The Land Before Time:
Dawn of the Seven Heroes
I can face the world through a different light. Though it pains my heart, all I can do is fight, fight, fight! With the power of my mind, and the strength of my friends, I'll put a stop to destruction ends.
I will follow my destiny no matter the path. Though danger looms within, I will find the courage to win, win, win! I'll protect who're close, and save who're dear, and stop all the perils that keep drawing near.
I won't give up and I can't lose hope. Though the troubles are many and eases are few, I won't stop till the job is through, through, through! As I gaze up and look all around, I wonder, is there really evil to be found?
Prologue: Read Me a Story Please
In which bedtime leads to an epic struggle.
The sun started to retire for the day, and the moon began to take its place. A warm, gentle breeze whistled through the fields of grass and tall trees. No children roamed about, playing and laughing gleefully as they tend to do; it was the time that they were tucked in for the night. A tall, stone castle stood above all else in the kingdom. From even its lowest tower, the entire kingdom could be viewed with watchful and caring eyes. Inside the window of one of the highest towers, a dim glow could be seen, as well as two shadows moving about.
"Okay, daddy, I'm going to bed now," a small child declared.
"Now son, I know how much you like to stay up, but- wait, you want to go to bed!" his father asked incredulously.
"Yep!" he answered cheerfully, jumping into his bed and pulling up his own blanket.
"My, you sure are growing up. This is the first time you've willingly gone to sleep."
"I didn't say I was going to sleep, daddy," he replied with a grin. "I said I was going to bed. Read me a story."
His father had to keep himself from chuckling. "Where did he learn that one?" he thought to himself. "All right son, but remember your manners."
"Oh yeah! Read me a story please."
"Good boy. Now, which one would you like to hear tonight?" he asked him.
"Well," he began, "Is there one I haven't heard yet?"
His father pondered this. He walked over to his son's bookshelf, scanned over its contents, and then replied, "I'm afraid I've read you all of your books."
"Oh... Well, what about one of your books? Got any interesting ones?"
"Hmmm. I'm pretty sure that what I find interesting, you would find boring."
"Any story'll do. Don't you have just one story book?" he pleaded.
"I do have one, but you might find it boring at your age. Besides, it is quite long. How about I just make one-"
"Ooh! I love long stories! Read it! Read it!" the child exclaimed, getting very excited. His father hesitated, so the boy added, "I can just ask if I don't understand something."
"Very well, but I can't guarantee we'll finish it tonight."
"That's okay. You can just read the rest some other time then."
"I only wish my wife was this agreeable," he thought to himself. "I'll be right back," he said aloud as he went to his quarters to retrieve the book.
He did not have to go far, since his room was just a little down the hall from his son's. His wife was snoring loudly, which blocked out the noise he made as he got the book down. He couldn't light a candle for fear of waking her, but he grabbed the right book with ease since it felt different from any of his other ones. He crept back into his son's room, only to see him fidgeting immensely.
"I was only gone a few minutes," he said with a laugh.
"Yeah but, I've never heard anything that wasn't from a child's book before. I've never even opened one for adults before."
"Probably because you can't read yet," he replied with a grin. "But who is to say if a story is for youth or the elderly? If you enjoy it, then it's right for you; it doesn't matter whether you're young, old, or something in between."
"Wow, I never thought of that."
"Well, as you get older and experience things for yourself, you will also learn a great deal. Now, let's get started, shall we?" With that, he drew attention to the book.
It was covered in dust, yet appeared brand new- an odd combination. It had a golden inscription in bold lettering on the cover.
"What does that say?" the child asked.
"It says, 'Legend of the Seven Heroes,'" came his father's reply. He opened it up to the first page. The book seemed completely new, from its binding, to its pages, to its lettering.
"How old is this book?"
"It's many years old."
"Wow, you sure take good care of it then."
"But of course. This book is my most prized possession. Well, besides you and your mother, of course. It is the only copy in existence."
"Wow. It must be super valuable!"
"You're probably right. Now then, shall I begin?"
"What is it about?" he wondered aloud.
"It's about an epic struggle of young, well, why not have me start reading and see for yourself?"
"Yeah, that's sounds more interesting. Okay, I'm ready."
With that, his father took back the book, and began to read.