Hey guys, I am sorry it has been so long. I wrote this small piece just to show I haven't forgotten about the story. I've been working this summer, so it's been harder to find time. But here is just some proof that I haven't ditched the story.

I know you all want to know what happens once Chomper's parents get in the valley, and it was going to be in this chapter, but I wanted to post a little something for you guys. All of this will be coming in the next chapter. Hope you enjoy this little piece!

Chapter 20 Working Together

Risa

Once they had rested, they just kept walking. Walking, walking, walking. Eventually, they began trying to cover the path they had left behind as they got closer to the Great Valley. Now Risa knew why no one bothered trying to get into the valley. They were so many thickets of trees, twists, rock hills, and rivers it wasn't even worth going for the hunt. She didn't sleep well, either. She was worried about Chomper; she didn't like the idea of him having to go before a Council of leaf eaters or riding a flyer in the Mysterious Beyond alone.

She felt someone nudge her nose and turned to lean her head on Saban.

"Are you as tired as I am?" he asked.

She managed an agonized purr. "Yes…."

"You see what a problem it's going to be going to hunt if we-"

"Don't start, Saban. Where's Chomper?"

Something above their heads must have gotten his attention, because he turned his head up to the sky and gestured with his nose. "On that."

Risa looked up to see Chomper waving, riding on a big reddish brown flyer. The kind that made a very nice snack.

When Saban licked his lips, she snarled. "Don't even think about it."

Saban mumbled an agonized grunt and stayed put. The reddish brown flyer landed quite a few yards away with a tight, cautious expression. Strange. She had never paid attention to a flyer's expression before….except one. And the look on Saban's face said he would have a lot to get used to as well.

The flyer gently lowered down so that Chomper could slide to the ground. As Ruby's father slowly approached and shook his hand, Risa took her son in her hands and nuzzled him. "Oh, Chomper. I've been so worried."

She sat Chomper on the end of his father's nose, and watched the flyer talk with Ruby's father. "What did they say, Chomper? Chomper?"

The only answer was a laugh. Saban was tossing Chomper up and down with the end of nose. As soon as he caught their son, he tossed him back into the air, leaving him no room to talk.

She could have watched them forever. She hadn't seen them having fun together since he left for the Great Valley. But time was limited, and Saban and Chomper could be stallers.

"Saban," she said.

No response. The two just went on as if they hadn't heard her.

"SABAN!" she yelled, checking to make sure she didn't frightened Ruby's father and the flyer.

Still no response. She stood up straight and caught Chomper on the end of her nose when Saban tossed him up again.

She had to wait until Chomper stopped laughing before she could ask what the residents of the valley had said.

She tried searching Chomper's amber eyes for doubt, and she found it under the slight glint of excitement. He might could hide it from his friends, but not from her. She winced slightly on reflex, allowing Saban the opportunity to snort in a way that said "I told you so."

"They said you could, but they wanted to meet you at the pass first," Chomper said uncertainly.

"What?" Saban roared.

Risa and Chomper were stunned. "What were you hoping for?" Risa sked.

Saban was panicking again. "I didn't think- I… You mean we have to wait outside of the Pass? And if we get in, what will we eat? And-"

"Not exactly." Chomper flashed a toothy grin. "Pterano is going to tell them where we are so they will be there when we get there."

"Pterano?" Saban asked.

"The flyer that brought me. He's Petrie's uncle," Chomper answered enthusiastically.

Any other time, Saban might have made fun of their names, but now he began stomping over with an intimidating expression. "I would like to ask him a few questions… hey!"

He didn't even get ten feet before Pterano startled and took to the air, choosing to perch in a tree far above their heads.

"Saban! He's watching our behavior and you scared him!" Risa scolded. This was even considered impolite among sharpteeth.

Saban looked back with a puzzled grunt that sounded like a question. Chomper called up to the flyer. "He didn't mean to scare you, Pterano. He only wanted to ask questions!"

Pterano looked like he doubted it under his polite answer. "Oh, uhrm… right. Well, I suppose I'm off. Head toward the Pass; I will tell them where you are."

He needed no more consent to take to the skies. Risa watched him go as Saban rumbled under his breath.

"Do they all speak that way?" he asked Chomper.

Chomper thought a moment and shook his head innocently. "Uhh… no. He's the only one I know so far who does."

"Good," Saban spat as he stomped ahead to let off steam.

Chomper noticed. "Daddy?"

"What, Chomper?" Saban sounded exasperated as ever.

"They said they will show you a way you can hunt if you stay…"

Saban hesitated a moment, then jerked his head away and kept walking,

Risa sighed, and continued forward with Chomper on the end of her nose. "So negative," she mumbled.

Saban confirmed it with a set grunt, and Chomper slept on the end of her nose as they kept going. She watched her mate carefully as she made her way through the trees. She had never seen him so panicked, or angry, in a very long time. It took a lot to upset Saban, and he wasn't one to grovel, either. but she just wanted them to be happy. They missed their son, and if they could only find a way to reside in the valley, they might not ever have to worry about Red Claw or any other outside threats ever again.

That stupid Saban… Who needs him? I can defend myself without his insults. I always have, and I always will.

Risa drug her feet on the ground, waiting for the dinosaur she planned to make her next meal to wander into just the right spot. She didn't feel like chasing, so she decided to stalk until just the right moment. Still venting, she leapt for the prey; instead of landing on her prey, she felt something ram into her side. Risa could tell by the weight alone that it was another sharptooth and instantly began fighting, allowing her prey to escape with her life. She hated clashes. On occasion, two sharpteeth had their eye on the same prey and leapt at the same time. It was mostly accidental, but she wasn't taking any chances.

She wasn't sure how long she and the other sharptooth fought before they both managed to get a good look at each other. As soon as they recognized each other, they stopped.

"Risa?!" Saban's eyes widened in shock when he recognized her, "I…."

Risa crinkled her nose and struggled. He was the last person she wanted to see right now. "Get off of me!"

Saban looked to his left, then looked back and forth uncertainly as he answered. "I…can't."

"What do you mean you can't?" Risa took her foot and pushed up against Saban's stomach. Saban lost balance and fell forward again.

"Risa? Saban?" Ramon and Aria were looking for them.

Risa turned her head and roared the cry for help in their direction. Saban looked in their direction, then did the same thing.

"What are you roaring about? GET OFF!" Risa roared.

Saban struggled for balance when she pushed with her foot again. "I can't. Look to your lef- RISA!"

Risa freed her tail, tripped the foot he was using for balance, and caused him to fall. They both froze when they heard a cracking sound. Risa looked to her left, and spotted the bottom of the cliff she and Saban was on the edge of. After a few paralyzing seconds, the edge of the cliff gave way, and she and Saban were both tumbling over the edge.

The impact of the landing was deafening, and sent waves of vibration throughout her body. Risa wasn't sure if her eyes ever completely closed. All she knew was blurred vision. She wasn't sure how long it was until she heard Ramon and Aria calling for them from somewhere far away.

Risa fought to raise her head. Everything hurt.

"Saban!" Ramon called. Where were their roars coming from?

"Risa!" Aria was sounding a little frantic. I need to answer…

Risa managed the roar that told others were they were, and rested her chin on something soft. Wait, soft?

She looked down to see that her chin was resting on Saban's back.

"Risa! Are you alright? Where's Saban?" She could just barely see Ramon's outline standing over the edge of the cliff.

Risa slowly stood and rolled her eyes when she saw Saban's head was buried under a pile of rubble. Slightly concerned that the rest of his body wasn't moving, she used her nose to move away some of the rubble.

Finally, she heard a faint response that made her roll her eyes. "That's why."

"He's fine!" she called, stepping on Saban's back as she talked to Aria and Ramon, "How do we get out?"

There were walls on both sides. Literally, the only way to go was right or left, and hope that it eventually lead to a way out.

Aria and Ramon seemed to be debating. Just as she was beginning to get restless, Ramon rumbled a response. "To the left. It should lead to a faster way out. We'll travel with you from up here!"

"But… That could take days! How will we…"

After several attempts of pulling and pulling, Saban finally freed his head from the rubble. After a brief shake, he looked around with a grim expression. At last, he made eye contact and, to her disbelief, managed a toothy grin.

"Looks like we're working together, huh?"

A few stones fell from the ledges at her roar of dismay.

Saban didn't talk much for the rest of the trip, but he did slip Chomper onto his nose to give her a break. At long last, Ruby's father announced that they were very near to Two Boulder Pass. Risa nodded and gently nudged Chomper awake. Saban just looked weary and dismayed.

"Wake up, son. We're here…" Risa managed to keep her rumbles calm despite her nervousness.

Chomper immediately brightened. "Already?!"

Saban spoke up for the first time. "Yes. And you have to promise to translate everything exactly as we say it."

Chomper nodded silently, and Saban slid him off of his nose.

Ruby's father smiled kindly at him when he walked up next to him. "Are you ready, Chomper?"

Chomper nodded, and they were off.

Saban huffed and moved slightly ahead of Risa. "At least somebody is," he growled.

Within a few moments, they were standing before the leaders of the Great Valley.