched her ribs, trying to ease the pain.

"Take it easy there! You had a nasty fall," a kindly old gentleman told Azonthus as he gently pushed her back into the nest bed.

"Where am I?" the puzzled raptor asked.

"In the infirmary in Canyon City. Perhaps you can answer some of my questions..." At Az's nod he continued. "Like what you were doing flying off the canyon wall. You were lucky that Orpa found you. ." He said, motioning to the Ovinutrix in the corner. "You're also badly dehydrated and have two broken ribs."

Orpa stepped forward and nodded to Azonthus.

Returning the nod, Az remembered her mission. She started rambling about what had happened. "Therewasarockslideandaskybaxandriderarelostandmyfriends......"

"Slow down! You can tell us all about it, SLOWLY."

Azonthus continued to tell them the whole story.

When she was finished, Dr. Tral sent Orpa to find supplies and a sauropod for Az's friends. "And you will stay here until you can move," Dr. Tral told Azonthus as he walked out of the room after giving her a sedative to help her sleep.


C'xoila gathered everyone around the campfire that night. Lee Crabb, Cyrrus, Boojinko, Tamith and Triforce, Alkazra and Mirajai. "Soon Azonthus will be back from Canyon City with those Ceratopsians we need," He started. "This is what we shall do." C'xoila draws a diagram in the sand with one claw. We will place the Ceratopsians, lead by Triforce, around the hole to protect us from any outside attacks. We, Crabb, Azonthus, Boojinko, Cyrrus, Tamith, Alkazra and I, will descend into the caverns and follow the tunnel as far as we can in the allotted week of supplies we have. At the end of this excursion, as long as any thing hasn't gone wrong, we will return to give a full report to the ceratopsians and to Canyon City itself. Further actions, if needed, will be discussed later. Is everyone agreed?"

"I agree. I'll go now and keep watch for those Ceratopsians, then you can begin and hopefully there won't be any more tragedy to report," Aja replied.

"Sounds good to me. Let's go!" Cyrrus agreed.

"Excellent! I agree," Tamith walks up to Triforce and gives her a reassuring rub under her chin. Then she communicates through gestures and motions C'xoilas plan. "Triforce and I are ready for anything," she says finally.

"We'll leave when they come, but for now I'm going to sleep..." Crabb said.

C xoila agreed. "You know, you're right. We need some rest."

"I don't know whether or not it would be wise for me to leave Mirajai, Sali and Strongback "alone" outside. If I must then I will, after all it is a fellow rider we are trying to save."


Morning breaks bright and clear... Lee Crabb is pulling fruit out of a bag and mumbling about the lack of good food... his grumbles slowly wake everyone.

*Yawn!* C'xoila yawns a big yawn, one that shows all of his SHARP teeth. *mumph* *Snuffle snuffle* *Yawn!* "Huh?" He says groggily. "Oh, Crabb, DAY ALREADY?" *Mumph!* *Snarl!* "WHERE'S BREAKFAST! I'M HUNGRY!" *Mumph* *snarl* *grrrrrrrrr* *phttttttppppp* *GRacthnot* *Hunph* After a while of angry and sleepy noises, C'xoila calms down "Sorry Crabb. I'm NOT a morning dino." Grins sheepishly. "I was half dreaming you were a tyrannosaur. "Good thing I woke up before I slit you open!"

*Hehehe* "Um, just joking!" *Ummmmm..... Grrrrrrr.......Snarl*

Tamith wakes up to C'xoila's snarling and Crabbs grumbling.

"Good Morning everyone!"

She washes up quickly, looks for some biscuits and fruit, and starts her breakfast.

Triforce grazes happily a few meters away.

Crabb finds some seed-bread and pulls a small flask of ale from his bag. He drinks quickly, then pulls out another and points it toward C'xoila and Tamith. "Wantsom?" he mumbles.

"No thanks, I'm fine." Tamith waved a negative as she went back to her breakfast.

A velociraptor and two triceratops come up. The raptor is riding one of the ceratopsians. When the Ceratopsians come closer to the group, it can be seen that Azonthus is actually asleep on the larger one.

C xoila spoke to Crabb, "Um.......... NO." He pulls some dried spiced fish from the backpack he's always carrying and starts munching happily. "HEY! ANYBODY WANT SOME!"

*yawns* "I trust everyone slept well? Now where did I put my dried fruit?" Cyrrus opens her saddle bag. "Ah, here we are." *munch munch* "Want some, anyone?"

"SURE!" C'xoila says as he reaches for some fruit.

"I may be a carnosaur, but I'm not above a good apple of papaya! Please! Yumyumyum chompchompchomp You want any of my spicy smoked fish? Yum YUM!"

"Nice to see how you all missed me!"

Kaz good-naturedly shouts down to the now awake band as Mirajai comes into land. Sheepish grins were everywhere as the two apprentices landed and set about seeing to the Northies and Azonthus.

"She will still need medicine for a while but as she knows the doses and I have the necessary herbs etc. she should be in no pain.

"Azonthus? Azonthus? She's asleep. I'd better wake her up."

*Snort* "Wann stay on the boat......Huh? I'm up!" The slightly confused velociraptor said as she slowly woke up. "Sorry, I just took a little nap on the way here." She said as she dismounted the trike she was riding on. "As you can see, there weren't any sauropods in Canyon City. They all went to Pteros. But these two triceratops were on their way there and a friend was able to stop them. They wanted to help look for the skybax and rider. Their names are Charge and Samantha." She added gesturing to each trike in turn. "Is that smoked fish? I love smoked fish!"

"Sure! Have some! My own recipe too!"

"As soon as everyone has finished their food and is ready I really think we should make a move. Not wanting to worry you but me and Jai saw a T-rex, although it seems much nearer when you're flying it still is a bit close for comfort.

"I'm still not sure about going down into the caves unless you really need me to for several reasons. I don't like leaving the flyers alone, it would give you more supplies, I suffer from claustrophobia, I can be of more help up here especially if that T-rex comes any closer.

"If you take BigHeart and I collect LittleWing, his sister, then these message carriers can help us stay in touch."

"Your skills would be appreciated on this venture. Your skills with knots and ropes are very much needed. But, if your worried about your flyers, have them perch on that sandstone column over there, no carnosaur can climb up there, they'd be very safe. Don't forget that they can fly. We can ask the ceratopsians to look after them. If your still worried, than we can send them back to Canyon City for a little R and R.

"We need you with us!" C xoila pleaded.

"P l e a s e... please come!" Crabb begged.

"Immm hmmm rmhhhh" Az tried to say around a mouth full of fish. *Gulp* "Sorry about that. Bad manners. I meant to say, I'm ready.

"Good. I was wondering when you'd wake up! We are ready." C xoila was ready to go exploring. In fact, he was always ready to go exploring!

"Whooo whoo! Lets go!" Hyperactive, as usual, Cyrrus was also ready to go.

"Bye to Jai, Sali, Strongback, Aja and the rest, I'm coming." Kaz relented. "I was not worried about them in that way I know they can takes care of themselves, it's just that I am the only one who can communicate Jai, Sali and Strongback. I am prepared to come just don't expect me to go through any narrows!"

As Triforce gently lowered the rescue team into the hole, a second time, strange thoughts ran through C'xoila's head. What exactly HAD happened to the skybax and rider? What did the world beneath have to do with it? Who would he meet down here? They touched bottom and C'xoila signaled to Triforce that everything was O.k.

They started down the tunnel, each one with their supplies on their backs. They walked two by two, C'xoila and Azonthus walked side by side, than, Crabb and Cyrrus, than Boojinko, Alkazra, and Tamith bringing up the rear. Alkazra looked particularly uncomfortable, glancing at the walls as if they were closing in on her and Tamith was trying to consol her. Crabb was talking with Cyrrus, showing her the sunstone chip he 'discovered'. Boojinko was looking very bored and wore an expression or utter disinterest.


Meanwhile, Azonthus and C'xoila made a discovery, sunstone chips and claw marks on the floor. There were pieces of metal and cloth on the floor. "Az, do you see what I see?" Azonthus just flashed C'xoila a saw tooth-smile in reply.

Cyrrus trots up next to the raptors "Claw marks? Was there a fight?" She looks closer. "Too small to have come from a Tyrannosaur. Maybe from a raptor, instead?"

Crab's face was beginning to distort and he was trying to stifle a sneeze.

"No! Not now! Hold it in...." Az ordered him.

AAAAAHHHHHOOOO!!!!! Ahhoo.. ahhhooo..ahoo. Crabb just couldn't hold it back. The sneeze echoes down the tunnel ... 4 seconds pass *GGGGGggrrrnNNNNGGGG!!!!! GGrrrrnnhh!!!* Roars and shrieks come from distant ahead.

*snort, hnk* "Sorry.."

Placing one hand on the wall and one on Tamith's shoulder Alkazra steadied herself as the noises reached her. Straining to hear as her eyes were no good down her yet, used as they were to the brightness of the open air, she heard an snarl that seemed out of place and almost unearthly down here. Fighting the urge to run to the open air she shifted from one foot to the other.

"Hmm...raptors, most definitely. Probably some kind of Utahraptor. About a foot taller than me. Three by the was these claw marks are. Definitely fight...Oh my god!" Boojinko exclaimed.

The dead body of a raptor just larger that Boojinko lay on the floor ahead. He was clutching something in his hand. A sunstone chip! Up ahead further were two more raptors, probably his companions.

"What a horrible way to end."

Lee Crabb starts to walk forward, clutching the chip in his hand.

"Lee stop! There aren't any claw marks on the raptors.

A horrified look sticks on everyone's face.

The Struthie walks carefully up to the raptor bodies. She touches one with her claw. "This one's warm! Perhaps he isn't dead." She puts her ear on the raptor's chest and smiles. "I can hear a heart beat!"

Taking a crowbar from his pack, C'xoila nervously opens the hand of the nearest raptor. In it was...................A BLACK SUNSTONE CHIP!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

"I, I g-guess black sunstones kill. Crabb! Give me that chip!" C'xoila snatches the blue sunstone chip away from Crabb. First he knocks the black sunstones away from the raptor trio. He then placed the blue sunstone chip on the forehead of each raptor. Slowly the color returned to each raptor and the rose to their feet.

"What happened?" C'xoila asked.

"We objected to the capture of the flyer and it's rider. We said it was wrong to do this. They said we were fools. We insisted they had done no harm and that they be let go. They put death stones in our hands. We died. But how'd you revive us?" I showed him the sunstone chip. A female raptor approached C'xoila. "That's a healing stone! We haven't seen one of those since we were hatchlings!" One of them exclaimed.
"We are trying to rescue that skybax and rider. will you help us?"

"Yes!" They said. "We will!"

"What are your names?"

The female said, "I am Lyla." The two guys said, "I am Ferrius, And I am Darruis."

"Greetings! I'm glad that you will help us. What did you mean by 'capture of the flyer and it's rider?' Do you know where they are? If so what kind of trouble are they in?"

"Yes, and 'who' captured them?" Tamith asked.

Lyla exclaims "NO! We are against all this! We tried to stop them from kidnapping the flyer and human! We wouldn't do that. We eat fish, like C'xoila and Azonthus and Boojinko!"

"We mean you no harm."

"Please believe us. You've seen! They tried to kill us! They placed the death stones in our hands! We are enemies of the state! Not all Subterranean raptors are like that. Many were against the capture of upper-worlders and they are now in hiding from the fanatics!"

"Please, you must believe us!" All three exclaim.

"We want to help you!" C xoila told them.

"I believe you." Cyrrus said. "What did they want with "upper-worlders" anyway?

"And these death stones?! I've never heard of those before. How exactly do they work?"

"Who says I only eat fish?" Boojinko asked.

"I've eaten eels." Az added. "Lee, We might need that sunstone, if that is what it is. Its come in handy before. Especially if there are sunstones that can kill."

"You wouldn't use them, would you?" Tamith nervously asked the raptor trio.

Lyla said, "Raptors afraid that if Upper-Worlders find our home, they come and take over. They afraid of you. They post guard at the hole. We saw. Flyer crash. We go help. Not others. The put in cage. We fight 'bout it. We say 'Don't put them in the cage. Let them go!' They don't listen. We keep saying to let them go. They say we are fools for believing that they will not invade. They said we were traitors, they put the deathstones in our hands. They steal your health just as power-stone steal sun energy."

"What if someone acts as ambassador or something?" Cyrrus suggested. "We could make a peace settlement."

"One of the raptors should go... C'xoila Azonthus...." Crabb said, trying to get out of going.

C 'xoila laid a claw on Crabbs shoulder. "Crabb! Your not getting out of this!

"No! He's right. If one of us went, they might not be so scared. They might listen to a raptor better than a human." Azonthus said.

"Oh, I know. I just don't wanna go alone!"

"C'xoila, if you want, I could go with you. I am pretty good at understanding saurians and I do not have a threatening look about me. Besides, they'll have to face humans sooner or later better now that we are few." Tamith added.


A flutter of wings is heard, and a Dimorphon message carrier comes into view and alights on Alkazra's shoulder (as she recognizes the uniform Kaz is wearing).

"This message is from Kara. I hope you are all okay down there, Aja has filled me in on your plan, and I just wanted to let you know that I'm here if you need any help. I'm a healer so don't hesitate to call for help. Don't worry too much about the others up here with me, I'll look after them until you come back. Have you made any progress, and is there anything you want me to do? Breathe Deep, Seek Peace"

"Thank you little friend! Return and tell her that the dinos are continuing on in the caves to the city whilst we are to wait in this part of the tunnel to wait in case anything happens. I will return to see you soon if Crabb can be trusted!

Tamith added, "Yes. And please give Triforce my regards."

"All right. It has been decided that an delegation of raptors should continue on to the city, and the rest should stay here just In case something goes wrong.

"The raptor trio, of course, will go, as will Azonthus and I.

"I would like Boojinko and Cyrrus to accompany us as well. Cyrrus, I know you are not a raptor, but as a fellow two-legger, I would like you to come. You can be our message runner back to the humans.

"And the rest of you, Tamith, Crabb and you Alkazra, we would appreciate it if you would stay here, in case something goes horribly wrong or something. He he he. Not that anything will go wrong! Uh, no, of course not! But it would make us feel better if all humans stayed in this part of the tunnel. Not that we don't like humans! But this could get dangerous. And we don't want you getting hurt."

After this is said, the 6 raptors and the one struthiomimus walked down the tunnel, quickly fading from sight.


Meanwhile, the humans were busy making camp. After Alkazra started a campfire, and all the bed roles and supplies were laid out the large, spooky cavern was transformed into a comfortable camp site. The small group of humans cooked and ate dinner and soon went to sleep. As they bedded down, Crabb started thinking that there might be treasure in this underground city. Why had the raptors REALLY let them stay? This theory was COMPLETELY FALSE, but at the time, Crabb thought it made the most sense in the world. Treasure....................... Hmmmmmmmmmmm............

"Goodbye to you all for now. Good luck." Kaz said.

"Farewell to you, and good luck.

Tamith sits by the fire with a solemn expression on her face. To think that a stone had the power to kill someone wasn't a very comforting thought. Not to mention that they could also influence you emotions... like the ruby sun stone mentioned in the scrolls of the Great Library, and that had led to the destruction of a civilization. I have a bad feeling about this... I look up to my fellow humans and share with them my thoughts.

What do you guys think?

"The stones can change your emotions, and have the power to kill, when wanted to... but they also can heal when needed... maybe they aren't real sunstones... some kind of ancient crystal related to the sunstones.... " Crabb said. The camp light flickers ... Tamith is sitting with an agreeing expression, and Alkazra is perched on a rock with a quiet manner... she is still not used to the darkness and confines of the cave, but the fire light is comforting.


Far away, in the dark cavern, the Struthie scientist shivers, all too aware of the hundreds of sharp teeth that will be in the underground city. She turns to the raptor trio. "You say your kind has remained down here by choice. What is so wonderful about your city that no one leaves? Or is there a law? I do not understand how nobody from your culture has ever encountered ours. There are so many ways out of the World Beneath."

"You will see....." Lyla told Cyrrus.

Soon the tunnel opened into a HUGE canyon. 10 miles long and 6 miles wide. The whole place glowed with the light of thousands of sunstones. Rows and rows of fanciful buildings and monuments dotted the landscape. Huge crystals grew out of the canyon floor and were left there for artistic appeal. These crystals flashed the colors of the rainbow. Below, busy raptors scuttled around, buying fish, eating at restaurants and talking. The whole place was a Raptor dream come true. Except for the three locals, the upper-dino's mouths hung open.

"Cyrrus, this is why......

Cyrrus chirps and whistles. "Wow! What a beautiful city! You raptors built this all yourselves!? Incredible!"

The seven saurians stare out across the vast canyon that made up the raptor's city. Suddenly there is a shout. "Hey! What are those upper-worlders doing here?! And you three, how did you survive the deathstones?" Cyrrus turned to her comrades. "Uh oh!"

"RUN!!!!!!!!! I'll stay here and drive them off. If I'm captured, then they will surely take me to the skybax and rider. Go!" Azonthus ordered. Unwilling to leave, the others stayed with her as they ran down a canyon.

"We will stay," the raptor trio said. "All others go. IF they take us again, we can help protect her."

"No," C xoila said. "They will kill you! They already tried once. I will stay with her."

"I'm going alone! Anyone who wants to stay will have to fight me first. We don't have time for that, and they are getting closer. I can hold them off long enough for you to get help. Find some way to get the trikes down here!" So saying the small raptor turned around and headed straight for the raptors running towards them............

"Azonthus!! She could be killed! What do we do?" the Struthie chirps. Then she turns to C'xoila. "Perhaps I could run to the humans and get the trikes down here. I'm faster than you. Maybe you can hide in the city and gather information. I'm off then, wish me luck."

Without another word Cyrrus darts down the tunnel at a full sprint, dirt spraying out behind her churning legs.

"YOU ARE NOT FASTER" C'xoila cried out to the swiftly running Struthie.

Calling back over her shoulder Cyrrus yelled, "Maybe, but I'm going either way. Wish me luck!"

C'xoila just said, "Luck luck luck."


Lee pulls out a stick, a spinner, and a bag of blue, green, red, and yellow stones. He makes a circle in the dirt and looks up at the two girls. "Wanna play?"

"Sure...but I warn you, I'm not that great." Tamith told him.

Several hours passed and the three humans grew tired of the game. They were just about to turn in for the night when a speeding figure flew out of the tunnel. It's Cyrrus. "BIG trouble...raptors...city...Azonthus.. captured!" *pant pant* "HELP!! We *pant* need the trikes, fast!"

Crabb bounces to his feet , and runs for the opening... 4 minutes pass.... the trikes come charging down the tunnel with Crabb on one's back.

"That was fast! Lets go. But we must be careful. We don't want an all out war on the raptor city."

As they moved on Tamith asked "What happened? What went wrong?

"Someone saw us and knew we were 'upper-worlders'. They also recognized the raptor trio. Let's just say they weren't happy to see us."

"Not a very good first impression..."

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