Chapter Eleven: The Rise of Red Claw.
In the Mysterious Beyond, Screech and Thud thought they'd stay in the Valley longer, but when the Boss said they were leaving, the pair were confused. On their hunting trip, Thud looked to Chomper. "Hey Boss, any reason we keep close to the shoreline of the Big Water?"
"Nope," Chomper answered quickly, not wanting them to catch onto his obsession. "I have a question for you, what did you know of Red Claw? Why was he so vengeful toward me?"
Thud picked up that Chomper wanted to keep his true intentions a secret, so Thud didn't press further on the subject. "Well, from what I knew Red Claw always had his eyes on the Alpha spot."
Many years ago, a young Red Claw watched Sharptooth, the Alpha over all sharpteeth. When Red Claw got size and strength, he made the bold move to try and take the Alpha spot. He challenged Sharptooth and hoped the older male accepted.
"So, old-timer, do you accept?"
"Arr, ye be but a wee lad, go home."
"Coward, afraid to face me?" Red Claw spat, hoping to egg on Sharptooth.
"Fine matey, have it ye way."
The pair stood face to face, moving in a circle, growling and baring their fangs. Red Claw, being young and a bit foolish, lunged and tried to bite Sharptooth. The older male was more calculated and managed to move aside, sweeping his tail and catching Red Claw's legs, knocking him down.
"Shiver me timbers, this isn't even a challenge, ya bilged rat!" Sharptooth taunted.
Rolling along the earth, Red Claw recovered fast and was running off his adrenalin rush, growling and charging again. Sadly, the action would cast him greatly, for Sharptooth scratched Red Claw, taking him down with a single head-butt. Tossed down, Red Claw shouted and gazed up with his good eye, seeing Sharptooth stand over him, gazing down with a cold stare. Red Claw huffed and knew he'd been defeated and that Sharptooth would probably kill him.
"What are you waiting for old-timer, aren't you going to slay me?"
"Avast, bucko, Ah be sensing somethin'." Sharptooth gazed off into space, his eyes rolling up, as though he were in a trance. "Aye, ah see it."
"What on earth are you yammer on about?"
"Ye be a strong one, and would make a good Alpha. Arg, it be a waste to end ye. Tell ya what, lad, I'll spare ye, allow ya to live, and take over as Alpha should I die."
"I don't understand why would you allow me to live?"
"Because I've seen in the future, of events yet to come," Sharptooth said. It was rumored that Sharptooth had a gift, one that allowed him to glimpse into the future. "And dead males tell no tale."
Red Claw wasn't the type to believe in such nonsense but found himself intrigued. "What did you see?"
"Arr, ye will take my place, in time. But be warned, I have also seen what ye fate. Are ya sure ye wish to know?"
"Yes, what will happen if I accept?" Red Claw remained on the ground, looking up at Sharptooth, who shut his eyes to focus.
"When ye accept the alpha spot, ye will rule for many season cycles. However, a sharptooth will hatch, and will have the ability to speak the leaf-eater's tongue."
"So, what does that have to do with me?" Red Claw snapped.
"Because this one will take ye down, boy, ye don't understand. Now pay attention, lad, this one, will kill ya. Knowing all this, are ya sure ye want to be the next Alpha?"
Red Claw thought it over, wondering how a sharptooth would be able to speak the leaf-eater language. How such an oddball would lead to his demise? Still, if there were a chance, he found this one and killed him before he grew, his fate might not be sealed. After all, any encounter with the One might very well be Red Claw's last.
"I accept."
"Arr, very well, I'll be seeing ye 'round, Red Claw," Sharptooth said, turning to leave.
Red Claw got to his feet and walked off, wanting to clean the blood from his body. Finding a nice pool, he walked in and washed, leaving the water, the ripples disturbing the surface. When the water settled and a fully grown Red Claw stood, leaning down to lap the water. He hadn't seen or heard from Sharptooth in a while and wondered if the old male kicked. However, on his travels, he stumbled across Sharptooth.
"Well, well, Red Claw, ya be lookin' good."
"Yeah, can't say the same for you." Red claw saw Sharptooth's right eye had been struck and was damaged. Not to mention he had a few cuts on his body. "What happened? Another challenger."
"Arr, I wish, it was. But alas, it was a little long neck, a mere hatchling who did this to me. Though, I killed his mum, so, guess I got the last laugh. If not for that earth shake, I'd have gotten him and the little three-horn lass too."
"If he gets bigger, he'll probably come for you, want his revenge."
"Then I'll just have to make sure he doesn't grow. After all, dead males tell no tale." Sharptooth then held an uneasy expression. "Arr, I had another vision."
"Oh, what about? Rocks falling from the sky and killing us all."
"No, me own death." Red Claw froze, taken aback by the remark, the air becoming serious. Sharptooth took a deep breath, looking directly at Red Claw. "I normally don't hunt young, but the little long neck, especially the three-horn lass, they'll be the pair to do me in."
"Impossible, they're hatchlings, how could they possibly take you down?"
"Me vision was confusin'. But I drowned, was struck on the head by a bolder, and left for dead." Sharptooth gaze was a mix of fear and anger. "If it's in me power, I'll kill them before they get me."
"Have you ever been able to change the future?"
"This will be the first time I attempt to do such a thing. Well, I must be off, the little ones are on the move, and I've been unconscious for a while and could use a good meal to fill me."
"I'll see you around, Sharptooth."
"Aye, if I am successful, ye will definitely see me."
Red Claw smiled and watched Sharptooth leave, heading off to change his destiny. Though a few days later, Red Claw heard the news, that Sharptooth was dead. If Sharptooth was unable to change his fate, and that the visions could not be undone. The very thought of his own impending demise sent a shiver of fear up Red Claw's spine. But unlike Sharptooth, Red Claw would stop at nothing till the leaf-speaking sharptooth was found and killed. A couple of season cycles passed and Red Claw came across a pair of fast-bitters. The two spoke and Red Claw listened, taking a drink from a creek they all arrived at.
"I tell you, Thud, I heard it with my own ears, the sharptooth boy was speaking leaf-eater."
"Screech, that's impossible, there's no way a sharptooth can speak the leaf-eater language. You must've hit your head and dreamed it up."
By this point Red Claw was interested. "Excuse me, did you say a sharptooth spoke the leaf eater's tongue?"
"Sure did, I heard it and saw him telling the flat teeth to run. Blew our cover and cost us a meal." Screech said, looking at Red Claw. "You're saying you believe me?"
"Yes, I need to find this one, will you two help me?"
"Why should we?" Thud asked.
"Because I can help you take down prey. Stick with me and you'll never go hungry again."
Red Claw:
"I know that your powers of retention,
Are as weak as, a little hatchling,
But think as you pay attention!
My words are a matter of pride,
It's clear from your vacant expressions,
The lights are not all on upstairs,
But we're talking kings and successions,
Even you can't be caught unawares,
So prepare for the chance of a lifetime, be prepared for sensational news
A shining new era is tip-toeing near,"
Screech:
"And where do we feature?"
Red Claw:
"Just listen to teacher,
I know it sounds sordid, but you'll be rewarded,
When at last I am given my dues,
And injustice deliciously squared,
Be prepared,"
Screech:
"Yeah, be prepared, we'll be prepared.
For what?"
Red Claw:
"For the reign of new Alpha."
Screech:
"What happened to the old alpha?"
Red Claw:
"He's dead, fool, we've been leaderless for a while now."
Thud:
"Great, who needs an alpha."
Screech and Thud:
"No alpha, no alpha, la, la, la, la, lah!
Red Claw:
"Idiots, there will be an Alpha!"
Thud:
"But you said.."
Red Claw:
"I will be Alpha, stick with me and you'll never go hungry again."
Thud:
"Yay, all right!"
Screech:
"Long live the alpha, long live the alpha!"
Screech, Thud:
"It's great that we'll soon be connected,
With an alpha who will be all-time adored,"
Red Claw:
"Of course, quid pro quo,
You're expected, to take certain duties on board,
The future is littered with prizes, and though I'm the main addressee,
The point that I must emphasize is, you won't get a sniff without me,
So prepare for the coup of the century, (So prepare for the coup of the century)
Be prepared for the murkiest scam, (Oh, la, la, la!)
Meticulous planning, (We'll have food)
Tenacity spanning, (Lots of food)
Decades of denial, (Endless meat)
Is simply while I'll be the king undisputed, respected, saluted, and seen for the wonder I am,
Yes, my teeth and ambition are bared, be prepared,"
All:
"Yes, our teeth and ambition are bared, be prepared!"
With a pair of fast-bitters by his side, Red Claw found the pair were useful, that they were the perfect trinity. Not to mention, they were able to help him find the sharptooth boy. Red Claw was pleased when they found the three, the boy and his parents, knowing it was his chance to change his fate. While Red Claw took on the parents, Screech and Thud went after the boy.
"Tell me, how can your son speak the food language?" Red Claw asked.
"None of your business." The mother said.
"Dearest, Chomper, he's hidden, right?"
"Oh, I don't know about that. You see, I'm not alone." Red Claw smiled and heard yelling, the three turning to see Screech and Thud, holding Chomper in their hands.
"We got 'em, boss," Thus said, struggling to keep a good grip on the struggling Chomper.
"Mommy, daddy!" Chomper called in the flat-teeth tongue.
"Amazing." Red Claw mused. "Now, unless you won't my friends to kill you, son, you'll let us leave without any trouble."
The couple was put in a tight spot, debating on what to do. Before anyone spoke, Chomper scratched Screech, squirming out of their grasp and running to his parents. The female made a quick move, slapping Red Claw and grabbing her son. The family moved, Red Claw growling and pointing for the fast-bitters to pursue them. Red Claw thought they had them, only to find a Big Water separating them, for the three, sought shelter on an island.
"Now, what boss?"
"I have an idea."
Red Claw didn't have the time or effort to watch and wait for the land path to appear, so, he searched for an underling to do the job for him. When he came across a suitable-looking male sharptooth, he approached him.
"The Alpha, what can I do for you?" The guy asked.
"I need you to go on an island and take out a sharptooth boy."
"Seriously?"
"Are you questioning your alpha?"
"No, no, no, I-I'll do it. May I ask why you want this boy dead?"
"Let's just say, he can't make it to adulthood."
"I see, well, I'll go and report back once the is job done. Though, what do I get out of all this?"
Red Claw smiled and continued. "Do this and I'll allow you to be my heir to the alpha position."
"What an honor, I'll see you in a few days." The sharptooth was young and left, going off to watch and wait till he could reach the island.