Chapter Five: Something New

A few days went by, Chomper spending it with Ruby rather than with the fast-bitters, who were annoyed with him putting off his training. When they followed him and Ruby around, glaring out at him, he decided perhaps he should face it. So, he sucked it up and knew he couldn't put it off any longer. When Chomper saw Ruby was eating and busy, he went to seek out Screech and Thud, finding the pair guarding the land path. Approaching them, they turned to him, Chomper looking to the beach across from the island.

"Any sign of intruders?" Chomper

"Intruders?" Screech asked back.

"Yeah, the challengers?" Chomper

"Right, right." Screech

"Not yet, Boss, but they're coming," Thud said, eyes locked on the path.

"So, you think you can blow us off and then come here expecting us to help you?" Screech asked, eyeing Chomper up.

"I guess I was hoping, plus, I got some food for you." Glancing to the side, there was a pile of fish.

"Okay, you get off this time, but don't do it again." Screeched said, going and eating the fish. "Wow, this, tastes good."

"Glad you like it, it's how I survive, that way I don't have to eat any flat teeth. Also, corpses wash ashore."

"Interesting, you mean you've never eaten a leaf-eater?" Thud wondered.

"A few times, those who asked for death that is." Seeing Screech get his fill and lick his muzzle, Chomper smiled. "Right, ready to whip me into shape?"

"We don't got much of a choice, now do we," Screech added with a half grin.

"Come on, babe, have a bit of faith." Thud nudged Screech with his hip, going to face Chomper.

"Faith in him? Hah, that's a laugh." They went back and forth, the three going off to practice in the shade and out of the heat.

In the thick woods, Chomper saw the pair move, giving examples of the best way to attack, how and where to bit, to land a good kill. Each had their style, Screech being quick and relying on his experience. Thud was a bit more calculating, watching and studying before leaping into action.

"Slashing the legs is a good way to drop your adversary, weakening them is your best advantage." Thus said, pretending to cut the inside of Screech's leg. "Once he arches, you can bite him around the neck, cut off his air supply."

"Okay."

"Hold it, hold it, none of this is getting through to him." Said Screech, shoving Thud back.

"Screech, he's never fought before-"

"Yeah, and now he's gonna. All right, get up, come at me."

Chomper simply froze, uncertain whether he should rise or remain sitting. Fighting was not something Chomper knew too much about, given he was small and his parents did most of it. Also, growing up in the Great Valley, none of them were the fighting type. When he did face off against Red Claw and the pair, he often used his wits to escape them and retreat to the safety of the Valley's wall. Still, if it came down to fighting for those he cared about, for Ruby, whom he loved. It was only practice, nothing serious.

Chomper got up, slowly walking to Screech, who slapped his knee, jumping and pretending to slash his throat. "Okay, you just got killed."

"I-I wasn't ready."

"Ready? Either you fight or you die!"

"That's not fair, you started sooner than me."

"There is no fair in battle, none! Now come at me, coward!" Chomper swept his tail, holding back, not wanting to hurt Screech, who wasn't keeping anything back. For he ducked under Chomper's tail, and leaped onto his back, standing and rolling his eyes. "Do you know what you did wrong?"

"No."

"Everything!" shouted Screech in Chomper's ear.

Over and over, Chomper showed restraint, Screech becoming annoyed, while Thud shouted out pointers. Repeatedly, Chomper found himself losing in every scenario, afraid he'd hurt Screech. Screech got in a few swipes, almost cutting or biting Chomper, trying to get his point across, to take it seriously. In the end, Chomper slumped to the earth, tired, unable to continue, huffing while drops of sweat rolled down his face and body.

Screech threw his hands up in defeat. "Hopeless, completely hopeless."

"I-I'm trying," Chomper said in a small voice, trembling and eyes growing moist.

Thud gave a small smile, going to try and comfort Chomper. "Perhaps you learn by watching. Here, I'll give an example."

"Like that'll help. I mean he's about ready to cry, Thud-"

"Screech, enough." Thud gave his lover a sharp look, a warning, one that told him to keep his mouth shut. When he saw Screech settle, he glanced at Chomper. "Right, now the key to winning is learning about your opponent." Thud passed back and forth in front of Chomper, who sat and held a fearful expression. "His gestures, his moves, striking first before he does."

"Yeah, I'm not too good at any of that."

"I told you this was a waste, Thud!" Screech went to Chomper, eyeing him up. "You're not cut out to be an alpha, will be killed in an instant! Then, the challenger will slay and devour that girl. No, better yet, they'll keep you alive, to watch, to hear her yells of pain and agony."

With each word Screech spoke, Chomper shuddered, scotting back while Screech got in his face. "Stop talking, please," Chomper spoke softly, not liking how Screech talked in great detail about the killing of the one he loved.

"I'm sorry, does that bother you? The idea that they'll beat you, take all you care about so easily. Well, guess what? They will, this guy won't show any leniency, not to you, especially not to her. They'll tear her apart, limb from limb, bones snapping like twigs, eating upon her flesh, drinking her blood, relishing in every single moment. And you'll be powerless to stop them, completely at their mercy."

Shutting his eyes, Chomper felt something strange bubble up within, a wave of anger moving through him. The very thought, images of Ruby being harmed, killed before his eyes and he, powerless to stop it, well, it was too much to even think about. Unable to take it and hold it in, he opened his eyes and shouted. "Stop!"

Suddenly, and quite inexplicitly, Screech was sent airborne and crashed into a set of hedgerows. Chomper froze and his eyes widened, smelling blood in the air. Reaching a taloned finger to his nose, he saw the crimson liquid upon the tip. He looked it over, gazing up and hoping he didn't hurt Screech.

"Screech!" Chomper called, fearful the fast-bitter had been hurt.

Thud's mouth hung open, Screech stumbling out of the brush, dazed and shocked. Turning to Chomper, Thud asked cautiously. "H-how did you do that?"

"Do what?"

"Fling me, you fool?" Screech looked Chomper up and down with an impressive smile. "That was amazing!"

"Hold on, I didn't do that? At least, I didn't think so."

"Try it again!" Screech said, seeming excited by what happened to him.

"Perhaps he should try it upon something else," Thud spoke, patting for Screech to step back.

Chomper noticed a pebble by his side, studying and focusing on it. Screech and Thud watched it, seeing it did nothing at first. Then, it twitched, shaking and moving, rising a few inches off the ground. They looked to Chomper, seeing blood trickle down his left nostril, taking a good deal of energy to accomplish such a task. Suddenly, he slumped forward and huffed, sweat rolling down his brow.

"That's it, boss, I think you may have found a way to beat this guy," Thud spoke with joy, patting Chomper's side. "With a lot of training, you might be able to lift and toss this challenger around easily."

"Are you kidding, Thud? With such a gift, he could simply snap that guy's head from his neck."

"How long have you been able to do such things?"

Chomper was in shock, going over how he did it. Never in his life had he been able to move items with his, well, he wasn't quite sure what triggered such a thing. It happened when he was angry, was worried for those he loved. If that gave him the special power, he'd be a fool not to use it, to protect Ruby and his home.

"This was the first time I've ever done anything like that. Least from what I remember." Chomper admitted, seeing the two give him a confused expression. "A few days back, I almost died. Do you think that has anything to do with developing this gift?"

"Perhaps," Thud added.

"Either, way, this is great news. Lucky for us he didn't have them when he was smaller, imagine the damage he could've done to us back then." Screech said, laughing and patting Thud's back.

"Yeah, this is great."

Chomper with the help of Screech and Thud, namely Screech taunting him till he let loose, releasing his anger and moving Screech who landed in a pile of leaves they gathered up. Again, Screech got up and was ready for it, seeming to enjoy being lifted and tossed by the unknown force. It was a long and grueling day, so when it was close to dusk, Chomper ambled back to the nest. Ruby wasn't there; thus, he went to get some food for himself and his guests, who expected a good meal for their help.