Chapter Fourteen:

This is the Thanks I Get

With Magnificent gone, Chomper scaled the rocky mountain formation to enter Magnificent's privet area. There, Chomper took a deep breath and sniffed around, going into the cave slowly. It was dark and Chomper was a bit scared to go any farther, but what compelled him to go deeper was the fact he could smell the scent of another. In he went, feeling the rock along his hand, the dampness of the stone against his feet.

"Is anyone here?"

Chomper gasped when he saw a circular center, seeing light seep in from a few gapes between the rock. Glancing around, he found a nest, seeing a few greens piled up. If Chomper didn't know any bettered, he'd assume someone was living there.

"S-son?" came the voice of an elderly male.

"Son?"

Chomper looked around as thought someone else was there, which was impossible since he entered the cave alone. Into the light came an older fastrunner, who looked older than even Ruby's parents. He slowly walked closer to Chomper, reached out to him.

"I'm so happy you finally came back to us."

"M-me?"

The older male rushed and hugged Chomper tightly, weeping softly. "Oh, Ricky, I'm so happy you've come back. I've missed you so much."

"Yeah, I'm back form wherever it is I went."

"The female, did you manage to save her?" The older male asked.

"Father, I'm curious, why are here instead of out in the Sanctuary?"

The older male rubbed his chin. "Well, Nicky said I needed to be kept here for my safety. But you're here now, to step up and take over as rightful heir to the Sanctuary."

"Nicky, you mean Magnificent?"

"No, I'm Magnificent, Nicky, your younger brother has been running the Sanctuary in your absence."

Chomper heard cheering, knowing that Magnificent was coming back and he needed to leave. "Right, well, dad, it's been nice talking, but I gotta go." Chomper went to leave, only to feel a hand tug at him. "Huh?"

"I'm coming with you, son, please, I hate being cooped up here all alone."

With a sigh, Chomper patted the real Magnificent's arm. "Okay, keep low, and stay quiet, I don't want Nicky to know I'm back, least not yet."

Magnificent nodded and kept close to Chomper, the pair moving quickly to the outside. There, Chomper saw Nicky, addressing his herd, glad all were unaware of them. Chomper didn't see Ruby, figuring she was below with the rest of the group. Down they went, Chomper doing his best to keep out of sight. Moving quickly, he wasted no time to try and get to his and Ruby's nest area, which was secluded from the tall rock Nicky stood on. There, he sat and was unable to even hear what Magnificent was saying, which in that moment, might've been for the best.

Nicky bowed and waved at his herd. "Members of Sanctuary today was a glorious step in my conquest to purge the land of evil. I encountered the traitor to the leafeaters, and spreader of lies, Ruby!" There was a gasp, some mummering quietly. But fear not, for I defeated her. She was deserving of death, for she chose to be the mate of the cowardly Alpha sharptooth known as Chomper!" Nicky shouted as none spoke a sound, taking in each word he spoke. "Now, I would like Rodney to step forward, to let himself be known." There was silence as several looked around for Chomper. "Rodney, where is he?" With a bit of worry, Nicky got a bad feeling. "Find him, find Rodney and bring him to me. Whomever does this, will be allowed to join me on the next patrol!"

Several cheered and some when to working, looking for Rodney. After his speech, Magnificent headed for the cave, seeing his several mates.

"Dear, what is the matter?" One asked.

"Nothing, leave me be." He snapped, pushing by them.

The three passed worried glances and did as he said, leaving him alone. Nicky rushed toward the entrance of the cave, entering it and looking around with worry. There was no sign of his father, Nicky searching all over the cave for him. He called, listening, and getting no response. Nicky knew his father wouldn't just wonder off, something, or someone must've led him away. If the herd of the Sanctuary figured out that he wasn't Magnificent, his entire rouse would be at risk, his power would be taken from him. And well, he couldn't, no, wouldn't let that happen.

"Sir?"

"What?" Nicky yelled, spinning to find the flier.

"Rodney is nowhere to be found. He's gone." She said with worry, lowering her gaze to the cave floor. "Sir, are you, okay?"

"Fine but keep a sharp eye out. While Rodney is a buffoon, he may be smarter than he let on."

For a moment, he stood, waving for her to leave. Alone, he paced and took a deep breath, knowing Rondey was behind his father's disappearance, that all was dangling by a thread. Darn them, both. Least Ruby was dead, all he had to do was take care of Rondey. Though who was this Rodney fella? It didn't matter, all that mattered was that his herd stood behind him and followed him without questions.

Nicky:
"I can't help it, lying was too easy,
I couldn't pass it up, I've earned the right to rule,
Peep my I'm magnificent,
I put the 'I' in omnipotent,
I'm passionate, I'm not petulant,
Someone praise me for my benevolence!
Uh, just look,
I'd give the nest from under Benito's,
If that's what you really need,
I'd be the first one to volunteer, Henry,
After a mountain crumbles,
To remove the rubble,
I handle all the sharpteeth, so you don't have to fret,
I clean up all the messes and I'm always there if you need to vent,
I give and give and give and give,
You'd think they'd all be content,
And all I really want is just a little respect,

And this is the thanks I get?
(do-do-dodo, do-do-dodo)
This is the thanks I get?
(Do-do-dodo, do-do-dodo)
And this is the thanks I get?
(Do-do-dodo, do-do-dodo)
And this is the thanks I get?
(Do-do-dodo, do-do-dodo)

Voice 1: "You're so brilliant,"
Nicky: "Oh, that's the least you can say,"
Voice 1: "There's more admit it,"
Voice 2: "You're cute,"
Voice 3:" And strong,"
Voice 2: "And bold,"
Voice 3: "And brave,"

Nicky:
"Tanks,
See this place I built it up, and you still complain, ungrateful much mm?
Are you sure that you're not the prob?
I'd love to you see you try and do my job,
Oh, ho-ho,
I killed 14 packs of sharpteeth,
Come on, that's a high percent,
And now you're questioning your hero,
The disrespect I just underwent,
You know I always have your back,
Yeah, really though it's no sweat,
Since our first encounter up till now,

And this is the thanks I get?
(do-do-dodo, do-do-dodo)
This is the thanks I get?
(Do-do-dodo, do-do-dodo)
And this is the thanks I get?
(Do-do-dodo, do-do-dodo)
And this is the thanks I get?
(Do-do-dodo, do-do-dodo)

I didn't wanna do this,
I swore I'd never do this,
I'm hypnotized by the darker side,
Gripped because,
I refuse to have my power stripped,
Death by drowning, a broken neck,
Anything to make them loyal again,
Following in Sharptooth's footsteps bothers me,
But one does what one must,

Where was I? Oh, yeah,
There's a traitor in Sanctuary, and still remain unbent,
Come out now, explain yourself,
I'm sure it's all just an accident,
Whoever spots Rodney first,
They'll be a greatly reward,
Honestly, keeping you all safe, that's worth every bit,

And this is the thanks I get?
(do-do-dodo, do-do-dodo)
This is the thanks I get?
(Do-do-dodo, do-do-dodo)
And this is the thanks I get?
(Do-do-dodo, do-do-dodo)
This is the thanks I get?
(Do-do-dodo, do-do-dodo)
Ah, this is the thanks I get!?"