A.N: To artist seeking money from for their art, please leave the comment section open for discussions about the story only and don't private message me for I will most likely not respond. Thank you.
Chapter Ten:
Test Part 1
"I feel like we've stood here, forever." Chomper admitted.
"Well, it had been four about seven chapters."
"What?" Chomper exclaimed.
"Nothing."
Chomper stood with his father, Chance, the pair having a heart to heart after years of being apart. It was a revelation, or in this case, unwelcoming information. There was a pit in his stomach, Chomper wondering if he heard correctly.
"My father, your grandfather was once called Dementus, or later became known to many as Sharptooth."
Chomper froze, unable to believe the words his father spoke. Sharptooth was the most feared Alpha over the sharpteeth, greater than even Red Claw. After all, no one claims the name Death without earning it. Not only was Sharptooth strong, but he saw into the future, able to find and kill those who would try to steal his title.
"No, no, it can't be true."
"It is. The very blood that ran through Sharptooth's veins, now, runs through yours."
No, it was unimaginable, impossible. If Sharptooth was his grandfather, that meant Littlefoot's mother was killed by a member of Chomper's family. Not only that, but if Dementus was a blood relative, maybe there was a darkness in Chomper, one he never knew about. It changed everything about his heritage, his father, himself. What did it all mean?
Chomper:
"When I was a boy, you were an idol I worshiped, father,
I could hear your roar, echoing the forest like thunder, father,
On a mission to prove I was worthy of approval from you, father,
I been brave feeling fearless, ruthless, and relentless,
So, am I just like you?
No!
What kind of alpha is in my blood,
I don't know, what kind male have I become,
I am stuck with darkness that runs through my vines,
Am I prisoner or can I change,
Whoa, what I've become when it's in my blood,
My blood,
When it's in my blood,
My blood,
When it's in my blood,"
Never been anything but your loyal son,
Been a good soldier, followed your orders,
Never questioning your word,
You're all I wanted to be,
But now it's all unraveling,
There's blood on my hands, don't know if I'm a monster or son of an alpah!
What kind of alpha is in my blood,
I don't know, what kind male have I become,
I am stuck with darkness that runs through my veins,
Am I prisoner or can I change,
Whoa, what I've become when it's in my blood,
My blood,
When it's in my blood,
My blood,
When it's in my blood."
The world spiraled out of control, Chomper wondering if he were truly in the between world or if it was a nightmare. It couldn't be true, that he was related to Shaprtooth.
"No, please say no."
"Mother wanted us to have a normal childhood, where we weren't in danger. So, she raised us away from him, never wanted us to meet him."
Chance looked at the water, seeing the image change, revealing a younger version of himself. The younger Chance had struck out on his own, in search of a mate and a wonderful place to settle down. On his travels, he crossed only a few sharpteeth, who feared him at first, which he found odd. It wasn't till he came upon the Alpha, he understood their fear, for it was like looking at his reflection, the mighty Sharptooth was like him, in stature, color, it was uncanny.
"Who be you lady?" Dementus threatened.
"Chance, a wonderer." He responded.
"Humm, interesting, if I didn't know any better, I'd say you were my twin." Circling Chance, Dementus chuckled. "Yes, myou be my son, you have my scent, along with that of your mother's. I've only seen here once or twice since your clutched hatched."
"I don't remember you."
"Unfortunately, but fortunate that we met. Now, I can show you what it means to be an Alpha. I need an heir, and you will do just fine."
Shaking his head, Chance took a step back. "And if I don't want to?"
"Ya would be weak."
Then, suddenly, Dementus leapt and attacked Chance. It took him by surprise, the pair falling to he ground, tussling, biting and clawing madly. Chance did all he could to break free, and once he did, he got to his feet and ran, ran as far away as possible. He glanced back to see Sharptooth, who only cackled, laughing at him for fleeing.
"It was a test, a test to see if I was worthy to be Alpha." The older Chance stood, lowering his head in shame. "Chomper, you must confront the past Alphas to reach Dementus and defeat him."
"Defeat him?"
"Yes, only then, can you return to your body. And perhaps free those still trapped."
'Trapped?"
Chomper had so many questions, yet Chance slowly began to fade. "I can't stay here too much longer. You can do this; I believe in you."
"Father! Don't go, please!"
"Remember who you are..." Chances voice echoed softly.
"Dad!" Chomper shouted, finding himself alone yet again. "Dang it."
Chomper had to heed his father's advice, pressing on to search for the Alphas of the past. Treading along, the dark space was endless and vast, Chomper walking on and on.
"Well, well, look who finally decided to drop in and say hi?" Came the voice of a female.
Chomper turned, seeing someone among the shadows. When the being was revealed, Chomper saw it was Stephany. "Stephany, y-you're here?"
"No thanks to you, my souls been stuck here."
"I'm sorry." Then Chomper lit up. "Your mother gave us your egg, congratulation, I guess."
"Save it."
"Don't you want to know about your daughter?"
"I'd rather have had the egg crushed then know it was raised by the likes of you and that food." Stephany sneered.
"Very well, then let's change the subject." Chomper stood tall. "How did you defeat Sharptooth?"
"I didn't." Stephany answered begrudgingly.
"What do you mean?"
"I know, right? I'm bigger, stronger, you'd think I'd have overpowered him, yet I didn't."
"Well, then, who did beat him?"
"Not sure, maybe you should go ask him yourself." Stephany leaned down to be eye level with Chomper. "But be careful, the soft type don't last long here."
"What do you mean?"
There was a groaning sound, Chomper seeing a shadowy figure move along the horizon. "Them, those are the lost who didn't make it out. Pretty soon, that will be my fate too."
"Aren't you scared?"
"No, that's what makes me a survivor." Stephany took off, leaving Chomper behind. "So long, chump!"
Chomper kept his eye on the ghoul-like being, heading off, not wanting to get up close and personal with the creepy beings. Again, Chomper found himself alone, walking on and on. His thoughts went to Ruby, his friends, his children, his family. How he missed them, longed to get home. Only when he defeated Dementus, his grandfather Sharptooth, could he return. Then, he saw water, rushing to find an image, his Dark half. The pair spoke, yet when Chomper heard the voice of Ruby, his Dark half disturbed the surface of the water to cut off their communication.
"No!" Chomper hit his tail to the earth and slumped to his knees, longing, wishing to get back to her and his family.
"I'd say I enjoy seeing you suffer, yet, even I'm not that cruel."
Chomper knew the voice, knew he wasn't alone. "Red Claw?"
"Yes, in the pittaful spirit relem. Banished and trapped here for the sins of my past. Fitting, wouldn't you agree?"
Chomper rose and faced the taller male. "I never wanted to hurt you-"
"Oh, no, you wanted us to be friends. Even though I tried to kill you, eat your friends, yet you still saw something in me, something that you believed was worth saving. Why?"
"Guess, I figured if I killed or wished evil upon you, I'd be no better than you."
"That hurts."
"I'm sorry."
"Chomper, now that I've been here, I've had time to think. I don't like you, you annoy me beyond belief."
"Is there supposed to be a compliment in there?"
"Yes, because even though I disliked you, I admired how you never changed. When I was young, I became stronger, thinking only power was the answer to my problems. I was a foolish boy and bared the scars of such reckless behavior." Red Claw touched his face. "My name used to be Quick...All the Alphas were somebody before they became leaders. Stephany told me, she wanted to be called Vicious. I warned her, that even if she fought me in the dream realm, she'd still have to face him."
"Shadrptooth?"
"Yes, even I couldn't defeat him. But I think you might stand a better chance, not much, but the slightest bit."
"Why? Because you think he'll pity how weak I am?"
"No, because you've stayed true to yourself, even after you became Alpha."
"I don't know how true that is. As we speak, my Dark half is running amuck, doing I don't even know what."
"Then you'll have to stop him."
"Red-Quick, thank you for all you've done. Even though you tried to kill me, I respected your determination, admired you strength."
"Well, I only wish I had your tender soul. Right, time for you go. I gave you my advice and wait till hopefully you either defeat him or are trapped here with us."
"If I loose, I'll be stuck here like you?"
"Yes."
"Then, I better hope I win."
"Well, look at it this way, if you loose, we'll be the best of friends. Friends for all eternity."
"That's good to know."
Chomper smiled and saw Red Claw wave him off, disappearing among the haze. Chomper went ahead, going toward, what seemed an endless horizon. The thought of losing, becoming trapped forever while his Dark half controlled his body didn't sit well with Chomper. Whether he liked it or not, he'd have to fight, have to win to get home.
