Chapter: 8
Copyright: © characters and places by United Pictures; © Plot and OC by me
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“Is that him?” The black Clubtail softly asked.
Grandma nodded, not looking at him as her eyes scanned the rocks above them.
“Then it seems I finally pay for my crimes…” He breathed softly, a serene smile on his face.
“You are oddly calm about this.” The Longneck turned to look at him, her tail twitching.
“I have been waiting for this.” He answered. “Though it grieves me to leave my nephews with their mother.”
“What?” Another roar, female this time, shook the very ground with its’ intensity after the female Leaf-eater spoke.
“I should fear Sharpteeth, yet I fear my family…” He mused, looking from the rocks above them to her. “My sister, sweet to all but those in her way… I covered for her, I took the blame for her misdeeds and now I shall die for her crime. And so repent for my own. I should never have joined her.”
“What exactly are you talking about?” She demanded, turning to face him fully now.
“Ask my sister, the one everyone thinks my mate: where are the children I had to watch and she took? Where did she cast them down the ravine in our valley? Who killed the pale-green Sharptooth and who took the blame and died for it?” He softly said. “Ask her why I am considered such a troublemaker and draw your conclusions.”
The ground shook beneath their feet. Rhythmic impact-sounds reached their ears.
Grandma shuddered at the hissing. She came face to face with the three grown-up Sharpteeth as she turned, Rec’s eyes burning with fury. White Star stood beside him, teeth gleaming in the light of the Bright Circle. Tyra stood slightly behind them, shaking her head lightly at the Longneck.
“Go, Longneck.” The Clubtail stated. “Let me die for the lives lost because of me looking the other way. Let them have their vengeance, even if I am not the dinosaur they truly want.”
She had protected Threehorn’s family, going so far as to challenge all three of those before her now, but that had been different.
As the Longneck moved aside, the Sharpteeth closed in on the Clubtail. As she walked away, eyes pressed closed, they toppled him. And as she turned to look at them, they killed him.
A shudder ran through her body as she watched Rec and White Star tear into him like they were possessed. Tyra instead backed away some, walking up to her.
“He caught the scent.” The Sharptooth said. “I am sorry.”
“It can’t be helped.” The Longneck turned away, looking into the Valley at the sound of running footsteps. Chomper came to a sudden stop, his eyes widening at the sight of his father and sister. “This was supposed to be.” She added, not so much for Tyra, but for the young Sharptooth.
His jaw quivered, but he nodded slowly.
She walked into the Valley once more, the youngest Sharptooth trailing after her. She should return to the other grown-ups and tell them of this and indeed she felt the severe need of her mate’s closeness… She turned and walked the other way, aiming for the field where she had last seen the female Clubtail.
“Where are we going?” He asked her after a bit, following her through the forest covering much of the Valley-floor.
“To the new arrivals.” She answered. “I need to get some things straight.”
“What things?” He kept following her, worry in his eyes.
“Things I hope are wrong.” She looked at him briefly. “You should warn the others about what has happened.”
“I think the roars of Dad and Sis already did that.” Chomper looked away briefly, clearly not sure what to think about all this.
“True.” She nodded briefly, walking around a tree in her path. Her scars rippled as she moved, the shadows drawing patterns on her grey skin.
They entered the field, which was mostly empty since many dinosaurs had fled out of sheer instinct. Tria was gone, no doubt returning to Topsy’s side once more.
“He is dead, I take it?” A dark-blue Clubtail looked at them, her children having disappeared.
“He is.” Grandma stated, watching the impassive reaction of the other female. “Your brother is dead.”
Here the grey eyes of the smaller Leaf-eater widened and then she smiled in disdain. “He told you.”
“Was it true?” The other Leaf-eater countered.
“Everything for my children.” Anka stated. “Are not all mothers like that?”
“No.” Tosa snarled. “No, only you.”
“That explains why it was so easy.” The Clubtail turned away. “Their own failure, you know…”
She had entirely too much to deal with these days. She was too old for this, far too old.
ëWhat was that about?’
ëDifference of opinion.’
ëThat normally doesn't result in you stepping on dinosaurs.’
ëIt normally did not go this far.’
A grown-up Clubtail’s back is capable of shrugging off almost anything. Fast Biters? Meh, what was the problem? Greater Sharptooth? As long as they don’t reach the belly: whatever… Fully grown Longneck? … Might get problematic…
Chomper’s eyes widened to near impossible sizes as the armored back gave way under the two feet crashing onto it. He stepped back as blood splattered the grass. He shuddered when seeing the body being flattened under the weight of a grown-up Longneck.
His family, in search for the Longneck, couldn’t believe their eyes.
Grandma Longneck walked away to the nearest exit, blood coloring her two front-legs red. Of the six on the field, she was the only one moving.