CHAPTER EIGHT


The Great Circle begins to rise. Phyco kicks Chomper and Tiny.

Phyco says to Chomper Since you're new I must tell you, don't get mad, that was only your alarm clock. I did you a favor, he doesn't take kindly to sleeping in.

At this point our job is to join in waking the others. I think he really wanted to make sure he has the first turn, no one else is up yet. said Tiny to Chomper.

First turn at what? Chomper asks her.

Tiny kicks a sleeping Two Claw. The Two Claw cried I'm up! I'm up!

Tiny said to Chomper You're new to pack life, aren't you. Around here, we like to play a game, it's called make sure no one sleeps in or no one has breakfast.

I personally wouldn't mind. I expect what, er, regular Sharpteeth would eat is Flatteeth, Flatteeth, and more Flatteeth. But, on the other hand, if I don't eat Flatteeth, I suppose I shall look foolish. Indeed, Shredder might guess that I had been lying to him earlier. If he finds out that I don't hunt Flatteeth, that might lead to awkward questions that will lead to me being caught. So, what to do? What to do? Chomper whispered to Tiny.

While he waits for everyone else to get ready, Phyco keeps to himself, practicing the presentation of his idea how to invade the Great Valley, should he have a chance to share his thoughts. He draws in the dirt mumbling to him self to prepare for when he actually does his part. Occasionally he looks around to see if it's time to start yet impatiently.

Are you serious? you have no idea how being a sharptooth works do you? Weather or not something is edible is not determined by what is in their mouth, but by what is wrapped around their bones. Mabye we will get lucky and end up with something other then your oh so more deserving to live Flatteeth. Tiny whispered to Chomper, rolling her eyes.

First off, yes I'm serious. You think Flatteeth are just stupid non-talkng tasty and crunchy things. In actuality, they can talk. And I can hear them. All you hear is said Chomper, now switching to Flattooth "Chattering and grunting", but what I hear is actual talking. Would you like to hear 'Oh don't kill my daughter. Please. Pleaes!' and 'But I have a wife and kids! Have mercy!' and things like that? Unless you have no heart and have sold your soul to the Night Circle, it'll drive you nuts. I only hunt Sharpteeth who attacked Flattteth (or, in one case, a shorty sharptooth), not just any regular Sharptooth. And I only hunt Egg Stealers who steal eggs from the Great Valley, or try to, anyway. And yes, I have let a couple go once due to feeling sorry for them.

Secondly, since I know Flattooth, I could speak it and lure Flatteeth into all sorts of traps if I wanted to. And, since I've lived with Flatteeth for many cold times, I happen to know both their strengths and their weaknesses. I learned quickly what it takes regular Sharpteeth many cold times to learn.

Thirdly, I cannot say that there cannot be a case where I wouldn't hunt a Flattooth who deserved it, but since they were nice to me, I have a soft spot for them. If I truly hunt them, it's going to be for some wrong other than the wrong of walking near me when I haven't eaten yet that day.

Fourthly, I can corner a Flattooth. I twice cornered and could have killed the very Flatteeth that Shredder couldn't kill.

Chomper said to her.

If you make everyone miss breakfast, they might not want to be your friend. Tiny said to him.

My apologies if I come off as a bit grouchy, it shouldn't be long until I lay my latest clutch of non hatching eggs. Useless, horrible things no one would ever want to keep a hold of. I tend to get a bit stressed before that happens. But don't worry, I will just burry them so no one steps in them. Tiny added.

Tiny, if you must know, being friendly with Flatteeth has come at a heavy cost. Truthfully, ohter than my parents, of course, You are my first Sharptooth friend. he told her.

As for non-hatching eggs, I recall that a few times, when I was younger, Mom left them around and I, being the curious kid that I was, ate some of them. They didn't taste very good. Chomper told her, smiling.

Now, I have a plan to beat Shredder. We can't do it on our own, we need to find more who will be willing to join us. And you know what? I'm scared. One wrong move and we are dead, but since I am already in this mess, and you have a motivation, we can't give up. If we can get enough of Shredders army to help us instead we might stand a chance standing up to him. Tiny told him.

What is your plan? I admit, the only thing that comes to my mind is how, from what Mom and Dad told me, is that, in a pack, technically the leader is the one who is the strongest or the best. Technically, I could point out that I twice cornered the very Flatteeth that Shredder couldn't kill. As I did it as a kid, that would make me more impressive.

I don't know too much about living in a pack. Technically, Mom and Dad were in one once. They left it for a tiny bit to hatch me near the Great Valley. My friendliness toward Flatteeth caused my parents to be kicked out permanently, so we lived alone. But my parents still love me. Chomper said.

By the way, what about your parents tiny? Did you have a happy childhood? he asked her.

Strange, why isn't Shredder hear to begin the battle plan meeting yet? She looks around and notices someone is still asleep...

Should we wake him before you know who notices, or are you sure you would like to skip breakfast?

Before Chomper can reply, however, Phyco kicks the last sleeping Sharpteeth. Get up tushhead! We're NOT missing breakfast like we did yesterday! The last Sharptooth gets up. At that momenet, Shredder arrives.

Good, everyone is awake. Good, now we will hunt some Flatteeth. I say we practice on a small herd. That WiLL be our battle prep. Normally, we take down Flatteeth here and there, but if we are going to attack the Great Valley, we are going to have to pratcie on bigger and bigger herds. Shredder says to them. Now, let's get going, we're burning daylight.

Chomper looks helplessly at Tiny as the group leaves.