Jurassic Pony: Nublar Reborn

Chapters

Prologue: 10th Anniversary
Day One: Dawn
Day One: Brunch
Day One: Chase's Belief.
Day One: Gear
Day One: Systems
Day One: Disorder
Day Two: Outliers
Day Two: Exhaustion

Prologue: 10th Anniversary

"Imagine if you will, my dear colleagues, that these are not simply monstrous attractions in my park, but living Dinosauria." The aging mare sank back on her podium, for a moment. An exasperated tone took over, as she looked to the audience. "Perhaps sitting here, barraging me with rumors, does as little good as looking through the parks photo record and declaring hoax like your predecessors did, ten years before." Or are still trying now. She thought to herself, leaning on her fake leg.

"But what about the new fossil records that show feathers and a more birdlike structure!" A upstart young colt replied.

"Or perhaps the fact that Dilophosaurus doesn't actually spit venom, yet yours do!" A unicorn chimed in. Soon the room was filled with rushed, angered voices, shouting for answers, as to why they should accept the park's animals to be truly living prehistoric creatures.

Normally, Dr.Chase would pounce on these theories, and strike back with the verbal prose and wit that she has been famous for. Today was not the day for amateur debates thrown at her by university level want-to-be paleotheorists. Today was the tenth anniversary, and she wasn't going to spend the day like this. She stood up, and walked off the stage, down the aisles, and left. Cameras flashed and people ranted, but it seemed nothing was getting through that iron determination in her.

On her way to the GenTech helicopter she was blindsided by her assistant, a young Pegasus by the name of Riverjack. He looked towards her with a stack of papers, an air of paranoia and nervousness all around him.

"Miss chase- "

"Doctor Chase" She quickly interrupted. "I would prefer Dr."

River took a step back, and nodded. "Yes-yes of course, sorry Doctor Chase, but there's a few contracts and papers to go over, like today." A few attendants opened the doors as Chase and River walked in, and sat down.

"Very well Jack, give me what you got." Riverjack nervously started to take papers out of his side-bag and set them down. "There's some requisition orders for new weapons, by Mr.Walther, and genetic tests to approve."

Chase looked through the papers, signing and dating them each with a bored expression. This is my anniversary, and these guys cant bother to give me the time to celebrate my own- She stopped, mid-thought, and stared at the new employee application. "This.. Mr. Blitz, hes not a unicorn is he?" Riverjack looked up from his pile. "No boss, changeling. New worker laws, we have to allow equal opportunity and citizenship for ALL sentient beings." Chase scoffed a little, and rolled her eyes. "Is he appropriate for the job River?" River thought, questioning Walthers actions as much as Chase was, before speaking.

"If Walther says he is, he is ma'am." The helicopter started its takeoff, as Chase sipped a cup of tea. I sure hope hes worth the trouble he could cause here, or Walther can kiss his nice job goodbye.

Day One: Dawn

Dusk sat at the cafe, cloaked in his usual preferred form of a rust-colored unicorn. The city of Las Pegasus was bustling with activity, as it always was. He stared at the sandwich placed before him, and tried to look pleased. I will never understand herbivores diets. The waiter smiled at him, much like everyone else he meets. Ponies were always the happier species, at least in his eyes. They always milled about, day after day, smiling and greeting each other warmly. Such an alien notion to his kind. But familiar in some sense, like an instinct. "Hey kid, done creeping out strangers with your little glare, and ready to get going?" Warden Walther grinned with his old coffee stained teeth. The man had a sense of perpetual adventurousness, you could see it, but a careful perception to everything around him. "Look, either get going or I'm calling your parole officer"

Dusk took a big bite of his sandwich, and stood up. "Yeah bud, I'm ready."

Dusk and Walther started walking to the airport. "Must be hard, switching it off." Warden gruffly said, trotting ahead.

"Switching what off?" Dusk strained to keep a good walking pace with the strong pony, trying to catch his breath a little.

"Well, your scouting senses. Kid I watch you when we have our meetings. Everything's up for critique in your head, You lose yourself just deciphering everything around you, and you must have trouble managing it."

Dusk shrugged "Its less deciphering, more observation. And I can turn it off, but only when I need to. Otherwise its my best tool, to keep myself sharp."

Walther smiled at his response. "Then I hope you will be sharp as a tack when you get stepped on, and save me the trouble of downing the big one." With that dark thought, and awkward silence after it, the pair walked into the GenTech Entrance.

"Name please" The suited Pegasus said, walking into the interview office.

"Dusk, ah Dusk Blitz. Isn't that on file?"

The Pegasus glared at him, and sat. "No matter what your little pony friend told you, you still don't have the job. As far as I'm concerned I could kick you out of this office with no guff from the supervisors. This is an official interview, so try to act professional for ten minutes, if you can handle it."

Dusk looked at the pony, and sat up a little straighter, and added a layer of sophistication to his voice. "Dusk Blitz, yes sir."

The Pegasus smirked a bit and nodded. "So, Dusk, why do you want to be an Apprentice to our warden, and what makes you think you have what it takes to understand and perform the job set out in the application?"

Dusk nodded, and replied. " Well I know the warden well, heck he bailed me out of some problems way back when I was younger. Set me on the right path. Taught me everything I know. With his help, I learned how to be a real Game Warden. He helped me get to Ponyville University and-"

The Pegasus cut him off. "This is an interview about you and your skills, not you and your best buddy helping you out. Please continue, the right way."

Dusk's ears lowered back, for a moment. "Right... I have a Masters in Paleontology and I'm working on my minor in Paleobotany. I spent a year in Everfree, viewing and writing multiple thesis papers on the migration and habitats of rare animals. Its rather my passion, this work."

The Pegasus looked over a large record to his right. "What about your earlier, rowdy years, in Canterlot? Mind explaining?"

Dusk stared at the papers, preparing himself for the speech he was taught to say. "It was a mistake, what I did. I have been cleansed of these actions, and have no motive to repeat them anymore."

The Pegasus smiled, looking pleased with himself. "Welcome to GenTech, Mr. Blitz"

Dusk walked out of the interview with a solemn look usually reserved for a man walking to his execution. Walther looked over, and sighed. "They made you say it, didn't they." Dusk nodded, sitting on the monorail to the airplane. Walther scanned the jets all lined up at the tarmac, and looked to him. "You know a lot of ponies are going to make you say it. I know its not something you like, but at least the situations not as openly hostile as before." Dusk said nothing, grunting in a short manner, as they boarded the jet.

Day One: Brunch

Dusk sat impatiently, scanning the room. He had finished all the manuals and basic park procedure manuals an hour ago, but there was a mandatory two hour study time for it. All in all, it was unimportant. He had time to himself, a rare commodity in his parole filled life. Random searches, tests to check his energy of other ponies, and all the unnecessary bull of his overzealous parole officer. At least that's behind me, work release mandates less visits. Dusk thought to with glee. Finally the clock struck 11:30, and Walther walked in.

"Finished early now did we?" Walther sat opposite of him, at the table. Dusk nodded, sliding the manuals into his bag. "Alright, its your first day. Here is our itinerary for the weekend." Walther set down a piece of paper. Dusk looked at it, and read the list.

Jurassic Park Warden Itinerary:

11:45 Brunch/Guest Meeting
12:30 Herbivore Feeding
1:00 Paddock Maintenance Check
2:30 Tour Supervisory
6:00 Meal Hour
7:00 Nocturnal Aviary Feeding
7:30 Aquarium Feeding

Dusk put the list in his bag, and stood up. "So brunch huh?"

Walther nodded in agreement. "Well after the incident of the past, people like knowing they are secure. We have brunch with the incoming families that are here for the weekend tour, and introduce ourselves. Dang we even shadow the main tour group in our jeep."

Dusk and Walther walked through the lab hallway to the entrance, scientists trotting about and and talking to each other. One scientist opens a door and looks to them. "Hey! Wardens your just in time!" The unicorn smiles and kicks the door open. "Its time for the hatching!"

She runs back in as Walther smirks. "Shes the main genetic researcher in the embryo clinic, and what not."

Dusk walked into the hatching room. The place looked like a haven of modern technology, machines rotating eggs, heaters keeping faux nests at a high temperature, and all the bells and whistles he would expect from GenTech laboratories. He'd seen things like this in the manual, but had no idea of the gentle sophistication of these machines.

She turns to Dusk and extends a hoof. "My names Strand Splice, I'm the head researcher here." Dusk shakes her hoof. "Good to to meet you miss. Now whats up?" Splice grins, and trots over a incubator with a 3 eggs. "Say hello to Troodon formosus, the latest addition to the park. They are-"

Dusk interrupts. "A Late Cretaceous predator/scavenger with a remarkable brain cavity and odd teeth. Known for being one of the hardest dinosaurs to classify since the discovery of birdlike mammalians in the late Jurassic period."

Splice smiles warmly. "Good job, its not everyday we get a Game Warden with a brain cavity the size of the guns you guys love."

Dusk rolls his eyes, "Its not all about the guns miss. I just want to work with dinosaurs. Anyway, don't you allow limited stock breeding within the Paddocks now, to replicate the environment you have here? Why are all these eggs in the incubators?"

Splice sets the machine to hatching protocols. "Well that is true the breeding is semi natural now, but not for first animals. You are looking at the next generation of Jurassic Park. Troodon formosus, Baryonyx walkeri, Maiasaura peeblesorum, Diplodocus, and even the Raptors king, Deinonychus antirrhopus. These are all part of the growing attractions here."

The egg gives off a slight cracking sound, and the three quickly look to the egg. "Well Dusk, you wanted to work with dinosaurs, here's your chance at a firsthand encounter." Splice puts on some gloves, and held the egg still. After silent minutes of cracking and observation, they hear softened chirping as a small head poked out of the egg, and stared at the creatures before it. Dusk was in awe, staring at this animal, the incredibly fragile strength within it. The dinosaur had managed to break the bone-like egg, and yet it was barely a full few inches in length.

"Nature truly is a working miracle." Splice said, noticing Dusk's amazement. Warden smiled at the infant, and nudged Dusk.

"Come on bud, its time for brunch."

Dusk looked to Warden. "Oh, yeah, right. Nice to meet you splice."

The helicopters flew over the glass dome above the visitors center, as Dusk and Warden sat down, in a line next to a few greeters. Warden peered at Dusk, who was looking at the dome, with a gaze a thousand miles away. "How was your first encounter mate."

Dusk looked back down to the doors. "Amazing. Everything I dreamed of, sir." Warden grinned, as the double doors opened. Dr. Chase walked in with two parties, one of four, the other a family of three.

Dr. Chase turned around, and greeted them warmly. "Welcome my friends, to my muse, my inspiration, and my life's dream. Welcome, to Jurassic Park." On cue, the robotic T-Rex roared, the bellowing noise echoing across the lobby. A couple ponies clapped, but most looked at the showy display with little enthusiasm.

Dusk pointed stealthily,"That's the boss huh?" Warden nodded. The parties followed down the line, shaking hooves with the employees, and everyone followed Chase into the main dining room, and sat down.

"But what exact evidence do you have, that these are true Dinosauria? Aren't there rumors of your first Genetic lead researcher wanting to "upgrade" the dinosaurs to a more public accepted paradigm?" A Colt in a pilots jacket said, turning to Chase.

She sighed, dreading this topic again. "Look, I know this is such a popular topic to throw at us, but believe me. These ARE Dinosauria, as you will see today. Ask my staff. Heck, ask my Warden. They live with these beasts."

Chase pointed to Warden and Dusk, as the party followed her hoof and changed their gaze to the two.

Dusk swallowed his bite of salad and spoke up. "I studied Paleontology for four years, and paleontology still. I have seen things in this morning, that validate my four years of theory's and research. Trust me sir, these are Dinosauria."

The colt smirked. "I guess we will see, later wont we, Mr. Warden."

Dusk looked to Walther, and Walther looked to the colt. "We will, young colt. We will."

Day One: Chase's Belief.

Fossil Chase walked out of the crowd after lunch, back to the Administration room, and sat down. She booted up her computer and looked through her mail. I wish I could personally ram a truck into the home of whoever started that horrid rumor of how our dinosaurs were not the real deal. Our work should be celebrated, not picked apart like some common hoax. Chase looked out of her window, to the team of computer scientists and programmers running through the Parks security systems. It is decided. they want to see whether or not my Dinosaurs are real. I will prove it without a doubt. Chase thought to herself, with a proud determination taking over. She smacked the intercom button and spoke. "Would Microchip please come to the Admin Office. Please." A few moments later, Chip walked into the office and sat down.

"Cutting preparations a bit close Chase, we almost didn't get the tour ready in time. Good idea opening up the infant viewing chamber early. That ought to buy us enough moments to arrange the main tour today."

Chase rocked back in her chair, smiling. "Good good... I want to open Route 12 today."

Chip stared at her, a mix of horror and confused look on his face. "Chase, we haven't even started to finish that test run. We have only done it four times, in beta. We have no idea how animals will react to the vehicles full of ponies. Heck the Brachiosaurus'es freaked out, and stomped a car once. This is extremely an hazardous move your making."

Chase sighed, and spun around the old cane next to her desk. "Chip, the public believes we make genetic monsters to make money. I want them to see my vision how I see it. Now Celestia Darn'it if I wanted to spin the wheel once, and take a risk. Now prep the program. and be sure to send a page to the Warden and his pal to get ready."

Chase stared down Chip, as the pair shared a tense moment of argumentative glances. Finally, Chip buckled. "Alright. But I want YOU to start the program. I don't want to be the one to be blamed for a single problem this causes. Even if this goes nicely, its YOUR doing." Chip loads up the Tour program on Chase's computer, and stands back.

=================================

JurassicOS Version 4.4

=================================

C:/> cmd

C:/> Run route12.Exe

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Start: y/n: ___

=======

Chase stared at the screen for just a moment, before clicking "y" and hitting enter. Chip looked to her and smirked. "I hope you accepted the new shocks requisition, for the bumpy ride."

Chase smiled back. "If you guys finished paving the dirt road as I asked, you wouldn't need it."

The pair sat out in the open forest next to the Security Station, the ferns overgrowth barely revealing the targets Warden had placed out for the firing practice. Warden fired his saddle mounted tranquilizer turret into the targets, hitting each one with a bulls eye. "See kid, the auto-aim does most of the work , but you must always remember to visualize the target, so the thing can get a good sense. Its what this is for." Warden taps the monocle-like eyepiece on his right eye. "It tells the gun where to fire. Remember Dusk, hit the torso, never aim for the head. Only do neck shots with the big guys, as well. Never kill one of them. It would be your back on the line, as well as mine. Now give it a try."

Dusk nodded, and stared down the target, set it to fire, and quickly aimed. He managed to hit a few bulls eyes, but most fly off into the ferns. He reloads, and starts a burst before Wardens phone goes off, Dusk turns around, and a few tranks hit the wall. "See bud, that's why you use burst fire sparingly." Warden picks up the phone, and reads the message. "Damn.. looks like your not going to have much swim practice today, because we are starting off at the deep end."

Dusk chuckles. "Why is that bud?"

Warden sets down the phone, and loads his tranquilizer gun. "Route 12 starts today. We got work to do."

Day One: Gear

Warden steps onto the jeep and takes a seat, turning the key a few times before the engine sparks to life. The radio comms activate, and Chase speaks through the system. "Seventy two miles of electrified steel wire fence, moats around the island preventing storm flooding, top of the line motion sensor tracking systems, turrets in choke points and the raptor feeding areas, lock-down areas for alpha predators attacking the other pack members, and even highly trained Game Wardens. All this, and Microchip is still worried. Hes bloody guano, I'm telling you! Now guys, I am trusting you will keep Route 12 secure as the tour moves along, right!? I don't want to even think about a Ingen level screw-up."

Warden laughs, "I think that is quite out of the question ma'am." Warden takes a turn, and tosses a hat and a pair of shades to Dusk and mouths Gets hot out in the open. Dusk nods, and puts them on. "Anyway, don't worry about a thing. It will be smooth sailing."

"You really think this new route is as dangerous as Chip or whoever thinks it is?" Dusk asked inquisitively, scanning the jungle around the fern filled path. The jeep rocked as Warden drove it through the rough back-roads to the visitors center.

"Oh no, not at all. All Route 12 has different from the original routes is that it cuts through the main herbivore paddock. The herbivores are herd animals, and we section off 40% of the island just for them. Like a plains safari. Anyway, the route cuts next to a game trail of theirs, and into the deep woods. We just have to keep a good eye ahead, and to make sure that it all works out."

Dusk smirked a little, and put on the hat. The jeep pulled up behind the other two cars, as the visitors load into the jeep. The colt that had argued with them before, zipped up his jacket and scoffed at them. "A full tour this weekend then" Chase said, walking down the stairs and next to the wardens jeep.

"Well, with hope these little private functions will cease, and we can have an actual visitor boatload or something. These rich kids trips get annoying fast." Warden said, levitating his hat on.

"These rich kids trips are what pays the bills. So relax, Warden. Show your apprentice the ropes, and try not to get... drained or whatever." She flashes Dusk a look of disgust, and walks back to the cars, shaking hands and wishing everyone a fun trip.

The cars took off, slowly inching towards cruising speed, before finally reaching it. The automated system started playing. The animal you see running alongside the cars is the Dryosaurus. Small herbivores from the late Cretaceous that rarely is favored, nor famous, but nonetheless a important addition, to the balanced ecosystem we have replicated on this island. Little Dryo's run around the cars, frantically hooting and chirping, much to the ponies delight. Warden smiles, and turns the jeep back on, and shifts into gear, following the group.

Storm Side sat in the car, his jacket collar up and his scowl locked in. The paddocks slowly went by, Dilophosaurus, Allosaurus, Triceratops. He looked at his team mates as they all laughed and had a good time. After awhile he decided that the wardens could no longer see them, and whistled, silencing the car. "Alright, we have gotten this far. Everyone ready?" Storm looked over the others, as they pulled out cameras, beakers, and syringes from their backpacks secret compartments. Chase's security was good, but not perfect. You would have thought she learned from her predecessors mistakes. He thought to himself, a proud smirk streaking across his face.

"Sir, the EMP is in place, and looks to be able to strike out 87% of the islands electronics, along with disabling the power grid." One unicorn said, looking at a hoofheld device, while passing out case shields for everyone's equipment.

"Perfect. As soon as we get for away enough from any motion sensors or fences, ignite it. Then we should be able to- Hey hey what the hell!?" Storm looks out the window as the cars divert into a opening gate, rather then the paddocks.

"We're taking a different route!" The unicorn says, scrambling to recalculate her scans.

Storms stared at the large paddock fencing they crossed over, and thought what exactly Fossil Chase was up to, with this different path. Its no matter, it will simply get us closer to the targets.

"T minus 4 minutes till the EMP activates." The unicorn looked at Storm with a worried glance, that he shrugged off with a charming smile.

"T minus 12 hours before we are all rich, Miss. Now everyone gear up."

Dusk and Warden sat on the cliff overlooking the main watering hole for the herd. The Stegosaurus's spines seemed to almost gleam in the basking sun, and the Brachio's heads could be seen above the tree line, as far as a mile away. Gallimimus ran about under the animals, like insects under a rock. It was a sight to behold, a sight Dusk could never forget. Warden looked around through his specially fitted eye-scope.

"The herbivores are usually pretty peaceful. But I remember last week, we had a stampede, it was noisiest thing ever."

Dusk took out a water bottle and took a drink, "Is it time for check-in?" Warden nodded, and grabbed his radio.

Day One: Systems

Chase nodded as Warden radioed in coordinates, animal movements, and motion sensor numbers. It was a daily ritual in the park, recording and feeding the herbivores, but everyone was on edge because of the change in route. Chase however, did not share their hesitancy. It was custom for them to freak out at every possible new thing she had announced. The aquariums reopening, the aviary lodge opening. Heck even reactivating the cloning labs for the new generation of Dinosaurs caused enough ruckus that she lost several employees. They never took a single risk, nothing was new to them. Change was only a catalyst for destruction in their eyes. Everything was a disaster, it was like working with a news company. She dialed up Splice, wanting to know how the rest of the hatching were working. After a quick dial tone, there was an answer.

"Hello? Strand Splice here."

Chase smiled, happy to hear Splice's always cheery voice. That was one of the main reasons she was the lead. She didn't mince words, and she didn't give her the horror story every time she would have a new idea. She just gave her a frank response, and moved on. "How are you Splice? I was calling to check up on the eggs. I hope your ready to go back to the mainland tonight. Cant have you working double overtime, you'll drop."

"Oh I know I know. But don't worry, I only have the Baryonyx hatching to go, and I'm gone. Its quite amazing to see this in progress."

"I would imagine. Now listen, I want you to be careful with the hatchlings. I haven't had to lab grow a generation in years. So lets make sure we-" A static click was heard, and then nothing more, from the phone. Outside her office people were furiously clicking their computers and slamming the phones. Microchip ran in.

"Nothings working ma'am! Nothing at all! The phones the computers.. nothing! Something must have happened to the generators!"

Chase stood up, and walked out the office, half galloping over to the elevator. She went and tapped the button, with a hesitant hoof. Nothing happened.. She tried again.

"Chase, no electronics are working. Even my hoof held."

Blast! She went down the stairs, carefully. The lights all flickered as the shielded wires ran out of power. Nothing else was working, even the darn door locks.

"Stegosaurus family has moved to the south pond" Walther said, moving his scope down the herd. It was a little past 3, and the herd was starting to go into the forest for food.

"So whats your real name bud?"

"Hmm?" Warden turned off his scope and looked over.

"Your real name. I mean you cant possibly be named Warden. It would be a little repetitive. Game Warden Warden."

Walther smirks "Its Dart, Dart Walther."

"No wonder you kept it Warden" Dusk chuckles.

Dart smiled, and took a look through his scope. "Hey Dusk, did you switch my turret off?" Dusk shook his head, looking confused. "Well its pitch black."

"Well perhaps the battery died." Dart sighed.

"Ill call in for a new one." Dart tapped the phone next to him, but the screen was black as well. He sat up and walked over to the jeep, picking up the in-car phone. No dial tone, no nothing. What the heck is happening? "Dusk! Somethings up. The powers out! We have to get back to the Visitors Center with the group."

"That's the least of our worries. Our guests are heading into the woods."

Storm and his crew bolted through the woods, weaving through the ferns. The unicorn looked to him. "I think the Game Wardens saw us!" Storm grit his teeth, jumping over a log, before stopping before a large fence. He turned to his group, counting each of them.

" It doesn't matter WHAT they saw! The EMP has been released and this is place is ours. Time to make the big bucks. Everyone shielded their equipment?" The group nodded. "Now remember, pictures and DNA. That was the deal. Who got the map?" The group is silent, looking to each other. "Nobody got the map! Come on, am I dealing with mercenaries or some green idiots! Cut the darn wires! Lets get this show on the road!" Storm pointed at the fence, as two earth ponies spliced the wire. With a satisfying snap of steel, the group entered the now unpowered paddock.

Microchip, Splice, and Chase trotted down the dim hallway. Chip held a flare in his mouth, lighting the way. "Its just down here. The doors and everything is shielded. So we should be fine."

Chase looked at him "Now are you sure your theory is correct? That this was an EMP? I mean the odds are-"

"Very low, but believe me. No power outage makes wireless electronics switch off." Chip said, a solemn tone to his voice. He had seen EMP tests in the field working as a technician before GenTech, and this incident had EMP written all over it. The instantaneous disconnection, the loss of everything from phones to hoofheld devices. This gives him a scary thought of, who could possibly do this? For what reason, too. There has been a bad history of industrial espionage in this place, but its been quiet for years now. Only time will tell why all this happened. As they neared the heavy blast doors of the Admin bunker, they heard a deafening roar across the island.

Silent and fearful, the group heard the deafening roar of a Tyrannosaurus Rex.

Day One: Disorder

Storm ran through the forest, adrenaline pumping. Why didn't they grab a damn map!? he thought to himself, jumping over branches and dodging through trees. Not four minutes into sneaking through the paddock, the team had found themselves in the dangerous gaze of an Allosaurus. It had been chasing them ever since, refusing to stop in its quest for a meal. Storm looked back as its mighty jaws encircled one of his guards, and with a mighty snap of its jaws, the pony was no more. It let loose a bellowing roar, as the rest of the team scattered. It must have been 15 minutes before he stopped running, his legs giving out as he collapsed next to a stream. Time felt endless before he heard another sound in the forest, as his assistant, a unicorn named Starguide, ran up to him.

"Mr. Side, are you alright?" She began examining him for wounds, finding nothing but signs of exhaustion. By the way his heart was pounding, he obviously needed a rest. She looked around hesitantly, before leaning down to him and whispering "What was that thing?"

"Allosaurus... was thought to be more of a minor carnivore, like a hyena. I had a thesis once that its skeletal structure was more of an agile scavenger then a big predator."

The unicorn chuckled "Looks like you won't be getting a prize for that theory."

Storm looked around, listening quietly to the jungle around. The sun was setting quickly, and if ANY of his theories were correct, it

meant that some dinosaurs were nocturnal, and therefore, more dangerous at night. "We need to find shelter quickly."

Starguide looked around the woods, listening to the chirping of birds and the roar of distant dinosaurs. The woods sudden dimness felt like a void swirling around her. "Yeah we can go... now." The two ran off into the dark forest, oblivious to the low growling calls behind them, as the Allosaur's stalked their remaining prey.

Walther looked around, from his jeep. The vehicle refused to start, and his communications equipment weren't working. He scanned along the horizon, looking to see where the group had gone. It worried him, their direction, as they would run up along the Allosaur paddock. Dusk walked up, and looked to the herd. They were freaking out, running from the lake into the main plain, keeping an eye on the forest around them. The Brachiosaurs and Apatosaurs swishing their tails around, almost menacingly. The Stegosaurus' bleating call echoed across the area. Walther looked at his watch, which was stuck to 5:59 PM, and sighed.

"We have to go after them Walther" Dusk said, looking into the trees with an old set of binoculars.

Walther nodded, sitting up. "Unfortunately with all the batteries dead, our turrets and vehicles are useless. We are blind and defenseless out here."

Dusk grit his teeth. "So are they Walther, and its our jobs to take care of the visitors and ensure the security of the park. Now lets get going!" Dusk rapidly trots off down the hill.

Walther followed him quickly. "Kid now listen I agree with you, but we need to be careful! For all we know the fences could be down!"

The two ponies walked across the plain, steering clear of the herd, before galloping through the woods, and stopping. In front of them was the electrified fence to the Allosaur paddock. The wires were cut open, obviously by a pair of bolt cutters, and showed signs of entry. Dusk picked up a muddy phone, and looked at Walther.

"I find it hard to believe at this point, that we are simply finding innocent visitors. Somethings up around here." Dusk levitated the phone over to Walther.

Walther hissed at Dusk. "No magic, you want to end up back in the slammer?" Dusk dropped the phone instantly, and looked down at the muddy equipment. "You were told not to use it on the job. I'm sorry but I don't want to see you losing your job because you cant put a block on it."

"I think we have more things to worry about Walther. There's people in the Allosaur exhibit. If you could oh so kindly let go of that classic hatred of changelings for five seconds, maybe we could get some work done." Dusk glared at him, his eyes flickering from regular green to glowing blue.

"Don't even call me racist kid. I was the one who picked you, and not because your a changeling. But because your smart. Now, be the smart kid I know you are and check your anger." Walther walks past him, and moves some mud aside, looking at a set of empty vials. He squinted in the darkness to try to get a better look, but there wasn't enough light to see. Some form of symbol though, like a logo. He scooped it up and it put it in his pocket, looking around. "Come on, we have to find our visitors." With a jump and a trot, he sped off into the Allosaur Paddock.

Night fell as Storm finished cutting off the final piece of the drain grate. "This is the safest place I can think of, for now." Storm said, as he kicked the gate inward, giving Starguide the room to crawl in. "We should be safe until morning. Then we can grab the DNA."

Starguide sit down, shivering from the sudden damp chill of the night. "But why not now, I mean its night. The parks staff shouldn't be around. Wouldn't it be smart to do it now?"

Storm shakes his head. "No Starguide. I have a theory that some Dinosaurs are nocturnal."

Starguide chuckles and lays down. "Right because your theories have been right so far. I'm going to rest Storm."

Storm said nothing, as he quietly sat in the sewer, frozen in horror, as the shadow of a Allosaur covered the grate.

Day Two: Outliers

Walther and Dusk trot through the Paddock, keeping a keen eye around the area. Allosaurs were often known as scavengers or beta predators, yet they were not going to take a single chance with a dinosaur. It had been an hour since the power went out, and they still haven't found the group that ran off. As they trudged through the muddy riverbank, it became seemingly hopeless that they would find ANYONE out here in this weather. Plus it looked to be past midnight, and Walther was not eager to be outside at night, with the sight disadvantage. He shook his head, to try to get the mosquitoes out of his face, and stopped.

"We can't go on like this Dusk. Its late, and we have no shelter. I don't like the look of the clouds overhead either. This has so many red flags on it, it might as well be a Box-and-Carrot."

"These guys have no chance out here. We need to help them."

"No Dusk I'm sorry. We can continue the search tomorrow but for now we have to do our job. Fossil and her team are in possible danger. We cant just screw around in the forest while our boss is a sitting duck."

Dusk sighed, and looked around. He knew Walther was right, but he didn't want to leave the visitors in danger of being eaten. He looked at the moonlight through the trees and ferns, and nodded. "Alright Walther, we split up. Meet up at the main bunker at dawn." The Pegasus raised his hoof as an attempted to stop him, but Dusk was not having it. He was dead set on finding these people, before the Allosaurs found them. "No Walther, I know your my boss, but I won't go save some rich jerk before I save helpless visitors in a Allosaur Paddock."

Walther frowned, picking up on the emphasis on "jerk" in Dusk's tone. "Just because Fossil is an old fashioned mare, with a bit of distrust in you doesn't mean you can take your first chance at leaving her in danger."

Dusk opened his mouth to speak, but after a moment, didn't. Walther was the boss, and what he said was orders now. But orders mean nothing now... The park is dark, for all I know. He shook his head. No, Walther is his friend, and he was not about to backstab him because he didn't like one order. But on the other hoof.

Fossil paced the length of the bunker, as what employees were left after the boat frantically stammering on about "electro-pulses" and what not. Fortunately she knew the emergency protocols will have Canterlot Corps. helicopters flying to the island for extraction. In 72 hours she would be sitting safe in a chopper while her private team would herd everyone back in. The park will be back up and running in little more then a week, and perhaps after buying some EMP hardened cases, will be open to the public. Heck if this WAS an attack, she wouldn't even have to pay out settlements, at least as long as the Wardens did their job. Wait, Walthers protocols! She suddenly remembered the shipment Walther ordered the other week, in case of a breakout. She trotted over to a couple crates and opened one of them, revealing a box of darts, and a small rifle. She lifted it up with her magic and walked over to the group and cleared her throat.

"My friends, I know this is a tough point right now, but we aren't lost. In 72 hours we will be picked up by helicopters. 24 hours later the park will be secure, and by the end of this coming week, we will be back to work, for those who choose to stay. But for now, we have to worry about two things, and nothing more. One is our own safety, which fortunately isn't a big problem as we are safe in here, and I found this." She set down the rifle and smiled warmly to her colleagues. "Second is Walther and his apprentice. They are currently rescuing the visitors, and coming back here. From what I have heard of you, the EMP has knocked out everything from fences to tracking systems to weapons electronic firing. Which means they are defenseless, unreachable, and stuck in the middle of Isla Nublar tonight." She points to a tour control specialist. "What was the last known location of the tour groups?"

She thinks for a moment "Towards the end of the herbivore herd zone, near the Allosaur area, and that was at 8, its midnight right now, and there's no telling how far they have gone. There is one other thing I noticed too Chase. The power was cut off at the Aviary's maintenance time, which means a couple hatches may have been open."

Fossil sighed, as she knew there was only two main routes to get to the bunker from the herd area. One was past the Tyrannosaur paddock, and the other was through the aviary...

Storm and Star stood motionless as the Allosaur licked the sewer grate and smelled the air. There was no doubt he or she knew they were in there, but there's also no doubt that it couldn't fit those jaws in here, they were safe although locked in a stalemate. Star looked back to the dark sewer behind them, and nudged Storm. "Only place to go is down this sewer Storm."

Storm nodded, turning and standing up. "Indeed. This is a draining sewer so it probably leads near a coast or a low area. Its the opposite of where we need to go, but at least we will gain a fighting chance. Possibly even a bunker or something." Star and Storm started walking down the dark sewer, cold water splashing against their hooves. Occasional chirping can be heard, and water dropping from the ceiling.

Storm broke the silence, looking to the unicorn next to him. " So, why did you take the job?"

"Money, and curiosity. I have always wondered if this is really what Dinosauria look like, and if this is all fake or not. There's a lot of facts for both sides, so I may as well figure it out, ya'know? By the way, I saw our guards get eaten, do you think B team is alright? You think anyone's left of our team?"

Storm thought for a while, before answering. "If they are, we need to speed up and get in contact with them, or they will think we didnt make it." Star nodded, as they reached a light source and a grate on the other tunnel. They could see a small fenced off area with a tower next to it, and on the far side of the fence, claw marks can be seen and broken wires lay scattered. Storm and Star trotted quietly into the tower as several shadows surrounded them.

Day Two: Exhaustion

It was 2 hours before Dusk and Walther made it to the end of the Allosaur fence line, to the gate. The rain had stopped, but it was almost 3 in the morning, and nobody had been seen. What was worse though, was neither were the Allosaur pack. 2 hours and they heard roars, and other dinosaur's roars in response, but not even a shadow of them. This worried Walther, as it was completely possible they had broken the un-powered fences, allowing them access to the herbivore area, or Celestia forbid- the Visitors Center. Everyone was in danger, but Allosaurs were just the beginning. Raptors, Herrerasaurus, possibly even the Rex... all out and free tonight. Dusk looks over at Walther. "Stop."

"What Dusk, we don't have all night." Walther looked to his apprentice with a little annoyance. He has been getting on my nerves with the endless arguments about standard protocol, whats he pulling now.

"All of the dinosaurs were released, right? As far as we know at least? That means nature is going to find a balance between them. Equilibrium is going to happen, just like last time. The big predators are going to eat all the little ones that get in the way, the herd will survive while lone herbivores without defense will end up dead. That book the one of the survivors wrote, he said "Life will find a way."

"I'm missing the part where this is relevant Dusk." Walther stared him down as Dusk opened his mouth and stopped, looking in terror behind the Pegasus. Walther stopped as well and heard a shallow breathing behind him, a little faint, but close. Walther slowly turned, but a second too late as a Herrarasaurus charged them, snarling. Walther dived out of the way, the raptor speeding by as it jumped and tackled Dusk with all its weight. Dusk and the dinosaur rolled into the ground, Dusk hitting the earth snout first with a thud, moved for a moment, and collapsed. The raptor fell a few feet from Dusk, unable to get a good grip on him, but leaving a long claw mark on his back. Dusk shook his head, trying to regain his sight as the Herrarasaurus triumphantly walked over to him and lowered his jaws around Dusk's neck.

Warden sprung out of the bushes, stampeding with strength and speed towards the pair as the raptor picked up Dusk by its jaws and looked to Walther. It roared at him, about to start shaking the wounded Dusk. Walther took a chance, slashing at the black and red dinosaur with his knife. He jumped to the side of it, managing to slice the upper jaw, up into the eye. The beast flung itself onto the ground with pain, as it let go of Dusk and starting making echoing calls and shrieks of pain. Walther grabbed his apprentice, as he started backing up from the injured animal.

After the initial wave of pain ended in the raptor, it bolted up and started slowly walking towards the two. Its movements were careful, staying far enough away to keep himself from the blade in the Pegasus' mouth. It bared its teeth at them almost in a sadistic smile. Walther heard calls in reply to the injured animal. Knowing he was about to be surrounded, he made another calculated risk. Grabbing a couple flares from his saddlebag, he lit one as fast as he could, making a sudden and intense bright light in the dark forest, he tossed the flare at the dinosaurs face and ran , pulling Dusk onto his back as he ran along the fence, looking for the gate they were at. Before finding it though he saw a huge tear in the wires, and jumped through it. He galloped nearly a mile and a half before coming across an abandoned Maintenance Jeep. Tossing Dusk in the back and closing the door, he walked to the other side and got in the drivers seat. Before he could do anything else, a wave of exhaustion hit hard, and sleep found him.

"What is this place?" Starguide looked around the tower, rifling through brochures and folders and memos on desks. Storm said nothing, staring outside the small window at the top of the door, scanning the area outside. "Storm, where are we?" Starguide looked over, tapping her hoof in impatience. "Storm!"

"Shhh. I see something outside. There has been rustling around for ten minutes." Storm shuts the lights off in the room, leaving only the clouded moonlight illuminating the quiet jungle around them. Storm and Star looked out the door for nearly 10 minutes, before Storms fears were confirmed. In the ferns, 10 meters or so from the door, was a flicking tail moving ever so slowly. After a few moments Storm looked a little ways off to the side and saw a pair of eyes, staring at the door. He racked his brain trying to figure out what they could be. Predatory most likely, pack hunter obviously, carnivore or omnivore. Nocturnal, either that or we are in their territory... wait perhaps this fenced off area was where they were kept! Maybe there is information in those papers Star was looking through. Storm looked to Star. "Watch the dinosaurs, I'm going to slowly go over to the desk. No sudden movements, maybe they haven't seen us yet." Or maybe they have decided to wait for us to make the first move, see what were going to do. Storm crept over to the desk and looked through the memos. He saw park records, budget reports, and employee payroll information, but nothing in the means of info that's useful to the situation.

"There aren't moving, its so odd." Star looked to the pair, and noticed another one between them, looking at the door through some fallen branches.

"I'm going up the stairs. Watch the door and if they come near, come upstairs. Don't do anything dumb." Storm trotted up the stairs slowly, trying his best not to make any noise as his hooves clanged softly against the metal staircase. He opened a door into what seemed like a bedroom. A cot, a dresser, a desk, and more papers strewn about the room was all he saw, until he came across a large metal briefcase. He tried to open it, but it had a combination lock on the side. He messed with it for a couple moments before levitating his bolt cutters and dug it in between the halves and cracked it open. A pistol, seemingly 9mm, with a strap and a harness system for firing from a limb. He quickly picks it up and puts it on. Lets see... I just aim my hoof. He pointed his hoof at a wall and the pistol aimed down and pointed towards the area. With a twitch of his limb he could fire. Unfortunately it wasn't a big enough caliber to take down most animals he had seen so far, since 9 millimeter was hardly used in most any professional circumstances for good reason. Most likely somepony was stupid and paranoid.

He walked halfway down the stairs and spoke in a low tone. "Star, get up here, were going to camp here. Move that desk in the way of the doors. Those things probably cannot get in here. We will just wait it out until morning, and try to find a smart way out of here." Star pulled the desk to the door and walked up the stairs. Storm looks at the door. "The downstairs door has a deadbolt, but this one seems to have an electronic door lock. Pull anything you can in front of this door and then we can sleep." Star nodded, and the two pushed the desk and the dresser to the door. Storm looks to the cot, and at Star.

"Go ahead and sleep, Ill take first watch. Give me your gun." Star motioned towards the pistol, as Storm glares at her.

"No way Star. You sleep. Plus I got this thing rigged on me already."

"I'm not sleeping with those outside. I guess were both staying up." Star looks around the room. Storm sighed, and sat down next to Star, as they both stared out the window at the dinosaurs outside, seemingly locked in endless stalemate of staring and silence with the mysterious beasts.