Author's notes: Hey my wonderful readers. I hope you enjoy this latest addition to the fanfic. There are also minute changes I made to some of the previous documents. Sorry about that part.
Disclaimer: I do not own the rights to Bambi for similarly using the scene where Bambi, Flower and Thumper are told about being twitterpated. Rights go purely to Disney.
Please read below so you understand the context of this chapter. Thank you.
Text between two ..., means past memory. Text after the second ..., is back to present, until text between two ..., starts once again.
A Friend Well Missed
Chomper and Ruby are scouring the wilderness for a safe route to Hanging Rock. With Red Claw now gone, there are many Sharpteeth trying to control the Mysterious Beyond for both rulership and a so-called respect by other warlords in the making. They claim their part of the land just so that they are left alone and are not killed themselves.
Chomper and Ruby both know that the location they are in now is not yet claimed, due to Red Claw's demise a few years ago. Chomper of course showed his respect to him by going to the place where he died, which in turn was the last time he saw Ruby. But nowadays, Sharpteeth fight to the death just because they want to claim this region as their own. It is dire most days, as Chomper has witnessed more than he can count. He is Ruby's personal bodyguard out here, which is why he had decided to go with her if he puts the protection of his parents and their land aside. Certain that the path is clear of any attack or ambush, they both continue on their journey.
"Yep. Our path is clear as our path can be Chomper."
"But for how long? A Sharptooth may appear out of nowhere, by all means excluding myself."
"I know that, but we are clear for now at least." She pauses, before running on ahead. "Come on! I am certain my siblings will be waiting at Hanging Rock with mum and dad!"
"Uh! Ruby wait!" Chomper speeds off after her. "I don't want to lose you out here! I have to protect you from the others!"
"I can handle them on my own you know."
"You say that, but clearly Fast Biters are the bane of your existence. Are you forgetting that I had to save you then?"
"They snuck up on me. If I knew they were there, things would've been different because I knew they were there."
"Oh sure! I'll leave the next batch to you alone then! Tch! Why do you think Fast Biters ambush their prey? It is easier for them to herd us into a trap, and then tear at our hides!"
"If you do not be quiet then they'll find us because you were not quiet."
"Ugh. Yeah, yeah." Typical. She always changes the subject when her interest is no more. Chomper thought as he caught up with Ruby. Then he gets a strange look from her, about the earlier events with the six Fast Biters.
"But what did you say to their leader?"
"Huh?" Why does she now bring that up? I can't tell her what I said to him. She'll never forgive me, though it is true in a way not that I wish to in my entire lifetime. It just would not be right. But I had to prove to them I can be merciless if need be.
"Chomper? What did you say to their leader?"
"That I'll always protect my friends, no matter what the cost." Ruby gives him another of her strange looks, before running on in supposed agreement. Phew! That should stop her questioning about that for a while. When they come to a sharp corner, he balances his heavy weight to easily turn in that direction avoiding a collision into a rock formation, before they disappear amidst the rocky red plains.
Littlefoot, despite being back with Ali and their children is distant once more like before. He just could not stop thinking about Tyrana being left alone, so close to the herbivores who would send her away first chance they get. Only he, his best friends, Bron and Midas know she is there. No one else can because he will not be able to protect her if they found out. He wants to go back and check she is okay, but then Ali will realise and interrogate most likely. She does not know Chomper as much as their best friends do, so she would not remember him or understand Tyrana means no harm despite being Chomper's mate. Ali soon realises Littlefoot is acting the same way he was previously over a month ago, and wishes to help out any way she can. But Littlefoot still had a thought in his mind. If I could not recognise Chomper like I promised I would, then how did Cera? I'll never figure this out.
"Littlefoot? What is wrong? You're acting the same way you were during the Hot Times. Distant."
"I'm sorry, but I'm worried again all of a sudden." He pauses in thought.
"Worried? About what?"
I can't tell you Ali, you wouldn't understand. She is a Sharptooth. I must check she is alright.
"Littlefoot? Please, don't do all this again. You can tell me. I promise I'll understand."
"She's the mate of a friend, and I'm worried about leaving her alone while her mate is away." He pauses in thought again. I wonder if that has worked. Oh. If only dad were here right now, I could ask him to check on Tyrana for me. No, that will be far too conspicuous. He'll be seen acting suspicious and then problems will occur. We were just lucky last time. No one in my line of sight looked our way, but boy did they look up just when we disappeared. "I just wish to check on her, and then I'll be back."
"I'm sure she is fine. Don't worry so much. I've been okay without you for a while."
Maybe Ali is right. Tyrana is a Sharptooth after all. I just hope Ruby and Chomper come back unharmed. It is then that Littlefoot catches a glimpse of Midas passing by, and just when Ali goes to say something Littlefoot speaks. "I'll be back in a minute Ali."
"Littlefoot?" She sees he has already started to head off, and sighs before lowering her head. Who does he mean?
"Midas! Midas!" He quickly heads to him quite frantically.
"Huh!" He is unsure if Littlefoot is actually going to stop, and cowers with a squeak when the Longneck nears. Leon, Saemus and Clara casually head towards Littlefoot, enjoying a game of chase as they carelessly run underneath him. Midas slowly rises with surprise knowing the Longneck has indeed stopped before him. "Oh! Littlefoot! Heh. How nice to see you again?"
"Is she okay?! Please, check she is okay!"
"Tyrana will be fine Littlefoot. She survived a fortnight alone when she became separated from Chomper a while back when they were both still growing. So don't worry. She is more than capable at hunting without a trouble."
"Are you sure?"
"Positive." He looks to his kids. "Kids! Come along! You must be thirsty after all that running!" He looks back to Littlefoot as the three children head back to their dad. "See you some other time my friend."
"Okay. Thanks." Midas goes to head off again, but Littlefoot of course realises something Midas does not. "Em. The Thundering Falls is back that way Midas." He points with his head to where the waterfall is. "Water is much fresher there."
"Oh. It is." He turns himself around. "Come along children."
"Keep going straight until you reach a clearing. Once there, head left then forward until you reach the bank."
"Thank you my friend." Midas starts off running his normal pace knowing his kids will manage to catch up.
"Bye Mr. Longneck!" All three call as they wave when they pass.
"Goodbye." They disappear behind the trees. "Hm. Kids. They are always happy, no matter what happens." Littlefoot heads back to Ali, now that he can be at ease knowing Tyrana will be alright.
Spike is staring towards the clearing in a distant manner, which Zaria has never seen him do before. With Cilan asleep next to her, she could not just get up and comfort her mate which she clearly wanted to achieve. Her only option left is to call Spike over and ask him what the matter is, where she will then have to study and understand just what it is he will be showing her. Half the time she just wishes Spike did not blindly charge into the jaws of the Sharptooth that day, for if he did not he would be able to speak and tell her in his own words. However, she still is under the worry about being Spike's mate. Surely he had someone else interested in him when they were both young, or was it indeed her that day. If so, why was it her herd could not return there during the Time of Great Growing every year. She has this deep feeling that she has seen Spike before, and not just during his travels through the Mysterious Beyond last year, as if she knew Spike years ago. Damn, my memory is hazy again. Why do we suffer from this?
Hnn! I am missing him again. I hate to think how Ducky is feeling. She loves Chomper a lot.
"Spike honey! What is wrong?"
Oh Zaria. I wish I could tell you personally. But your father that day could still live. I know I shouldn't have charged like that, but I was not thinking straight. Now I guess I'll never be speaking again, exactly like my childhood almost. He walks back to the shade of the tree where Zaria is resting, and lays down beside her still staring distantly out into the clearing. Zaria huddles up closer to him, before trying to interpret what she sees. He has his back to her, slightly to his left; his head is set as though he is turning away, and his tail is brushing past her own. The way he is lying is more serpentine-like, but for his position it is like he wants her touch but cannot accept it at this moment in time, not until his worry for Chomper passes.
"What is wrong hun? Are you missing someone precious to you?"
Spike nods in sorrow, before closing his eyes as if he were crying. How did she figure it out that quickly? I knew she was special, first time I saw her as a kid. Very astute. Shame she does not seem to remember that, our short term memory loss is quite common in our kind. But I'll never forget her.
"I'm sure they are fine, whoever they are. They'll be back, I promise you." Spike feels more comforted now by her words, and moves his head beside Zaria's before staring out again the same way.
But I'm worried he might get hurt out there and never return to us. Poor Ducky, how she may be feeling only seeing Chomper for such a short while besets me. I just don't know how to feel anymore. Cilan then suddenly stirs from his slumber; seeing that his dad is very sad, quickly huggles up to him licking him on the cheek before looking at his mum.
"Mum. Dad very sad. Why?"
"He is missing a friend. It happens my little one. Even I miss fellow friends sometimes."
"Kay. Me keep dad happy."
"He will love that Cilan. It should take his mind off his thoughts."
"Yay!" He instantly goes back to huddling with dad, and Zaria follows suit before closing her eyes to rest. The cool breeze that blows by, chills them from the heat for the little time it manifested as Spike casually shuts his eyes accepting the comfort he now has.
Cera is looking out towards the Hidden Canyon, curiously wondering why it sounds more quiet than before. Her nest is quite close by, so she would most certainly hear movement from a huge Sharptooth even if Tyrana quietly stomped around over there. Turning her sights to the sudden cry from Kodi when he moved, she soon starts to gently lick his wounds clean again. They are not bleeding anymore, so that clearly is a much needed good news on both of their parts, but he is still in agony every time he moves even a minute smidge on one specific side. The pain always reminds him of what that Sharptooth did to him, the memory which may haunt him for weeks to come.
"Thank you hun." He gladly welcomes the comforting action Cera is giving him, but still feels uneasy knowing Sharpteeth are staying so close to the Great Valley residents. "But why do we have to house the two Sharpteeth as well."
"I understand how you must feel, but this place is safest for them as well right now. I hate having to accept this, but Chomper is a best friend just like the others are. It is true I still bear a grudge with him, but where else can he and Tyrana go? After coming all this way, I'd hate to send them away again."
"Sharpteeth belong out in the wilds though, so why must they stay right now?"
"It's a total battle zone out there Kodi! Not even a Sharptooth wants to be out there right now! That's why they are always hiding! With the recent demise of Red Claw, the main bully Sharptooth that had been ruling most of the land, all the Sharpteeth are fighting to the death just for their control of the Mysterious Beyond!" She pauses, calming herself after the sudden raising of her voice and sighing in repent. "Sorry Kodi, but your question kinda went under my scales."
"Not to worry. I deserved it." He rests his head on the ground, slightly disoriented by his memory still fresh in his mind.
"However. I'm sure if you were in their position, you would feel the same way Chomper and Tyrana do. I certainly feel that way."
"I guess I can understand just what it is they are all going through, but it does not change the fact that they still predate over us."
"Well. Sometimes they have to, just so they can survive another day. Not all of them are bad you know. I learned that from Chomper's parents. They protect what is most important in life, just like we would. Please try to relax, you won't regret anything." Cera casually licks Kodi on his cheek, helping him feel safe and protected around her presence from all his thoughts clashing around in his head.
I will protect you all, even if I die trying. This Tyrana could easily turn on us if the matter arises, but Cera is assuring me she will do anything but that. Damn I hate all these assumptions of mine. Both Tyrana and Chomper kept me alive from the rogue Sharptooth yesterday, they protected me without concern. Am I so wrong to think all Sharpteeth are monsters? Despite his sudden thoughts, he welcomes Cera's gentle touch as he simply lays down to rest.
Ducky used to always come here whenever she had been in thought; a secret and quiet place only she and Ruben knew about years ago, and in retrospect the only place they actually made love. Being here alone is a different feeling altogether, but she could not let Ruben see how depressed and anguished she has become since Chomper had to go again. He just cannot know Chomper and Tyrana are staying for a while. She hopes for certain they will stay for a long time, as she misses Chomper too much like she had her mother only a few years prior. Why did you have to go Chomper? You only just got here. She lays down with her head looking down over the lake in front of her; seeing her reflection reminded herself of her mother who never returned home after a pilgrimage, and even now does not understand why she needed to travel out there at her age in the first place. Oh mum. Why does my reflection always remind me of you whenever I see it gracefully staring back at me? I really do not understand. Looking out to the waterfall in the distance brings back the memory of her and Ruben, finally fulfilling the urge to mate under the falling waters. She soon ends up swimming over there in order to stand amongst the cascade welcoming the comforting feeling it still reminds her of, however Ruben suddenly appears seeing her submerge. He has been trying to find her ever since she returned from being with her friends, and knew the secret lake would be the only place she would otherwise intentionally go if something mattered to her like this.
"Hmm. I thought you'd come here Ducky. The only place we used to always meet as kids." He directs his sights to the waterfall in the distance, knowing full well Ducky will be emerging there very soon. Moments after looking Ducky resurfaces in a graceful style that may indeed have turned him on if he were over there instead, and after vaulting from the bank simply accepts the weight of the water cascading over her body once heading there. Ruben casually walks to the edge and drops into the water with a push off, intending to surprise Ducky with his appearance on the other side. I'm sure my appearance will cheer you up my love.
Ducky is now oblivious to her surroundings, hearing nothing as she closes her eyes listening to the water crashing over her body and in the plunge pool where she stands. Not even Ruben's presence was noticeable even after he stood there next to her, so he does the only thing probable that will not otherwise scare her, the loving embrace he made just before they mated last time. Wrapping his tail round hers, stroking his hands down her arms and torso and then caressing her as he stands behind. With his head resting over her right shoulder, he sneaks a loving lick on the side of her face as she turns her surprised gaze towards his reminiscing smile.
"Ruben! I never even knew you were there."
"Surprised I see."
"I am, yep, yep." She tries to smile, but her thoughts soon cause her to be depressed again.
"Are you alright? You've been like this ever since you came back from being with your friends. You are depressed. I came here looking for you, in hope I could ask why."
I cannot say why Ruben, not to you anyway. You have suffered in the past from Sharpteeth, and I do not want to put you through the strain. She turns her gaze away as Chomper's innocent face comes back into her mind. "I miss him far too much! Why did he have to go?"
"Who Ducky? You can tell me."
"Sorry Ruben, but I am afraid I cannot. It will hurt you more than I want it to."
"What do you mean? I have left that in the past Ducky..." He is cut short when Ducky releases herself from Ruben's comforting build, her arms close against her breast.
"If I tell you, you will hate me. You will hate me for my choice in a friend."
"No Ducky, I won't." He quickly catches up to her. "I will never hate you. You are my world. A friend can be anyone, any kind, any species, even be something I hate. You know I will accept whomever it is. It's just who I am."
"Even if he is, a Sharptooth. One I've known since his hatchday."
"I can keep a secret. Why though, did you think I'd hate you for being friends with a Sharptooth? It pains me to remember about what happened to my siblings, but as I said 'I have left that in the past'. Why would I let my hatred change who I am now? Things always happen for a reason, all that matters is how and when you learn to accept it." Ruben's words bring Ducky that much more closer to him again, and she gladly accepts his loving comfort once more.
"Thank you Ruben. It is just." She pauses to lay down towards the back of the waterfall as Ruben follows, now remembering a past experience Chomper had suffered when he started growing rapidly each day. "I remember what Chomper had suffered when he was young like I was then. This happened before I met you."
"I believe I'd heard stories, about a Sharptooth being chased out the Great Valley. I seem to recall my parents telling me to never leave the nest at the time."
"This is why no one is supposed to know, other than those who know him too. I just do not want what happened to him then, to happen again. It is just not fair."
...
Chomper is running as fast as he can, out of breath with many adults chasing him. Reminiscent to that with which he suffered once before, when Rhett freaked out and found the adults he knew it would not get let off this time. New temporary residents commonly known as Farwalkers had been keeping an eye on him for the past month, growing ridiculously big fast roughly in just a week. His particular breed of Sharptooth are known for this rapid growth, and all his friends realised this when they witnessed it first hand. Ducky then suddenly appears after a boulder collapse happened, running along beside him.
"Chomper! You must hide!" Chomper looks to her, very worried.
"Where, am I, going to, hide?! Can't you, see! I'm too, tall!" Petrie soon flies by on Chomper's other side, noting the fact that he saw a canyon of sorts completely out of the way.
"There a canyon not far from us. Me can lead you there Chomper."
"But! They will, see you, Petrie, and, follow, without a, doubt! It would, be pointless, for they'll, find where, we went, anyway and, continue chasing, me!" Next, Littlefoot, Cera and Spike arrive keeping to Chomper's pace. After seeing a stampede of Farwalkers adamant that Chomper is a threat, they knew something bad was going on.
"We can hold them off, right guys!" Cera makes quick glances to each of them excluding Petrie, who had flown on high to check both the canyon location and where the grownups are right now. Those within Chomper's immediate vicinity all nod in agreement, before Petrie dives back down with a new direction in mind.
"Chomper! When us four charge back towards the grownups, you make a left into the forest with Petrie."
"My plan exactly when me see that forest. The grownups will never get through in the manner they are now. There be just no room."
"Precisely! Ready.' Littlefoot complied before looking at each of them in turn. "We'll meet back at the canyon. Go!" Littlefoot, Cera, Ducky and Spike head on back to try and lead the adults astray with Chomper's threatening location, as Petrie and Chomper make a left into the forest.
...
Ruben is laying next to Ducky as she returns from her memory, casually resting his arm over her opposite shoulder. He is trying to take her mind off of what this Chomper had gone through when he was young, but his comfort only helped her to stay calm. "So. Why has this Chomper had to go again?"
"Ruby came back, and told him his parents are under a threat."
"His parents?! I never even thought Sharpteeth cared about their parents once they matured."
"Well. They are not much different from you or I. Cera had been saying it first, and now all of us seem to be. She still bears a grudge, but to be honest she and Littlefoot cared about Chomper the most in our childhood. I only thought he was my sibling when Egg Stealers stole one of my mother's eggs. Somehow, it managed to return unharmed."
"But why was this Chomper here in the first place?"
"Just for a safe place to be with his Tyrana and start a new family. No one understands that Chomper is harmless. I know one thing. He will leave again with Tyrana once their young are old enough to travel, even though I do not wish for him to."
"Well. He is just protecting all his friends from his primal instinct, you know, in case he actually ends up hunting you. He probably realised this the moment he started growing so much, that whatever he used to eat before would not sustain him anymore." Ruben's words instantly force Ducky to rise again in thought, making him feel bad for saying what he did. "Ducky, I…" He rises to his feet in contrite, feeling stupid for what he said. "Damn myself! I'm sorry Ducky."
"You do not need to apologise Ruben. I am only remembering the first time Chomper started feeling depressed and worried he might actually eat one of his friends. Of all things, it just had to be Cera who suffered his bite."
...
There is a sudden scream that echoes through the valley emanating from Cera for some strange reason only her friends actually witnessed. Biting down on her right forefoot is indeed Chomper, who never even realised he did it until her cry gave out almost instantly. All his friends look to him in worry as they gasp, Cera intentionally is horrified as she stares at him through fear.
"Chomper!" Littlefoot's voice is desperate. "Let her go!"
"You hear him! Let Cera go Chomper!" Petrie intentionally shouted as Ducky raises her hands to her beak.
"Chomper that was cold!" Spike accused under total resentment.
Without hesitating, Chomper releases his jaws and runs away in tears for what he unintentionally done to his best friend. "I'm sorry!" He disappears through the bushes and never once looks back.
"I can't believe he would even do that to her." It is true that Spike has now found his voice. After the day his parents arrived he began to speak thanks to his sister, and of the events they all suffered that time. It turns out Spike's love of his sister and fear for her safety brought out the much needed gift he had deep down inside. Cera suddenly walks off crying, limping on her bad foot as Littlefoot chases after her.
"Cera! Wait!"
"NO! I'm going to daddy!" Her reply stops him in his tracks.
"Oh no, no, no! You cannot be walking on your bad foot Cera!"
"I don't care! Leave me alone!" Cera quickens her pace but suddenly trips and just lays there distraught by the emotional scar she received.
"Oh dear! Cera fall down!" Petrie quickly speeds off to her position as the others follow him.
"Why? Why did he do it? I knew he should've stayed away from here. I kept telling you all!" She soon feels Littlefoot's tongue on her bleeding wound as he kindly licks it better for her. "Littlefoot." She looks to him caring for her but pulls her foot away slightly embarrassed, not wanting the care he is now giving. "Please, don't. I'll do it myself." Instantly she cleans the injury with her own tongue, turning away so the others do not see.
"I'm getting to the bottom of this!" Littlefoot acclaimed with a tense tone, before heading on after Chomper intent on finding out the reason why he bit her.
"And while you're at it, go chase him off!" Spike shouted towards Littlefoot with his livid state of mind.
"Spike. That is mean." Ducky remarked as she looked to him.
"So what? He did not need to bite Cera like he did." They are still crowding round Cera, who does not want their comfort right now.
"Please just, leave me alone." After her words they simply head away at a loss back to where they came from, understanding how Cera must be feeling now that Chomper has betrayed her.
...
Ruben could see Ducky's memory is hurting her deep inside, so he edges closer to her body trying to comfort her once more. When his attempt does not work, he soon starts nudging gently at her rump with his head hoping it will cheer her up exactly how he used to as a teen. He then moves on to tickling her side intent on causing a laugh. He continues to tickle her more friskily in a spirited manner, gradually finding her other more sensitive spots as he laughs. "Come on! You know you want to!" He carries on out of concern if he is irritating her or not, but she does not act annoyed surprisingly. Ruben speaks in a playful way. "I always bring about that beaming smile of yours. You cannot resist my persistance. I always succeed."
"Ruben, stop. You're getting closer to my ticklish spot." She tries not to cheerfully grin, but the urge is just getting too great not to. Soon she is fighting back under laughter exactly like a kid would, before they both accidently trip over each other's tails and fall down in a fit of happiness after a few rolls. Once that is over, Ruben lies atop Ducky with his legs either side of her hips as she lays on her back, and proceeds to giving a few graceful licks and nibbles on her exposed neck. He stops and looks into her eyes as she returns the same look.
"Do you remember the day we first met?" Ruben questions knowing she remembers clearly.
"I can never forget that day. It was the best thing that could ever happen to me."
...
Ducky arrives at a small clearing waiting for all her friends to appear, their usual meeting place always at this time of the day. She knows Chomper would already be there, he is usually always the first one. Surprisingly, she had to call for him because he did not greet her like he normally does. Hearing his call from behind a fallen tree, she heads there to see him laying on his side with his back to the tree, leaning on his arm.
"Chomper! Are you okay?"
"Fine. Never better." Chomper replied very dispirited, much to Ducky's surprise. He never turned once to look at her, or even gestured a hello with his body.
"But you cannot stay behind here all day. The others will not know you are here."
"But I'll hurt someone again, like I did to Cera."
"Please Chomper. Do not be like this? Come on over."
"I guess." He sighs as he picks himself up, reluctantly jumping over the fallen tree before him. "There. Happy." He kept his head down, not wanting to make eye contact. "I'm staying right here, as far from where we talk as I can." He watches the others all appear still with his head down, but thinking Cera would act frightened. He is ultimately surprised to see her try a smile in his direction upon her arrival, but she still keeps a fair distance from him. Littlefoot then arrives, followed by Spike, Petrie and Ruby. Ruby sees Chomper far away from his friends, and wants to ask why.
"Chomper. Why are you way over there, as over there means not over here?"
"Please Ruby! I'm in no mood to be over there!"
"Then why did you come here in the first place Chomper?!" Spike questioned a little snappily.
"Spike! That's enough! Can't you see he is hurting enough already!" Cera replied to Spike's question quite aggravated.
"Oh that's rich coming from you!" Spike continued, wanting to get the last word in.
"Stop it Spike! You know better than that!" Littlefoot stepped in, stopping the fight from carrying on. "We came here to talk! If there is something on your mind, share it with us all!"
"You know full well what is on my mind!" He pauses. "Chomper is a..!" He is soon silenced by two dragonflies flying around his head dancing with each other it seemed, and he watched. "Huh?" The two dragonflies soon fly around Littlefoot chasing each other, and he laughs at the sudden joy as they pass by Petrie, Ducky, Cera and Ruby.
"Em!" Petrie exclaimed a little confused.
"Ooh! Pretty!" Ducky acclaimed.
"Whoa! They are fast!" Cera complied as she reared up on her hinds ever so slightly quite amazed by their speed.
"I believe they are fast as well, because they flew by so fast." Ruby concluded in amazement. Spinning around each other, the two dragonflies dive down towards the ground before flying off again just when Old Mr. Clubtail appears to greet the young dinosaurs like he does every morning.
"What the matter with them all of a sudden?" Petrie suddenly questioned as everyone looked to where the dragonflies headed off to.
"Why are they acting that way?" Ducky curiously asked.
Mr Clubtail simply laughs a little as he walks up to them, not even caring in the slightest for Chomper standing beside him in interest as all seven look towards the old Ankylosaurus. "Why, don't you know." Mr. Clubtail looks to each one of them in turn. "They're twitterpated." Chomper bravely runs to stand by Ruby.
"Twitterpated?" All seven of them replied in unison looking at each other in hope one of them knows.
"Yes." They all look to Mr. Clubtail when he continues. "Nearly everybody gets twitterpated in the Season of New Growth." He walks closer to them as they do the same, ready for a whisper. "For example." He clears his throat before walking around in circles keeping an eye on them. "You're walking along, minding your own business." He stops walking round. "You're looking even to the left." He looks to the left in worry, his tail to the right. "Then on to the right." He looks to the right the same way as his tail moves to the left. "And suddenly…" He tilts his head and scratches the lower horn with his forefoot. "...You walk smack into a pretty face." He pauses as the friends zone in, before instantly bopping his tail on the ground to cause a shockwave. "BOOM!" He seems to smirk, watching all of them react in fright. Littlefoot lowers his head in worry, looking at Mr. Clubtail innocently; Cera rears back amidst a gasp; Petrie jumps onto Ducky as she catches him, both surprised as they scream; Spike rapidly cowers with his forelegs over his face under a small cry; Chomper screams before hiding behind Ruby as Ruby covers her eyes after a cry and shakes, all at the same time. Mr. Clubtail starts acting like an old dinosaur, shaking his knees awkwardly as Chomper peers out from behind Ruby with a hand to his open jaws. "You begin to get weak in the knees. You're heads in a whirl!" He quickly moves his head round in a circular motion after he stresses the word, causing the others to follow his head motion with an awry stare. He then seems to submit in a pretend manner, laying on his belly and closing his eyes. "And then you feel light as a Tree Star." He simply rolls over after the last word as if he were a dog, happily smiling. Littlefoot and the gang just watch him roll completely bemused as he returns to his feet. "And before you know it, you're walking on air." He surprisingly begins to prance around like a mad dinosaur, as Ducky and Petrie both raise a hand to their mouths leaning their heads back. "And you know what, you're knocked for a loop." Suddenly, he rapidly spins round and round as he speaks his next line. "And you completely lose your head!" When he finally stops, he rolls tight into a ball hiding his head.
"Gosh! That's awful!" Littlefoot replied looking at his friends.
"You don't say!" Cera continued rolling her eyes.
"Terrible!" Spike concluded as the others nod in agreement.
"Mm-hmm, mm-hmm!" Ducky complied.
"Me no wanna lose me head!" Petrie cried.
"You won't Petrie!" Chomper assured as he looked back to Ruby. "Will he?"
"I doubt it Chomper. Your head is connected to your body, so there's no way you can lose your head because it's connected to your body. I think." Ruby answered, not entirely sure herself.
"Well. I'm gonna make sure it doesn't happen to me. Are you with me guys?" Littlefoot acclaimed.
"Sure! I'll never be fooled!" Cera stated completely proud of herself.
"Count us all in too!" Ducky concluded motioning to the others before they all follow Littlefoot away from the clearing.
Mr. Clubtail simply gets up under laughter, watching the youngsters heading away. "Kids. You'll learn, one day." He heads off, back to where he came from before he met with the children.
By now the gang are in their own mind proudly walking along a huge log across a raging river below, but Chomper is slowly walking behind with his head down at a safe distance so he does not pull another stunt like he did a few days ago. It is hard not to miss him, now that he has grown almost as tall as Littlefoot. They are still not fully grown, but Chomper is the one who suffers growing way too fast. By the end of the month, he most certainly will be adult sized and that is why he is so depressed. Ducky looks back to him quite worried that he might do something stupid, much worse than a simple attack like what Cera had experienced. She seems to think Chomper might try to kill himself, especially by how gloomy he has been acting lately. She wants to tell Littlefoot but must climb over Cera to do so, and seeing that Cera will hear everything she will say the idea is turned down. Petrie notices Ducky seems a little in thought, and he swoops down beside her to talk about it.
"What the matter Ducky?"
"I do not know. I want to tell Littlefoot about Chomper, but Cera will hear me. Something seems very wrong with him right now, and I think he may do something stupid."
"Why you think something wrong with Chomper?"
"The bite he made." She whispered this to Petrie so Cera did not hear. "Since then, he has been gloomy. I feel like he may kill himself. I do not want that at all. Earlier he seemed fine after I talked him into coming out from where he was hiding, but now he is thinking about what happened again." Ducky turns her sights back ahead, but not before she sees another Swimmer like herself walking and looking in her direction. "Huh?" She shrugs it off and continues walking, but she then suddenly sees Ali running to meet up with Littlefoot on the side they are heading to from the log. Looking under them both, she suddenly crashes into Cera's tail. "Whoa!"
"Hey!" Cera glares at Ducky before looking back to Littlefoot who is now just standing there. "Littlefoot! Why did you stop?"
"There's a queue back here!" Spike shouted in annoyance over to Littlefoot as Chomper stops as far back as he possibly can behind Ruby.
"A-A-Ali!" Littlefoot is very surprised by her appearance, so surprised he could not even think of what to say.
"Hey Littlefoot! What're you doing?"
"Em, nothing." He seems to back away slightly. "Just walking with the gang."
"Hello! Can we get going?!" Spike shouted to Littlefoot a second time.
"Spike. Be patient."
"Patient?" He looks up to Ruby. "How can we be patient standing on a fallen tree?" He pauses. "What if it breaks under all our weight?" Just as soon as Spike mentioned what he did, the fallen tree begins to creak. Spike rapidly looks down when he hears a snap. "Uh, oh." He looks up in worry. "Timber!" He shouted, causing the others to look at him.
"What?" Everyone else besides Ruby shouted in unison. There is then a chorus of gasps and screams once the fallen tree breaks in two, and they all disappear amidst the rapids in huge splashes before getting taken away by the current.
"Littlefoot!" Ali cried after a gasp, before running beside the bank trying to catch up to him. "Wait!" She continues to run beside the river, keeping her eyes on Littlefoot and her friends. Ducky is trying her best to swim against the current, though she knows it is not too deep for all her friends to be in any threatening danger. When she tires for a moment the current takes her away, right into the body of another Swimmer like her who catches her while he is anchored between two rocks.
"Out for a swim are we?" He smiles at her once she looks to him.
"No." She then realises he is the same Swimmer as before. "Hey! I remember you!"
"Remember?" He is slightly confused.
"Oh yes, yes. I saw you earlier when I was on the tree."
"Oh! That Swimmer was you?"
"It was, it was!"
"Well. I guess we better help save your friends then." He climbs up the bank and helps pull Ducky out of the rapids, but she seems more interested in all his muscles as she stares at them without even realising.
"Wow! You are strong!"
"I'm the strongest young Swimmer here right now. I'll show you once we help them if you want."
"Oh! Yes please!" She is soon walking hand in hand with this Swimmer she has just met. "My name is Ducky."
"You can call me Ruben. Come on! Let's hurry! Whenever there is fast water like this, there is always water that falls." Ruben drags her along behind him quite quickly, in an effort to try and help her friends in case his theory is correct.
...
Ducky is still lying underneath Ruben's weight, relaxed and happy about the memory they shared. She leans in and returns a loving few licks on his neck and cheek, but then realises they have left their children far too long. "We should get back to the little ones."
"Aww. But I wanted this moment to last just a little longer." Ruben pleaded as he gets off of Ducky to let her roll over and recover her footing.
"But, the little ones might be wondering where we are."
"Don't worry Ducky. I have it all under control. They are with their aunt and uncle."
"Oh. I did not know."
"So. Can we please stay here together for a little while longer? I promise we'll go back soon. You love this place as much as I do."
"I do not see any problem why not to."
"Thank you so much honey." He licks her neck as they caress each other before lying down with her, watching the falling cascade until they close their eyes listening to the beauty.
There is a deafening roar echoing through a maze of tall trees, and the ground is shaking rapidly. Running as fast as they can, two huge Sharpteeth of the familiar Okra dark green and Olive green colour scheme, are fearfully looking back at whatever seems to be chasing them. With new wounds adorning their hides that are clearly still bleeding implies they had been attacked only moments ago. Suddenly a huge predator jumps out ready to attack them, one that most, if not all dinosaurs consider to be a Plated Sharptooth. The male Sharptooth rapidly turns to strike the brute down with his tail, or at least make him lose his balance during flight to give them extra time to escape his clutches, but he only stumbles upon his landing recovering his stance almost instantly. The male Sharptooth ushers his mate to keep going. 'Go! Go! I'll be right behind you!' He spoke in Sharptooth tongue to her.
'But! What about our son? Chomper may never find us if we keep going.'
'I must keep him away from you! They need to be safe.' Within moments, he back steps from a foot strike and counters with a charging head-butt. The force is so powerful the brute is thrown back stumbling, tripping over an outlying tree root and crashing into another tree that breaks and falls upon the impact. He quickly heads away with his mate before the monster has a chance to get up and chase them again, keeping her as far from his jaws as possible. The Plated Sharptooth however, hurriedly recovers from the fall and charges after them once more roaring angrily.
'You'll never escape my wrath!' The Plated Sharptooth assured before reaching them once more, jumping at Chomper's father to ram him off to the side. The attack is dodged, and Chomper's father soon is back to facing the carnivore off.
'Leave us alone you damned beast!' He charges at the Plated Sharptooth ready to ram him down, but he never foresees the sneak attack when he is thrown to the ground, a new bite wound to his back that now starts to bleed as he crashes into a tree. Chomper's mother then retaliates with an attack of her own, biting their shadower around the neck and throwing him headlong into a thicker tree to knock him out.
'Go back to your reclusive hollow and leave our territory you bloody cur!' Her reply is surprising to her mate. Of all the years he has known her, she was never this insulting towards others. She helps her mate back up, but just as soon as they could conclusively feast on their attacker, he recovers and claws Chomper's mother across her side quite deeply. Her mate is horrified with her sudden agonising scream, but before he could strike back his hip is bitten powerfully. Amidst the crunch he cries out in an ear-splitting roar suddenly forced to back down. Both badly wounded, they painfully flee from the scene as the Plated Sharptooth follows them intent to kill with freshly blood-stained claws and jaws.
Please Chomper! We need your help! Chomper's father painfully pleaded in his mind as he and his mate disappear amidst the dull and misty atmosphere.
