Disclaimer: I do not own 'The Land Before Time' or any of it's characters.

Journey To The Miracle Valley by megacharizard

The Great Valley is a place known all around the dinosaur world. To Wanderers, it is
a place to rest and refuel for the journey ahead. For those trying to reach it, it is a goal,
an objective to be reached, risking life and limb. To predators, it is the meal of a
lifetime, if they could just find a way in. To those inside the valley, it is home. But for
how long?
It had been many years since Littlefoot and his friends had escorted their
friend Mo back to the Big Water. The five of them had now reached teenage years.
Spike was talking now and Ducky and Petrie had learned to speak perfectly. Spike
had grown his spikes and plates and Cera had grown her two horns above her eyes.
Littlefoot's appearance had not changed, with the exception of his height, but he had
changed in personality. His Grandparents were dead. He knew it would happen but he
was never ready for it. His Grandma died first, eight years after the journey to the Big
Water. She had been killed by a Sharptooth just like his mother. Littlefoot's Grandpa
made the Sharptooth pay with her life and then it was up to grandfather and grandson
to continue their lives. Just two years ago, Littlefoot's Grandpa died of heart attack,
leaving Littlefoot as the last in his herd. Although still youthful, Littlefoot was able to
take care of himself, although he was sad for a long time and even now, sometimes
preferred his solitude to the company of his friends. It was understandable though. As
time went on, they too had to suffer the losses of old relatives but they stayed together
as they, unlike Littlefoot, still had families. However, there was soon to be a disaster
that would bring Littlefoot, Cera, Ducky, Petrie and Spike closer together than ever
before...
Dark had swept over the valley two hours ago, but Littlefoot was still foraging
for food. "The Time of the Changing Treestars is almost upon us." he thought "Must
stock up on food" He paused for a while and sat down to catch his breath. He looked
up into the starry sky. "That shooting star looks much closer than yesterday. I hope it
doesn't mean anything." he thought, looking up at the comet. It did seem to be much
larger. Littlefoot was afraid that it might be heading for the valley. He hoped that this
was not the case. An asteroid of that size would destroy the valley indefinitely. It
would not grow back as it had done so many times before because the land would be
too badly damaged. Knowing that the only thing to be done was to hope that the
comet would not come any closer, Littlefoot went back to his nest and drifted into an
uneasy sleep. Meanwhile, the comet continued to draw ever closer...
The next morning, Littlefoot, after a quick breakfast, made his way to the
Meeting Place. The cold times would be coming soon and the first Wanderers would
be entering the valley. Littlefoot enjoyed this time of the year. When the Wanderers
arrived, they would tell stories about lands that they had seen. He smiled as he
remembered how the, now deceased, Mr Thicknose remembered those stories and
pretended to have experienced them himself. Littlefoot looked around round the large
pit and saw his friends near by. Feeling the need for companionship, he decided to
join them. The others saw him coming and welcomed him into the group.
"Hey Littlefoot, nice of you to join us for once." Cera remarked.
" I'm sorry, I just haven't had the time for talking. What with the storing away
food and all." Littlefoot replied.
"At least someone is storing food. As soon as I find any, Spike eats it right
away!" Ducky joked.
"What do you mean when YOU find it? I'm always the one having to look
around for food." Spike retorted. This argument would've continued but Petrie
stopped them.
"Quiet, the Wanderers are about to start their story!" he whispered loudly.
Ducky and Spike ceased their talking and the five listened carefully to the tale. The
Wanderers spoke of a land faraway which was believed to be even more of a
sanctuary than the Great Valley. The land was twice as broad as the valley. The
treestars were twice as succulent and the water three times as pure. The walls were
twice as high so the dinosaurs were safer. They called this land, 'The Miracle Valley'.
Littlefoot wondered what the land was like, but he saw no need to ever go there.
However, one day when might meet a female Longneck of similar interests and they
could star their own herd, it might be nice to take his children there. So just in case, he
listened to the directions to the valley very carefully and memorised them. He would
never have guessed how lucky he had been to do so...
After the stories were over, the gang went to their childhood refuge, Peace-
keeper's Ledge. Littlefoot looked up at the darkening sky and noticed the comet
again. It was continuing to grow in size and Littlefoot thought it best to inform his
friends.
"Have you guys noticed that comet up there?" he asked them.
"Yeah, what about?" asked Cera, perplexed.
"It seems to be drawing closer to the valley every day." Littlefoot said,
scanning the sky. "I'm worried."
"Don't be so nervous." Spike said, trying to reassure him. "It will probably
miss. They usually do."
"I don't like the word 'usually'." Littlefoot replied. "That's just leaving it to
chance."
"Even if it is heading for us, there is much we can do." Petrie said,
pessimistically.
"He's right." Ducky said. "in most situations, we dinosaurs have no coice but
to leave things to chance."
"I know you're right, but even so, I'm going to report to the council
tomorrow." Littlefoot sighed. "Not that it will do any good." he added.
Don't worry. We'll back you up." Petrie said, patting him on the back.
Littlefoot smiled as the group gathered round closer to plan what they were going to
do. Meanwhile, danger lurked in the stars above...
"Do you really expect us to believe some story about a comet and evacuate the
whole valley just because you say so?" Mr Threehorn yelled at Littlefoot. Littlefoot
sighe. This council meeting was going just as badly as he thought. Although the elders
respected his maturity more now that was older, it was harder for Littlefoot to get past
Mr Threehorn without his Grandparents to stick up for him. Littlefoot decided to give
it one more try.
" If you just look at the comet tonight and then tomorrow, you will see that it
is moving closer to us." he argued.
"That is enough! I will not be played for a fool any longer! I am now closing
this court session!" Mr Threehorn thundered. Littlefoot turned away. He knew it was
useless to argue any further. But something had to be done.
"It was a nice try Littlefoot." Petrie told him as he rejoined the group.
"We have to do something." Littlefoot said, full of determination. "That thing
is too close to be ignored now."
"We could always leave the valley, but we would still have to find away to
convince the rest of the valley to leave." Cera said.
"There's another problem." Spike said.
"What's that?" Ducky asked him.
"Even if we do leave the valley, where do we go?" Spike answered.
"We'll deal with that problem when we reach it." Littlefoot decided. "What's
more important is getting the elders to leave the valley. That comet could strike any
day now." One by one, they all looked up at the sky. Then, without saying a word,
they all departed, not knowing that Littlefoot was wrong about their days being
numbered. Their hours were numbered...
The next morning, Littlefoot awoke to see mist surrounding him and dark
clouds in the skies above. "This doesn't look good. I wonder if it's some kind omen."
he thought. He looked upwards to try and get a glimpse of the comet, but he could not
see it. "Aarrgghh! Where is it!" Littlefoot thought to himself, annoyed as he looked
around. No matter how hard he tried, he could not locate it. He decided that the best
chance he would have of seeing it,would be if he was higher up. He decided to look
from Watcher's Hill. Leaving his comfortable nest, he set off and it did not take long
for him to run into Petrie.
"Hey Petrie. Guess it's hard for you to fly in this fog, huh?" Littlefoot said,
noticing that Petrie seemed to be grounded.
"I've been tryng to look for the comet but I just can't see it through this mist. Have
you seen it?" Petrie inquired. Littlefoot shook his head and Petrie sighed in
annoyance. The two of them stared at the mist, trying to see through it.
"It's no good." Littlefoot said at length. "The only place that just might high
enough, is Saurus Rock." Petrie looked at him. He knew Littlefoot was nt joking and
he also knew that Littlefoot was right.
"I guess we better get started then." Petrie said, taking up his old position on
Littlefoot's back...
The two of them managed to make the journey their without running into any
Sharpteeth. They made the climb without any mishap as well. Once on top, the two of
them looked up at the sky. Even now, they had trouble looking for it,
"I don't like this calm atmosphere. It's too-" Littlefoot began to talk, but he
trailed off as he was able to make out a small red glow in the mist. Littlefoot turned to
find Petrie's startled eyes looking at him. He had seen it too and they both knew what
it was.
"How long do you think we have before it hits?" asked Petrie. Littlefoot
swallowed hard.
"It looks like it might just be an hour or two." he replied. Petrie gulped.
"We have to find the others and try to get the elders to leave the valley."
Littlefoot said. They started down the mountain, but as they rounded a corner, they
heard the mistakable roar of a Sharptooth. They stopped in their tracks. If it were a
fully grown Sharptooth, they had no chance of winning as they still had much
growing to do. Should it be a smaller breed, perhaps it would not be so difficult. But
they were to have no such luck. The Sharptooth came charging around the corner and
prepared to attack. Littlefoot, with a determined look on his face, stood his ground,
tail raised and ready. Petrie drew in a deep brwath and made a lunge for the
Sharptooth's eyes. Distracted, the Sharptooth backed up a little and Littlefoot saw an
oppurtunity. Raising his tail, he struck the Sharptooth hard in the side, making it
stumble. The Sharptooth swiped it's claws at Littlefoot, nicking on the side slightly,
but Littlefoot headbutted it, sending it over the cliff to t's death...
Panting slightly, Petrie rturned to earth and he and Littlefoot rejoiced in their
defeat of the Sharptooth.
"Thanks a lot Petrie. I would have had no chance without you." Littlefoot said.
"Happy to help. You okay?" asked Petrie, pointing to his small wound.
"Yeah, I barely feel it." Littlefoot said. "Come on, we have to get-" Littlefoot
was cut off as a loud explosion filled their ears. The two of them turned in the
direction of the explosion to see the comet crashing into the Great Valley. The two of
them were to stunned to speak. They had been too late to svae their friends...

TO BE CONTINUED...