The Rise of Serpens: Reptile at Heart Zoo
The sequel to Aftermath
The Rise of Serpens: Reptile at Heart Zoo
By born2beagator
Serpens had used his human form numerous time to blend in, sowing subtle seeds of reptilian influence wherever he went. He hated the necessity. The ugly mop of hair, the weak body, the soft skin. It made him sick. Despite this unpleasantness, things were going well. Cynthia and Hercules had converted an entire state of people into snakes and the landscape into swamp in a little over a month. . Still, he enjoyed the slow rate at which Chris and Cynthia had converted. He considered himself an artist, taking pride in each transformation. His regents could take care of the mass transformations, but the humans lucky enough to catch his eye would get a personal touch. The original zoo now encompassed an area the size of two counties. Of course the entire zoo was now a home for exotic reptiles to rest before venturing back out into the swamps of Florida, none were forced to stay. The mammals of the zoo had long ago been eaten. The only reptiles that seemed to enjoy staying there was Chris and Karina, who alternated time between his den and her old enclosure. Serpens had enjoyed the zoo's transforming power with Chris and Cynthia. The reptilian influence that hung heavily over this place was irresistible to humans. Any human that spent a decent length of time here wouldn't be leaving without scales. It was a shame that it was unlikely anyone would every visit it again...
Eighteen year old Alan was rebellious. There was no other word to describe him. If there was a rule, he'd broken it. He got a thrill out of it. Needless to say, when the report came that Florida had been quarantined and the warning for everyone to keep out of the state had come down, Alan inexorably was drawn to the state. His girlfriend Jessica was of the same mind. No bodies were ever found in the state. They'd be the one to find them, and they'd be heroes when they found survivors. "This so called "outbreak" began near the Everglades in a zoo." Alan said. That's where we should start our search. There is a new river that leads right from the ocean to the glades. We can go right up the river to the zoo."
The trip down the Florida coast was long. Alan and Jessica watched the coast with awe. The state looked like a scene from Jurassic Park. It was completely overgrown with lush vegetation...and they could see snakes in
the trees from the boat along with all kinds of other reptiles. No mammals were present other than what would be prey for the reptiles. "Alan, I think this is it." Jessica said, looking at her phone's GPS. "Yes this is the river." They began up stream. Watching the shores with awe. Swamp was an understatement here. No human could ever live in this area, and this area had once been a city. Still, they continued on, they had to find some survivors. As the zoo came into view, they were struck with how big it was. It stretched from horizon to horizon and it looked like a palace. "Reptile At Heart: Shed your Skin for Scales!" Alan read the sign. "Wasn't this zoo called "Wild at Heart?" "They must have changed it before it closed." Jessica reasoned.
The sixty foot anaconda woke with a start, hearing the sound of a boat. Two young humans were headed towards the zoo that Serpens had adopted as his home while the initial stages of the conversion were underway. "Hercules. Wake my love. Two new snakes have arrive." Hercules stirred, flicking his huge black tongue out. "Indeed. Let us welcome them." As they uncoiled and started towards the zoo, they were stopped by the seven foot human that Serpens had took as his disguise. "Leave these ones to me my regents. You have an entire state of ophidia to rule. I want to give these two a personal touch." Cynthia and Hercules hissed in acknowledgement, returning to their den and coiling together again.
Alan and Jessica reached the door of the zoo. On the door there were sparkling jewels in a pattern. "That is Serpens, a constellation." Remarked Alan. They entered. Despite the decrepit look of the zoo from the outside, the inside was incredibly well kept. They felt like they were walking through a palace. They really put all their work into the reptile motif here. Looking at the map of the zoo, there were no other kinds of animals except for small creatures that were together in a large area labeled simply as "Prey." Finally, the walls were covered in scales! They even felt like scales, smooth and supple. As they passed exhibit after exhibit, they noticed that the scales covering the walls changed to match the scales of the animal in the cage. Speaking of the cages, not all of them had an animal in them. All of them had an open back that lead into the Prey area. Eventually they came to a massive enclosure with a large tunnel. In the enclosure were two twenty foot black and yellow lizards. One lifted its great head towards them and a large blue tongue tasted the air. Alan and Jessica gasped. "Chris and
Karina-Ultasalvators." Read Alan. "Largest known lizards, these beautiful animals are closely related to the Varanus Salvator, or water monitor. These two specimens are the only known Ultasalvators in existence. We have lovingly dubbed them the kind and queen of lizards" "Wow." Said Jessica. "Last of their kind." "Beautiful aren't they?" Came a deep voice. Alan and Jessica nearly jumped through the roof. Turning around they saw a large man behind them. Their hearts leapt. A survivor! "My name is Serpens. My parents named me after the constellation. Welcome to my zoo." He said. "Come with us sir, we are here to rescue you." Alan said. "I don't need rescuing. I live here among my reptiles." Said Serpens. Alan and Jessica's hearts sank. "Were there any survivors?" Jessica asked. "Of course. No one has died in Florida. The people still live here, they've just adapted to the new environment." Serpens said. "Well where are they?" Asked Alan? "Oh they are everywhere, you just have to know where to look. They are very good at hiding." Serpens said with a laugh. "So, now that you know that there was no catastrophe here, shall I show you my zoo?"
Alan and Jessica thoroughly enjoyed their tour of the reptile zoo now that they know there was no danger. The government had lied yet again. The day passed and they still hadn't seen a quarter of the zoo. They did find their favorite reptile though. In another huge enclosure with, there was a whole colony of Hydrosaurus pustulatus, or Philippine Sailfin Lizards. Alan took a picture of one.
"We've always loved these lizards. They are so unusual and beautiful, and we've never seen them in the zoos we've visited." Alan said. Jessica agreed. "Oh really." Serpens said with interest. "Tell you what, I got a room you two can stay in if you wish to hang around for a while and enjoy the zoo. It's up to you." Alan and Jessica
looked at each other. "Sure, we'll stay for a bit since the danger was clearly not real." Said Alan. "We are tired though, want to turn in." Jessica said. "Sure, in fact would you like to watch a movie? I got a special on those sailfins if you want to watch it. My sailfins are special, they are communal, very different from the natural ones." Serpens said.
Alan and Jessica loved their room. It overlooked the sailfin enclosure, and it was clearly right out of a luxury hotel. Alan and Jessica collapsed on the Asian style bean bags and enjoyed their movie night in the strange zoo together. Surprisingly, the voice of Serpens came through. It must be a custom made movie. Welcome to the Reptile at Heart zoo. We are so glad you chose to spend your vacation with us. You have taken an interest in our sailfin lizards, and rightly so. Our sailfins are unique in the world. They are communal creatures. But what is a sailfin lizard? You might ask. Well you are watching the right movie. Let's explore the world of this beautiful reptile! Alan, as a male sailfin, you are a beautiful specimen. You can reach up to four feet in length from snout to tail. You have a namesake fin that runs down your back, reaching up to five inches at the base of your tail. Alan paused the movie and slipped his tongue out a bit. "What was that?" He asked Jessica. "The movie just called you a sailfin lizard." Jessica said with confusion. "Maybe it just to help you visualize them?" She reasoned. "Let's keep watching. It's fun." Jessica, as a female sailfin, you don't get as large as Alan will, but you will reach at least three feet. Like your mate, you have a fin that runs down your back. Although yours doesn't get nearly as large as Alan's."Lucky you. Males always get the more impressive features...mate." Jessica joked. They both laughed heartily. Now that you have learned your basic anatomy, let's talk about what you eat. You are omnivores and will eat pretty much anything that you are able. But right now you have a craving for mealworms. You will find some in the cups in your room. " Okay, that was weird." Alan said, conflicted. "Honey, aren't you hungry? We haven't eaten all day." Jessica replied. "Yes I am, but not for mealworms. We aren't lizards." Alan said. But Jessica had already grabbed a cup. "Fine, well I'm going to eat." With that Jessica lowered her head to the cup and used her tongue to grab a mealworm. Sucking it into her mouth she crunched thoughtfully. "Mmmmmm....you are missing out Alan." She said teasingly "Oh alright, give them to me." Alan
said. Looking at the squirming worms, Alan slipped his tongue out and lightly tasted one. It stuck to his tongue. "Ahhh! I'm about to eat a worm." He said disgustedly. He kept his tongue stuck out of his mouth. The mealworm was still stuck to his tongue. Jessica laughed. "Pull your tongue in your mouth you silly sailfin." "What did you call me?" Alan asked. "Oh lighten up Alan. I'm having fun with the movie." Alan blushed and pulled his tongue in, worm and all. He crunched thoughtfully. "Hmmm...not bad at all!" Alan said. "Told you. Let's keep watching the movie." Jessica said as she lapped up another worm. Eating the worms like popcorn, they finished the movie. An interesting fact about you is one of the behaviors you exhibit when you are threatened. The fin on your backs helps you swim. When a threat comes along you will dive to the bottom of the nearest body of water and cling to the bottom until you believe the threat has passed. But why are you still here? There is a whole zoo to enjoy, and wouldn't you rather be in the sailfin habitat with the rest of your kind? The movie ended. "That was really strange." Alan said. "What was strange about it? We are sailfin lizards. It was just talking about us. I really do want to go visit with the other lizards after we see more of the zoo." Jessica said around a mouthful of mealworms." "Maybe..." Alan said. For now, I want to sleep.
Serpens greatly enjoyed the movie himself. It was his creation after all. Media was so useful. He'd have to use one of those movie theatres sometime. Jessica was already a reptile in mind. While still skeptical, Alan's tongue clearly revealed the reptile inside him. His mate would help it to the surface. He heard a hiss behind him. "You summoned us my lord?" It was his two Ultasalvators. Serpens smiled. Chris was his most loyal convert. "Yes Chris. I have a job for you. Don't worry, Karina is coming with you. Cynthia and Hercules are ruling the snakes on this world. I know you've probably been wondering why you have grown so much. Simply put, I am making you two king and queen of the lizards. I know you've noticed the two humans that have come to the zoo. They are already on their way to being our newest sailfins. I am making this zoo my palace. From time to time I will attract a human or two here for my amusement. What I am doing is appointing regents to rule the new world. I'm moving you two to the Amazon." Chris and Karina hissed in delight. So much prey there. "It is the perfect habitat. You won't have need to convert houses into dens there, and there are tribes of humans that will
undoubtedly worship a pair of twenty foot lizards as gods. Do as you wish with them, and I would not be opposed to your luring a human or two into the jungle from time to time. Just makes sure they don't leave on two legs." Serpens said with a wink. With that, Serpens snapped his fingers and Chris and Karina disappeared with a hissing flash of light. Now, to enjoy the two sailfins in the making.
"Alan! Wake up! I want to explore the zoo so we can get to the sailfins." Came the voice of Jessica. Alan awoke to see Jessica standing over him. "Come on you lazy lizard, move your tail!" She laughed. This was strange, Alan thought. As Alan got dressed he watched his girlfriend. She was casually munching on some fruit while waiting on him. There was something strange about her lips, they seemed dry, and bluish. "Ready? About time! Let's go!" She said. As she left the room, Alan noticed an area of her hair that seemed to be unnaturally disturbed, like there was something under her hair. "Honey, are you alright?" He asked. "Of course I am, never felt better. Now grab yourself some food for later, and let's get going." Remembering how surprisingly tasty the worms were, Alan grabbed a cup, lightly using his tongue to grab one to crunch on.
They met Serpens outside their room. "Ah, how are my newest sailfins doing this morning?" He asked. "Great! I want to explore the zoo today, then I am going to hang with my brothers and sisters!" Jessica said excitedly. Alan however was guarded. "Serpens, why does everyone and everything keep calling us sailfin lizards?" "Because it's what you are?" Serpens said bluntly. "We aren't lizards, we are humans." Alan said. Serpens sighed. "Alan, what are you eating?" Alan looked down at the cup of mealworms, snaking his tongue out a bit, they did taste good..."Mealworms." He said. "Yeah? Not exactly a human food is it?" Serpens laughed. Jessica joined in his laughter. "You are such a backwards lizard Alan, but that is why I love you." Serpens gestured Jessica forward. "Jessica, show your mate your head." Happily she parted her head a bit. "What do you see Alan?" Serpens asked. Alan examined her head. A brown, scaly fin was sprouting out of the top of her head above her eyes. It ran all the way down the back of her neck and Alan could see it pressed against her dress all the way down to her lower back, where there was a slight bump. Humans didn't have that. Something clicked for Alan. "I see my mate's fin." He told Serpens. "It's not as beautiful as yours Alan, yours is blue." Jessica
interjected. Alan suddenly felt his head. Sure enough, there was a scaly fin twice the size of Jessica's starting just above his eyes. He felt his back and realized that it traveled all the way to the base of his back, where it pushed his shirt up a good three inches. "Alan, are you sure you are human?" Serpens asked. "Of course I'm not a human!" He snapped. "I'm a sailfin lizard!" "Duh. Now let's go you obstinate lizard!" Serpens watched the two happily walk off.
Jessica had run ahead of Alan. Alan was deep in conflicted thought. What was he? Human? Sailfin? He honestly didn't know. He rubbed his hand over the fin on his head. Looking at the mealworms, he lapped another one up. They were so good. "Let's examine the facts: I'm eating mealworms like candy with my tongue. I have a large fin running all the way down my body. My girlfriend is calling me a lizard. Heck everyone seems to think I'm a lizard." But I still look like a human. Alan was beyond confused.
Jessica was enjoying the reptile zoo immensely...and why wouldn't she? She was a lizard herself. So what if her silly mate didn't like it yet? She'd leave him with his thoughts for a bit. Suddenly she came upon smaller "Prey" area. Licking her scaly lips with her sticky tongue, she entered. It was like she was in lizard heaven! Dropping to her hands and knees she began slurping up the various insects, rodents, and fruit. As she ate, a pressure built in her dress. Huffing in frustration at her meal being interrupted, she discarded her clothes and continued her meal.
Alan was still fighting over what he was when Jessica rejoined him. "Still confused you backwards reptile? Let's go!!! I want to go back to the Sailfins!!!" She exclaimed. Alan was standing slack-jawed at the sight of his naked and hairless girlfriend. Well not totally naked. Patches of brown and blue scales had broken out all over her skin, and a finned tail was dragging on the ground behind her. That settled it. He'd been with Jessica for years now, and she was clearly a lizard. So what was his problem? Of course he was a sailfin too! Seemingly responding to his acceptance, his hair fell out. "Wait up Jess!" he called. It was time to go where they belonged.
Holding hands, they ran back to the sailfin habitat. As they entered, the other lizards looked at them curiously. Jessica immediately got to all fours and ran to the nearest lizard, rubbing against it. "We are home
Alan!" With that she dove in the water and swam, using her tail as a rudder. "I'll be near the tree Jess!" Alan happily discarded his clothes. "I'm glad to be among my family again!" He told the other lizards as he sunk to his belly. He watched his mate as she swam. She was so graceful. He admired the way her tail moved back and four. He moaned in pleasure as his own tail finished growing. He looked over his back at the large blue fin at the base of his tail and huffed happily. Jess would love this.
Finally finishing her swim, Jessica crawled out of the water, not bothering to get to two legs. She was a lizard after all. Expecting to have to convince Alan of his own species again, she sighed and headed towards the tree where her mate said he'd be waiting. Arriving at the tree, she couldn't find Alan. All she could see was a mass of finned tails as the sailfins ate on a carcass of some mammal. "Alan?" She called. Suddenly one of the larger tails moved. A four foot long brilliant blue sailfin lizard walked to her and licked her lovingly. "Alan!" She cried happily. The sight of her obstinate mate embracing what he really was seemed to catalyze her own body. The patches of scales quickly spread to the rest of her body, and she suddenly grew tired. Alan huffed and motioned to the tree. Climbing easily to a high branch, Alan waited for Jessica. Gripping the tree carefully, she climbed after him grateful when her claws finally dug into the bark. Reaching her mate, she nuzzled him and fell asleep.
Watching the two sailfin lizards doze together Serpens happily turned to his next plan. This human body was useful after all. With it, he was able to earn the trust of the two humans long enough for the reptilian air of the zoo to take hold. He thought hard. Where should he go next? Maybe he'd let some of his reptiles pick the next area to join his world? If they wanted to of course.