Disclaimer: I don't own the Land Before Time franchise or any of its characters.

50 friggin' reviews! Whooooo! When I do the comparison of number of chapters to reviews, this is one of my most successful stories to date! I'm so glad we've reached this far and I have all of you to thank, so...

Special Thanks to the Following People for Reviewing So Loyally *hugs*:
hiphoplover1211- Thank you! I'll try my best to keep it all up!
Blackwolf6249- Lol! A loophole? We'll see! ;D
MissBliss-Yes! I got Ruby right! *dances a nerdy lil jig!* I'm glad for the constant updates too, cuz it's making you happy!
CausticHazard- It's finished! It's all finished! Squee! The crevice excuse won't be too much trouble for the Domeheads. They don't really care too much about Chomper to keep blaming him after he's gone; he was just a temporary tool that's useless now. They're will to go with any ol' sharptooth using that crevice as an excuse. But yes, will it only be a matter of time before something goes wrong for them? You gotta read more to find out! :D
Lammy-Sama- Thank you for the kudos! I'm glad you be lovin' the plotz!
Bowser Jr. Nutt- You are in suspence cuz I said so! XD Chomper is pretty clever, but I think it makes it more realistic that he wouldn't find out every detail of the crimes. And whoa! O.o No criticism? I guess every story has to have a perfect chapter, so thanks!
Blitzer99- *hugs ya* Awwww, it's okay! I can't tell you if it'll be a happy ending or not, but it might make ya feel better to know that I love it when the main character(s) win! Wait, both Chomper and the Domeheads are the main character(s), so I guess that doesn't help! Lol!

Anyways, I'm submitting this chapter early because today has just been an awesome day so far: I'm off work and feeling refreshed, a new comic for my collection is out, and... I FINALLY FINISHED WRITING OUT THIS ENTIRE STORY! Now, it's gonna be even harder for me to wait, so you can probably, MAYBE expect ealier updates! Squee!

Chapter 10

Taking a nap in the Mysterious Beyond wasn't as easy as he remembered it to be. Then again, before he came to the Valley, the vast majority of his life was spent with his protective parents on a secluded island that held practically no other sharpteeth that were large enough to threaten him. It was hardly a place to feel wary about. Having found some shade under a small clump of trees, Chomper and Ruby lay curled up side by side, attempting to sleep away the heat of the day as the Bright Circle blazed down upon the earth below. Despite the serenity of the scene, with colorful Flutter Flyers contentedly visiting the flowers nearby, everything was risky business and every once in a while, one of resting children would wake up and glance around to make sure they were safe for the time being. Didn't help that the slightest sound was enough to stir them.

Especially when said sound was of rustling vegetation.

Not failing to notice that, Chomper opened his eyes with a jolt and a startled cry, looking around in a paranoid fashion as his eyes settled on a nearby cluster of tall shrubs. The noise and slight rustling stopped as soon as he focused on them and Chomper attempted to sniff the air to little avail. Giving up on that, he stared harder at the shrubs, not really noticing anything particularly strange about them. But something still felt off, though that was probably his paranoia getting the best of him. That seemed to be the case since after a few moments of tense waiting, nothing else seemed to happen and he was about to dismiss it as being the wind when he finally realized why this whole thing felt wrong: There was no wind to rustle those shrubs in the first place.

"Ruby! Wake up!" he exclaimed in panic and the Fast Runner startled awake, expression still groggy as she looked about for the source of the alarm. And said alarm was not a second too soon. For the instant it knew that it's been given away, a large green Fast Biter leapt from its camouflaging cover and lunged for them with a shriek. With a responding scream of terror, the two children took off, the predator landing where they once were before giving chase with a loud and a very irritated-sounding growl.

Knowing Fast Biters tended to hunt in groups most of the time, Chomper glanced about for any sign of a trap from other members of the pack, but mercy was smiling down at them and they found themselves incredibly lucky in that department; it seems this one was working alone. Good, as if they needed to add to their fear. Going as fast as he could, Chomper felt as though he was running low on energy, as if he used it all trying to escape those Domeheads earlier. Didn't matter, he had to keep going, but…

"Ruby! I'm slowing you down! Go on ahead!" Chomper managed to shout through his labored breaths, knowing the Fast Runner was purposely staying by his side even now. He didn't want her to get caught, not when she had such a natural advantage in speed. But his friend was not going to abandon her charge so easily and although she said nothing, Chomper could see it on her face: she was never going to leave him behind, no matter what.

Feeling a snap at their tails, the two children sped up all the more, the young sharptooth putting everything he had into his exhausted legs. He can't keep this up; so tired… so much running, so much terror, in such a short amount of time. He didn't know if he could take it… And in his moment of uncertainty, he took a fateful trip on a tree root and fell forward with a cry, feeling as though everything was going in slow-motion as he felt the impact of the hard and unforgiving ground beneath him. He practically felt Ruby stop a few paces in front of him and he tensed as he anticipated being snatched up and shaken until he was lifeless.

But to his true horror, the Fast Biter completely ignored him as it stepped clear over his fallen body and went straight for Ruby, the Fast Runner hesitating for just a split-second as she tried to figure out what to do. Unfortunately, even that incredibly short amount of time was long enough and the sharptooth pinned her screaming form down under a foot, about to sink its teeth into her neck when…

"NO!"

Chomper felt his body become overtaken with familiar protective instincts and he scrambled to his feet to dash over and bite into the other sharptooth's tail, a move he's done on several occasions before as it was always the best way for him to attack without too much risk. He heard the other predator screech in pain and to his relief, it released Ruby. Before the Fast Biter could think of retaliating against him, Chomper let go and hurried over to the frozen Ruby's side protectively, glaring up at the larger dinosaur, whom he finally recognized as:

"Leave her alone, Thud!" he hissed in the sharptooth tongue, breathing heavily in combination of fatigue, rage, and fear. He had a rather complex history with this sharptooth, and he wasn't too sure how the carnivorous creature before them was going to react with his interference. Regardless of how it goes, Chomper was ready. Thud glared at him with an intense growl before looking back at his tail, his growl softening just a tiny bit after seeing that the marks left were minor in nature. Looking back at Chomper, he growled out his response, voice low in a warning tone.

"Step aside, little biter. I'm not after you."

"No!" Chomper shouted defiantly, not giving an inch from his position. He was so sick and tired of being pushed around and taken advantage of by everyone who was bigger than him! Just because he was young and small and different, doesn't mean he wasn't worthy of being treated as an equal among both Leaf Eaters and sharpteeth! No more will he allow others to put him down and get away with it! He's gonna make it clear that he's NOT taking any abuse lying down anymore! "If you want her, you'll have to go through me!"

This got a bit of a pause as Thud looked him over, obviously not taking him seriously despite how utterly enraged Chomper looked. The silence was to be short lived however when the larger sharptooth chuckled in an amusement that made Chomper feel even angrier.

"Very well." The Fast Biter replied, expecting the hatchling to fully back down when he leaned forward to snap at him. But he got the opposite of what he was expecting when the hatchling jumped back to avoid the nip and lunged forward to bite his nose. Jerking back in more surprise than pain, Thud regarded Chomper with a bit of confusion before snarling and knocking the tiny creature over, pinning him down under a foot with his killing claw ready to disembowel. Even then, the little biter struggled and clawed with everything he had and Thud had to fight the reflex to pull away. Instead, he pressed down even harder and it forced the furious child still. With tears flowing down his cheeks once again, Chomper glared at his adversary before closing his eyes, awaiting his end with dignity.

Thud blinked a bit as he tilted his head, not failing to notice a change in the little critter before him. Yes, the hatchling always had a bit of fight in him, but not really to this extreme. And all this, for one little Fast Runner? It was…rather interesting actually. There was more to this, and Thud was gonna make it his business to find out what. He glanced at his intended prey, seeing that she was still where he left her, watching her companion in horror, and he returned his attention to his hapless victim. "Why sacrifice yourself for this potential piece of food?"

Chomper opened his eyes, a bit surprised by the question, but still determined in his cause nonetheless. "She's my friend, just like Ducky was."

Yes, Thud remembered that day when Chomper told him that the Swimmer hatchling was his friend. However, whereas he cracked up in response last time, he didn't find this nearly as amusing. He respected the little biter a great deal since then, after he saved his life on that ledge. Chomper could've left him to die, taken the opportunity to rid an enemy that has previously tried to kill him. But he didn't. And although Thud had already repaid the act of kindness with a show of mercy and thus owed him nothing, the Fast Biter was still reluctant to harm Chomper under his own will. Only in the presence of Screech and Redclaw, whom especially wanted the little sharptooth dead, will Thud threaten the child and only because he had little choice.

But at this moment in time, he was alone in his hunt and seeing Chomper so willing to put his life on the line like this, it bewildered and...troubled him…

Chomper seemed to pick up on this and he choked a bit on his words as he felt his blinding rage beginning to melt away to be replaced once more with sadness and desperation, sniffling constantly on his tears. "I have to save her. She's the only friend I have left…"

Slowly, Thud removed his foot from Chomper's body, looking at the young sharptooth in curiosity and even a tiny bit of concern, though he hid the latter pretty well beneath his current confused expression. "And where's the rest of your little Leaf Eater pals?"

"Back in the Valley…" Chomper told him, seeing no point in hiding anything as he slowly began getting back to his feet, not bothering to dust himself off as he continued. "The grown ups kicked me out, for something I didn't even do." Wanting to take the chance in the hope of having someone who might believe him for once, he kept going. "There's a group of Domeheads in there. They've been killing hatchlings and everyone think it's me! And they won't even believe me when I tell them that the Domeheads did it, because they framed me. They made it look like I killed a baby Swimmer and now, I'm out here…"

Looking down at his hands and falling into a sit, he remembered it all clear as day, and although he had already washed the blood off of himself, he still felt like he was covered in it for all the world to see. In fact, he could still taste that poor Swimmer's blood in his mouth and he tried to hold back a gag at even the thought of it. But he couldn't hold back his whimpers any longer, and he almost began sobbing all over again.

Feeling an uncomfortable amount of pity, of which he made efforts to hide, Thud looked about to make sure nobody other than these two were witnessing him care about this subject matter. He knew that if Redclaw caught him here, he could say goodbye to his hide forever. But luckily, his companions were nowhere to be seen and he returned his attention to the little biter crying in front of him. He rarely ever displayed empathy for anyone except his brother, but he could make an exception here as he tried to put himself in the little biter's claws. What would he do if a bunch of Leaf Eaters framed him? Well that's easy…

"Listen, little biter. You're a sharptooth and sharpteeth have to defend their honor. I know you're used to acting like a Leaf Eater, for reasons beyond me, but you need to start embracing your true nature." He growled firmly, intent on driving this lesson in the youngster's head. "If a bunch of Domeheads are taking advantage of you, then fight back. Don't back down sulking in a crying heap like you are right now."

Chomper paused, tensing instinctively as Thud rather roughly nudged him to his feet with his snout. He was amazed that the Fast Biter was even helping him, but considering their past, he supposed he shouldn't be too surprised. Gaining balance, he looked up at the adult sharptooth as said grown up continued his lecture.

"I can't really tell you what to do, little biter, but if I were you and I cared what a bunch of walking snacks thought about me, I'd go back into that Valley and set things straight. They might attack me for showing my face again, but I'd rather be dead than let some random group of Leaf Eaters tarnish my reputation."

The young sharptooth appeared to be in a type of strange awe of those words, and he opened his mouth to speak before looking uncertain. He knew that Thud was right, that he should go back and really fight for what's right. And besides, if he leaves the Valley forever and just goes back to his parents, he's allowing those Domeheads to kill even more. After all, if they really were killing hatchlings out here in the Mysterious Beyond, then what's to really stop them from doing so in the Valley? What's to stop them from hurting his friends, if they so desired? He couldn't let that happen, but how could he even be sure if…

"Thud, have you heard of Leaf Eaters killing other Leaf Eaters? For any reason really?" he had to ask. Thud looked about the same age as those Domeheads, AND he lived his entire life out here. Perhaps he had some information on this case that Chomper could add to his conclusions. And Thud didn't disappoint.

"A long time ago, when the lands were barren, I've heard stories of some Leaf Eaters killing others. Before you were hatched, everyone kept to their own kind and refused contact with others, and some took this to an extreme." The Fast Biter grunted, exhaling sharply through his sniffer. "But I always thought those were rumors, and even if it's real, I doubt that those type dinosaurs still exist in this time of plenty."

"Oh." Chomper replied, thinking some more to himself.

What if those types of dinosaurs still existed regardless of what the Fast Biter thought, and the Domeheads were one of them? Thud's answer already added a great deal of support to Chomper's previous thoughts and if he was right, it could prove a valuable piece of information to provide the grown ups should he return to the Valley. But when should he make his come-back? When he was older and more able to defend himself? The Domeheads would've killed lots of hatchlings before then and what about his friends? They were in danger! But really, what can he do if things don't work out…? Finally, he shook his head with a sigh.

"What if nothing goes right? What if I go in there and they try to trample me? I'm too small to do anything of value…" He rarely ever admitted his size issue and when he did, it usually dampened his resolve. Luckily, Thud wasn't going to take that from one of the very few dinosaurs that he actually genuinely respected. He wasn't about to waste that respect on a weak-willed and cowardly creature.

"You're a resourceful hatchling. Take advantage of it." He told him and Chomper smiled a bit, knowing that what he lacked in size, he more than made up for it in courage, loyalty, and determination. Feeling his confidence boosted, he nodded a 'thank you' to Thud, who returned the gesture before leaning passed Chomper in a half-hearted attempt to grab Ruby again. Instantly, Chomper took Thud's advice in embracing his sharptooth nature and growled, lunging a bit to bite Thud's nose again.

Jerking back before the young hatchling could nab him, Thud gave Chomper an approving smirk of amusement before turning away and heading off for an 'easier' hunt. The young sharptooth stood where he was, firmly planted in front of Ruby, and allowed a smile to grace his snout again. The adult sharptooth was right about everything; he had to go back and save his friends, save those innocent hatchlings! All he needed was a plan!

And once he thinks of it, he'll use every resource he has available to pull it all off...

A Few Days Later...

This is it; after working for several risings of the Bright Circle, Chomper has finally thought up of a plan that just might work. It was a very difficult process, and practically every point he came up with was incredibly risky, and possibly a bit childish in its simplicity. But it was the best he had and he'll just have to put faith into it. He just needed to work out some of the holes as best as he could, and then wait for the perfect opportunity to put it into action. He hoped he wasn't too late in saving the life of a possible hatchling…

At least they've found Ruby's family the night after Thud's attack, having traveled to Hanging Rock on the chance that they might come across them. Luck seemed to be following them when they found their efforts had not been in vain. Having settled in at the family's nest, Chomper was told that they'll spend some time building their strength before going off for the long journey back to where his parents resided. Although Chomper agreed to this without a fight, he had no intention of leaving his friends so easily. Yes, he missed his parents sorely, and he always found that he frequently longed for his mother's warmth as he snuggled to her every night to sleep…

But his friends needed him, and he wasn't going to let them down, no matter what the grown ups said…

He hadn't told Ruby about his plans, as she might try to stop him, tell him to just let things go and move on. After Thud left, she had questioned him about the conversation that she in no way understood. Not wanting to lie to her, but leaving out some details regardless, he paraphrased the basic message; that Thud had told him to be a sharptooth and to suck it up. That answer seemed to have satisfied the Fast Runner and he was glad she didn't try to delve deeper.

Looking over to the family, he felt his heart glow with warmth and fuzz as he watched Ruby happily playing with her younger siblings. He knew Ruby had also been missing her family and was no doubt taking the separation harder than Chomper did. After all, he didn't have to worry about his parents getting eaten on a regular basis. Seeing the Fast Runners alive and filled with such love, and seeing Ruby happier than he's ever seen her, he knew he couldn't risk their safety in either including them into his plans or taking them through the unforgiving journey through various sharptooth territories just to bring him back home.

If his plan succeeded, everyone will be safe and happy, and that's really all he wanted more than anything.

As the Bright Circle began to set, Ruby's father turned to them with his usual warm smile. "Alright, young ones, it's nest time." Settling by his mate, he watched as his giggling children hurried over and laid by them, the youngest trying to squeeze her way between her parents. Looking over to Chomper, he saw the sharptooth very deep in his own world and he chuckled. "A Shiny Stone for your thoughts, Chomper?"

"Huh?" the youngster responded, obviously startled to hear his name. Seeing them ready for the night, he quickly dashed over, settling by Ruby. "Sorry."

"No apologies needed." The adult male told him in amusement and Ruby's mother gave the young sharptooth a tender smile.

"You okay, sweetie?" she asked, to which Chomper nodded in response.

"Yes, ma'am. Thank you." Curling up tightly, he buried his sniffer under his tail and closed his eyes. The two grown ups looked at each other in undisguised mirth before laying their heads down, their children following suit.

About an hour later, Chomper opened his eyes, feeling his patient waiting has reached an end. Looking over to the family, he saw them in a deep sleep. Perfect. Standing up, he went off as silently as he could to carry out the first step in his plan. It'll be difficult, as he'll have little to work with and one wrong move could spell his doom. He'll just have to make his timing perfect. At least he knew the desired scent like the back of his claw, with it being so terrifyingly engraved in his mind.

Sniffing the air, he sought out the scent and after untangling it from the others, he tried to follow it. This particular trail was faint and he had to physically work at it, but it was the best lead he had at the moment. He just hoped it'll lead him to the right place…

After what felt like several hours, he came across a large cave near a stretch of Fast Water and extremely cautiously, he peeked inside. There, looming like a giant mound of boulders, slept Redclaw. Trying to keep his breathing calm, he swept his gaze around the rest of the cave and found Screech and Thud sleeping side-by-side on the opposite corner from their larger associate. Well, at least his timing was perfect; he was worried they'd still be awake as he knew they sometimes chose to hunt in the cover of darkness.

Swallowing his fear as best he could, he tip-toed over to where the Fast Biters slept, pausing frequently to make sure the largest sharptooth won't stir. Finally, after several tense moments, Chomper came to Thud's side and gently tapped the other carnivore's arm.

"Pssst…Thud…Wake up…" he whispered as softly as he could, hoping his voice won't produce a Talk-Back in this immense cavern. He wasn't sure how the sharptooth would react upon waking, and he was about to find out as the predator stirred from his sleep. Opening his orange eyes drowsily, he glanced over in the direction of the tapping voice and saw the little biter standing beside him. What in the…? Raising and tilting his head, he narrowed his eyes in a glare, not particularly fond of this intrusion so late in the night. Chomper tensed up, anticipating a bite, but when it didn't come, he continued. "I need to talk to you."

Giving a soft growl, Thud looked over to his companions and saw they were still sleeping as he expected. He was always the light sleeper of the trio, whilst the others could probably sleep through all but the most violent of earthshakes. Sometimes he wondered exactly how much trouble he could get away with while they slept, but he never could bring himself to experiment. Screech and certainly Redclaw never appreciated interrupted sleep, no matter the reason. Yawning deeply, he carefully stood up before leaning over Chomper and taking the child's tail in his jaws, feeling the little biter tense in fear as he did so. But he was gentle as he carried the hatchling outside by the Fast Water and set him down.

"What do you want, little biter?" he asked with an edge of irritation. After all, Chomper should've known better than to come here; what if Redclaw spontaneously woke up from a sleep-story? What if the other two picked up his scent when morning came? All sorts of troubling questions were rising up in his mind, and he could only hope the youngster had a good reason for risking both their hides like this!

Chomper knew the other sharptooth wasn't pleased with him at all, and he couldn't blame him. But this was the only time he could risk sneaking off and finding the trio with the least amount of danger to himself. Surely the Fast Biter would understand. "I'm sorry, but I didn't want Redclaw and Screech to know I was out here." A sudden, terrifying thought came to him and he couldn't help but ask. "You didn't tell them about me, did you?"

To his immense relief, Thud shook his head and the hatchling sighed. That was good. He knew Redclaw would no doubt take advantage of the situation if he knew Chomper was out in the Mysterious Beyond, and who knows how much danger that'll put Ruby and her family in!

"You still didn't answer my question." Thud pointed out with an impatient growl, glancing back to the cave entrance to make sure he won't get caught.

"Right," Chomper replied with a glance of his own. Not wanting to waste any more time than necessary, he continued quickly. "I have a plan to get back to the Valley, but I need your help."

At this, Thud tilted his head with a short, confused rumbling noise. Yes, he expected the little biter to formulate a plan, hopefully before Redclaw got wise to his presence, but he didn't expect to be incorporated into it. What can he possibly do to help this issue? Well, he received his answer before he could verbally give his question.

"I've been thinking: what if the Domeheads are still blaming me for everything they're doing while I've been gone? They could be making me look even worse right now, and it'll be harder for me to be let back in!" He paused for a moment to frown at the thought before continuing. "So I need you to sneak inside and at least show everyone that I'm not the only sharptooth who could break into the Valley. You can pretend to attack someone, and then I can come in and ask you to go. Then, I'll be a hero and maybe the grown ups will accept me again, or will give me another chance to prove myself."

An urgent thought came into his head, one that could prove to be the most dangerous part of his plan. Far more dangerous than what the others might do to him if they saw him again. He'll just have to emphasize how incredibly important it was and hope the Fast Biter will follow through. "But I don't want you to hurt them though. Please, please promise not to hurt anyone…" He gave the Fast Biter his best begging face, and he wasn't sure if it was working as the sharptooth seemed uncertain.

"You're asking me to do a very dangerous thing, little biter. Going in there alone is suicide. Why should I risk my tail like that?" he asked pointedly and Chomper looked discouraged.

"I risked my tail saving you on that ledge. For all I knew, you could've eaten me." he started. "And I don't think you'll get hurt; you and Screech always find a way inside and you're still okay."

"And you expect me to bring Screech this time around?" Thud growled in retort. "If he knew of this little arrangement, he might say something to Redclaw, and then I can say goodbye to life." Despite those words, he wasn't too sure if his brother would do that to him. Although he was certain Screech's loyalty to him was stronger than that towards Redclaw, he still couldn't take the chance. If there's one thing living in the Mysterious Beyond has taught him, it's to be wary of everyone who had the potential to cause harm, even if it includes one's kin.

Silence fell between the two and Thud glanced over to the nearby Great Wall, considering the young one's plan more carefully. Going in there alone was incredibly dangerous and he'll have to use every advantage he had to come away unscathed if those Leaf Eater's chose to attack. Though the little biter did make a point; he risked his own life in setting him free of those rocks, and Thud could've easily taken advantage of the child's kindness. Perhaps he should exhibit the same amount of bravery and altruism… Still, at least the little biter got something in return; Thud didn't see anything that can benefit him in this situation and he didn't hesitate in pointing it out.

"If I do this for you, little biter, what will I get from it?" he asked and Chomper felt his hope rise again. But it didn't last long as he was at a dead end on how to answer it. What could he possibly offer in return? He had an idea, but it was something he didn't really want to have to give. But did he have much choice if it'll get Thud to go along with the plan? There had to be another way, but he knew there wasn't.

He muttered something incomprehensible and it was obviously made with great, reluctant effort. Thud hissed softly and lowered his head to Chomper's level in order to hear. The little hatchling saw this as an opportunity, as he didn't really want to have to say those words aloud, and he stepped closer to whisper something into the Fast Biter's ear. Hearing the words clearly now, the larger sharptooth stood back up to full height and cocked his head a bit, looking towards the Great Wall. Chomper fiddled a bit with his claws before adding something.

"And that's only if the plan works, so I can't be too sure about it…" He could only hope Thud would accept the offering, despite its uncertain nature. He felt horrible having to whisper the words he spoken, but it was the only thing he could think of that might satisfy the potentially valuable ally in front of him. Finally, after a long moment, Thud nodded.

"You got yourself a deal, little biter. Now let's find a way into that Valley of yours."

Long chapter is loooong! But I'm feeling so happy that I love it! *hugs everyone*

Yay for Thud's appearance! A good chunk of my LBT fanfics are about this Fast Biter, and one of my favorite prospects regarding him is his relationship with Chomper. Ever since the episode between them, I always saw Thud as having a kind of respect for Chomper, perhaps even a distant friendship. I'm utilizing that in this chapter! And wow, Chomper's quite a spitfire in that first encounter, but what can you really expect from a dinosaur that nearly lost everything... :(

Anyway, what exactly did Chomper promise Thud? Will this plan work or will it only backfire and make things worse? Chomper is a very trusting character, but has he put his trust in the wrong dinosaur? Find out in the next chappy (which I'm barely restraining myself from submitting now!)!