CHAPTER NINE


Meanwhile, Bron arrives in the Great Valley. "So, Sharptooth is still alive? I'll be here waiting for him when he tries to come here. I've got a score to settle." Bron says. He swings his tail violently against a rock, shattering it into bits, demonstrating what he'd like to do to Shredder.

"Littlefoot, have you seen Chomper?" asked Guido.

"No, I haven't." Littlefoot replied.

"Chomper? I'm not so sure if having a Sharptooth in the Great Valley is a good idea. Especially with Sharptooth back." said Bron skeptically.

"Everything Sharptooth is, Chomper is the opposite." Littlefoot reassured his father.

"Dad, is the big mean Shredder going to eat us?" asked Pato, shaking.

"Over my dead body!' said Littlefoot to his son.

"Let's hope it doesn't come to that." said Ali.

"My friends and I will face him again. We beat him once, we can do it again. We even have Ruby and Chomper this time." said Littlefoot to his wife.

"Where is Chomper? He's been gone all night." asked Ali.

"No idea. I'm worried. You don't think he ran into some kind of trouble? A Sailback or something?" Cera said to Littlefoot.

"Chomper is pretty careful. Still, I'd like to find out where he is." said Littlefoot.

"Me go. Me can fly." offered Petrie.

"Thanks for the offer Petrie, but Shredder is hoping to KILL us. I won't send anyone he's after to go there and find Chomper." objected Littlefoot.

"I can go. I can fly too and that makes it harder to be spotted. Also, they aren't looking for me. Also, I know a tiny bit of Sharptooth that I can use if I run into a pinch." offered Guido.

"Thanks Guido. We owe you one." said Littlefoot. Guido flew out of the Great Valley.

Tucompso watches Guido fly away, and seeing he is gone decides to sneak over to his closest favorite crawler stashes.

Meanwhile, Tiny said to Chomper You wanted to know about my family and my childhood My story is very similar to Phyo's story, except far less dark, and I haven't actually been their to watch it happen. When I was a little girl my parents told me to stay where I was until they come back with food, and not to let any other predator see me. Problem is, they didn't come back. Eventually I got hungry enough to go out and try to find them. Turns out, they could not walk back because their legs where broken. By a herd of club tails. At least the maggots in their flesh kept me fed for a while.

Wait, your parents died? Killed by Flatteeth? I thought Flatteeth were nice. Chomper said, taken aback. He had never heard of Flatteeth killing a Sharptooth before. Now, my views on Flatteeth are conflicted. We shall see how I feel about hunting these Flatteeth the pack wants. said Chomper to Tiny. He felt angry. Flatteeth had done to Tiny's mother what Shredder had done to Littlefoot's mother. How did Flatteeth any right now to say they were better than Sharpteeth?

Did you ever catch the Club Tails? Chomper asked her. I must admit, though I have been rather frinedly to Flatteeth, my experience with them mostly consists of contact with them in the Great Valley and some Far Walkers that went there. I have NO idea how the rest of them are. I just assumed that they were like Littlefoot, Cera, Ducky, Petrie, Spike, and the Halftooth Ruby. Chomper said to her. I can say that, if Flatteeth DID kill my parents, I am positive that I'd break the No Hunting Flatteeth Policy. he said to her.

I can assure you though, that whatever Flatteeth you have encountered in the Mysterious Beyond, the Flatteeth in the Great Valley are of a better sort and are worth saving. he told her.

Uh, Chomper, it was self-defense, my parents wanted to get me food, and food did not want to be brought to me. I at least can cast a forgiving eye dismissing it as part of the circle of life. So just forget about it. Tiny told him.

Don't get me wrong, the past still hurts, but if I don't let it go I will no doubt end up like...

Would you hurry up! a pack member shouts to the two. You're too slow. It's like your reluctant to hunt or something.

I can see that I have changed your way of thinking some, Tiny. Earlier, you didn't care too much about Flatteeeth, yet now, you are even forgiving the ones that killed your parents. I still wonder, did you ever go looking for the Club Tails that did it? It took a lot of guts not to if you didn't. I must admit, I've grown more and more fond of you since I first met you. You don't mind that I'm a Friendly Sharptooth. I have always believed that the first one to like me despite me being a Frienldy Sharptooth would be The One. And so, if it's ok with you, I'd like to ask you to be my mate Tiny. I know this is probably unexpected. You've probably had lots of proposals before so if you say no, it won't hurt my feelings. I can, however, be certain that I'm in love and I'm NEVER felt thsi way before.

Our union cermony might give us some delay to Shredder's plan. The longer we delay him, the more time we have to think of something and the longer the Great Valley has to plan.

I hadn't told you earlier, but the Great Valley DOES know he's coming. They just don't know the size of this pack. Still, the more time they have to plan, the better.

Also, I might add he whispered softly into her ear If we are mates, then my parents wouldn't mind being grandparents and you can do something about those non-hatching eggs and perhaps get hatching ones.

I accept. said Tiny, smiling at him.

What's going on you two? snapped Phyco.

Tiny just agreed to be my mate. said Chomper.

Son of a tarpit! shouted Phyco angrily, for he wanted her to be his mate. He angrily kicks down trees and other items, sometimes causing stuff to hit other Two Claws and knock them over.

Oh dear. said Chomper and Tiny together.

Just back up slowly and hope he is disciplined for slowing the hunt, I don't want to see you get hurt. Tiny whispered to Chomper.

Truth be told I feel really bad about breaking his heart like this, after all I have known him the longest, and I am suddenly picking the new guy over him. But there are two very good reasons I would prefer you. The first being he has too much energy, if I mate with him I worry I would die of thirst before he runs out of stamina. Which would only mess him up physiologically more then he already is. Reason number two is because he is quite quite insane. I'd say this might cause someone to get very badly hurt one day but, I think it's a little too late. And now he is jealous. On the bright side I would imagine he can't do any worse to you then, oh I don't know, leave you next to a pile of sticks dip one in a gurgling pit then light you up? Tiny said to him nervously.

Meanwhile, nearby, an Egg Stealer begins to shift and wake up. He was too tired to get up sooner. He looks to see his loving mate who was just as tired still next to him, snuggled tightly too tightly for him to go anywhere. He smiles and rubs her back, trying to wake her gently so he can get up.

"Dear, scoot over a little." he asks her. She continues to sleep. "Come on." he pleads "I need to get up before I wet the bed." The female Egg Stealer still continues to sleep.

Chomper sniffs the air. I smell two Egg Stealers. he said.

Good, I haven't eaten since two nights ago. Tiny remarked.

The two Sharpteeth silently creep to right outside the home of the two Egg Stealers.

The male Egg Stealer whispered to his mate. "Just my luck, its like I called it. Quickly, in hear."

He leads the way into a crack in a great rock deep enough to be out of reach. His mate follows.

The male egg stealer whispers to his mate

"Stupid mean Sharptooth, first he says he won't be bothering us anymore and now hear he is invading our territory with a set of jaws for the both of us? What have we ever done to deserve this? All we ever wanted was to make each other happy. Not long ago you bring me breakfast in bet, then I reward you for being my lover, to which you replied you where hoping for children. Weal darling, time to test if this place is safe to raise a nest of our own. If we survive, when you are ready to lay your eggs we will know they can make it also."

Chomper recognizes the Egg Stealers. "Hey, I recognize you. We met earlier." said Chomper.

"Yes, and you promised to leave us alone." grumbled the female.

Hey Chomper, which one are you going to eat? I'll take the other one. asked Tiny.

Sorry Tiny, I, er, promised these two that I wouldn't hurt them. Chomper told her.

"I'll keep my word. You're safe. At least from us. However, I do have some rather important news for you. You happened to know about the dreaded Shredder, that many just call 'Sharptooth' as they are afraid to say his name. Well, he's nearby with a big pack. I think it would be wise for you to go somewhere else and hide." Chomper told them.

He and Tiny left. So much for Egg Stealers and bacon for breakfast. Tiny grumbled.

"You know, maby he isn't so bad after all. Now for yet another game of try to find somewhere safe so we can start a family." said the male Egg Stealer.

Chomper and Tiny were able to come to the others without drawing any attention. What herd are we attacking exactly? Chomper asked Shredder.

Phyco whispers to Tiny to avoid accidently cutting into the conversation with Chomper and Shredder.

"ou know, I been meaning to ask. Are you sure you will be happier off with chomper?

He asks reluctantly yet showing maturity no one has ever witnessed of him before.

I believe so. Chomper is very brave. And he's very kind. And he doesn't care about my size. Tiny whispered to him.

Very well, if it will make you happy. I'll get over it, some cold time from now. he whispers back before joining together with others in the pack to prepare for the hunt.

Meanwhile, in the Great Valley, Tucompso has spent a good 15 minuets chasing a small lizard, but rather then eating the thing, he just does a catch and release simply for the entertainment. Having gotten tired he decides to hop onto the back of a pink Fast Runner to curls up for a nap, thus achieving high speeds even in his sleep.

You silly thing Tucompso. I thnk it would be best if you were awake so that you can hold on as you might fall off if you don't hold on because you didn't hold on because you weren't awake. said Ruby.

This woke up Tucompso. Wait, you can speak Sharptooth! he gasped.

Yes, I can. Learned it as a kid. Ruby replied.

When one finds someone who can understand them it is best to stick around them. Anyway glad you don't mind me being up here, you're the first one I can actually ask. he said with a slight chuckle.

So, how did you meet Chomper? Surely a Halftooth like yourself would be afraid of a Two Claw. Tucompso asked Ruby.

Normally, I would be afraid of a Two Claw as Two Claws are usually mean and want to eat me, but since Chomper is nice and doesn't want to eat me, I am not afraid of him but am his friend. said Ruby. Chomper saved me from Red Claw. Red Claw was a really mean Sharptooth, not as bad as Shredder the evil Sharptooth of the East, but still he was pretty bad. He bullied all of us in the Mysterious Beyond. He attacked our herd and was carrying off Fast Runners. One day, Red Claw came for me. My parents tried to stop him, but they almost got killed themselves and ran off with my siblings, thinking it hopeless. But Chomper came and saw Red Claw about to eat me. He threw a nest of Stinging Buzzers at Red Claw. Red Claw was distracted and I was able to run. Red Claw tried to kill Chomper, but Chomper dodged him and got that horrible scar that he was famous for. Red Claw wanted to kill Chomper and so he went to the Great Valley. As I was thankful that he saved me and wanted to show that I was thankful, I helped take him to the Great Valley, thus showing that I was thankful. We stayed there for four cold times. Eventually, Chomper decided that Red Claw had to be stopped and so faced him. Cera, Ducky, Pettrie, Spike and I came with, as did Chomper. We would all have been killed but Littlefoot and Chomper tripped Red Claw and he fell off a cliff to his death. said Ruby.

Since Chomper is closer to you as he is your friend and I only known him a short time, did he happen to tell you when he would come back from infiltrating Shredder's army of mercenary scum, or is it possible he was found out and destroyed by now? Tucompso asked Ruby.

We sent Guido to go find that out? Ruby replied.

Meanwhile, Phyco whined to the pack. It's not fair! I wanted Tiny!

So much for getting over it. chuckled Tiny.

Phyco, what are you talking about? grumbled a brown Two Claw.

Tiny wants the new guy. The freak. Phyco grumbled.

Take that back! shouted Tiny.

Why should I? pouted Phyco.

Either you do it or I'll rip you a new cloaca! Tiny threatened.

Just rip my throat out and we will call it even. And what I said was it may take me many cold times to get over it. I may want you to be happy, but that doesn't change the fact that their will never be a happy ending for me.

Tell you what, I will apologies. For when the herd of three horns killed my parents, their triple horned faces stained in the blood of my parents. You have it lucky, you didn't have to watch them die. They then spotted me and turned to stamp out that tiny pathetic thing I call my life. I apologies that I did not let them give me more then this scar. He shows where a rib broke long ago.

"And when I then landed in the river, I apologize that it did not drowned me. Then years later, after having to live mostly by eating my own waste, and the worms that crawled in my body, I apologize that I did not receive worse then my permanent scrawniness. Then having set fire to the forest those three horns lived in, laughing as they burned alive, I apologize that you saved me from my own fire, when you should have left me to burn. And I apologize for thinking even one moment of my life, I would have just one moment of peace. So go ahead, rip me a new one, and I will apologize that you do not do worse. said Phyco.

He then tries to walk away, not even caring that Shredder would eat him alive if he went AWOL.

Phyco, where are you going? Chomper called after him. He and Tiny chase after him, hoping to stop him before he gets into trouble with Shredder. Or, at least, they want it to look that way to the pack.

Ok, I'm wondering, should we tell him what we are really up to? Chomper whispered to Tiny. I mean, I doubt he cares too much for Shredder if he's walking away like that. And I DO want him to have a happy ending. Perhaps I'm too sentimental from hanging around Flatteeth all the time, but I really feel for the guy. Chomper said to her.

That's so sweet of you Chomper. Tiny said to him.

Look, we need help to stop Shredder. I mean, he sometimes is a few Tree Stars short of a tree. Chomper told her. Shredder may not believe him if he rats us out.

Worth a try. said Tiny.

Chomper and Tiny come up to Phyco. Go away Cruncher, before I put your tush where you head is and your head where your tush is! snapped Phyco.

Actually, my name is Chomper. But that's ok. I don't mind that you got my name wrong. I can see you're down. I hope that you get a mate someday. And, the truth is, Tiny and I are hoping to have our union ceremony soon because, well, we might be dead in 13 risings and setting of the Bright Circle. The both of us are planning to stop Shredder. We know this is a crazy mission and, well, don't take this the wrong way, we need somone crazy like you to help. I was taken care of by Flatteeth as a child. They even gave me the name Chomper. The Flatteeth that took care of me are the ones that Shredder wants to kill. I can't let my Flattooth friends die and am going to try and stop him or die trying. The Flatteeth have saved my life in the past. I wouldn't be here if it weren't for them. And besides, risking your life is what friends do. And I can see that you don't have many friends Phyco, so we will be your friends. So, what do you say, are you in? Chomper asks him.