CHAPTER TWENTY-THREE
Meanwhile, a large amount of spiketails have already fell prey to the group under the command of Shredder. The pack stop to eat what they have gotten, figuring it is plenty, deciding to let the rest go without even consulting Shredder's opinion.
Shredder, meanwhile, continued to pursue the two Spiketail children. They go through a crevice just big enough to fit them. It is a crevice though, that leads to a tunnel that has as its only exit, the same route that they had entered by. Shredder comes to the crevice. Unable to fit through himself, he unleashes his might againt the rock blocking the way. The rock shakes. BOOM! BOOM! BOOM!
"I'm scared." said the girl Spiketail to the girl Spiketail.
"Me too." replied the boy Spiketail. The two huddled together, shaking. BOOM! BOOM! BOOM! Shredder continues to attack the rock, trying to get at them.
One of the Two Claws watches in confusion, thinking We have plenty of meat, we are tired, we have pregnant in our clan, why does he continue to peruse children who could grow up to be even more food later?
Rusty came up to Shredder. What are you doing? We got a lot of the Spiketail herd. Chomper defeated the leaders of the Swimmer herd and the rest took off. Why are you pursuing two children? Don't we have enough already? he asked.
An aquamarine colored Two Claw replies I agree, our success is glorious, but any more glory on the hunt and it turns into the shame of poaching. We sent the Domeheads a message that we are higher then them on the food chain, we got enough food for it to spoil before we finish, our legs ache from all this moving around and my feet have bleeding blisters from too much treading, we need to rest and wait for tomorrow. Please, just let us rest.
No, I want to get these two kids! I won't let kids get away from me. Not AGAIN! Shredder snaps angrily.
The aquamarine colored Two Claw backs away slowly. Shredder breaks through the rock. The children cower. The boy tries to shield the girl. Shredder smirks. Rusty moves forward. Shredder, stop! he shouts.
The kids cuddle close to each other to try to make each other feel safe. They cover their eyes and ears to try to cover out the danger that is coming. Both are laying in yellow puddles, too scared to move.
Shredder moves to strike down the kids. Shredder no! Rusty yells. He knocks Shredder over. The two kids use the opportunity to get away.
Nine members of the group begin to fall asleep believing the hunt to finally be over.
How dare you defy me! Shredder snapped at Rusty.
An Aquamarine colored Two Claw remarked Just let it go, he was just trying to get you to come to your senses. Maybe it's all this work in the summer heat going to your head. Just relax, have some cold river water, in time you will come to your senses and realize you went too far today.
Shredder slashed Rusty across the face and pushed him down. Never...defy...me...again! he thundered. Come, get ready. We leave in three hours to go head to the Big Water. There, we attack a herd of Threehorns! Shredder commanded the rest of the pack.
The Aquamarine colored Two Claw whines The Big Water? As in the thing that can suddenly splash me knocking me in and carrying me so far from shore I will never see land again, that Big Water?
Chomper, Tiny, Rusty and his wife, and Phyco reach the Big Water at nightfall. All of them now are in the plot against Shredder. Rusty's wife joined after hearing of Shredder's attack on her mate.
Ok, we attack the Threehorns when the Night Circle is highest in the sky (midnight). Shredder informed them.
Can't we get some rest? the aquamarine colored Two Claw pleaded?
No. Shredder informed them. The group groaned.
Threehorns. I HATE Threehorns. Phyco told Chomper, Rusty, Rusty's wife, and Tiny.
The aquamarine colored Two Claw looks at the great big water shivering in pathetic fright.
Ok Big Water, you and I are going to get along great, right? Will we get along?
A wave washes through her feet.
Oh no it's eating me!
The water washes back harmlessly after dropping off a large squid. The Aquamarine colored Two Claw eats it.
You're not so bad after all big water, perhaps we can be friends.
The Big Water laps gently across her feet.
"Tiny, how are you feeling?" Chomper asks her. She has learned a lot of Leaf Eater and can now speak it fluently enough.
"Tired. And also sick." she replies.
"Sick?" he asks. "That is not good. Anything I can do to make you feel better?"
"Well, once I lay these eggs, I should be better." she replies.
"Eggs?" he asks her.
"I think within the next twenty four hours dear." she replies.
"Oh my." Chomper gasps.
The Big Water again brushes against the aquamarine colored Two Claw's feet. She, beginning to lose her fear, steps out into it. Now about waist deep in water, she finds that, at first, it's cold, then as her body adjusts, it becomes warm. She spots a large swimming sharptooth heading toward her.
Chomper notices it too, and heads into the water. He grabs the aquamarine colored Sharptooth and pulls her away. The Swimming Sharptooth tries to attack Chomper. He punches it in the face and it falls over. It moves toward Chomper again, but suddenly water hits it in the face. The Swimming Sharptooth turns in shock.
Hello Ugly. said a voice in Marine. It is Mo.
Hey, you stinking little Rainbow Swimmer! grumbled the Swimming Sharptooth angrily.
Come get Mo! taunted Mo. The Swimming Sharptooth chases Mo around and around. You have to do better than that to beat Mo. Ha ha ha. Mo keeps taunting.
Finally, the Swimming Sharptooth nears Mo. They are near some rocks a bit out to sea. So long punk! laughs the Swimming Sharptooth. He lunges at Mo, but misses and conks his head on a rock.
Ouch! the Swimming Sharptooth moans. He decides that he's had enough and heads back out to sea. Mo comes to Chomper and spits water playfully at him. Chomper laughs.
"Hello Mud Brother Chomper!" says Mo.
"Hello Mo." Chomper replied.
"It can talk Leaf Eater too." Tiny gasped. Chomper nods.
"Hey Mo, this is my new wife Tiny." said Chomper.
"Mo think she very pretty." said Mo. Tiny blushes.
Thank you for helping me Chomper. said the aquamarine colored Sharptooth.
Anytime. said Chomper.
