Chapter Nine: Return to The Great Valley
The next day, the little pack pressed on, spotting the rock that looked like a long neck. Through the Mountains that Burned, they walked carefully, not wanting to fall into the pools of lava or tar pits. Traveling through the night, they reached the wall of the Great Valley, the four gazing up to its mighty Peaks.
"Right, follow me, I know a way to get in."
Following Chomper, he stopped by what was once an opening before it'd been blocked off. Recognizing the place, Screech crossed his arms. "You better not expect us to move those rocks?"
"Nope wouldn't imagine it." Chomper took a deep breath, raising his arm and focusing on the boulders at hand.
There was a clattering sound, then the great rocks slowly moved, being lifted and allowing them to enter the opening. Walking in the cave, Chomper made sure all were in before resetting them down, keeping other sharpteeth out.
"Right, now, let's go." Pausing, Chomper looked at the pair. "Before we go any farther, I need you two to promise not to eat anyone."
"Not even the sick ones?"
"No, Screech, no one is to be killed."
"Fine." Screech groaned till Thud nudged him. They gave a nod. "We promise not to kill anyone."
With a satisfied nod, they went on. "Jeez, Ruby, do you think your folks will be surprised to see us?"
"Well, maybe. But the best surprises are always surprises."
Taking a few steps, they disappeared around a bend. Farther down the hall, in the Secret Caverns, Ruby's parents were having a nice meal. Munching on their pile of greens, Ruby's father looked down the dark passage.
"What's wrong, Rodney?" The female asked.
"Nothing Trudy, just that, I thought I heard voices."
"Must be your interminable age again, dear."
"Perhaps." Rodney went back to eating, till a shadow fell over them, pausing and seeing it belonged to a sharptooth. Gasping and turning, he saw a mighty sharptooth cast in shadow, fainting on the cave floor.
"Mr. Fastrunner!" called a familiar voice, the sharptooth coming closer.
Trudy held Rodney's head, fanning him while Ruby patted his hand. "Dad!"
Chomper tapped his claws with worry, Screech and Thud only shaking their heads. "I'm sorry for scaring him. Will he be, okay?"
"He'll be fine, Chomper dear, it's good to see you." Said Trudy, smiling at him. "My, look at how big you are. Ruby, you seem well?"
"Well, I am, I am well, mother," Ruby said, receiving a nuzzle from Trudy. "Sorry to frighten father so."
"Oh, you know your father, quite the dramatic one."
"He'll be okay, right?"
"If he's not okay, we'll be more than happy to take care of the body." Screech put in.
"Don't you worry Chomper, he'll be fine."
"Well, I'll let the others know we're here." Ruby rose and made her way out.
"Be careful, Ruby." Chomper watched with concern, yet knew it'd be best to stay hidden within the Caverns.
Leaving her parents with Chomper and the fast-bitters, Ruby walked along to find the gang. She found Littlefoot and Cera, the pair walking along. "Hello, my friends, my friends hello." Ruby went and hugged both, standing back.
"Ruby!" The exclaimed, surprised and happy to see her. Littlefoot glanced around, assuming she was alone. "Wow, you traveled all this way by yourself?"
"I'm not here alone, alone I am not, for Chomper is here too."
"How, all the openings to the Mysterious Beyond are sealed up." Cera put in. "Littlefoot and I made sure of that."
"I'll tell you later, for now, let's get the gang."
It wasn't too hard to locate the others, Ducky and Petrie were by a pound, Spike and Tippy lounging among the hills. They left for the Secret Caverns, all glad to hear of Chomper's return. Out of the shadows and into the light, Chomper emerged, out of the shadow and into the light for all to see. Eyes moist at the sight of his friends, being in the Great Valley once again, feeling like a child again. Though there was a big difference, for they were all grown up. Littlefoot was as tall as Bron, and Cera's horns had grown in the way Mr. Threehorn's did. Ducky grew into a fine adult swimmer, Petrie similar to Petranto, though he didn't stand tall but rather timidly. Spike and Tippy were large, their spikes along their backs came in fully.
"Chomper!" They called, all overjoyed to see Chomper, going to hug or nuzzle him. Course Ducky and Petrie hugged him, backing away to give him space. "We are so happy to see you, we are, we are."
Petrie nodded, wiping his eyes. "Yeah, me miss you so much."
"I've missed you all too."
"Glad to see you're in one piece, Chomper," Cera said with a snarky tone, looking him over with her stern face. "After all, no one can be as strong as a three-horn."
"Cera, you haven't changed too much," Chomper replied, finding it weird to look down on her.
"Guess you no call him little hatchling." Petrie put in, perching on Chomper's back. "You so big, Chomper, very tall."
"It seemed like the last time we met, we didn't get a chance to catch up, nope, nope, nope." Ducky was slightly shorter than Chomper, finding it hard to believe how big he was. "Boy, it's good to see you, yup, yup, yup."
"You're sure are a sight for sore eyes, buddy." Littlefoot towered above all, his long neck bending, allowing his head to nuzzle Chomper. "Look at how mature you are, Chomper, far from the egg we rescued and hatched. You were so small back then."
"Easy, dad, don't cry." Cera teased, nudging Chomper. "Still got those little arms though."
"Somethings never change." Spike licked Chomper's side, Tippy giving a welcoming nod. Chomper glanced from one to the other, speaking on. "Nice to see you too Spike, hope you keep using your sniffer."
"Don't worry, he does," Tippy said for his mate. "Spike owes it all to you, and hopes to one day be as talented as you are at tracking."
"Enough with the chit-chat, why are you really here?"
"To visit Cera, and catch up with all of you," Chomper answered quickly.
"We won't stay for too long, for Chomper will need food after a bit," Ruby said, looking back to see a set of fast-bitter exit the darkness.
"It's Screech and Thud!" Cried Littlefoot, backing up.
"Oh no, they try to kill us!" Petrie threw himself into Ducky, who quickly hid behind Cera, who of course, glared to the par down and stood her ground, pawing the earth with her front foot.
"Let me at them, let me at them." Before Cera could charge, Chomper stood in her path, and Cera had to slam on the brakes to avoid stabbing him. With a huff, she looked behind him. "Chomper, move, or be removed."
"They're with me now!" Chomper said, protecting the pair who didn't attack, remaining where they were.
"Why would Screech and Thud be with you?" Ducky asked. "Last I checked, they didn't like you, made fun of you, yes, yes, yes."
"They're with me because I killed Red Claw."
There was a pause, all gasping in surprise, till Cera started laughing. "You're full of it, Chomper, there's no way you beat the biggest and strongest sharptooth."
"It's true, I saw it with my very own eyes, witnessed it for myself." Ruby put in, everyone believing her.
"Wow, that's amazing Chomper, good for you." Littlefoot congratulated. "Though, I don't think they should be seen too far from the Caverns, don't want to stir anything trouble up."
"Don't worry, Littlefoot, they know not to hurt anyone," Chomper assured. "They vowed not to, and I'll look after them."
"Well, you must be hungry. Gang, let's go find Chomper and his friends some food." Littlefoot turned, leading the group away.
Chomper looked at the pair, who had questions. "What was that all about?" Thud wondered, seeing the flat teeth leave.
"They're a bit leery of you both, but they trust me enough."
"Not to be rude, but you wouldn't be able to stop us-" Before Screech could finish, he was lifted and let go, falling into the brush. "Never mind."
The gang split up, Ruby and the girls, along with Spike, went together, while the guys stuck with Chomper. Ruby's parents were watching Screech and Thud, the couples enjoying the hot pools and somehow communicating, gesturing, and understanding one another.
Petrie looked Chomper over, squinting for a moment before he spoke. "You seem different, have a glow about you, Chomper."
"Well, I'm happy that's all."
"I think what Petrie means is, you have a glow, the same as Ruby does." Littlefoot pointed out, smiling to himself.
"So?"
"So, what they mean is, you and Ruby must've found a way to become official," Tippy said, gaining a nod from the rest.
"Guys come on now, you can't look at someone and know they 'did it?"
"We can, can see it in you and Ruby, noticed it first time we saw you." Petrie put in.
"It was obvious, Chomper, sorry to tell you." Littlefoot said. "But hey, we're happy for you. After all, becoming official is a big deal. I remember Cera and my first time. I was so nervous, but after a few more times, we had fun."
"Oh sure, Ducky and me do it almost every day."
"Every day, wow, Petrie I didn't know you and Ducky were so active," Tippy said, taken aback by the blunt statement, Petrie showing no shame in it.
"Yup, yup, yup." All laughed, Chomper calming down and realizing he was among friends, the same friends who'd never judged him, never disliked him for being a sharptooth, or for loving a fastrunner.
Meanwhile, the girls were gathering foot for the three meat-eaters, Cera and Ducky sharing a knowing smile. Cera lifted a split and hollowed log, Ducky and Ruby filled it, and Spike dug up some ground crawlers. "So, how was it?" Cera asked at long last.
"How was what, Cera?" Ruby inquired, continuing her work.
"Oh, come on Ruby, how was your first time with Chomper?"
Flushed, Ruby turned to the three, who held half grins. "That is none of your business what Chomper and I do, your business should not involve Chomper and I."
"See, she admitted it, Ducky, you owe me a pile of tree stars."
"Darn it, I lost, I did, I did, I did."
"You sure did, so Ruby, how did you two even…I mean, Chomper is a bit bigger. Course Littlefoot and I-"
"Cera, please, I don't need to know the details of your intimate activities with Littlefoot."
"What do you think the guys are talking about?" Ducky added, crossing her arms over her chest. "Spike?" Spike gave a nod, assuming the others were probably curious about the pair's mature activities. "See, they're probably talking about the intimate details as we speak, yup, yup, yup."
"Yeah, so dish it out Ruby, I want to know."
"Honestly!"
Ruby knew there was no shutting them up, feeling put on the spot and pressured to speak, well, sing. Why, even Chomper found himself cornered by the guys, who wanted to know more. Swaying side to side, Chomper only sighed and rolled his eyes, breaking faster than Ruby, who held out longer. Though given they were apart, the pair spilled the beans.
Ruby:
"Summer lovin', had me a blast,"
Chomper:
"Summer lovin', happened so fast,"
Ruby:
"I met a guy crazy for me,"
Chomper:
"Met a girl cute as can be,"
Both:
"Summer days drifting away to oh-oh, those summer nights,"
Cera, Ducky, Petrie, Ducky:
"Oh, well, well, well, huh!
Ducky, Cera:
"Tell me more, tell me more,
Ducky:
"Did you get very far?"
Littlefoot, Petrie:
"Tell me more, tell me more,"
Petrie:
"Like does she have it all?"
Guys (Girls):
(Ah-hah) Do-dot (Ah-hah) Do-dot (Ah-hah) Do, doo, doo,
(Ah-hah) Do-dot (Ah-hah) Do-dot (Ah-hah) Do, doo, doo,
(Ah-hah) Do-dot (Ah-hah) Do-dot (Ah-hah) Do, doo, doo,
The girls and Spike surrounded Ruby, who stood on a pile of rocks, to be heard better. Moving side to side, the girls and Spike were happy to hear Ruby tell of her steamy summer on the Mysterious Island.
Ruby:
"He swam by me, he got a cramp,"
Chomper:
"She swam by me, she looked so beautiful,"
Ruby:
"I saved his life, he nearly drown,"
Chomper:
"She showed off splashing around,"
Both:
"Summer sun, something begun,
But oh-oh, those summer nights,"
Cera, Ducky, Petrie, Ducky:
"Oh, well, well, well, huh!
Littlefoot, Petrie:
"Tell me more, tell me more,"
Littlefoot:
"Was it love at first sight?"
Cera, Ducky:
"Tell me more, tell me more,
Cera:
"Did he put up a fight?"
As the girls and Spike got their kicks from Ruby's version of events, Chomper's point of view was tamer in comparison, rather innocent and adorable. Still, they guys were eager to hear what happened after they left the pair alone on the island of seclusion.
Ruby:
"I built a nest for more than sleeping,"
Chomper:
"We went strolling, and held hands,
Ruby:
"We made out under the stars,"
Chomper:
"We stayed up, very late,"
Both(Guys and Girls):
"Summer fling don't mean a thing,
but oh, oh, those summer night,
(Whoa, whoa, whoa!)
Littlefoot, Petrie:
"Tell me more, tell me more,
Petrie:
"But you no have to brag,"
Ducky, Cera:
"Tell me more, tell me more,
Cera:
"Cause he sounds like a drag,"
Guys, girls:
"Shoo di bop, bop,
Shoo di bop, bop,
Shoo di bop, bop,
Shoo di bop, bop,
Shoo di bop, bop,
Shoo di bop, bop, yeah!"
Chomper:
"She got friendly holding my hand,"
Ruby:
"Well he got friendly down in the sand,"
Chomper:
"She was sweet as can be,"
Ruby:
"And he was good, you know what I mean,"
Both (Gang):
"Summer heat, boy and girl meet,
But oh, oh, those summer night,
(Whoa, whoa, whoa!)
Petrie, Littlefoot:
"Tell me more, tell me more,"
Petrie:
"How was she at kissing?"
Cera, Ducky:
"Tell me more, tell me more,"
Ducky:
"Could he get me a friend?"
Chomper:
"The island burned down, that's where it ends,"
Ruby:
"I still love him, till the end,"
Chomper:
"Then we made our true love vow,"
Ruby:
"Wonder what, he's doing now,"
Both:
"Summer dreams ripped at the seams,
But oh, those summer nights.
(Tell me more, tell me more)"
Once they were done, the girls and Spike returned to the Caverns with food. Screech and Thud left the darkness to feast, Chomper hanging back for a moment. "Thank you all, we really appreciate it."
"No worries lover boy," Cera said, eyeing Chomper up.
"Oh-okay." Chomper leaned over to eat the many bugs, and fish they gathered.
"So, how was it?"
Chomper coughed on his food, unsure what Cera meant. "I-it,-what? How was it, it?"
"The trip, duh, what else would I be talking about?" Cera said, messing around and giving Chomper a hard time.
"The trip, of occurs, the journey, yes, well, it was fine, good."
"Oh, I bet it was."
"That aside." Littlefoot said, knowing what Cera meant, trying to keep the conversation family-friendly. "Did you come across anything weird on your travels?"
"Yes, a herd of long necks was killed, along with some club tails. It was awful, very sad." Ruby lowered her head, taking a small breath.
"Alley and Rhett, along with Shorty decided to stay here, fearful of such killings. How long will you all stay?"
"Till Chomper needs food," Ruby answered though Chomper held a worried expression. "Right Chomper?"
"Actually." Chomper tapped his claws. "Screech, Thud, and I were going to go while you stayed in the Valley."
"What?" Ruby asked, surprised by the statement and the fact, that Chomper didn't run it by her earlier. "But I thought we'd stay together?"
"I'll only be gone for a few days, then I'll be back, I promise."
Ruby sighed and nodded, not liking the idea of being apart, yet knowing he and the fast-bitters needed more than the Valley could offer.
"Well, if there is a killer pack out there, the best thing you can do is stay here. Travel to Big Water only for food, but remain within the safety of the walls." Littlefoot said, all nodding to the statement.
Though he smiled, Chomper didn't know if he liked the idea of being trapped in the Valley with the voice humming in the back of his mind. Hiding from the challenger who burned down his home. What if they came to the Great Valley, and threatened his friends, the innocent members who did nothing to deserve such danger? What bothered him more was seeing how happy Ruby was, the way her eyes sparkled, how she smiled, it made his heart sink. He was torn, should he stay or slip away to follow the voice?