Chapter Eleven: Not One of Us

Chomper left the Secret Caverns, thinking a big drink of water would fill his empty stomach. By the pool he stood, gazing down to his reflection, it unrecognizable. He was skinny, rips slightly showing, neck lean and face gaunt. In that moment he knew if he stayed in the Valley, he wouldn't make past another cold time, starve to the point where he wouldn't be able to move, not wanting to be a burden to the gang, but mostly, to Ruby. Leaving was for the best, thus he sighed, glad that Ruby would be by his side, that he wouldn't be alone. Still, he wasn't strong, a fighter, might not be able to protect her from other sharp teeth. His thoughts were interrupted when he caught a scent on the wind, knowing he wasn't alone.

Behind a collection of brush, Hyp, Nod and Mutt, gathered, going to see if Chomper was still in the cave. When they spotted him taking a drink, Hyp gestured for the pair to follow him out. "Right, let's do this."

"Now?" Mutt asked.

"Yes, now!"

"So, I wouldn't have time to get a snack?"

Slapping his hand to his head, Hyp sighed. "Idiots, I'm surrounded by them."

"I'll wait here for the signal." Nod added, smiling to their leader.

"Good, come on Mutt." Grabbing Mutt's arm, Hyp went to Chomper and laughed, seeing him rise to his full height. "Well, well, if it isn't the monster." Pausing, Hyp studied Chomper wondering what Ruby saw in the oddly shaped predator. "I'd say it'd be hard to see you go tomorrow, but I'd be lying."

"I'm certain your happy about it."

"So, this is goodbye I guess."

"I don't understand Hyp, we could've been friends? We helped save those eggs and I thought-"

"You thought wrong! Humph, friends, don't make me laugh. I regret assisting you, I regret a lot of things." Walking closer, Hyp smiled. "So, about Ruby, do you think you can protect her?" Chomper didn't respond, keeping his eyes on Hyp. Before he knew it, Mutt crashed into him, sending him to the earth. Unable to recover, Mutt and Hyp pinned him down, Chomper unable to break away. The two laughed, Hyp glaring down into Chomper's wide eyes. "You can't even beat us, how do you hope to protect her?"

"Ruby was usually the one saving me."

"Wow, how lame, a girl having to save you." Hyp then chuckled. "She should stay here in the Valley, where she'll be safe, and with me." This got Chomper's attention. "If you're out of the Valley, that will free her up. I think I'll be more than willing to be the one she hugs-"

"Don't talk about Ruby like she an object, she's an amazing girl. She's smarter than you, kind, selfless and everything that is good. I dare say, she's the greatest among you." Chomper said, keeping himself calm.

"Wow, I think he likes her Hyp, as more than a friend." Mutt said.

"I think your right. But let's be real here, you think she'd ever be with a monster like you, when she has a handsome hunk like me?" Hyp grabbed Chomper's chin, forcing him to meet his gaze. "Unlike you, I won't waste being alone with her. The things I'd do to her, hold her, kiss her-"

"Your disgusting."

"No, I'm just not stupid or ignorant like you. Besides, what are you going to do, stop me?" Standing back, Hyp took a few steps in the direction of the Caverns. "Why, I think I'll go pay her a visit right now, take her by surprise."

In a flash, Chomper shoved Mutt back and charged at Hyp, tackling him to the earth. "Stay away from Ruby!"

It took Hyp back, but he smiled and threw a fist across Chomper's muzzle. "If you don't want me to harm her, you'll have to fight back, stop me!"

"I don't want to hurt you, Hyp." Recoiling from the blow, Chomper felt another, being pinned under Hyp.

"Then I'll have to hurt you!" Hyp shouted, throwing another hit. "Once I'm done with you, I'll claim my prize, get Ruby!"

Chomper suddenly grabbed Hyp's fist, keeping it back and pushing him away. Hyp was actually impressed by how strong Chomper became, seeing Nod dash from his hiding spot. The pair shoved one another back and forth, Chomper grwoling and giving a mighty heave, sending Hyp to the ground. Before Hype could rise, Chomper set his foot on Hyp's chest, gazing down to him.

Nod ran to get help, passing the gang. Cera lay on the grass, Little Foot's body surrounded her. Ducky lay by her pound, Petri atop her, his wing covering her like a blanket. Spike was there too, snoring loudly. Nod smiled to himself and quietly woke some for help, leading them back to where Hyp, Mutt and Chomper were. It worked out perfectly, for when they arrived, all saw Chomper had Hyp down, standing menacingly over his trapped form. The tussle clearly caught the attention of the Valley members, thinking Chomper was going to devour Hyp.

It was exactly what Hyp hoped for, yelling. "He tried to attack Mutt out of spite!" The on lookers whispered, those willing to help went forward.

Chomper gasped, realizing he'd been lead on. "You tricked me?"

"And you were dumb enough to believe it." Hyp said softly, feeling Chomper step back.

Hyp pointed toward Chomper. "We need to rid the Valley of that beast once and for all. There is no one to stop us, come on!" Leading the charge, they began to sing. Chomper gasped and looked to them with shock, knowing there was now way he'd be able to talk himself out of the accusation. When he saw Hyp in front, he realized he was in trouble.

"Deception, disgrace,
Evil as plan as the teeth in grin,
Deception (An outrage) Disgrace, (For shame)
He asked for trouble the moment he came,
Deception (An outrage) Disgrace, (For shame)
You know these outsider types!
Evil as plan as the teeth in grin,
See you later, agitator,
(Just leave us alone) Deception (An outrage) Disgrace, (For shame)
Traitor go back with your own,
He asked for trouble the moment he came,
See you later, agitator,
Born in grief, raised in hate, helpless to defy his fate,
Let him run, let him live,
But do not forgive what we cannot forgive,
And he is not one of us, he has never been one of us,
He is not part of us nah, nah, nah,
Someone once lied to us, now we're not so blind,
For we knew he'd do what he's done,
And we'll know that he'll never be one of us, (He is not one of us)
Deception, disgrace,
Deception, disgrace, deception."

Large and small plant-eaters came at him, shouting, throwing stones or sticks at him. Chomper refused to hurt them, thinking it'd only prove Hyp's point about him being the monster they feared. They were desperate to get rid of him, and he was surprising they waited so long to attack him. Then again, the ageing adults would've left him stay without any trouble, but they weren't there, neither were his friends. Hyp planned a coordinated attack, one where Chomper would be on his own, defenseless, whiteout Ruby.

Avoiding a set of sharp horns, Chomper scrambled for his life, leaping over a spiked or clubbed tail. Hyp watched and knew he made the right choice, that it was for the best the sharptooth left as soon as he was banished. The mob managed to drive Chomper to the wall, where he had to either leave or face their wrath. Course any in that situation would choose to escape rather than being killed, Chomper scrambling up the wall. Rocks clattered under Chomper weight, climbing quickly and hearing the crowd below boo and yell for him to scram. Once away from them, he entered the Mysterious Beyond, glancing back one last time, thinking of only one at that moment, of Ruby. He knew she'd be devastated, angry that he left without her, but there was no going back, that'd he'd risk putting her in danger too. Head lowered, Chomper left the Valley and never looked back.