Chapter Four: News from The Mysterious Beyond
After chasing the voice across the island and to the far side, Chomper sensed he wasn't alone and attacked, thinking it was someone who'd try to harm Ruby. Tuning, he took a single bound and knocked a pair of fast-bitters down. On their backs, Chomper glared and bared his teeth, showing he meant business to those below him. Feet planted firmly, he saw familiar faces, Screech and Thud, looking up at him.
"Screech, Thud?" Eyes wide with surprise, he backed off and let the pair stand. "What are you doing here?"
"What are we doing? What are you doing is the real question. Jeez, what's with the rude welcome, I thought you'd know our scent by now." Screech said, glaring at Chomper who loomed above them. "By the way, you ain't fooling no one with those fangs."
"Can't blame him, after all, we did try to kill him, and the food he hung around with." Thud pointed out, tenderly patting Screech to calm down.
"I don't understand, why are you on my Island?" Gazing from one to the other, Chomper was surprised to see them.
"What do you think boss, we're here to talk with you," Thud announced, brushing himself off.
Chomper arched a brow, looking from right to left, thinking there was a third member to their little team. When he didn't see or smell anyone else, he held a confused look and pointed a claw at himself. "Boss, you mean, me?"
"Wow, what a smart boy you are," Screech said in a condescending tone, clapping his hands together. His face changed to annoyance. "Do you see anyone else besides us here, dummy?" Screech gave Chomper a once over, looking displeased and unimpressed. "You think he's boss material, babe?"
"Come now, love, he can't be worse than Red Claw."
Chomper glanced from one to the other, wondering about the pair still being together once their leader died. After all, they were strong and would be welcomed among any pack, or so Chomper thought. "Not to be rude, I'm curious is all. Are you two, together?"
The pair shared a glance, nodding. "Yeah, Thud and I have been partners for quite some time, you got an issue with that?"
"No, nope, love is love. I mean, Ruby and I are mates-dating-friends. Yeah, good friends."
Rolling his eyes, Screech only huffed. "Feh, whatever. I care not what you and the food do."
"We don't do anything!" Panicked Chomper. "I mean, we keep it safe, are too different to do anything else."
"Not that we care, it's your personal and private business." Thud was a bit more diplomatic, continuing. "Look, boss, we have bad news."
"You could just say news, babe, it's always bad."
"Right, well, there's some sharptooth who wants to take the alpha position from you," Thud said, seeing Chomper was worried.
"Well, he can have it, I'll just turn it over to him."
"Turn it over? This isn't a bone you toss around, stupid, this is the alpha position we're talking about. The highest and most esteemed title one could have. And yet here you are, acting as though it means nothing." Spitting, Screech shook his head. "Disgraceful."
"What he means is, that no one can just give it over. There are rules that all abide by, and rely on. Such as, if you are challenged, you can turn it down or fight. Should you agree to battle, if you lose, the challenger gets your title. Only after you are killed that is." Thud side, seeing Chomper's eyes growing wide with fear. "But don't worry, they can't attack you if you decline, nor can two battle you at once. It has to be a one-on-one, a fair fight."
"Okay, so what's the bad news?"
"This one has gathered quite a group to form a pack to take you down. Word is, this one, plans to challenge you, not taking no for an answer."
"But I didn't kill Red Claw, he walked into my claws, it was an honest mistake. I didn't even know I was challenging him."
"Do you think this one gives a fart about that, stupid?" Screech burst out, not holding back. "They'll come here, threaten to kill that fastrunner, force you to fight, and take you down. What part of this are you not understanding?"
"Ruby, they wouldn't?" Pacing, Chomper tapped his claws nervously. "Oh, what am I to do, I don't know the first thing about fighting a regular sharptooth, how will I protect Ruby?"
"You'll have to find a way," Thud spoke, trying to build up Chomper's confidence. "And you will."
"I'm not cut out for this. My chest hurts, it's getting hard to breath." Rubbing his chest, Chomper took a few steady breaths. Yes, he fought the swimming sharptooth that day and won, but that was because his flight or fight instincts kicked in. Not to mention Ruby was in danger, thus his second-guessing wasn't at the forefront of his thoughts. "I'm in way over my head."
"Hey, bring that big head of yours down here," Screech said, gesturing for Chomper to come closer. When Chomper was level with Screech, a hand slapped him across the maw.
Drawing back, Chomper rubbed the area. "Ouch, what was that for?"
"Because you're being stupid."
"Okay, enough Screech, he's not something you can torment, he's, our leader." Thud was a bit more willing to follow Chomper, after all, Chomper showed him mercy and kindness, and even saved his own life back in the day.
It'd been several years ago when they were both younger. After chasing the kids, an earthshake separated Thud from Screech and Red Claw, trapping him on a piece of land with the Little Bitter and some annoying duckbill. Throughout their time together, Thud teased Chomper about his size and that his friends wouldn't come back for him, and would abandon him. When his friends returned and helped him, Thud knew he'd been shown up and accepted he'd remain stuck, his tail pinned under many rocks. Yet, Chomper helped him, and showed Thud kindness, regardless of all else, choosing his morals instead of pride. Dignity, that several others relied on, himself included. Thud never forgot that day, even letting the gang slip right under their noses. When Red Claw found out later, it was Screech who begged Red Claw to spare Thud's life, and allow him to live. That was when the two became official mates, Thud owing that to Chomper too. But that was all in the past, in the present, they needed to focus on the war that brewed.
"Chomper, I know fighting isn't something you want to do. You may have little choice, have to battle for your turf, your life, and that fastrunner. I'm not sure how else to say this, but we need you to win this war."
Knowing Ruby was in danger, Chomper found a bit of courage. "Okay, can you give me some pointers?"
"Why not."
"Not that it'll do him much good." Screech chimed in.
"Till then, get some rest, you'll need it." Thud gestured for Chomper to return to his sleeping spot, burrowing among some brush to get Screech to follow him. Screech cuddled by him; Thud glancing in Chomper's direction. "Night boss."
"Sleep well, you two," Chomper said with an innocent smile.
When Screech knew Chomper couldn't hear, he turned to Thud. "Why didn't you tell him about Red Claw's predecessor?"
"Because the less he knows about that one, the better. You remember why Red Claw banished them to the wasteland?"
"How can I forget."
"As far as the boss knows, it could be anyone."
Unaware of the conversation behind him, Chomper left the two and went back to sleep by Ruby, moving slowly to squat and lay down fully. Once by her, he shut his eyes and held her close, feeling his entire world was in his arms. When the bright circle rose, Ruby was the first to wake, blinking her long lashes a few times. Seeing Chomper still sound asleep, Ruby arose and smiled, nuzzling closer to feel his warmth. It was blissful, being by his side, enjoying their time together. Perhaps it was because she almost lost him, but she never wanted to be apart from him again and would do anything to keep him safe.
Ruby:
"Laying here with you listen to the sky-water,
Smiling just to see, the smile upon your face,
And these are the moments I thank the stars that I'm alive,
These are the moments, I'll remember all my life,
I found all I've waited for,
And I could not ask for more,
Looking in your eyes, seeing all I need,
Everything you are is everything to me,
And these are the moments I know heaven must exist,
And these are the moments,
I know all I need is this,
I have all I've waited for,
And I could not ask for more,
I could not ask for more than this time together,
Could not ask for more than this time with you,
Every prey has been answered,
Every dream has come true,
Yeah, right here in this moment,
Is right where I'm meant to be,
Oh, here with you, here with me, oh, yeah,
And these are the moments, I thank the stars I'm alive,
And these are the moments, I'll remember all my life,
I've got all I've waited for,
And I could not ask for more,
I could not ask for more than this time together,
Could not ask for more than this time with you,
Every prey has been answered, every dream has come true,
Yeah, right here in this moment is right where I'm meant to be,
Oh, here with you, here with me,
I could not ask for more than the love you gave me,
'Cause it's all I've waited for,
And I could not ask for more,
Yeah, yeah,
And I could not ask for more."
She admired him, even in sleep he was peaceful, with not a single bad bone in his body. It was his pureness, an innocent he kept into his adulthood that she found interesting, wondering how he kept his morals. After all, he was a sharptooth, yet he acted far from those she'd met, and seen. Which begged the question, why was he so gentle? What made him one of a kind? Whatever the case, she was his, and he was hers. Planting a small kiss on his face, she saw him stir, blinking and meeting her gaze.
He gave a small laugh, Ruby arching her brow. "What's so funny?"
"Sometimes it's hard to believe we're together. I often fear I'll wake and find this was merely a sleep story."
"Same, for it's a fantasy come true, a happily ever after I've longed to know." Nose nuzzling his face, she felt his tail wrap around her. "I'm glad we're safe."
"Ruby, I have a question for you."
"What kind of question?"
"You're really smart, taught me so much. Perhaps, I could teach you something."
"All right." Ruby was intrigued, wondering what he wished to show her. Whatever it was, she'd be willing to learn and accept the challenge. It was funny how things turned around since they reunited, Chomper becoming her protector, and now he was going to teach her something new. She used to be the one looking out for him, defending and educating him. Yet here she was, about to learn something, being the student rather than the teacher. It brought a smile to her face, leaning up to kiss his chin.