CHAPTER TWELVE
The pack began to eat the dead Clubtails. Chomper wouldn't eat any of the children. However, it occurred to him that he would stand out if he didn't eat any. And, they were dead already, though some by his claws. But he hadn't meant it. They had left him no choice. Was the Circle of Life turning against him, forcing him to be what he didn't want to be?
As it was, he ate the dead Clubtails. They did taste good. However, he didn't get any joy from this. Night fell, Chomper was alone in the cave behind the waterfall. Tears were streaming down his face.
"Can I go back?" he asked himself.
Chomper? It was Tiny.
Do you realize how I feel now? he asked her, still crying.
She came behind the waterfall to comfort him. Dear, I love you. I can see that you really care for me. I know you didn't want to hurt them, but you did to help me. said Tiny.
Guido is going to tell. He's the Glider that we saw. The Great Valley will know. They think I'm with Shredder. My friends will hate me now. he sobbed.
In the Great Valley, meanwhile, Tucompso hasn't left Rubies side. The comfort of having someone to talk to is just too wonderful to turn down.
Hey Ruby, I am going to tell you something that may make you think I am crazy. The Great Valley is, well, great, but I am actually starting to miss having something to try to not get eaten by. I know, that sounds unbelievable, but the safety of the great valley is a bit to safe. I have come to appreciate being able to sleep at night still alive after an epic struggle for life, and feel that I have earned it. That I have put in a hard effort to accomplish it, and that I earned it. You know what I mean? I know it sounds crazy but feeling safe all the time is a little bit boring. he said.
Why, Tucompso, you are certainly welcome to leave. It isn't like anybody is making you leave, but if you want to leave, nobody is stopping you from leaving either. she said.
Well, I... he said, but was cut off, for at that moment, Guido arrived.
"Hey Guido, any news on Chomper? Is it good or bad?" she asked him.
"Bad." he replied.
"Is he hurt? Dead?" she asked in concern.
"Worse than that I'm afraid." he replied.
"What could be worse than him being dead? I do not see how any news could be worse than him being dead as you cannot be worse than dead." said Ruby.
"He's joined Shredder." said Guido. Ruby fainted, her head hitting Tucompso.
A little help! cried Tucompso.
"Huh?" said Guido, hearing a voice nearby but not able to tell where it is coming from.
I could use some help! shouted Tucompso.
Oh, hello there. said Guido. He was able to move Ruby's head, freeing Tucompso.
Thanks. said the shorty sharptooth.
Tucompso takes a Tree Star and fills it with water, then splashes it on the fainted Ruby to wake her up.
Now, I never said I wanted to leave. What I want, is a employment. Perhaps their is something I can do to help the community like, scouting, searching, being a messenger to other herds, some kind of work that involves the best of both worlds, weeks in the Great Valley, days on the outskirts or something like that. I have potential, I can run faster then you, hide better then that guy, he points to a Hidden Runner who is eavesdropping , see better then anyone I ever met, and fit where no one else can. I figure, why not put my restless nature to use?
Ruby wakes up from the water. "Huh?" she says, looking around. I just had a really weird dream. I dreamed that Guido told me that Chomper was working for Shredder." She gets up.
"That wasn't a dream. I told you that a short while ago. He was hunting Clubtails." said Guido.
"Ohhhhh!" Ruby faints again, once more landng on Tucompso.
Not again! the shorty Sharptooth whines.
A short time later, Tucompso gets to some distance, about 250 feet from Ruby
Hey Guido, I bet you 15 crawlers she can't land on me this time. Go ahead, tell her again. he says.
"I had this really weird dream. I dreamed that Chomper joined Shredder and killed Clubtails." said Ruby, upon waking up.
"That wasn't a dream, that was for real." said Guido.
"NOOOOOOOOO!" yelled Ruby in the same way Topps had yelled in movie 11 when the Tree Sweets were all gone from the Tree Sweet tree. This loosens some rocks, which fall and conk Tucompso and knock him of.
Oh for the love of... the shorty sharptooth groans. Sometime later, Tucompso catches 15 dragon flies and hands them to Guido, grumbling under his breath.
Meanwhile, Chomper is still depressed. I don't know what I'm going to do now Tiny. he says.
Rest. Shredder is fine with you beng out here all alone. He credits you with the defeat of the herd. Tiny said.
Great, why don't I just go leap in a gurgly pit and end it? Chomper remarks saracastically.
Oh Chomper. Don't say that. says Tiny.
I suppose we are going to hunt more Flatteeth tomorrow. I now wonder. I did it once. I suppose it won't hurt as much the second time. he muses.
They are going hunting tomorrow, yes. Spiketails this time. she replied. Chomper groans. But we get the day off tomorrow. she adds.
Why? Chomper asks.
We are having our union ceremony tomorrow. According to the pack rules, we get the day off. said Tiny.
Wait, I'm getting married TOMORROW? he gasps. She nods. He faints, hitting the ground wiht a thud. Luckily, he lands in a small stream in the cave that goes behind the waterfall. He soon wakes up. He notices his reflection in the water, sees his fanged mouth, red eyes, clawed hands, and clawed feet. He punches his relfection, splashing water. I HATE that I'm a Sharptooth! he shouts angrily.
