Chapter Twenty: Come Back to Me
It happened fast, in a blink of an eye. Chomper saw Ruby, fighting, trying to get to him. The last thing he saw was her, heard her refer to him as her love, her love. It was both the happies and scariest moment of his life, for he couldn't return those three words, ones he wished he spoke to her sooner. Now, Ruby, the island, everything faded from him. He was in a freefall for a brief moment before his body hit the cool water, bubbles floating around him, the surface getting farther and farther. Wiggling, he couldn't kick his legs, flap his arms, thick vies limiting his every move. If he didn't get free, he'd run out of air, drown for sure. With how much he struggled, his lungs could no longer hold out, taking on water.
Above the surface and on the ledge, Ruby held Hyp down, punching him across the face. "How does it feel, huh, to be hurt?" Over and over she hit him, taking her anger out on him. It was side of Ruby none ever saw, the gang and Valley members standing and staring with shock and awe. While she struck him, Ruby couldn't help but she flashes, a brief life she and Chomper would've had if not for Hyp. "You took everything I love away!"
"Nice one Ruby, you show him who's boss." Cera called from the sideline.
"We have to help Chomper!" Little Foot spoke, getting himself together and being the voice of reason.
"How do you suggest we do that?" Tippy asked, looking to himself. "Spike and I weren't meant for swimming."
"I got this." Ruby left a bleeding Hyp and went running to the edge, leaping and flying through the air. "I'm coming Chomper, don't give up!" Down she went, throwing her arms together to slip through the water quickly.
Ruby's body dove in and Ducky went to the ledge next, knowing she was better at swimming than Ruby or Chomper. "I will help Ruby, I will, I will." Right behind Ruby, Ducky jumped in and sank below the surface, arms moving to maneuver herself in the weightless environment. Petrie who was close by got a good face full of water, spitting and shaking his head to remove the droplets.
Under the water, Ruby swam deeper and deeper, knowing Chomper sank fast due to his large body. When she saw him, he wasn't moving, rushing to try and untie him. Yanking the vine, she managed to get a few off his muzzle, but not his body. She couldn't hold her breath for too long, becoming frantic till someone joined her. It was Ducky, who came in like a shot, speedily going from his legs to his body, cutting the vines with ease. The long strands floated around them, Chomper free but still not moving. Once he was untangled, Ducky and Ruby got on either side, swimming for all they were worth, pulling him upward.
Over the Big Water, Petrie kept everyone updated, scanning the water. "Petrie no see them."
"Come one Ducky, Ruby, save him." Little Foot spoke with worry, hearing Hyp and the others celebrate the death of their friend.
"Hah, he's as good as dead-" Hyp felt a foot to the head, Cera clamping his mouth down.
"Why don't you do us a favor and shut up."
"Oh, see them, they going to beach!"
"Then that's where we should go, hurry." Turning, Little Foot brushed by the crowd, wanting to go help Ruby and Ducky.
Before joining the gang, Cera slapped Mutt and Nod with a sweep of her tail. "That's for Chomper. No one get's to pick on him but me, got it?"
"Right." The pair agreed, Mutt Rubbing his face while Nod stood frozen. With a humph, Cera left the group to catch up with Little Foot.
It didn't take them long to reach the beach, all painting till they got there. The friends went as fast as they could, coming upon a bleak scene. All three were soaking wet, Ducky seeing Ruby try to wake Chomper, who remained unconscious, or was he dead. Petrie lit by Ducky, wringing his hands. Little Foot gasped and his eyes welled with tears, Cera was even taken back, clenching her jaw and trying not to cry. Spike let out a sad sound, Tippy comforting him. "There, there love. I'm here."
They grouped around Chomper, Ruby by his side and taking on of his hands to clasp tightly. "Chomper, Chomper, can you hear me, wake up." Ruby said, voice still hopeful. "Come on, quite fooling around. You're safe, safe is where you are and always will be. Please, answer me, come back to me."
"Ruby, I umm..." Cera started, hating to be the realistic one, yet speaking for no one else wanted to. In fact, it was hard to even say herself. "Well, he was under there for a while longer than most could take. He might be-"
"No, he's fine, he just needs space!" It was heartbreaking, Ruby in denial, unable to accept he was gone. "Chomper, speak to me, talk to me." There was no sound, his eyes shut and his chest didn't move, not even when she touched it. It was then it hit her, sank in fully. Shaking her head, she threw her hands to her face. "No, no, this can't be."
"We're sorry Ruby, truly." Little Foot said, bushing her with his muzzle. "Come on, we should go back to the Valley. With a such a large gather of plate-eaters it might draw the attention of sharpteeth."
"Leave me then, I can't go without him…I promised I'd take care of him, vowed to keep him safe, and safe he shall be. With my dying breath, I won't stray from his side."
"Come on Ruby-"
"Wouldn't you stay by Little Foot?"
This shut Cera up, swallowing and looking to her own mate. "Okay, but we'll stay with you. I don't think you should be left alone to deal with this."
"Poor Chomper, why Hyp do such thing?"
"Because Hyp is a jerk, with no love in his hart. No compassion, no, no, no." Ducky added, patting Petrie's back.
Ruby threw herself upon Chomper, weeping plunky tears. Her voice trembled, speaking softly to him. "You can't leave me, Chomper, please, come back, return to me. Life is lonely, dark without your bright smile, your laughter, your voice, everything." The final words she said were soft, a mere whisper. "I-I love you."
The gang lowered their heads, paying respect to their fallen friend. Since they knew Chomper when he was only a few days all, they saw images of time long ago, when he hatched, when he saved them from the egg eaters. How he displayed bravery, courage in the face of danger, even hide them from his own parents. The many adventures they went on, the laugher they shared, all of it was precious, would stay with them forever. While the gang stood, the Valley members were quite, seeing how heart broken Ruby was, unable to believe she truly cared for him. They the question arose, did he care for her back? If he did, then perhaps he was more than the brainless killer Hyp made him out to be. Regret washed over a few, who lowered their heads, hearing Ruby cry mournfully for him.
Face to Chomper's heart, Ruby trembled and wished for death. For nothing seemed worth living for without him. Suddenly, and quietly, a voice uttered. "I love you too, Ruby." It was so soft, only Ruby was able to hear it.
Blinking away her tears, Ruby sat up and saw Chomper open his eyes, breathing outward and inhaling again, showing signs of life. "Chomper?"
He gave her a toothy grin, lighting her up. "Didn't think a little water would hurt me, did you, Ruby?"
Throwing her arms around his neck, she kissed him several times on the muzzle. On the sideline, Cera stuck her tongue out. "Gross, can't you two do this later, preferable while I'm not here to watch."
"I think sweet, bout time you two confess feelings."
"Yup, yup, yup, good for you two."
They went over and nuzzled Chompe,r who slowly got to his feet. While the gang celebrated, Hyp ambled out, the Valley members watching and seeing what he'd do next. "What are you waiting for, kill him!" None moved, Hyp huffing with anger. "Why aren't you going after him?"
"Let's just go home, Hyp." Mutt said, staying back.
"Fine, I don't you, either you or Nod. The pair of you are idiots, useless!? I'll handle this monster myself since you're all too scared to." Going forward, Hyp stopped and gazed up at the towering Chomper. "Y-you don't scare me!"
"Good, I wasn't trying to frighten you, Hyp, never."
"Aren't you going to kill me, get revenge for what I did to you? I tried to have you killed, was going to take Ruby from you, don't you have a fierce bone in your body? Why, I don't care about the members of the Valley, so long as you were dead!" This made the members mutter and whisper, turning to leave. Seeing his back up was gone, Hyp shouted. "Wait, I didn't mean it, get back here, we still have to end him."
"Give it a rest Hyp, it's over." Little Foot said, shaking his head.
"No, I want blood!" Hyp went forward and intended to strike Ruby. "If I can't have her, neither will you!" She shuddered and went to take a step back, Hyp's hands inches from her.
Before Hyp could even touch her, Chomper's great tail swung toward him. Unable to get out of the way, it swept Hyp aside with ease, throwing him through the air. The blow sent him against a tree, where his body was distorted and fell in a heap, still and not moving again. Chomper huffed, hating to attack, but wasn't about to see anyone harm Ruby.
The Vallley members froze and saw him look to them, taking a cool breath. "I'm asking you kindly to get the cuss off my Island and head back to the Great Valley. Since I am the leader of the sharpteeth, I'll tell them to leave you all be. Even after you tried to kill me, I'll show mercy to all of you."
"Thank you." Mutt said, swallowing a few times.
"Yeah, let's go everyone." Nod added, going into the forest.
The gang hung back, seeing the many leave, doing what was told of them. With a satisfied snort, Cera cracked her neck. "So, with that fool out of the way, what's say we head home."
"Yeah, but what about Ruby and Chomper, he still not allowed in Valley, right?" Petri asked.
"I'll be fine out here, Petri, don't worry." Chomper assured.
"Well, Ruby can return with us, she can, she can."
"Exactly, so, ready to go Ruby?" Little Foot asked, thinking she'd join them, only for her to pause in mid step. "Ruby, what's wrong? Chomper is safe now, we can go, while the land path is visible."
"Actually." She took Chomper's hand. "I think I'm going to stay. Where I belong is by his side, his side is where I shall stay."
"Well, we wish you the best of luck."
Chomper and Ruby gazed into each other's eyes, nuzzling noses and licking one another gently. After everything they'd been through, from their journey to the Valley, the adventures of their young. No matter the obstacles that got in their way, their differences in species, nothing could ever keep them apart, stop them from loving one another. They were filled with joy, unable to expression themselves with mere words, preparing to sing. Hand in hand, they stood close and didn't care what anyone thought, proud to be together again, vowing never to part from the other.
Chomper:
"Sing let your heart soar, sing forever!
Sad and so happy, feelings flow over,
Now our world is full of all kinds of colors,"
Ruby:
"Closing my eyes, I still can see the stars,
Shine in the sky,
Sing their harmony,"
Both:
"Flowers, they're blooming, oh it's beautiful,
Chomper:
"Sing!"
Ruby:
"Sing!
Both:
"Sing!
Sing this song, I won't stop now,
Sing it through, I love you,
The voice carries on."
They spun, focused only on one another. When they stopped, they went and hugged their friends, saying their goodbyes. It'd be a while before they'd meet up, for the gang intended to stay in the Valley. From the ledge, Ruby and Chomper saw the gang leave, waving to them and standing proudly by one another. It was hard to see their friends go, yet they belonged in the Valley, while the couple dwelled on the lush island. "Bye!" They called, hearing their friends say farewell back. On the far beach, the large group headed to the Great Valley, the land path disappearing as the Big Water level rose over the rocky path.
Alone, Ruby faced Chomper. "Alone at last."
"Yup, just you and I."
"There's something I've been wanting to try for a while."
"What's that."
"Lean over and I'll show you." Breavly, she stood on her tip toes and made the first move, leaning up to kiss Chomper, who bent down to return the tender gesture. Inch by inch, the space closed, muzzle and beak meet and lingered while the waves crashed against the land. It was an image out a romantic movie, the pair smooching while water flew up and around them. The waved settled and Ruby leaned back, seeing Chomper was beat red with pursed lips. Burrowing her beak to his maw, he smiled.
"I love you, Ruby." Chomper spoke, flushing slightly.
"I love you to, but why are you blushing?"
"Because I never thought we'd be together."
"You and me both." Ruby leaned against him, listening to the sound of his heartbeat, sighing with content. For no matter what, nothing would keep them apart. "You know, our story would make a good tale for a storyspeaker."
"It would, wouldn't it." Chomper agreed, chuckling slightly. "But what would it be called?"
"The Friendly Sharptooth and The Fastrunner Who Loved Him." Ruby answered.
Indeed, they'd see Little Foot and the gang again, but for now, the pair were content in being alone. On the Mysterious Island they spent their day, talking, singing, sharing the lush and secluded place, thinking none would bother them again. However, along the beach, Screech and Thud stood, waiting for the land path to appear. Thud held a serious expression, Screech clearing his throat to speak.
"So, how do you think he'll respond to a threat?"
"Don't know, we'll have to wait and see."
Screech gave a snort. "He's not like Red Claw, not rough and mean."
"True, but he has something worth protecting, worth living for."
"You mean that Fastrunner chick?"
"Yes, she's the thing that will turn him into a true killer."
Rolling his eyes, Screech shook his head. "I don't know Thud, I think you're putting to much faith in this Chomper fella."
"Believe me, I know what I'm talking about." Thud simply watched the Island, seeing the bright circle sing over the lush land. "He'll be able to handle the storm that's coming."
