Chapter Eight: Something's Off
In the Great Valley, Littlefoot strolled along, Cera by his side. They saw Ducky and Petrie by their pound, Ducky swimming to collect underwater green food for them to share. Petrie fluttered down, seeing her rise from the water and drop the seaweed. Taking it up in his beak, she ate some too, her bill and his beak meeting in the middle. With a smile, they brushed one another affectionately.
Spike and Tippy grazed and ate their fill, Spike giving a small hum and licking Tippy's cheek. Tippy flushed and nudged Spike, their tails wrapping like they were holding hands. It was a typical day, warm, peaceful, all happy and calm. With their parents and grandparents gone, Littlefoot found himself becoming the Valley's leader, Cera by his side, giving her opinion on several occasions.
Cera gave a small sigh. "I had a wired sleep story last night."
"What about?"
"I was singing backup for Ruby."
Littlefoot gave a soft hum, blinking and shrugging. "Well, I had my share of odd sleep stories. Like when the right circle fell from the sky."
"Oh yeah, when you long necks saved the world. I really thought that'd kill dad. Though him passing out was a bit dramatic." Cera smiled and noticed he seemed a bit off. "Hey, you okay. All of a sudden, you seem off."
"Yeah, I'm not sick, it's just…" Glancing to the sky, Littlefoot arched a brow. "Something seems off."
"Storm?" Cera asked, obviously not too concerned. She took a whiff, seeing only clear skies. "Doesn't smell like sky water."
"No, it's not that, it's…I don't know what it is?"
"Don't tell me you got to migrate again? Because I'm not leaving the Valley to go with you."
With a laugh, he nudged her. "Not like that, Cera, just that something isn't right. Besides, you were the one who came after me." He gave a thoughtful sound, bending his neck to meet her gaze. "Why did you come after me?"
"No reason, I just didn't want to miss out on something amazing, that's all."
Smiling at Cera, he nuzzled her horn with his nose. "Did you miss me, was that it?"
"Yeah, right, as if I'd ever tell you why I followed you." Brushing by him, she walked on. "So, what is it you think will happen."
"I'm not sure, but it feels… bad."
As if on cue, a great herd of longnecks entered the Valley, the three in front caught Littlefoot's attention. For it was Alley, Rhett, and Shorty, leading their followers. However, there was an uncomfortable air, that bad news followed.
"Alley, Rhett, Shorty!" Cera called, going over to greet their friends.
"Cera, wonderful to see you." Alley smiled and leaned down, seeing her and Rhett's young scurry to Cera.
"Auntie Cere, Auntie Cera!" They surrounded her, climbing on her horns and enjoying being lifted up and down.
"Littlefoot, April, Jane, be polite and ask before climbing on Auntie Cera." Rhett peered down at their young, who gave a sad sigh.
"It's all right, they can't help that they adore such a strong three-horn like me." Spoke Cera proudly, feeling them tap her horns.
"Shorty, brother, why are you traveling with Alley and Rhett's herd?" Littlefoot wasn't trying to be a downer, yet felt their arrival was possibly a bad sign. For each herd never came together, knowing their herds ate a good deal of green food. Though, there was plenty for all Littlefoot told them repeatedly.
"There's strength in numbers." Shorty looked to the couple, who shared the same worried expression. "Things aren't so good in the Mysterious Beyond."
"I thought they'd be fine, given Red Claw is dead." Cera glanced around. "What killed him anyway?"
"I'm not sure, but no one's seen him in a while now."
"Maybe it was his age, he was getting up there. I mean, most of our parents passed, I can't see why he wouldn't kick too."
"Still, his absence did not bring forth good fortune, but rather the opposite," Alley said, looking at her young with worry. "It's strange, but it seems entire herds are being taken out."
"Impossible, who would do such a thing?" Cera scoffed, rolling her eyes.
Littlefoot thought over the possibility, brows pressed together. "Still, that's bizarre for sharpteeth to attack herds. They only travel in packs of three, not near enough to take down a so many at once."
"Yeah, you're telling me. Strangest thing I've ever seen." Shorty said.
"What matters now is that we're safe in the Great Valley," Alley spoke, seeing the young worry. "Come, we should discuss this later when small ears aren't present. We are allowed to stay here, right?"
"Of course, Alley," Littlefoot looked to Shorty. "All of you are welcomed to stay."
"Yeah, especially if it's not safe in the Mysterious Beyond." Cera put in.
Littlefoot saw Alley and Rhett depart to find a suitable place for them to settle in, both grateful. Shorty remained and noticed Littlefoot's face held concern. "Something bothering you, brother?"
"Nothing, just me being jumpy. Come one, let's go eat, I'm sure you're hungry." He paused and looked to Cera. "Did you wish to come?"
"Nah, you go ahead, I'll go see Trica, see what she's up to."
"I'll see you around, honey."
With a nod, Cera stayed behind, letting the brothers have their alone time, hearing them talk while they left. She went her way and got a strange sense, glancing at the great wall. Above, far in the sky was a fly, though it wasn't a dweller of the Valley, merely someone passing by, going far off into the blue sky. "Odd." She said before going on.
Two Worlds (Reprise)
"Every moment now our bond grows stronger,
Two worlds one family,
Trust your heart, let fate decide,
To guide these lives we see."
In the Mysterious Beyond, Chomper saw a strange sight, a herd of longnecks, lying dead. Cuts ran along the copes of all, young, and old, none weren't left alive. Sniffing the earth, he picked up several scents, though the strongest was blood.
"What do you make of it, boss?" Thud asked, going to eat among a body.
"I'm not sure, but whoever did this, didn't eat them."
"Well, good for us. Their leftovers are our gain." Screech went to tear into one, hungry after the long walk. "Besides, I'm starving."
"I'm going to make sure Ruby eats." Chomper managed to find a river, Ruby feeding on seaweed and a few shells, weakened by the fire she almost died in. She lapped the water, leaning back and taking a deep breath. Worried, Chomper leaned down to nuzzle her. "You, all right?"
"Yes, thanks to you." Her eyes looked him over. "Chomper, how did you hold the fire back?"
He was silent for a moment, sitting while his feet dipped into the cool water. Scanning around, he sighed and knew it was time to tell her the truth. "Ruby, I don't know how to explain this, other than to blurt it out." Taking a deep breath, he went on. "I was hearing a voice, calling to me, and then I figured out I can move items with my mind. I've been training for a while now and hope to use it to beat this challenger."
Ruby's beak opened, trying to ask, yet pausing for a moment. "Okay, let me get this straight. You've been hearing some voice. Do you even know whom the voice belongs to?"
"No, I haven't been able to determine that."
"Right, and you can move things…How?"
"Like this." Chomper looked to the water and shut his eyes, raising his hand and lifting a rock from it. Sweeping his arm out, the rock flew through the air and hit the earth. "See."
"Okay, so, now what do we do, if the Mysterious Island is not livable?"
"Well, I was thinking we'd pay a visit to the Great Valley."
Concerned, Ruby took a short breath. "But they might try to drive you out again. And you need food, to be by the Big Water."
"I'll be okay for a while, I filled up before the journey. Besides, right now, you need food, to be safe." He took her in his hold, preparing to go on. "The sooner we get there, the better."
She didn't say anything, laying her head against him and closing her eyes, which felt heavy. Screech and Thud remained by Chomper's side, knowing if trouble came their way, he'd be better off with their help. Chomper didn't eat upon the dead, ignoring his slightly hungry stomach, thinking they'd find a pound for him to fish in.
Through the night they walked, unaware of what lay ahead of them. When the bright circle rose, Chomper kept everyone on the mover, going on till they came upon another massacre. The herd that lay before them were club tails, the attack fresh, happening during the cover of evening, most likely while the herd slept. Chomper got an uneasy feeling while they walked through the dead, body tight and tense. Internal organs were ripped from the inside out, blood splattered all over the ground. Death hung in the air, Chomper's stomach turning at the very scent.
"This is, awful," Screech said, noticing a decapitated head by his side, not sure where, and whose body it belonged to.
"Screech, Thud, did Red Claw ever do anything like this?"
"No, he never attacked and killed an entire herd. Plus, he wouldn't leave behind food, nothing was ever wasted." Thud put in. "What do you make of it?"
"Whoever did this, they're killing for fun, not for survival," Chomper spoke with concern. "I hope Alley and Shorty's herd are okay."
Ruby opened her eyes, gasping at what was around. "C-Chomper, where are we?"
"Don't look, Ruby, it's not a pretty sight." Chomper gently set his hand over her face to block her vision.
Leaning into him, she shut her eyes. "How sad."
"Hey, you, did your pack do this?" Yelled a voice, among the dead was a survivor, though he was injured and had a claw embedded in his side.
"Me, no, we just got here, sir," Chomper replied polity, going to the individual, noticing the claw along his flesh. "I can remove that for you."
"Don't you touch me, monster!" Chomper stood back, not wanting to get hit by the clubbed tail that swung out.
Not intending to hurt the guy, Chomper maintained his distance and spoke in a cool voice. "Please, let me help you."
Tired, the male gave a nod, bags under his bloodshot eyes. Eyeing up the claw, Chomper took a breath and cocked his head, removing the claw fast. The guy cried out, glancing from the spot to Chomper. "W-what, how?"
"I did it with my mind. Now, can I get you water, food maybe?"
"Why would you help me?"
"Because, it's the nice to do," Chomper answered.
When the guy saw Ruby in his arms, he arched a brow. "Is she with you?"
"Yes, I'm Chomper, this Ruby, the two over there are Screech and Thud. Let us help you, least protect you from other sharpteeth."
Seeing Ruby was unafraid, he gave a small nod. "Very well, I'm rather dry." Chomper rose and went to get him food and water, Ruby remaining by the guy's side, tending to his wounds. While she worked, he glanced from her to Chomper, who with the help of the fast-bitters gathered what was requested. "Why are you with such a beast?"
"That guy you call a monster is my friend, protects me, and is very sweet." Tightening the wrap, he jerked. "And in honesty, he could've easily left you here to be killed by another. Remember, his act of kindness may save your life." The guy gave a snort, which Ruby ignored. "So, you have a name, or is it Mr. Grumpy?"
"Crag, my name is Crag." Crag was quiet for a while, eating what was brought to him, lapping the cool water that soothed his dry throat. "Thank you."
"I hate to ask, or push you. But do you recall anything, perhaps a description of your attackers?" Chomper sat, pushing water to Crag.
"It happened so fast. I was awake, watching my family when I heard a yell. There were five of them in total, a flyer, a feathered sharptooth along with regular one. Then, a fast-bitter, all working to cause panic." Crag's voice was steady, trying to hold it together. "Then there was one, the leader I'm guessing, for with a snap of fingers, as though on the command, they attacked. Swarming us like buzzing stingers, cutting any down." Ruby lowered her gaze, Chomper's eyes growing moist, hanging on to every word. "They took out the weakest, then the strongest, and finally, the young." Sniffing, Crag wept. "It was awful, the cries, wailing of death."
"I'm sorry, Crag, for your loss."
"If you manage to find them, kill them, make them suffer for their crimes."
"We're going to the Great Valley, and you can come with us," Ruby said, offering a kind smile.
"Sure, that sounds nice."
During the night, all were asleep, except Chomper, who woke due to the voice singing again. It seemed to torment him, even more, the farther he got from the Big Water, knowing it wanted him to return. With a sigh, he saw Crag was awake, getting up to check on him or see if he needed anything.
Crag looked to the sky, taking short breaths. "Tell me, sharptooth, do you think I can survive the journey to the Great Valley?"
"We can help you. I'll help you, carry you if I must."
"I lost everything, my friends, family, the love of my life. They're all gone, left for the Great Beyond." Eyes moving down, he looked upon his injured body. "What reason do I have to go on?"
"Because they'd want you too. There's always hope-"
"Let's be honest, you're here to stay by me till I die. My wounds grow soarer by the day, body aching, wanting it to end." He looked at Chomper, especially his muzzle. "All it will take is one bite from that jaw, and all my suffering will end."
"Please don't ask me to do that," Chomper spoke, picturing Kyle, his first kill.
"I'm begging you. I don't want to live in a world without them. If you were in my place, lost it all, wouldn't you want someone to end the pain, the ache in your heart?"
Chomper saw Ruby, knowing if anything happened to her, his friends, yes, he too would wish for death. "Okay, I'll do it."
"Thank you, thank you, so much," Crag said, tears of joy running down his face. Chomper moved and placed his jaw around Crag's neck, feeling the steady pulse. Shutting his eyes, Crag spoke once last time. "I'm coming my love, my friends I'll join you shortly."
Eyebrows pressed together, Chomper quickly took a bit, feeling Crag move once, becoming still and letting out a final breath. For a moment, Chomper stood, unhitching his jaw to slump back. With a sniff, he cried, lowering his head and feeling guilty for taking a life. The soft sobs caught the attention of Ruby, who sat up and saw him by Crag.
"Chomper?" Ruby was by his side in a flash, looking up at him with a tender gaze.
"He asked me too, to do this." Chomper choked out.
"You did what was best." She went and shut Crag's eyes, standing back to look upon the corpse. "He asked you to end his suffering."
"Then why do I feel so bad? My parents told me death was a part of the circle of life, and that there is no balance without it. Still, I can't seem to let it sink in."
"Because you're good-hearted, Chomper."
He gave a nod, continuing to cry, shoulder shaking. Ruby hugged him, being there and comforting him. It'd been a while since he tasted the blood of a plant eater, angry at himself, for it wasn't the worst, it tasted rather nice. That was what made him upset, the fact that his mind told him the opposite of what his heart did. That those he killed were delicious, were food. When Ruby went to sleep, he ate his fill and slept with a guilty conscious.