Cumulus gripped the scalpel in his primaries, carefully slicing the greyed, scaly skin of the once living beast. In spite of the gruesomeness of the task, Cumulus was grinning ear to ear like a foal at Hearth’s Warming. With every piece of peeled flesh, he discovered something wondrous about these apex predators.
He worked in the kitchen of The Horus, finding it was the only area with an area wide enough to perform this kind of activity without being exposed to the elements. It would’ve been better without the slight rocking of the ship, but fortunately it was a calm sea. He carefully cut the epidermis of the hind legs and avoided slicing the muscle tissue. “Ad’e, look at this muscle structure! I have never seen anything like it!”
Ad’e wore a look upon his face that was bordering between disgust and confusion, but was namely leaning towards shock. Out of all the oddities the world had to offer, he had never expected to see a Pegasus slicing open an animal carcass to see what was inside of it. Fortunately, Cumulus seemed too engrossed in his task to notice. “Is dat a gud ting or a bad ting, Doc?”
“Well, it depends upon your perspective,” he answered, continuing his delicate cutting, “If you happen to be one of these creatures, it’s a very good thing.” Cumulus stopped cutting to gesture to the muscles and tendons, “Judging from the way the fibers are shaped and the number of ligaments, this creature probably has the most powerful kick of any animal, relative to body size anyway. Still a bad thing for anything upon the receiving end of that kick.”
“So we should stay clear o’ dose, den?” Ad’e asked, eying the exposed muscles.
“Exactly,” Cumulus stated, shooting a grin at the Jackal while placing the scalpel aside, “Also means that these creatures are extraordinary jumpers as well.” He jotted down a few notes in his journal before resuming his task, whistling at the impressiveness of the tendon attached to the toe claw. After spreading the flesh further, he noticed the tendon split into silvered fingers that latched themselves to the extendable toe claw. “That’s odd,” he said more to himself than anyone else.
“Wut is Doc?”
“Have a look at this tendon,” Cumulus explained, moving aside to give Ad’e a better look. “It’s so massive, it should be a mistake. As a rule, nature never indulges in the concept of overkill, but it seems that this is exactly what that is. It’s too much power for a single weapon and a creature would unlikely need this kind of physiology for a simple cutting tool.”
“Doc, yer losin’ me. Could you slow it down.”
Cumulus rubbed his forehead. “Okay, from what I’ve seen, this claw seems to made primarily for hacking and slashing, but this tendon gives an unusual amount of control for those purposes. It almost as though…it was...”
“Doc? Y’alright, Doc?”
Cumulus’ gaze shifted to the scythe-like claw, as noticed several features about it, his grin widening as he took note of them. “What incredible creatures!” he said reverently.
“Doc?”
“Ad’e, have a closer look at the claw there,” Cumulus stated, almost too excited to speak.
The Jackal did as he was asked, but eventually remarked, “Wut am I suppoze ta see?”
“That these claws,” Cumulus explained, his grin growing wider as his mind reeled at the only possible explanation for evolving this kind of weaponry,, “have multiple purposes. Look at the inner curve of the claw. Only the last two-thirds or so is sharp while the rest of it is blunted. The massive tendon is to be able to control how deep the claw stabs and, if necessary, to pierce flesh and grip with it as well!”
Ad’e tilted his head for a moment in thought. “If dat be da case, don’t dat mean dese tings can climb?”
Cumulus’ face dropped as the possibility entered his mind. As he added things together, he came to a startling conclusion: “That was how it climbed over in the first place. Ad’e, the sand wall isn’t a barrier, it’s an obstacle!”
Ad’e’s eyes widened as the words left Cumulus’ mouth. “We need ta tell da Cap'in,” Ad’e stated, panic hitting him like a bucket of water, “'fore dese tings swarm all o'er like da last time!”
The thought of seeing anyone else being butchered like they were the last time he had run into these was enough to motivate Cumulus into action. He vaguely remembered passing through the various hallways and climbing the steps to the decks. Once into the open air, he flapped his wings and his hooves lifted from the ground. He heard Ad’e cal something after him, but he couldn’t make it out. The only thoughts in his mind were those of the evacuation procedure he had perfected in Neighntucket and how to implement it.
As he flew towards the shore, he noticed how it seemed to darken in the evening sky. He tried to ignore it as he searched the perimeter of the wall leading to the jungle. He breathed a sigh of relief when he saw nothing there save for darkness. However, it caught in his throat when he saw the reds of several pairs of eyes light along the wall.
‘No!’ he thought, ‘I’m to late!’ Heedless of the strain he was putting on his wings, he attempted to fly even faster.
“My compliments, Denda,” Jaffar stated, “This forged map has to be your best work yet.”
“Tank ya, Cap’in,” the Jackal replied, offering a lopsided grin, “It wan’t all dat hard.”
“Be that as it may,” Jaffar continued, rolling up the genuine map, “it would be best to lock this up so as to not get them confused and give the good doctor the wrong map.”
Denda replaced the map in the small iron lockbox and secured the lock when a cry pierced the air.
“EVERYONE TO THE BOATS! THEY’RE BACK AND THEY’RE CLIMBING THE WALLS!”
Denda and Jaffar stared at each other dumbfoundedly, recognizing the timbre of Cumulus’ voice.
“Shit!” Denda swore, hefting the small chest upon his shoulder.
“My sentiments exactly,” Jaffar stated hastily, gathering Sparrow’s journal from the desk just as the tent was buffeted by a strong gale of wind. Just as they had stepped out of the tent, the sounds of a mass hysteria met their ears.
Cumulus flew hastily around the campsite, continuously yelling his alarm as several creatures poured over the walls like water over a cup’s brim. Along with the blood curdling screams of the Diamond Dogs, the sounds of trilling, chirps, and beastly shrieks met his ears.
“HEAD FOR THE LONGBOATS!” Jaffar’s voice sounded over the din, “WE MUST RETURN TO THE SHIP!”
The Dogs wasted no time in complying, making for the shoreline as fast as their legs could take them. Cumulus watched as the dog ran along the darkened sand, the forms of the creatures stalking after them. He flew just above them, encouraging them to run faster above their cacophony.
“CAST OFF!” Cumulus heard, finding the boats move into the deepening water. Cumulus was a little surprised at the fact that about eighteen of the Dogs were being left on shore, but given the fact that the creatures were less than twenty yards away and approaching he didn’t give voice for it.
“RUN!” he yelled, flying past them, “SWIM FOR YOUR LIVES!”
The Dogs were hesitant until some of them began disappearing under the feathery masses of the creatures. They were promptly motivated to run screaming into the water, paddling for their lives. Cumulus flew to the longboat containing Jaffar and Dende and landed in a panting, sweaty heap.
“I am SO sorry, Captain!” he stated between breaths, “I was too late. By the time I figured out how our specimen got over the wall, they were already there!”
“Calm yourself, Doctor,” Jaffar stated in a calming voice, “I’m certain you best you could-” Jaffar repressed a shudder “-It might have ended in a massacre like our last expedition.”
“It’s still my fault though,” he stated, his ears folding on his head, “It shouldn’t have happened at all.”
“Dende, perform a head count and see….”
"Huhroooaruh!"
He was interrupted when a small burst of thunder pierced the air. Cumulus thought this was curious seeing as how the sky was clear for miles. The notion that it was thunder was quickly dismissed when he heard another follow a few seconds later.
“Wut was dat?” Dende asked, before a mighty roar pierce the air, drowning out every other sound.
“Whatever it is, it’s big,” Cumulus stated, flaring his wings “I’m going to get a better look.” He took to the air before anyone could stop him. Once high enough to see the treetops, he hovered there looking for the source of the noise.
Cumulus spotted a stand of trees swaying as a flight of birds took wing. He watched the spot, unconsciously gulping. ‘If something is big enough to move the trees like that, it must be massive!’ he thought with a combination of fear and excitement.
As the thumping approached, the creatures along the beach had frozen and began looking in the direction of the jungle. Cumulus made a mental note of this and began panicking slightly. If these apex predators were wary of whatever was making that noise, it was best to exercise caution. Soon enough, the brobdingnagian creature revealed itself.
It was dark grey, almost dark enough to blend in with the night. As it broke through the treeline, it’s footstep was enough to send tremors through the ground, causing the sand on the wall to shift slightly. It’s jaws were surprisingly narrow for a creature of it’s size, yet still massive enough to fit at least three ponies inside and have room enough to spare. Along the length of its spine and neck, it had a ridge rising from its back. Cumulus dipped slightly in the air as his mind tried to wrap around the concept of such a creature.
The smaller creatures seemed to take a more disdainful approach, taking to snapping their jaws at it and hissing vehemently. The larger one, taking no note of this, content itself to examining the wall hindering its progress. It jabbed at it critically with its snout, managing to shift a bit of sand from the top. It tilted its head in a puzzled expression, kicking at the wall slightly with a taloned foot, managing to produce a cracking noise along with a lot more shifting sand. Cumulus had to admit he was impressed at the Diamond Dog’s ability to make such a sturdy structure with only branches and sand gathered from the beach.
The massive brute seemed less than entranced, filling the air with a roar that had the impact of a crack of thunder. It then lunged forward with all the speed and force it could produce and rammed the barrier with its mountainous form. The wall didn’t stand a chance as it practically crumbled under the mass of muscle and scaled flesh, crushing several tents in the combined wake.
The smaller creatures, deciding that self preservation was more important than pride, opted for the logical choice and scattered. One ventured too close and paid the consequences, getting snapped up in the larger creature’s jaws. The smaller creature shrieked and flailed its legs looking for a purchase to fight back, but the brute merely shook it’s head causing the smaller predator to be flailed about like a chew toy in a dog’s grasp and the creature was silenced.
Cumulus watched with morbid fascination as the brute’s jaws closed around the now dead prey, causing several unmistakable bone snapping sounds. It then proceeded to swallow the creature whole, a low growl emanating from its throat. It then purused through the remains that were the camp, lazily sniffing the air. It passed over the Dog’s remains, curiously sniffing the partially eaten remains. Cumulus dared not focus on them too long, silently hoping they did not suffer too long. As the brute crunched on one after the other, its attention was drawn, as was Cumulus’ to the wall as a white blur streaked about.
The blur stopped moving, showing the Albino Cumulus had seen earlier standing upon what remained of the wall. It’s claws were sunk into the wall and it's tail held stiff for balance as it glared at the brute. Its feathers were ruffled and it hissed at it disdainfully. The two predators continued to glare at each other for several seconds before the Albino hissed for a last time and leapt from the wall to head deeper into the jungle. Cumulus couldn't be certain, but for half a second there, as the Albino was turning away, he felt that the Albino had shot a glare towards him. Before he could examine it any further, a sudden noise drew the attention of both the brute and Cumulus.
From one of the tents, a single Diamond Dog emerged brandishing a burning length of firewood as a polearm. His teeth were bared as he swung the makeshift torch back and forth. It would've been almost comical had he not been yelling expletives the whole time. " Ya! Back! I said BACK!! Bad Dragon!"
After a moment or to of flinching at the flaming object, it glared down at the dog and gave an annoyed growl," Grrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr." With a surprisingly swift flick of its long snout, the Brute effectively disarmed the dog who stared into the large animals eyes. Cumulus had no idea how long he hovered there, but he guessed it might have been seconds. Before he had a chance to shout a warning to him, the brute moved first. With a grace that was deceptive for a creature his size and lunged for the Diamond Dog.
In that moment, things slowed down for Cumulus. Somewhere in the back of his mind, he deduced it was the adrenaline coursing through his system at an accelerated rate, but that was only of second importance. What was important was he was witnessing before his eyes. The brute was lunging forward, jaws wide and closing the distance between him and the Dog. The Dog’s eyes opened wide as though he were just realizing how bad an idea he had.
In that moment, Cumulus knew he had to do something and do it quickly. Taking the barest of seconds to decide, he flapped his wings and climbed in altitude. With a twist of his wings, he arced down gaining speed with every flap. He hurdled himself toward the brute, the scenery around him going blurry both as a result of his speed and the tears accumulating in his eyes. It eventually got to the point where he couldn’t even tell where he was aiming, but he had to trust in his instincts. He was instantly rewarded when he felt himself impact something softish.
As he was studying the creature on the boat, he had discovered their scaly skin was incredibly durable. Taking the mass of this beast into consideration, Cumulus guessed that it had the consistency of the hides of rhinos in the Zebrican nations. Knowing he had hot something that had give in it, he knew he had aimed well. His right foreleg went numb from his fetlock to his shoulder, but it was well worth it.
When his eyes regained sight, Cumulus noticed the beast flailing about wildly, rubbing one side of his head in the sand. As he expected, Cumulus hit the brute in the eye. Unfortunately eye or not, the beast was still built like a brick outhouse. He turned his sight to the Dog, who stared at the scene in a state of shock and had long since dropped his weapon. “If I were you,” Cumulus said sternly to the dumbfounded Dog, clutching his hurt foreleg, “I’d start running for the ship.”
The Dog, apparently not needing to be told twice, was dashing towards the water at speed that would make a locomotive look snailish. Cumulus turned back to the brute who was now staring intently at him intently, a threatening growl rumbling from his throat. Cumulus smiled sheepishly at him. “Here’s looking at you, kid?” he said placatingly.
The beast responded by snapping his jaws at him, missing his hooves by inches as Cumulus flapped backwards. As the beast stepped forward, he crushed a crate causing amethyst to scatter across the sand. Cumulus knew he had to get the beast out of camp to scavenge whatever was left of the supplies, but how was the question. Hitting upon an idea, he flapped out of convenient biting range.
“Come on, scaly!” he said tauntingly, “Care for some tasty, Pony?! Well, come and get me!”
The beast turned to follow him. As he snapped at air where Cumulus was, Cumulus began smirking. It seemed that for all his size, the beast wasn't all that smart. As Cumulus made a note of this, he decided to use it to his advantage.
He dove at the brute again, turning to buck at his snout, thus further irritating it. “Here lizard, lizard, lizard! Catch the birdie!” he taunted, flying towards the jungle. The beast followed him, his steps thundering.
Cumulus landed upon the deck of The Horus with a thump. He greedily gulped for air as he laid, every muscle in his body sore from the flight. He hadn't flown that much since his time in flight camp.
Dealing with those feathered creatures twice in one day was bad enough, but that brute was something else. With his body size alone, he could cause enough havoc to give Discord a run for his money. As of that moment, he just wanted to go to bed for about a week.
That was until he was tackled to the deck. His first thought that he was being attacked and he was just too tired to properly fight back. However, it was quickly dispelled when he realized that he wasn’t in any more pain than he was in.
“Thank you, Pony!” A scratchy voice shrieked, squeezing Cumulus, “Thank you! Thank you!”
Once Cumulus was able to disentangle himself from the hugging mass, he recognized the Diamond Dog that had been brandishing a burning pole. “It was nothing,” he said once he was able to properly take a breath, “I’m certain you would have done the same for me.”
“Nope! I would run!” the Dog replied cheerfully, as though he were a child improperly using an insult as a compliment. Perhaps it was the cheerful demeanor of the alive Dog or perhaps due to the fact he was exhausted, he just began chuckling, causing the Dog to tilt his head quizzically at him.
“Dr. Granted,” Jaffar stated, approaching the Pegasus, giving an appraising look, “A pleasure to see you alive and whole.”
In spite of his tiredness, Cumulus gave a smirk. “You think a slow witted, heavy footed bruiser like that could catch me? Not likely! I outflew a Cygnus Minor once, so he was no problem.”
“What is a Cygnus Minor?” the Horse asked, before raising a hoof, “Never mind! It doesn't matter. Is whatever that thing gone?”
Cumulus didn’t blame the Horse for sounding apprehensive. “Yeah, he is. I led him deeper into the jungle. I guess he went off to look for something easier to hunt.”
“How d’ja lose da big beastie, Doc?” Dende asked, now joined with Ad’e.
“An old game called cat and mouse, but this mouse has wings and a bigger intellect,” Cumulus stated with no small amount of smugness, “Anyways, you can head back to shore to grab anything you might have missed.” He gave the Horse a skeptical look. “Just a guess: you never saw anything like that on your last visit?”
“Absolutely not!” Jaffar stated, shaking his head vigorously, “It was bad enough that we knew about those smaller…”
“Slashers,” Cumulus interrupted, gaining confused looks from everyone there.
“Pardon?” Jaffar asked.
“The smaller predators,” he explained, “Everything needs a name, so I’m calling them ‘Slashers.’”
“Be that as it may, those things were bad enough without that hulking monstrosity!” Jaffar quirked an eyebrow at the Pegasus. “You haven’t named it yet, have you?”
“Not yet, but I’m working on it,” he replied, looking at the ruined camp from the ship, his ears drooping slightly. “So...how many this time?”
“Five more, but it could have been worse,” Jaffar said consolingly, “Your warning came just in time.”
“Not nearly,” he muttered, looking at his hooves.
“Come, come, Doctor,” Jaffar stated, putting a hoof on his shoulder, “You shouldn't put too much stock in this. You have had a busy day and we still need to discuss your foray in the morning. In the meantime, you should get some rest.”
