CHAPTER FOURTEEN


The two Egg Stealers, meanwhile, arrive at their third attempt to find somewhere safe. They have found a secluded beach. Here there are few ways to the beach: a creek with fresh water seeping in, and a lovely view as the great circle begins to rise.

"Maybe now we can finally be alone. After all, I blocked off the entrances with sticks we can move to get in and out, only a swimmer can get in hear and we are way faster then the ones that walk on land. But there is only one thing that I care about before I decide. Do you like it here?" asks the male Egg Stealer.

"I love it. Best place you picked so far." said his wife, kissing him.

A mosquito lands on the male's shoulder and begins sucking blood from him, but he doesn't notice.

"I don't know what your doing dear, but that feels kinda good." says the male Egg Stealer.

The mosquito finishes then flies away.

"Why did you stop?" he asks his wife. She stares at him in confusion. He noticed the mosquito and frowns.

The mosquito manages to fly off before his mate can react and squash it, then flies far far far away, then comes to rest on a tree. The mosquito then struggles as it gets stuck in the sap.

"This seems like a great place to have our eggs." said the female.

"Eggs?" asked the male.

"Yes, I'm pregnant." said the female.

"That's, er, wonderful." said the male, smiling.

Meanwhile, in the Great Valley, Tucompso spots a Tickle Fuzzy drinking from a puddle. He approaches it silently, getting quite close as it is enjoying a nice cold skywater beverage. Suddenly, its ears perk. He stops a moment as the creature sniffs, then it continues to drink. Tucompso comes even closer, then, he sneezes. The tickle fuzzy runs as Tucompso gives chase. The two rush through the fields. Tucompso is much faster so the tickle fuzzy tries running in a zig zag pattern, allowing him to hold his own for some time, but at last, the shorty sharptooth catches him with a gentle bite to the neck, but rather then biting down hard enough to do even a slight bit of harm he just holds on, then pins the tickle fuzzy down and begins to lick him.

The tickle fuzzy speaks in sharptooth having for some time listened in on the conversation of all kinds of creatures.

Please don't eat me, I don't want to die, I don't want to die. shouts the tickle fuzzy.

Tucompso replied You taste great, but sadly I already had breakfast, I was just hunting you for sport.

You're going to kill me for sport?! the Tickle Fuzzy shouts in anger.

You kidding? You're an innocent life form. I'm just keeping my skills sharp and getting exercise. Any entertainment I can find is good. But stick around, I might get hungry later. says Tucompso.

Oh ok. So can you let me go? the Tickle Fuzzy asks.

Sure. Tucompso replies.

Nice to meet you, the name is Chester. Say can I ask you something? says the Tickle Fuzzy.

Sure. Tucompso replies.

Why do the dinosaurs call us tickle fuzzies? I never exactly felt it a dignifying name. Why not call us... uh... I got nothing. said the Tickle Fuzzy.

I'll just call you by your name. So, you're only trying to make friends with me so I don't decide to eat you later, is that what this is? asks Tucompso.

Yes. Chester answers truthfully.

Go home. says Tucompso.

Ok. says Chester, before running off.

The next morning, Chomper awakes. Tiny still has him in an embrace. His stomach growls. Ok, time to get some food for the wife and I. he thinks. He sniffs the air, hoping to find something to eat. He smells a group of Egg Stealers. He gently pulls free of his wife's embrace and heads outside. A gentle breeze blows by him. He sniffs the air again, hoping to find the scent of the Egg Stealers. After a bit of sniffing, he locks onto their scent. He follows the trail and finds that they are headed toward Rusty's nest. Rusty and his wife have had a batch of eggs lately. The Egg Stealers grab the eggs and head away with their loot.

Tiny, meanwhile, awakens. She notices that Chomper is not with her. Where could he be? Perhaps he is out relieving himself. she says. She, however, hears a snarling sound nearby. She goes outside to investigate and sees Chomper in hot pursuit of the Egg Stealers. She joins him and eventually the two corner the Egg Stealers. The eggs, meanwhile, are safe, having been dropped, though thankfully not broken or damaged, by the Egg Stealers. The eggs thankfully have landed in a pile of leaves.

"Well, well. Your little plan to steal our pack's eggs didn't work so well. It looks like you got more than you bargained for. Do you have any last words?" Chomper asks them, sharpening his left claw on a rock. His red eyes stare at the Egg Stealers hungrily. His stomach again growls.

"The thing can talk!" gasps the leader of the group.

"Yep. Sure can." said Chomper.

Chomper, I thought you considered Egg Stealers junk food. Tiny says to him.

I normally do. But I don't like it when they steal our eggs. They can eat green you know. Chomper says to her.

Tiny sniffs one of the Egg Stealers, who whimpers in fright. "Come on Sharptooth, don't play with your food. If you are going to eat us, do it already!" grumbles the Egg Stealer.

Rusty and his wife awake and soon follow the scent of the Egg Stealers to where Chomper and Tiiny are. Ah, Chomper, glad you saved our eggs. You and Tiny have fun last night? he asks. Chomper nods. Yes, I remember the first time I mated. he says, smiling.

So do I. You kept me up half the night. says Rusty's wife. Chomper and Tiny laugh. I'd like to thank you two for saving our eggs. she says to Chomper and his mate.

It's what friends do. Besides, I was hungry anyway. Chomper says to them.

Enjoy the Egg Stealers and bacon. says Rusty, leaving with his wife, the two carrying the eggs back to their nest.

Tiny licks her lips and stares hungrily at the Egg Stealers, who cower in fright. I would like Egg Stealers and bacon. says Tiny to Chomper.

Coming right up dear. Chomper replies to her. "Ok, you Egg Stealers. You know what we're going to do. I am going to do this civilized, so I need you to line up against that rock wall there." he says, pointing at a nearby rock wall. "I'd then like you to turn around. That way, you won't have to see this." says Chomper. The Egg Stealers, knowing they are going to die and grateful at least that Chomper isn't starting to chew on them while they are still alive, comply.

Chomper gives a nod to Tiny. The two leap, their kills claws extended. As they strike the Egg Stealers, they are hit with a shower of blood. Soon, all the Egg Stealers are dead.

So, Tiny dear, what part of Egg Stealers do you like best. I'm fond of the arms myself. says Chomper, tearing off an arm of a dead Egg Stealer and beginning to gnaw on it.

I like the legs. Egg Stealer legs are good. says Tiny, ripping off a leg of a dead Egg Stealer and gnawing on it.

When they have one Egg Stealer left, the two try to eat it at the same time and end up kissing like in Lady and the Tramp. The two laugh.

So, Chomper, why do you consider Egg Stealers junk food? Tiny asks him.

A couple of reasons. One, they are pretty fattening. Second, well, they do weird things to my insides. Chomper replies.

Like what? Tiny asks.

PHHHHHHHHHHHHBTTTTTTTTT! Chomper breaks wind. Like that. he replies. Tiny gags.

At that moment, Shredder arrives. Rusty saw an agent of the Great Valley two days ago. It was a Glider. He was headed back toward the Great Valley. I think they know our position. Thus, to make sure they don't attack in the night, I'm going to move us somewhere else. he says. He sniffs the air. Sweet liver of Longnecks! What is that smell? he grimaces.

Egg Stealers don't agree with me. says Chomper, turning red with embarassment.

The pack leaves the area. At night, Bron and Shorty arrive with a few other Longnecks. "Where are those bastards Chomper and Shredder?" Bron shouts.

"No idea Bron. Looks like the pack left." said Shorty.

"I want Chomper and Shredder dead. I've been done wrong by Sharpteeth for the last time." Bron says angrily.

Meanwhile, the pack arrives in the night near the Big Water, close to the Mysterious Island where Chomper once lived many years earlier. His parents live two hours away. The pack rests.

Chomper goes to Shredder Er, sir, if it would be ok, I'd like to take Tiny to see my folks. They live only a short distance from here. They haven't met their new daughter-in-law yet. Chomper asks him.

Fine. But be back before two hours after the Bright Circle rises. Shredder says. Chomper nods.