Rex and Yu have caught up with the pack by the time they stopped close to a cliff. They all stopped to take a break, to catch their bearings on where they are and get to know the area a bit.

The view in front of them was a more thorough view of the lasts of the wasteland. Up ahead they could see green fields, a field of mountains up ahead which was a little too familiar for some of the members of the pack.

Rex stepped closer to the edge of the cliff to take a better look, getting nostalgic as he recognized the mountains up ahead. Beyond those mountains lies his home, the utopia for all leaf eaters and peacemakers alike: the Great Valley.

Mysterious Beyond

His thoughts went back to his old friends. To Littlefoot, Cera, Ducky, Spike, and Petrie. It's been so many Bright Circles since he last saw them. They must've had so many new adventures since he left, met new friends and so many new memories. He wondered if they still remember him.

Rex promised them that he would return once he was finished finding the answers to his questions. What kind of dinosaur is he? Who gave him life? Are they still alive? Where does he really belong? He hasn't gotten close to finding the answers so far, but he has faith that one day he will. And once I do…I'll be back home guys…I promise…

"Rex!"

Rex turned around at the call of his name.

"C'mon," Yu said as he walked up to him, "follow me! Dad wants to see you!"

Rex blinks. He then pointed a claw to himself as he asked, "What? See me?"

"Yeah," Yu replied, "He says it's important, let's go!"

Rex nodded and followed Yu back to the pack. As he got near to the numbers he noticed most of their eyes were on him. He still felt very uncomfortable about that. It made him feel different, out of place. As if he needed something more emphasis on how different he was to the rest of them.

He tried his best to look part of the pack. His wings folded close to his back, walk straight, hold his head up high and glare in their general direction. Try to look threatening here.

He still felt silly doing this, trying to act someone he's not. And he's getting the vibe it's not working with how they kept looking at him. He must be trying too hard.

"Heheheh," Rex heard Yu giggling in front of him, "You know you don't have to act like that, just be yourself."

Rex sighed, mentally making a note on that.

Before he could even adjust they were already standing in front of Yu's father, Judah.

Yu stood firm and straight in front of his father, paying his respects to his father and leader of the pack. Rex however took a second to realize he had to do the same and mimicked Yu's stance. This is all still so…Weird to him. He was never this disciplined back in the Great Valley.

Yu's father, Judah, stood between two of his most trusted Fast Biters. He gives a slight smile at the two children in front of him and gestured them to be at ease in front of him.

"Morning Rex, Yu," he greeted them in the trademark Sharptooth language.

Being a Sharptooth as well Rex could pick up and understand the language. He wasn't sure where he learned it, living his whole life with Leaf-Eaters. It just came to him the first instant he heard the language. Instinct, he concluded.

"Morning," Rex replied with a smile.

Rex still remembers that first time he met Yu and his father. It was actually an accident.

He was wandering in a jungle, lost and unsure on where to go when he was suddenly ambushed and attacked by a Fast Biter. It turned out to be Yu, suffering from an out of control reaction he often suffered toward anyone new. Relating to the problem Rex helped him out trying to overcome it, and from doing so he also met Yu's father.

"Morning, dad," Yu greets as he respectfully bowed his head to his father, "You said you wanted to see us?"

Judah nods and gestures his claws to his two 'bodyguards', dismissing them. He waited until they were gone to continue his talk with his son and friend.

"That's correct," he said, "You two have been much of my pride and joy to have in the pack."

Judah looked at his son and continued, "Yu, my son. Ever since you've been born both your mother and I raised you well. I've taught you everything I knew on how to hunt and to survive. You've grown both physically and mentally."

Yu smiled with pride from his father's words. To get such praise from his dad, who's usually harsh and strict, was nothing short of an accomplishment.

"You've shown great courage and wonderful performance in the field of hunting," Judah continued, "And so, I'm proud to say that you, from now on, will be serving the pack from the Frontier Lines."

Yu and Rex both gasped in shock. They couldn't believe it. To hear that Yu's moving from the Backer Lines into the Frontier Lines is a huge honor in itself.

The Lines is a defense system Fast Biters learned to apply into their packs for protection of their young and pack.

The system consists of three lines. The Backer Lines, which protect their hatchlings and elderly. The Frontier Lines, which the strongest Fast Biters make to fight and defend the pack in an attack or hunt. And the Middle Lines, their second layer of defense should any prey or invader makes it past the Frontier Lines.

As suggested, the Frontier Lines is the highest rank in the pack. Only the strongest and most trusted of the pack make up that line of defense. It's a common dream among hatchlings and young Fast Biters to make it into the Frontier Lines someday.

Yu was still in shock. He was so happy he was forcing back tears of joy. This was the highest honor of the pack. Now he can battle alongside his father, have more responsibilities, have more respect.

"Thank you, dad," Yu said, bowing his head in respect again, "I promise I won't let you down."

Judah nods, "Your mother would've been proud."

Rex smiled at Yu. He felt happy for his friend. He finally made it to the Frontier Lines, a proud soldier for his own pack. The strongest and bravest of the pack are there, and now Yu was one of them, ready to fight and protect his family and friends.

While on one paw he was happy for him, on the other he felt sad. Before this both Rex and Yu defended the pack in the Backer Lines, always staying with the hatchlings while the others were fighting off invaders and hunting for food. He was going to miss sharing the pain of babysitting with him.

"As for you, Rex."

Rex tensed up and looked at Judah. He stood up straight as he faced the leader of the pack, staring at the leader's stern expression on his face. Rex hated that look, and it usually came along with a scolding or something.

"You've been an…Interesting addition to the pack," Judah said, emphasis on the word 'interesting, "And yet, you've been a valuable asset to us. When you approached me along with my son to become part of my pack, I was skeptical at first. Believing you would slow us down, give us trouble, more weight on our claws, a meddler."

Rex winced at the mention of each and every claim. He expected skeptism from the leader himself when he first approached him to be a part of his pack, considering they were all Fast Biters and he's…not. He tried his best to prove him wrong, that he was just as good as they were.

"But you proved me wrong," Judah said, warranting a smile from Rex. "You've helped us all in hunts, aided us against opposing packs, and of course you've greatly helped Yu in honing his skills and maturing."

Judah smiled at Rex and concluded, "I can't thank you enough for your invaluable help."

Rex bashfully smiled as he scratched the back of his head. The praise was making him blush. He giggled a little and said, "Thanks. That means a lot coming from you."

"You've been like another son to me," Judah continued, "Taking care of you along with Yu, seeing you grow up during these Bright Circles alongside my own son. It's been like I own not one, but two sons."

Rex kept his gaze on Judah, feeling a little overwhelmed by what he said. To be considered like another son by Yu's father, that was something he wasn't expecting. He never tried to be seen like an adoptive son, just as another member of the pack, a fellow soldier.

"Gee…Uhhh…Umm…I don't know what to say," Rex stammered with a smile as he tried to express his gratitude, "Thank you for the kind words."

Yu couldn't help but chuckle and struggle to hold in a laugh, getting a look from Rex as if being a bit embarrassed on being laughed at.

"He's right, you know," Yu said, stopping the giggles and shedding an honest smile. "All these Bright Circles together, playing around and stuff, it really makes me feel like I've gained a brother in you."

Rex had to fight from shedding tears. This would be his third time, if not his second, that he has received such heartwarming words from them. "Awww…Thanks, Yu. That…That really means a lot…"

Judah cleared his throat to get the children's attention. He still had a few more things to say to them.

"And to conclude," Judah said, "I've taken notice of the great teamwork the both of you can make, quite impressive might I add. Therefore, Yu, Rex will accompany you in the Frontier Lines."

Rex and Yu both gasped together. Did they just heard right? Rex is also joining the Frontier Lines along with Yu? It sounds too good to be true, yet the words came out of Judah's mouth loud and clear.

Rex and Yu, the pack's best buds, together in the Frontier Lines and fighting alongside one another, what better ranks to be in such a pack? With big smiles on their faces Rex and Yu take their respective stances, standing firm and straight, and respectfully bowed their heads at Judah.

"We promise we won't let you down," Rex announced, his head bowed in respect along with Yu.

"I'm certain you two will do your best," Judah nods, "You two can go now. Dismissed."

Rex watched as Judah walked off. He grinned to himself as he daydreamed. He pictured himself as the strongest warrior of the Frontier Lines, leading and commanding the rest of the pack to victory against rival packs and successfully hunting down prey.

"Rex, leader of the Frontier Lines," Rex muttered to himself as he daydreamed. He giggled at the brilliant idea, embarrassing himself within his own thoughts.

Rex looked over to his left and noticed Yu isn't standing next to him anymore. He turned around and saw him not too far off, standing by the edge of a nearby cliff looking out at the distance.

"What are you looking at?" Rex asked as he walked over to Yu.

"Just looking at the Great Valley Mountains up," Yu replied, "Those mountains, they're pretty high and hard to climb, aren't they?"

"Yeah…"

"I mean, just imagine how many Sharpteeth tried to climb it, only to fail."

"I can think of a few," Rex said, he too joining Yu in the sightseeing, "When lived there I heard a lot of stories about Sharpteeth who never came back down from the mountains, didn't even leave behind a trace. It like they just disappeared."

"Freaky," Yu shuddered at the thought of just disappearing, just like that.

"Tell me about it."

Rex's eyes soon wandered off the mountains and into the forest below, admiring the vast greenery compared to the dry terrain they've been through for the last few Bright Circles. He began to grow hungry as he saw all of that green food. Rex squinted as he noticed a familiar area in the forest.

"Hey," He pointed toward the spot, "I recognize that spot!"

Yu looked at Rex. He then looked at the spot he was pointing, squinting to get a better look. It took him a few seconds but he quickly remembered the spot. How could he forget? That was the spot where they took shelter in a cave about a year ago, where they met Kumo for the first time.

"Oh yeah, that's where we first met Kumo. I remember that!"

"Heheh, it always cracks me up thinking how you guys mistook him for me."

"Well he did kind of look like you!"

Rex laughed as he folded his arms at Yu and said, "Simple mistake at first sight."

Yu chuckled, "Hey! We weren't paying too much attention back then! We were younger!"

Rex laughed again at his friend's expense. Yu gave him a look before laughing himself a couple of seconds later. It's been a few weeks since they last had a laughing fit like this. The last time they laughed this hard was when they were passing through a swamp. Rex tried to hop over a few rocks to cross a bubbly goo puddle, but it ended with him slipping and falling into the mud. Yu laughed at how Rex looked when he came out of the bubbly goo puddle. Brown didn't really suit him.

The two of them finally stopped their laughter when their sides began to hurt. They looked back at the mountains as they admired the view.

'I wonder what Littlefoot is doing,' Rex though to himself, not taking his eyes off the mountains in the distance.

The memories of his Longneck friend were returning again…


"Littlefoot! Wait up!"

Littlefoot stopped in his tracks and turned his head over his shoulder. Littlefoot had grown quite a bit during this past year. He was now two feet taller, and yet his voice and smile as innocent and gentle as ever.

"C'mon Cera!" Littlefoot called back, "Hurry up!"

From behind Littlefoot Cera finally caught up. The stubborn Threehorn was a foot taller compared to last year. Her horns as well have grown and seem to have gotten a bit sharper. She was indeed growing up into a strong and proud Threehorn. However, she's still as sarcastic and arrogant as always.

Cera scoffed as she caught up to Littlefoot, "I was just pacing myself. You know we still have to move the tree stars up to the usual spot."

Littlefoot giggled and shed a grin, "Well we would've been there already if someone would've kept up with me instead of staying behind thinking about it, wouldn't we Cera?"

"Hey!" Cera growled, lowering her head and playfully pointing her horns at Littlefoot. "I was just thinking on a more efficient way on moving them!"

"I was just kidding," Littlefoot giggled, "I know you meant well."

Cera shook her head with a grin as she casually walked up to him.

"Yeah well don't get used to playing with me all the time," she said with a smug grin, "I get mad easily and I could hurt you."

Littlefoot stared at Cera. The remark brought an image in his head. He soon broke into a giggle, which of course didn't sit well with Cera after what she just said. She thought he didn't believe her.

"What's so funny!" She cried, kicking dirt with her left forepaw.

Littlefoot shook his head. He couldn't help but grin as he said, "Sorry about that. But you just reminded me of Rex."

"What?"

Cera narrowed her eyes. She didn't seem to like the idea of her remark reminding the Longneck of their bipedal friend. "How the heck did I just remind you of him?"

Littlefoot chuckled and said, "Well, the way you reacted after the taunt. It sounded like something Rex would've said, same playful manner, same sarcasm."

Cera scoffed, "Yeah, well, don't you ever compare me to him! In fact, don't ever compare me to anyone! I don't like being compared to anyone else but me, myself and I!"

Littlefoot was taken back by Cera's anger. She knew Cera could really get mad when she wanted to, but to blow a fuse over something like that? He stepped back as the glare itself would've sent any Sharptooth running.

Cera witnessed as Littlefoot kept taking slow steps away from her. She waited until Littlefoot stopped backing up to allow a grin to invade her face. She couldn't keep it in anymore. She laughed heartedly, getting a kick out of Littlefoot's reaction.

"And that's my way of playing with ya!" She said with victory in her tone of voice.

It took Littlefoot a couple of seconds to realize what just happened. He groaned and hung his head. "Geez, no fair. That was way out of line."

Cera just smirked and laughed again.

"Yeah yeah, laugh it up," Littlefoot said as he rolled his eyes. He couldn't stay mad for long and giggled, letting Cera have this one.

"Now, how about we finally stop laughing and get over to the tree to pick up those Treestars," he said.

Littlefoot and the gang still kept their daily tradition. Every early morning they would go out to the Treestar Tree to have their morning breakfast of the Great Valley delicacy. Cera would knock them down with the powerful charges and they would have a feast as the leaves tumbled on down. It was their little thing that always made their friendship strong.

But as fun as it always was, they always mentioned how it wasn't the same without him…

"Hahah! Give me a minute!" Cera said between laughs, trying her best to stop the giggling and laughing. "Hahahah, haha…Phew, Hahahah, that was a good laugh!"

"For you it was," Littlefoot said with a giggle, "Now, let's get going."

After that they both continued on their way to the tree. Littlefoot couldn't stop thinking about him now after that little remark. In fact, Rex would never leave his thoughts.

Every night the memories of him would come back to him. Every night before he would fall asleep, and even then they still would plague him in his dreams. They would also reemerge when he laughs and plays with his friends, when he watches the flying rocks shooting across the night skies.

It became a daily thing wondering when it'll be the day Rex would come back home. He would always tell himself every morning that today would be the day he would come home. But as always he would find himself back in his nest alone with his grandparents.

Littlefoot didn't want to admit it, but he seems like he's given up hope after so long.


Yu's pack has moved on. They were out of the desert and into the forest area just beyond the cliff from where they were at last.

Rex flew himself up to the top of the trees, latching himself to the tree branches and tearing up any of the leaves he could bite into. It was still early in the morning, and the morning dew was still fresh on the leaves. Rex welcomed the moist taste of the leaves after his trip through the desert.

Great Valley Outskirts

"Boy, that tastes great," Rex said after swallowing the delicious green food.

He couldn't remember the last time he ate them. He was eating meat for so long he was afraid he was going to lose his appetite on green food forever.

Rex slowly descended back down onto the grass. He stretches his limbs and looked around the new territory. They were so close to the Great Valley he could practically smell the familiar scents over the walls. He debated on whether or not it would be a good idea to enter the Great Valley and visit his friends, even if for a few minutes.

He paused his thoughts as he spotted Yu, along with some of the other members of the pack by a nearby lake drinking water. He debated on taking the chance and asking the others if it'll be all right for him to step away for a little while to visit his friends. Maybe Yu could hook him up with some free time, maybe even get Yu to visit them along with him.

Rex stepped over to his friend to ask. "Hey, Yu?"

Before he could even grab the young Fast Biter's attention the whole pack was startled by a loud roar. Everyone threw their heads up to hear the incoming series of roars. They all sounded like threats, challenges.

"What…What's going on?" Rex asked as he looked around to the others.

"Can't you tell?" Yu asked as he listened. "Come on Rex, don't tell me you've forgotten all I taught you about the Fast Biters."

Rex blinked. He chuckled nervously, not even daring to admit that he has gotten a bit sloppy about his teachings.

Yu shook his head with disapproval and said, "Just listen. Keep your attention to the roars and you'll figure it out."

Rex nodded. He closed his eyes and lifted his head a bit, listening to the incoming roar. It took him a few seconds but he soon began to make sense out of the messages. And he didn't like what he was hearing.

"Oh no," Rex said.

"It's them again," Yu growled.

Rex opened his eyes. He turned around to where the roars were coming from and frowned. A lone Fast Biter was standing by the edge of the cliff, the same place they were at earlier today. One by one his number grew, and before they knew it there was a whole pack of Fast Biters behind him.

Rex recognized the pack. It was the pack that's been giving them trouble for so many Bright Circles now. They practically have a rivalry going on. Rex gulped, hoping this won't go in the direction he's expecting.

He winced as he saw Yu's father, Judah, stepping forward and answering the call. He was accepting their challenge.

"Not again," Rex sighed.

Another battle between these two packs was about to begin, and Rex and Yu's time to prove themselves in the Frontier Lines is here.