ShellStrider

Shellstriders are a species of armored Semi-aquatic aliens that live on Hostile-21 and are the first aliens from that planet we see in The Autistic Hero 2: Worlds Clashing. Shellstriders are a similar animal to Ammonites with a spiraling shell though this animal has the addition of long ostrich-like legs and a trunk where tentacles would be which is used as both a nose, foot, and arm at the same time. Shellstriders were first encountered towards the end of the book where one was infected with the Primordial Anger and attacked earth. It laid waste to New Jersey and lead to over 120,000 deaths due to its mass amounts of power. The animal was killed by Ahiko Maverick after she had the Megalotron saw into its shell with the buzzsaw.

## Biology

Shellstriders have a Counter Clockwise spiraling shell heading inwards which is opposite of ammonite shells. Shellstriders have long ostrich-like legs which allows them to break into incredible speeds as well as do it in complete silence because of the soft pads on their three toed feet. coming from beneath its helmet-like head structure is a trunk-like tentacle which biologically is identically used similarly to elephants and the way they use it as an extra limb. This limb is known as a Tryon Trunk and it has nostrils on the end of its spade shaped nose which can be used to suck up water so it can deposite it into its beak mouth as well as also being able to use the snot and mucus to pick up objects such as prey which the snot is able to stick like glue even if a food gets away. This limb also can be placed on the ground to allow it balance during windstorms and heavy currents which happen during the Boraea season of its homeworld. The creature's thick beak is an onyx black color with an appearance similar to a spider and it is also hooked like a Pirate hand allowing for serious tissue damage. the creature is in possession of one other unique weapon in its trunk which is a Chitinous harpoon which is embedded with a deadly toxin that is created from the snot it produces. The animal is very intelligent and due to this was an excellent choice for the virus to possess and take to earth. Individuals of Shellstriders reach average heights of round 15 meters during the rotation around the mid sequence star but can grow to an astonishing 30 meters during the rotation around the Blue Giant star.

## Abilities

Resistance: The Shellstrider's bulky shell is at least 7 feet thick making it one of the most durable shells in the Alien kingdom being able to out sturdy the Ankylosaurus but isn't able to defend itself against the Buzzsaw of the Megalotron which melted the shell open.

Intelligence: The Shellstrider was a very adaptive predator on its homeworld and was able to even outsmart elephants in intelligence. this can be seen when it uses tools with its Tryon Trunk in order to help it kill prey as well as precisely aim its harpoons.

Chitinous Harpoon: Shellstriders are able to produce a Toxic Harpoon from their snot and mucus which they get from picking up their main prey which gets their venomous cells into its snot and solidifies into its harpoon weapons. This can be aimed with quite precision and since its trunk has over nostrils this means it can fire 8 from each hole at any angle.

Tryon Trunk: By far the most versatile feature of this animal is its trunk which allows for not only an extra limb to keep balance during storms and harsh whirlpool raids in its homelands. It also is able to be used to shoot the harpoons and even grip onto prey and tools which its like an Elephant trunk. This trunk has been noted during the story to have wrapped around a Man's minigun and located the trigger. This allowed it to run around the city gunning down the humans with their own weapon.

Extreme Speed: Shellstriders have long legs built like an ostrich meaning that they can sprint incredibly fast at speeds even faster than pro-race cars. this is also able to help them outspeed predators on their homeworld.

Bone Crushing Pincers: The Shellstrider has a very sharp set of mandibles which are located just under its eyes and there are 2 on each side of its head which allows them to strike multiple places on its prey as well as hitting bones and nerves into submission. much like a hyena, these jaws can crush bones making their meal leave nothing of themselves.

Arcane Wheel: From the Animal's trunk it can create a magic circle and perform spells with it. due to being an intelligent animal its unknown how many spells it learns.

## Trivia

Shellstriders were once called ShellSprinters but the name was changed.