CHAPTER THIRTY-SEVEN

The pack finally comes in sight of the Longneck herd again. I want them finished. You don't want to attack the Great Valley on an empty stomach, now do you? Now go! says Shredder.

The pack, hungry, advances toward the Longenck herd. Chomper is powerless to stop them. As much as he wants to save them, he cannot expose himself and his plans right now. Besides, he had already made two attempts to save the herd. It wasn't like he hadn't tried. And he could still try, but he needed to be out of sight of his uncle. Then he could save as many as he could. Also, there was the matter of the attack on the Great Valley. He couldn't hold off anymore.

He noticed a storm coming, the same storm that Tucompso had seen on the beach. Uncle, when this place has sky water come down, it can REALLY come down. I suggest we call off the hunt. Chomper says. He walked with his uncle. The two were away from the others.

No my nephew, we need to be prepared. It's time we avenge the honor of our family. said Shredder.

But I don't see why attacking the Great Valley when the Flatteeth you are after are already dead is going to do any good. Chomper said to his uncle.

You know that the pack doesn't know that. I would lose my honor if I let them find out that I failed yet you, as a child, beat them. We will continue. said Shredder.

You know many in the pack will get killed in this attack. I cannot see the justification in this when the Flatteeth you are after are already dead. Chomper protested.

Someday, when you are the leader of the pack, you will know exactly WHY the leader needs to preserve his honor. Now don't question me again! Don't be like your father. He tries to stop me you know. I was even stronger than I had been when I was gaining on those Flatteeth. I could smell them coming from the Mountains that Burn and was laying in ambush for them. He attacked me to try and stop me as he knew what I was up to for I had met him. He was going to raise your egg near the Great Valley. I told him it would be easier to eat the Flatteeth in there with my help, and that together we could break in and take the place. You see, Flatteeth hide in there and we Sharpteeth have never been able to get them. I told him that together, we could find a way in. But he refused and fought me. I nearly got the upper hand and killed the traitor and he got away. I was going to deal with him later, but then recalled the kids and didn't want them to get passed. However, those little brats set a trap for me. But this time they aren't that prepared. And those fools showed me an entrance to the Great Valley, one right above one of the falls. I found a way up that route that Sharpteeth can use. Your cowardly father never mentioned me, because he didn't want you to meet your true destiny. But fate was in my favor. I met you near the Great Valley. You are strong Chomper, for you not only eat Flatteeth, you are bold enough to fight other Sharpteeth for your meals, knowing that the strong must prey on the weak. You will be my heir. And I will give to you a special possession: control of the Great Valley. said his uncle.

Chomper and walks away from his uncle. He pretends to be hunting Flatteeth. He comes across Rhett and the leader of the Longneck herd, along with some other Longnecks. "I know. I know. I'm a Sharptooth. But I'm friendly. I tried to help you get away twice. My wife and I scared you off the first time and then the second time, I had Rhett warn you. Now they are back. I cannot expose myself to them. You see their leader wants to attack the Great Valley tomomrrow. He is using herds as practice. I saved a Yellow Belly herd, a Threehorn herd, a Flyer herd, and a Swimmer herd. I was even able to save a bit of a Spiketail herd. I'm sorry that some of your herd is being killed now. I came to save as many as I can." Chomper says to the Longnecks.

The Longneck leader said "What exactly is going on? Sharpteeth have never been this persistent before, it seems unnatural. Like they're not just trying to get a meal and have intentions purely bent on doing us harm. Also more suspiciously then even that, why are you on our side?"

Chomper replies "It's a long story. Suffice it to say that I am a friend of the Great Valley. I heard about the pack leader and his plans to attack the Great Valley and joined his pack as a double agent. I've been sabotaging his efforts as much as I can."

The herd leader says"Yah yah we don't have time for long stories, only reason we haven't started running yet is we stopped to chat."

"Go! Go! The longer you stay, the more danger you are in!" Chomper said to them, ushering them to move again with his claws. The herd begins to leave.

Tucompso meanwhile says to Lumoava So my lovely Lumoava, did you enjoy? How did I do?

Lumoava says Fine.

Tucompso says I'll get better eventually. Now, what did you mention about a sharptooth pack earlier?

I heard they were attacking various herds. I think they ultimately plan to attack the Great Valley tomorrow. Wait, they're attacking the Great Valley tomorrow! That's where we're staying! she gasps.

Tucompso says Yes, that's what I wanted to tell you about. But mating with you was kinda higher on my list of priorities. Now, there is a sharptooth among them that is working for the Great Valley. His name is Chomper. He is trying to find a way the great valley can be protected. Unfortunately the flatteeth don't seem to have a plan, when I ask them they just make weird noises. But, we can wait up their on that rock ledge where nothing can reach us. Want to go check it out?

Lumoava said Ok.

Tucompso helps Lumoava climb to the top of the rock, around the area it is hard stone, to difficult to be climbed by anything bigger then a hidden runner, but manageable for something small and light that can use most of the grippable rocks. But at the top, their is softer rock, to a point that some is so near dirt that grass is growing up hear. The area is like a plateau almost. A large area with a view of the Great Valley on one side, and the mysterious beyond on the other. Here, the two can easily be safe.

Meanwhile, the Longnecks keep running. Some get away and some don't. Rhett is running from the pack. He is able to get away by not helping others,leaving them to fall to the Sharpteeth. Sharptooth,wanting to get Rhett, calls to him, out of sight "Come on, this way!"

"All right!" said Rhett, thinking it a member of the herd. He comes and is knocked over by Sharptooth. "Wait, you're a Sharptooth! And you can talk!" gasped Rhett.

"Yes, I can. Bye bye Longneck!" said Sharptooth. He moved to attack Rhett.

"You're the second Sharptooth today that I met that can talk." said Rhett. Shredder paused.

"The second? Who else did you meet?" he asked.

"Chomper. He knows Leaf Eater too. He is in league with the Great Valley. He was hatched by these Flatteeth. He is pals with a Longneck, a Threehorn, a Swimmer, a Spiketail, a Flyer, and a Fast Runner. The Sharptooth was hatched by them as a kid. He was going undercover in your pack. I can help you stop the Great Valley. I want them stopped too. And I want those Flatteeth you are after dead too." said Rhett.

"Chomper? He's my nephew! He wouldn't be helping the Great Valley or Flatteeth. He said he joined the pack to look for a mate." said Sharpooth incredulously.

"Your nephew? Guess he repays you by siding with the Great Valley and helping herds get away from you. He says that he has helped herds get away from you." said Rehtt.

Sharptooth thought on this. Yes, the Yellow Bellies had gotten away and he couldn't explain it. Also, Chomper had come back with Tiny and said that the Threehorns had been killed. He himself had never seen the bodies.

"What did these Flatteeth look like? The ones you said Chomper is in league with?" Sharptooth asked. Rhett described Littlefoot, Cera, Ducky, Petrie, Spike, and Ruby. "I don't know the Fast Runner, but from what you told me about the others when they were younger, it's clear Chomper is lying to me. Perhaps my own nephew plans to depose me and take over the pack for himself. Whatever the reason, he's betrayed me. I have an idea. You meet with him alone and then dispose of him." said Sharptooth.

"Ok, can I ask for somethinig else? I have this plan. Littlefoot, the Longneck you are after, ruined my life. He took Ali from me and married her. I want Ali for myself. I'll help lure Littlefoot and the others into a trap. You can kill all of them, including his kids, but leave Ali for me." said Rhett.

"Deal." said Sharptooth.

Meanwhile Phyco is standing next to Tiny and watches as Chomper returns.

Tiny asks "So, is the herd safe?"

"I think so. I saved as much as I could." Chomper said.

"What should we do about tomorrow?" Tiny asked.

"I do have an idea. I know my uncle plans to attack in the morning. I happen to know one of the Longnecks in that herd. His name is Rhett. I'll send him to the Great Valley and evacuate Littlefoot and his friends. Heck, maybe we can evacuate the whole place. Then Shredder will look foolish. I can say that he has failed as the leader and stage a coup. The pack will probably back me. Then I banish him from the pack and we can then send everyone back to the Great Valley. That way, Littlefoot and his friends are fine and I don't have to kill my uncle." said Chomper to his wife.

Tiny asks "Think he will manage fine on his own out there? I mean as in, with no one to keep him in check?"

Chomper said "I think Shredder can get food on his own, yes."

Tiny says "I'm not worried about Shredder, I'm worried about what he might kill without even needing to eat."

Chomper paused. "Well, that is problematic, but, well, he's a family member. If I don't have to kill him, I don't want to. Would you want to if you were in my spot?" he asked Tiny.

"Did I say you should? What I am thinking is, mabye send him someone who can go with him, like a seeing eye flyer but, more a thinking brain buddy. Someone to keep him rehabilitated during his time alone." says Tiny.

"Send someone to spy on him you mean?" asked Chomper. "Could work. Anyway, I've got to get to Rhett. Time is of the essence."

Chomper travels to see Rhett. He finds him near a steep cliff. "Rhett, I'm glad to see you. I've got a favor to ask of you." he said to Rhett.

Chomper sees Sharptooth nearby. "Rhett, look..." Rhett whacks Chomper with his tail, knocking him off the cliff.

Sometime later, Shredder comes to Tiny when she is alone. He is with Rhett. "Rhett, what are you doing...?" she asked, confused on why he was with Sharptooth.

The gig is over and your mate is dead. Now, don't try any more treachery or I'll smash these. says Shredder, holding out her eggs. Yes, we attack the Great Valley at sunrise.

Phyco says Um, I'm not sure if you realize this but, if you smash those then Tiny's children die. You wouldn't want that would you?

Phyco pleads with him. Normally he would take action immediately, but he doubts his ability to do so without the eggs getting killed.

Tiny here was trying to help the wicked Flatteeth in the Great Valley. Chomper did too, but he had a little 'accident'. Shredder laughed. Nothing will happen to her eggs as long as she behaves herself. After all, I don't kill my own great-nieces and great-nephews unless I have to. He leaves, carrying the eggs with him. Rhett follows him. "Bring the Flatteeth into an ambush.. I'll deal with them and Ali will be yours." said Shredder to Rhett.

"Gladly. It's time for some payback." said Rhett, grinning. Lightning flashes in the sky. The two laugh evilly.

Meanwhile, Tiny says to Phyco What are we going to do?