Chapter 11: Visitors

"…is allowed to stay." Grandpa finished. The children all jumped with joy, "Yaaayy!" Chomper said. Chompless was happy, too, and she walked out from the circle. Chomper looked at her and hugged her tightly. She was a bit surprised by this, but she slowly got a smile and hugged him back, "Now, we must let the rest of the Valley know that she will be staying here." Grandpa said.

The Circle of Elders then went around to gather all the residents to announce that Chompless was staying. It took a few minutes, but eventually, everyone in the Valley was gathered next to the dry watering hole, and Grandpa had Chompless stand behind his tail, "Everyone, we have gathered you here to announce that we have a new resident. Now, when you see her, you may think it's a terrible idea, but she has proven herself to be capable of coexisting with us. And…it is ultimately better for the sake of the children." he said.

This got most of them murmuring, "I would like to introduce you…to Chompless." he said, moving his tail. When everyone else saw her, they all gasped, but no one said anything. Chompless was nervous beyond belief to have so many herbivores staring at her.

But, nobody questioned the decision because the elders were wise and weren't known to ever make foolish decisions. Some of the crowd that day would've believed otherwise, though.

But, they eventually pushed aside their disbelief that a Sharptooth was allowed to stay alongside them, and they all went back to what they were doing beforehand. The elders did this as well, "This is so relieving. I honestly can't say that I was expecting this outcome. I was expecting them to exile her, and we'd HAVE to sneak out to find her. I feel that she'd surely die if she was left on her own. I mean, even though her kind is apparently well-known amongst other Sharpteeth, I don't feel that that would be enough to protect her. Hey, if anything, it'd probably scare away any potential food she might manage to find." Littlefoot said.

Chomper & Cera nodded, "But, at least we don't have to do that and possibly risk getting hurt or even killed because we now don't have to go anywhere. Don't worry, Chompless. You'll get used to living here fast. I just hope that everyone else does before the Cold Time starts so Far Walkers won't be scared." Chomper said. Then a Rainbow Face approached them, "Yes. This is quite a friend you've made. I have to say that I'm very impressed." he said.

Everyone looked at him, "Excuse me?" Chomper said. "Your friend is the near-mythical Mystery Tooth. (All cock their heads in confusion) Oh. You don't know their history? There are usually only a few Mystery Teeth alive at a time. But usually, only one is ever seen. The mate of a female Mystery Tooth dies shortly after she lays her eggs. She will only lay a couple, enough to ensure the continuity of their kind. She has to nurture her young ones for a couple of years after they hatch before she dies as well. Then the young have to fend for themselves. They have the ability to move at speeds most dinosaurs can't comprehend, not to mention they are very capable once they reach adulthood. One of them is capable of killing a pair of Sailback Sharpteeth all on their own. They've got quite a notoriety with Sharpteeth, though. After all these generations, though, still nobody knows where they came from. Your friend, I can tell, had no siblings. (Chompless growls softly) Correction. She had one, but he has been missing for a long time, now. Most likely dead. You children are very lucky to have found her. But, be very wary. They have a bad habit of randomly attacking. It doesn't matter if what they attack is friend or foe." he said.

Chompless got agitated at this, but she stopped herself from launching at him, "Who are you to be judging our friend? We've known her for months. You just met her, so what do you think you know about her that we wouldn't?" Cera said.

The Rainbow Face looked at her, but continued, "One Mystery Tooth behaves the same way as their parents, and this goes all the way back to the first of their kind. What I'm trying to tell you is that no matter how much you try to change her behavior, you will not succeed. They are wild and are meant to live by their wits. Not live a calm life with friends in a sanctuary such as this place. She will just attack one day. Instincts are a much more powerful drive than friendship. Especially those of a different kind, I can assure you that." he said before walking away.

Everyone looked at one another as he was leaving, "I think you'll all agree with me, but, I really do not like that Rainbow Face." Littlefoot said.

Cera & Chomper nodded, "You got that right. He doesn't even know her, and here he is, judging her." Chomper said. Chompless then had another flashback.

A few years before, her, her mother, and her older brother were taking a walk through the woods. Their mother was searching for food and bringing them along so they could watch her hunt. She saw a lone Stegosaurus and told them both to stay back and observe. They obeyed and she snuck up on the Stego. She waited, and when the time was right, she attacked. She moved faster than any creature's eyes could register.

All that could be seen was a flash of black & orange, and bloody cuts appearing on the Stego in the blink of an eye. The only time she slowed down was when she was on top the Stego's neck. The dino was sure of what she was going to do, so it tried harder than ever to attempt to throw her off. It started jumping around like a crazy bull, but their mother wasn't being fazed. Chompless saw the tail coming towards them fast, and she warned her brother, but he didn't react in time.

He was sent flying into the distance. And all she could do was watch as he disappeared from sight. She was contemplating whether or not she should go after him, but her mother had taught her against wandering off in instances like the current one.

Then the Stego's throat was cut. It knew it was going to die, but it gave a danger call, which was audible to its herd, and they responded. Chompless could feel the vibrations as Stegos from all around were converging on their location. The Stego then bled to death, and Chompless warned her mother of the incoming danger. She knew, and they had to high-tail it out of there. They escaped the Stegos, but Chompless was very scared for her brother. She told her mother about what had happened. She brought her back to the nest before leaving her there to search for her son.

A few hours passed by, and Chompless was long asleep by the time her mother came back. But she sensed her presence and woke up. She asked her if she had found him, but judging by the exhausted expression on her face and the lack of her brother, she assumed what had happened. But, she was quickly filled with disbelief. Her mother tried to comfort her, but she didn't want any. She wanted to believe that her brother was still alive.

Since then, she had always hoped that she'd find her brother alive. Chompless inhaled sharply, and they all looked at her, "What? Is something wrong?" Littlefoot asked. Chompless tried to speak, but she couldn't exactly formulate her thoughts into words at that moment, and she got slightly misty-eyed. She needed a minute.

They waited, and then she spoke, "My...my...my brother. I don't know how that...Rain...bow Face knew. But I did have a brother, but he…really did go missing a few years ago. I don't honestly know if he's…alive or not, but I have been hopeful that he is." she said.

They all looked at each other, "I'm…I'm so sorry." Littlefoot said. She shook her head, "No need...to be. This was years ago. Months before our mother died. I hope I never find him as...as a corpse. But considering the fact that I haven't, yet, I still believe that he's alive...somewhere." she said. They exchanged glances again, "Hey, enough of the sad talks. Let's do something fun!" Cera said. They all agreed, but only if Chompless wanted to, as well. They all waited for a response from her, and she nodded after a minute.

They had a few different options, but they decided to play some Toss-the-Seed, "Come on, Chompless. You can watch us until you feel that you know the way the game works. Then you can join in whenever you'd like." Cera said. Chompless had no reason to refuse, so she followed them to the usual playing spot, "Ready, everyone?" Littlefoot said, getting ready to run. Everyone nodded, "And…let's go!" he said, hitting the seed with his tail.

It went flying to Chomper, who had to jump in front of Ruby to get it, "Nyah!" he grunted. Chompless watched intently. She was more focused on the one who had the seed, watching how they avoided members of the opposite team. She was intrigued by the dodges, ducks, and even some rolls executed by the possessor.

Chomper's team was in the lead by 2 points, but whoever scored next would win the game.

Chompless just about never took her eyes off the seed. She was very intrigued by the concept and general playing style of the game.

But as Littlefoot had the seed and was running for the goal, which she was standing near, she heard a whistling sound emanate from behind her and she instinctively turned her head back. She scanned the area, and then she saw something small whiz by her face, not hitting her by mere inches, and then getting stuck in a tree.

After a brief shock, she walked to the tree. She saw what looked like just a small & thin stick stuck in it. She tried to pull it out, but it wasn't coming out that easy. Unnoticed by her, Cera accidentally tripped Littlefoot, which sent the seed flying right towards her. Littlefoot figured out the trajectory of the seed and tried to warn Chompless, "Chompless, watch out!" he said.

She started to turn back to him, and then she looked up and saw the seed for a split-second before it hit her square in the face. She was knocked right off her feet. They all ran over to her, "Are you okay?" Ruby asked. She nodded, "Why didn't you move?" Cera asked. She got back onto her feet, and pointed to the tree, "I saw this…thing fly by my face, and I wanted to know what it was." she said.

Chomper went over to it, "It almost seems like those rocks-on-sticks that I've seen, but this much thinner than the others. Let me see if I can get it out." he said. He pulled a few times, but it still wasn't budging, "Wow. It's really jammed in there. Let me help you." Chompless said. He nodded and they both pulled. It did come out, but both of them fell onto their backs, with Chomper landing on top of her.

"Oh. Sorry." he said. She looked him in the eyes, and something sparked inside. Chomper and Chompless both got a strong feeling for the other, but they didn't know how to react. So they both got off of each other quickly.

As they fell, the object flew a little and landed in front of Littlefoot, who looked closer at it. It was another rock-on-a-stick, but the rock was much, much smaller. It was sharpened to a point, and the stick had feathers attached on the opposite end.

"This is interesting. It seems like it has the same things on a Featherhead Sharptooth." Littlefoot said. After the two got back up, Chomper picked it up and sniffed it. The feathers tickled his nose and made him sneeze, "Bless you." Cera said.

Then Chompless sniffed it, and she got something, "Hey…I know that scent. I…remember smelling it a few days after my mother died. It was also on an object just like this one, but…" she said. "But what?" Chomper asked.

It was more about her previous life, but the details she did not want to talk about, "It's…a part of my life I…I don't want to discuss." she said. He understood, "Oh." he said.

"Okay. You can tell us whenever you're feeling comfort…a…ble." Chomper said slowly. Everyone looked at him, "Why did you say that like that?" Littlefoot asked. Chomper & Chompless happened to be facing the same direction, so they both saw something the others didn't yet, "Behind you." Chomper said. Then they felt a breeze and got concerned and slowly turned around. They saw a Pteranodon with a Sharpbeak perched on its arm, "Hello, children." it said.

Both were hatefully familiar to them all, "Uncle Pterano…why you here?" Petrie said. Pterano seemed surprised, "Petrie! You know it's been well over 5 coldtimes since I was banished. I've been wanting to see you the moment my banishment was finished. Cera walked a little closer, "If you wanted to see him as soon as you could have, why didn't you?" she asked.

Everyone eyed Pterano, "Well, I got caught up… doing other things." he said.

"Like what?" Petrie asked.

Pterano seemed to stammer, "Uh...um...th...things...like...getting rid of Rinkus and Sierra. Those 2, even after what they did at Threehorn Peak, when they thought that rock that landed there was the Stone of Cold Fire—which I no longer believe is real—tried to stay with me. I couldn't get rid of them, but then I met a Hairy Bothtooth who saved my life from a ravenous and extremely persistent Sailback Sharptooth. I ended up telling him about those two pests, and he said he could take care of them if I so desired. I said 'yes.' He then whistled very loudly, and this…very abnormal-looking dinosaur came out from the jungle. He pointed to both of them, once they found me again, and it killed them both before I could even comprehend it. It ate both of them. But then he turned to me, and the dinosaur looked at me intently. He told me that he could give me protection if I followed his orders. I wasn't sure what to say, so I told him I needed some time to consider his offer. He didn't seem very happy, but he let me leave. As soon as I was out of their sight, I took off. I wasn't planning on coming here, but I was passing by and I remembered you, Petrie." he said.

The kids all looked at each other, "Abnormal-looking dino? Did it have 4 solid white eyes?" Chomper asked. Pterano nodded, "Yes, yes it did. It had just about no skin on its stomach and I could see some of its bleeding insides. (Shivers) It had these…odd…yellowy spots on its back. Its whole head had some black...gelatinous material on it. Just looking at it sent a chill down my spine. I hope I never see it again." he said.

Now the kids got concerned, "We've known about this strange dinosaur you described. I assumed it listened to someone's orders, but I didn't have a clue as to who it could've been. Did this Hairy Bothtooth, by any chance, tell you his name?" Littlefoot said. Pterano nodded, "Yes. He said he was Tyranto." he answered.

Cera then focused on Ichy, "Why did you bring him? He and his Belly Dragger friend tried to kill us a few times before."

Ichy looked at her, "Okay, for the record, I ditched that dumb sack o' teeth. She complained far too much about her eyesight. Always being dependent. Not to mention, she never gave me anything more than scraps of what she killed. I couldn't stand her, and I told her I was leaving her for good. When I told her this, and after I left, she didn't seem to be bothered at all." he said.

They were going to need more information than that, "After that happened...?" Cera said. He continued, "I survived just fine without her. It was so much better finally being able to have a proper meal. But, I also encountered this Tyranto. He wanted me as a…'pet,' whatever that was. I didn't like him to begin with, so I just flew away. I never saw that abnormal dinosaur, and frankly, I'm glad I didn't.

Neither of them had noticed Chompless yet, but she didn't like either of them. She decided to get their attention by growling. They looked past the kids to see her, "(Gasps) A Mystery Tooth? I thought they were all dead." Pterano said.

Littlefoot looked at her and mouthed, "What are you doing?"

She snarled while gesturing to the two, which made Littlefoot get the idea, "Yes. Have you heard stories about their kind?" Cera asked. He nodded, "I have. Well, he told me about the time he encountered their kind, and not too long after, I saw one, too. The one I saw and the one he saw, it was the same one, so I thought they were almost all dead." he replied, walking closer to Chompless.

He started reaching out to touch her. She snarled again, but she wasn't going to attack him. When he had touched her, he was going to say something, but her scales suddenly got hot and he had to remove his hand, "Ow! She burns to the touch." he said.

The kids were a little confused, "No, she's not." Cera said. She asked Chomper to see if she was. He touched her, and she felt just as warm as normal, "Don't know what you're talking about. She's as warm as she's always been." he said.

Littlefoot decided to end their conversation, "You know what? There's a possibility that she does not like you. Either of you." he said.

Pterano seemed offended, "Now, why would she think that? She doesn't know either of us." he replied. "I wouldn't say that. Sometimes you can tell a lot about someone just by looking at them. I'm not sure how she judges someone, so I can't tell her if it's wrong or not. I'm just saying this because she has growled a few times since you arrived. And, if you look at her face, (Looks) I wouldn't call that a very friendly-looking expression. Would you? (Pterano and Ichy look also) So, could you please leave us alone? I get the feeling that if you stay too long, she may try to attack you." Littlefoot answered.

Pterano didn't like the sound of that, "All right. I would not want that to happen, either, so I will honor your request. Come on, Ichy." he said, taking to the skies. Ichy followed.

As soon as they were gone, all of them turned to Chompless, "Good. I don't like them very much either, Chompless. Also, how did you do that?" Cera asked.

Chompless looked back at her, "Heat up my scales? Simple, really. It's a trick my mother taught me and my brother years ago. When we get agitated, or upset, our scales will naturally heat up. Depending on how agitated or upset we are, that will determine how hot our scales will be. The opposite can also happen when we're sad or depressed. Anyway, mom taught us how to manipulate our temperature, regardless of our mood. Usually, we have no reason to do that, unless it's a hot day, cold day, or we're playing dead. I can also heat or cool down my normal skin independently, but I've never needed to. Since I didn't like that…Pterano or his friend, my scales heated up a little. But when he touched me, I hated that and made sure he'd get his hand off. There is one thing that I need to be worried about while doing that, though. If I make myself too hot and rub against something like a tree, it will most likely fire. I know this because I think I started a wildfire, out there, by mistake." she explained. Chomper relayed this.

For some odd reason, they wanted to see this, "Can you show us?" Cera asked. She cocked her head, "You want to see me set a tree on fire?" she queried. Chomper relayed this, and they all nodded, excluding Littlefoot, "Really? (All nod again) Okay." she said.

"Really?" all but Littlefoot asked in unison.

"NO!

"Why in your right minds would you want to see me set something on fire?!" she said, outraged. They backed away slightly, "We're sorry! We were just curious!" Chomper said.

Chompless was even more outraged, "Curious? CURIOUS!? Why would you be curious to see me set something on fire!?" she said.

Chomper tried to relay what Chompless said, but Littlefoot stopped him, "Guys, stop. Just stop talking. Why would you want to see something be set on fire? Nothing good comes from it. And, as you know we've had a fire here before. Sure, the Valley has long-since recovered, but that is no reason to want to see her set something else on fire. Even if it's out there. (Turns to Chompless) Please, calm down. They meant it with the best intentions. Even if it certainly doesn't sound that way." Littlefoot said.

Chompless took a few deep breaths and did calm down, "I apologize, Littlefoot. I'm just…outright shocked that they'd want to see me do such a thing. I got upset because it's felt like the equivalent of someone telling me to kill one of you." she said.