“Tracker! Rex!”
The pups bombard themselves on top of the pair. Clearly they were excited to see their friends again.
“Whoa! So glad to see you all!” Rex beamed.
“Si, Los Amigos y Amiga.” He winked towards Skye. Getting a giggle out of her.
“I hope things weren’t too dull without the rest of us around.” Rocky asked.
“Oi, no. The Dino wilds are so much fun. Rex has been showing me everything about dinosaurs living here.”
He did his best not to blush in front of them but he had a feeling Skye might have picked up on it.
“Well, Glad our Dino friend could got you well acquainted” said a voice behind the group.
“Ryder!” They both said in unison.
“Hey guys, Great to see ya. Have either of you seen Carlos? I sent him a message of us heading over today but he hasn’t responded back.”
“Hmmm that’s bizarre.”
Tracker clicked his pup tag.
“Carlos to Tracker! Carlos. Can you hear me?”
No response came from his tag. Carlos hadn’t said anything since last night. Tracker let out a small whimper of concern. With Rex putting a paw on his back.
“I’m sure he’s just distracted by the ruins we found. Maybe just studying them more.”
“Exactly.” Ryder reassured. “Tell you what, I’ll catch up with Dr. Turbot and we’ll both go check it out in a little bit.”
“Yeah! In the meantime, You can show us all the fun stuff you two have been doing!” Chase asked.
“Any new little cutie Dinos we can see?” Rubble added.
“Oh don’t worry ya’ll. We got plenty to see, Right Tracker buddy?”
Trackers worry had been put at ease for now. He leaned into Rex softly.
“Si, Lots to check out.”
As he promised, Ryder left with Dr.Turbot on her ATV to see the sight. Taylor had stayed behind to watch the other dinosaurs. In the meantime, The eight pups spent the next few hours hopping between activities. From saying hi to a few Dinos by the watering hole to carefully observing eggs that were incubating in the clinic. Tracker was eager to have the other pups around. It helped him think a little more clearly regarding certain feelings he was having. Those feelings were amplified with the occasion high paw or brush against Rex. The Bernese mountain dog seeming to appreciate the affection. Tracker was sure not to make his feelings too obvious for the other pups. Neither being wise to the cockapoo that had noticed the flirty behavior between them.
“Ya’ll want to play some Duck Duck, Dino?” Zuma asked. He wagged his tail and bent down in a play bow towards the others. The crew having begun to set up their tents outside the paddock.
“Ohhh I love that game!” Marshall beamed. Leaving Chase to the roll out their sleeping bag. Chase smiling and rolling his eyes at his partners eagerness.
“Isn’t that just Duck Duck Goose but we make dinosaur noises?” Rocky raised an eye brow at the lab. He just about finished putting up their double bedded tent.
“Yup, But it’s a lot more fun that way.” He walked towards the recycle pup. Leaning in close. “Afraid will get caught by the big bad Dino?” He gently raked his canine teeth against Rocky’s nose. The mixed breed turning his head way in embarrassment.
“Zuma! Hahaha!”
“Jeez don’t tease him so bad Zuma.” Chase said. Finishing his set up and sitting next to Marshall. “I can’t imagine doing that to a pup. Especially a black spotted one.”
Chase began to lean himself against the dalmatian. Letting his full weight press against him as Marshall struggled to keep up right.
“Welp, Duck...Duck...Plop!”
The pup fell over, Content on having his boyfriend nestled cozily on top of him. Getting a laugh out of the others.
“As much as I’d like to play, There’s a few a few pterodactyl babies near by I wanted to check on.” Rex said. “Skye, Care to join me?”
The cockapoo yipped.
“Most definitely! We can use my Dino jet to get there.”
“Rubble? Wanna join?”
“Nah, Got to make sure these four love birds play the game right. Hehehe.”
“Tracker?”
The chihuahua stared at Rex. Feeling like he could stare into his friends eyes for days. He quickly shook himself out of it and made a difficult decision.
“Lo siento. I’m going to stay here too.”
“Oh, Alright.” Rex said, His mood deflating a little.
“Don’t worry! We’ll be back soon!” Skye added. “I’ll be sure to bring him back in one piece!”
The two made their way towards the Dino tower. Tracker sat with the five remaining boys and watched the plane get set for take off before flying towards the cliffs. He hoped Rex was looking back at him too. He didn’t really engage with the other pups in their game. The boys had gone a few rounds of Duck, Duck, Dino. Rubble and Chase had just finished their run with the shepherd obviously picking Marshall next. He sat down fast, Winking at the dalmatian who stuck his tongue out in a coy but flirty response.
“Duck, Duck, Duck…”
The dalmatian quietly slipped passed Zuma before stepping next to Chase again. Rocky shook his head at the teasing pair.
“Duck…”
Marshall moved on and brushed his paw against Tracker’s ears. Snapping him out of his daze.
“Dino!”
“I have a crush on Rex!”
“Huh?!” The boys called out in unison. Marshall taking a few steps before tripping over himself and landing on Zuma.
“Ouch Dude..”
“Sorry!” Marshall said. “What was that Tracker?”
The jungle pup covered his snout in embarrassment. He could not believe he had blurted that out. The pair picked themselves back up and joined the boys around Tracker.
“Awww, That’s so cute!” Rubble replied.
“No, That’s bad. I think?” Tracker squeaked.
“Dude, How could that be bad?”
“Because I think I’m falling for him too fast. We only met a few days ago after all. How do I know I’m just not trying to rush into a relationship?”
Tracker began to pace in place.
“Oi,Oi,Oi!”
“Crushes are different for all pups Tracker.” Rocky said. “I can tell you it was weird realizing I had something for Zuma.”
“Yeah but it’s not like we haven’t seen you two being together for a while now” Rubble admitted.
Rocky stared dead pan while Zuma’s jaw dropped.
“Dude, You hadn’t realized me and Rocky were a couple till the following morning!”
“We had told everyone the night prior!”
“I was..distracted! That was a crazy night!”
The boys laughed but Tracker still seemed tense.
“I just...don’t want to mess this new friendship up.”
Marshall walked over and placed a paw on his shoulder.
“I know exactly how you felt. Believe me, I nearly swallowed my tongue when I told Chase how I felt.”
“Really caught me by surprise then.” Chase added.
“You two seem pretty close already since we’ve arrived. If your already this close with Rex, I’m sure it will be fine.”
“Whoa whoa, Hold on there.” Chase said. “Have you even asked him if he felt the same way?”
Tracker looked down at his front paws.
“No, Not exactly.”
“Well that would be a great place to start.” Marshall assured.
Tracker gnawed on his lower lip, his ears flicking nervously.
“Gracias Marshall but this is based on assumption. I don’t even know if he likes boys that way. I doubt he does.”
“Sooo, How long have you been crushing on Tracker?” Skye raised an eyebrow at Rex.
The pup froze in place. The curious pterodactyl he was admiring squawked and softly pressed it’s beak against Rex. The pup coming back to his senses and giving it a pet.
“Ugh, Is it that obvious?”
Skye rolled her eyes.
“Rex, I live with six guys. Two of them having obvious crushes on each other. Plus I helped Chase figure himself out with Marshall. Safe to say I can spot romance when I can see it.”
Rex bit his lips at the thought.
“Romance huh? Heh. I don’t know if I ‘d go that far but...I definitely feel something.”
Skye settled on the ground, A paw keeping her head up.
“Come on. Spill it.”
Rex sighed, knowing he couldn’t talk himself out of this one. He laid down in front of her.
“I’ve never felt this way for other pup before. I’m not really around others too often so that doesn’t mean a whole lot but He and I are kind of similar ya know? Not so much just having a love for dinosaurs but nature entirely.”
“Tracker is such an outdoorsy pup like you. We always learn something new when we visit him.”
“Must be fun seeing the jungle where he comes from.”
“Yeah, but we aren’t always available to stop by. Tracker doesn’t admit it but I think he can get a little lonely sometimes. Sounds like something else you have in common with him.”
Rex half smiled at that.
“I guess so. Issue is, I can’t tell if he wants something more or if he just wants another friend.”
“Oh, that boy would go nuts for a boyfriend.”
Rex blushed at the thought. It’s not something he had ever consider before. Yeah he could feel isolated out here in the Dino wilds but was he craving something more than friendship this whole time?
“You think so?”
“I would go far to say that I know so and if your comfortable with it. I think you should pursue it. Slowly if you want.”
A few loud squawks came from the pterodactyls near them. Who seemed to be giving encouragement to the pup. Or they just wanted more Dino treats.
“ Where do I even start? Do I just tell him? Hey Tracker! I know we just met but I might have crush on you!”
Skye’s eyes lit up.
“Dio’s Mio Rex, Sweep me off my feet!”
“Hahaahh” He rolled his eyes.
Skye walked towards the pup and held one of his paws.
“In all serious Rex, You never know till you ask. I think it’s good to be direct. That way no pup is strung along with expectations. Tracker seems to really like you though. Maybe the last few days have been a real experience for him.”
“They have been. I feel so different now.” Rex stood up, coming to a realization. “He and Carlos only have a few days here to study the ruins. I should say something before...”
A devastating Roar echoed through the forest floor and along the cliffs. The small pterodactyls recoiled in fear.
“What was that?!”
Rex listened closely. Trying his best to translate but came to a frightening realization.
“I...I have no idea. I’ve never heard that type of Dinosaur before.”
Their pup tags beeped.
“Ryder to pups! Ryder to pups! Emergency! I need all of you to come down to the ruins with your vehicles! No time for a lookout briefing!”
Skye and Rex bolted from their positions and ran towards Skye’s jet.
On the other side of the wilds. Chase replied back to his tag.
“Ruff! Roger Ryder!”
The pups ran to the Dino tower. As Tracker ran along with them, he noticed a ATV bolting towards the clinic. It was Dr. Turbot and someone else straddled His heart dropping at the sight .
“Carlos!”
Tracker stopped in his tracks and run towards the pair. The others taking notice and following the long eared pup. Dr Turbot saw the worry on Trackers face as they came to a stop.
“It’s ok Tracker. Carlos is just a little hurt.”
“Ye...Yeah. No problem! Ugh!”
Carlos slowly lifted of the ATV. The doctor quickly wrapping an arm around him. Tracker was almost in tears and quickly leaned himself against him. Noticing how his leg didn’t touch the ground.
“Marshall sweetie. Get your EMS gear please. I’ll have Carlos lay in a cot inside. We’ll need to make a splint for his leg.
“Arf! On my way!”
The other pups whined and pressed themselves next to Carlos. Chase bit his lip, He hate seeing his friends hurt but he knew they had a job to do.
“Pups, Ryder needs us. Marshall and Dr.Turbot can sit Carlos. We need to get a move on!”
“Right!” Rocky and Zuma said.
“On it!” Rubble added. The three ran towards the tower with Chase nudging Tracker.
“Tracker, We have to go.”
“No way! I’m not leaving Carlos!”
“Tracker…”
The pup felt a hand gently pet his forehead.
“I’ll be fine, really. Dr. Turbot and Marshall will take care of me. You gotta help Ryder. Find Rex and Warn him.”
“Warn them about what?”
Dr. Turbot solemnly looked at the two pups before answering.
“Tell them there’s an unknown dinosaur in the ruins.”
Rex and Skye had landed near by what remained of the sight. The large stone carvings were shattered and ripped from the ground. Vines and foliage torn and thrown all about. The only thing not touched were the fossils that laid engraved in the dirt. The safety tape surrounding the excavation site had been dragged away.
“What in the world?"
“Ryder?!” Rex called out.
The pair heard the roar again, it echoed loudly from the opening of the ruins before something tremendous began to stomp towards them. It’s scaly dark red body towered the biggest T-rex they had seen. Three long claws curved downwards from it’s hands. A long and brittle looking flat spine run from the start of it’s neck towards the base of it’s tail. Like a massive fin. It’s snout elongated and filled with a row of sharp teeth that protruded from it’s top jaw. Rex couldn’t believe what he was looking at.
“It can’t be...It’s not.”
“Rex! What type of dinosaur is that.”
What caught him most were the eyes. A bright shade of green met his gaze of brown. Rex felt his front paws shake at the familiar sight.
“Spinosaurus.”
The beast roared a guttural sound and charged towards the pair.
