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 Fifteen:
The Beach
There were footprints along the beach of the Mysterious Island that changed, the small getting slightly bigger. Fang was 10, Claw was 9, Star being 8. The children took off running, holding boards carved from wood, being taught how to surf by their Sky-being grandparents.
"Race you!"Shouted Claw."You can't keep up with me!"
"Kids!" Came Chomper's voice, the three halting and seeing him sign as well. "Remember stay within the reef and don't go beyond it."
"We won't, dad!" Claw called back.
"Don't fret dad, I'll keep an eye on them." Fang was always the responsible one among them.
Ruby walked and stood by Chomper. "Worried they won't listen?"
"Did we ever listen?"
Leaning up, she nuzzled his muzzle. "No."
With their parents behind them, they made their way into the water, splashing and laughing. Claw hoped onto his board, Fang passing him and riding the waves. Star lay on her belly and paddled her arms, not wanting to fall off. When all were on, Claw gestured.
"Bet you can't stay on longer than me, Fang?"
"Why must everything be a competition with you?" Fang signed back, rolling her eyes at him.
"Scared you'll lose, oh great Alpha."
"I'm not Alpha yet. Besides, there's no competition, I'll always beat you, prey."
"Just cause you're a predator doesn't mean you're better than me."
"Actually, it kind of dose."
"Wait up, I want to race too." Called Star.
When they lined up, they waited for their wave, coasting and tilting their weight to keep upright. The water rose around and the three moved under it, moving right before it fell. When they got to a certain point, Fang waved for them to stop.
"All right this is as far as we go. No going beyond the reef, remember. We don' want to get pulled to the beach of the Mysterious Beyond."
"Why not? I've always wanted to visit it."
"We can, so long as our parents are with us-"
"Do you always do what daddy says?"
"Yeah, which he way he trusts me over you."
"Well, I'm not scared, I may be prey, but I fear nothing."
"Come on, Claw, you've got nothing to prove."
"Easy for you to say. Besides, Star want to see beyond the reef, right Star?"
"Well, it would be nice. Plus, what our parents won't know won't hurt us."
"See, two out of three." Claw signed, hoping to wear Fang down.
"Well, a short time can't hurt."
"Yeah, exactly!" Cheered Claw. They made their way past the reef, seeing the wavers were bigger and more fun to ride, approaching the beach in no time. "See, this was a good idea."
"We're still not home yet, so don't get too excited."
They stood on their boards, seeing the water rise and wrap around them, each one trying to stay ahead and make it out on the far side. When the wave fell, they went back around to catch the next one, Fang taking the lead. The wave brought them to the beach, all climbing out to explore.
"See, no harm no foul." Claw dug his board in the sand, climbing the ridge. "Wow, you gotta see this."
They joined him, seeing the Mysterious Beyond in the distance, just on the horizon. "Amazing. To think our parents used to explore out there."
"Why shouldn't we?"
"Claw, you promised, not too far."
"We'll be fine, I got my weapons, you have your skills and Star has powers, what could go wrong."
"Everything could go wrong."
"I'm curious to see a tiny bit of it." Star put in. "Please Fang, we'll be quick, please?"
"Fine, fine, but one smell of danger and we leave?"
"I can agree to that."
The three left their boards along with their footprints, heading away from the beach, the Land Path and the Island. On the island, Chomper walked out to see if he could spot the children. Holding a curious expression, he got a bad feeling.
"Hey, Boss, you okay?" Screech asked.
"The kids, have you seen them?"
"I'm sure they're fine."
"I don't know, I can't see them on the Big Water."
"You think they are in trouble?" Thud wondered.
"I don't know, but if they're anything like us at their age, I have reason to be worried."
"Hey, Thud and I can go check out the beach while you and Ruby search the island. They might've come back to another part of the island."
"You're right, but we can't be too careful."
The three parted ways, Screech and Thud making their way to the land path while Chomper went to start a search party on the island. Rodney and Trudy went one way, while Ruby and Chomper went the other.
"Least they know how to defend themselves." Ruby said.
"Yeah, but I worry none the less."
As the search party pressed on, in the Mysterious Beyond, the three enjoyed their time. Fang was still on guard, yet found the new surroundings to be exciting, taking in the new smells. Star ran her hands over the rock, tree, holding a deep connection to her surroundings. Claw was happy to be out of the watchful eyes of his parents, unfazed, and not concerned about a thing. Leaping and running ahead, Claw wasn't paying attention and found himself sinking in a muddy pit.
"Ahh!"
"Now what?" Fang saw Claw struggling, knowing right away what he was stuck in. "Don't move, Claw, it's sinking sand!"
Claw froze fast. "You gonna tell me how wrong I was?"
"Maybe later, if you survive."
"Maybe I could use my power to lift him?" Star raised her hand, Fang grimacing.
"No, you've only ever lifted rocks and lifeless items! So, don't test it on me!"
Star sighed. "Fine, let's find a vine or stick to yank him out."
Star and Fang looked around, leaving Claw alone. "Stay put, we'll be back."
"Like I can do anything else!"
Star and Fang were cautious, keeping low as Fang sniffed the air. Witha sharp eye out, Star's nose wasn't as strong as Fang, but she could tell differences in scents. They both froze, raising their heads, only to glance to their feet, the ground vibrating slightly.
"Earth shake?"
"No, I think we're not alone out here." Fang moved to head back to where Claw was, yanking a vine to pull him out.
Arms crossed, Claw sighed and glanced around, noticing the leaves flutter from the trees that moved ever so slightly. Not sure what it was, he scanned the forest, hoping it was Fang and Claw. Then, stepping before him was a sharptooth, a male, who eyed him up.
"Oh, crap!"
The sharptooth licked his lips, approaching him. Before he could try to bite Claw, Fang roared and stood in front of him. From the side, the sharptooth felt a shove, being sent a few feet away by an unknown force. From the jungle, Star came to join Fang, rubbing the blood away that dripped from her noise.
"A sharptooth protecting prey?" The sharptooth held a curious look. "Tell me, who are your parents?"
"Why should we even waste our time talking to you, especially after you tried to eat our brother?" Fang growled.
"Who are you?" Star added.
"I'm Rex. You're mother wouldn't happen to be the Alpha's mate and Fastrunner?"
"Yeah, how did you guess?" Star was less defensive.
"What are they saying?" Claw asked, seeing neither signed.
"We're bargaining for your life."
"Oh, that's great to know."
"All right, you kids need to get home, fast." Rex used his tail and lifted Claw out.
"What's happening? What's going on?"
"Come on, we're going home." Star grabbed and took his hand, following Rex.
"Can we trust him?"
"He didn't eat you, so, he earned a little trust."
They stayed close to Rex, who led them toward the beach. What made them hurry was the sound of screeching, the brush rustling as they were being followed. With luck, they'd reach the land path and be able to get home to the safety of the island.
