Land Before Time: The Time of Wolves

Disclaimer: Balto and the Land Before Time are like one of my favorite movies, so I thought to give this story a shot. On a side note I don't own any of the characters except the main sharptooth.

Summery: During his first day in the valley, Balto finds himself in little trouble. Luckily he meets someone who can get him out of it, Littlefoot.

Rating: K+

Author's Notes: This story takes place after the third Balto and the fifth Land Before Time movie. Enjoy.

Genre: Adventure/Friendship

Chapter 2: The Mysterious Stranger

The morning after was calm in the Great Valley, and Balto was getting up extremely early than he used to. The reason for this was that he wanted to get something to eat before the dinosaurs woke up, and get a head start in figuring out how to get home. Not to mention he wanted to explore the valley some more. Balto got out of his cave and went to the bush he ate at last night. When he got there he started to eat more of the star shaped plants. They still had that sweet tasty goodness like last time. When Balto ate the remaining plant he was able to see the sunrise and illuminate the entire valley.

"Wow." Balto said in awes. "This place is even more beautiful in the day." in seconds Balto then heard someone coming. "Have to go before anyone sees me."

Balto then ran back into the forest before whoever was coming could see him. When he was in the forest, Balto suddenly heard a shout coming from the place he came from. He then decided to stop and go back to find out what happened without revealing himself.


Elsewhere in the valley, Littlefoot was waking up from his sleep. He was tired from his bad dream last night, but that didn't stop him. When he got up he noticed that both of his grandparents were gone, and thought they were off eating. With that in mind Littlefoot got up and went to find his friends, while he was doing so he noticed that there were no other dinosaurs to be seen.

"Where is everybody? Did something happen when I was asleep?" not long after he asked that Littlefoot heard something moving in the bushes and went over to investigate. "Hello. Who's there?" suddenly the thing that was in the bushes ran into Littlefoot and knocked him over. When Littlefoot got up he saw that it was his friend, a threehorn named Cera. "Cera? What was that for you could of hurt me."

"Sorry I wasn't looking where I was going." Cera said as she got up. "Now where were you? I've been looking everywhere for you."

"I was asleep." Littlefoot answered. "Where is everyone anyway?"

"You mean you haven't heard?" Cera asked.

"Heard what?"

"There's a thief in the valley who steals treestars from others." Cera answered. Hearing that shocked Littlefoot since he never heard such a thing. "Come on. Everyone's already there to find out what happened."

Immediately Littlefoot and Cera ran off to where this so called thief had struck. When they got there they saw that all the grownups have gathered around to where the crime took place. It didn't take long for Littlefoot find his other friends: Ducky the swimmer, Petrie the flyer, and Spike the spike tail. Littlefoot ran over to greet his friends.

"Hey guys what's up?" he asked.

"Good morning Littlefoot." Ducky replied while she was sitting on Spikes head. "The grownups are still trying to figure out who stole the treestars they are, they are."

"Guys quite. I'm trying to listen." said Cera trying to listen to what the grownups were saying.

All the dinosaurs were focused around a bush that was out of treestars. Some of the dinosaurs that were at the front were the gangs parents as well as other dinosaurs in the valley. One of the dinosaurs that was at the front of the group was a medium sized dinos known as a rainbow face because of the colors on it's face. Littlefoot thought that it was this rainbow face that witnessed the crime, probably the one committed it.

"As I told you before; everyone knew that I was saving these treestars for my mate." the rainbow face said in a calm voice. "Now someone thinks they can come in here and steal every last one of them." after saying that everyone started mumbling their opinions to each other.

At that time Littlefoot's grandpa came up to speak. "Now, now let's not get upset here." he said in his calm voice. "For all we know this could all be a misunderstanding."

A huff then came from another in the group. It came from Cera's father which everyone called Mr. Threehorn. "I don't know how we can misunderstand this longneck." he said in his mild temper tone. "Everyone knows that when someone's saving treestars that they are not suppose to be touched, so someone must have stolen them."

"Yes, but what if the one who took them is new to the valley, and didn't know they were saved." Grandpa said trying to reinsure everyone. "If that's the case then this is all just an accident."

Mr. Threehorn gave out another huff. "Maybe that's true longneck, but so far no one has taken responsibility for this." he said. "So until someone does then the best thing to think is that there's a thief in the valley."

As the grownups were talking, Littlefoot saw something move in the trees ahead of him. He didn't see who it was, but he thought it might be the thief that was just hiding out. From the looks of it, it seemed like whoever's in there was heading away from where they were at, as if running away. Moments later the grownups decided to put this matter aside since there were no evidence to prove who did it, but Littlefoot thought he could find out who it was.

"Come on Littlefoot lets go play in the tall grass." Ducky suggested as Spike was already making his way there. "It will be fun yep, yep, yep."

Littlefoot started to think of an excuse to get out of this. "Um you guys go ahead I'll catch up later." he said trying to sound as convincing as he could.

Everyone stopped when they heard that. Littlefoot never turned down the chance to play with his friends, so they thought there was something wrong with him.

"What the matter Littlefoot; is something wrong?" asked Petrie.

"No I just want to get a drink at the watering hole that's all." he said when the truth was that he wanted to go into the forest to see who the figure was. "I promise to get back as soon as I can."

"Fine but hurry up though." Cera said in her semi-normal tone.

After that Littlefoot's friends ran to the tall grass, and Littlefoot went to the watering hole. When Littlefoot was sure his friends were out of site he quickly made a U-turn right into the forest. When he got in there, Littlefoot started to look for any sign of the stranger's whereabouts. Soon he spotted some strange looking footprint that he never seen before. The footprints weren't that big they were the same size as Littlefoot's, but what was so strange about them was the shape of the footprints. Littlefoot didn't know how to explain it, but it looked like whoever made it had a foot the separated from the toes or something. Littlefoot then saw more of these footprints heading farther in the forest.

"Well whoever stole the treestars is at least nearby." he said as he felt a chill down his spine. "I just hope who or whatever made these is friendly."

So Littlefoot made his way further into the forest not knowing who or what he would find. He followed the footprints until they led him to a medium size cliff that looked steep. The footprints led right off the cliff, so the stranger must of scaled down it. What kind of dinosaur can scale down a cliff without slipping off and hurting itself? This question ran through Littlefoot's mind until he saw some steps on the side of the cliff and thought that was how this guy got down. Littlefoot carefully jumped on the first step and made it. He was about to jump on the second step until the first one broke and he tripped off. Littlefoot was able to grab hold of what was left of the step with his life. Littlefoot could feel that what was left of the step was starting to brake apart.

"Help!" Littlefoot shouted. "Someone please help!"


Deeper in the forest Balto was standing outside of his cave thinking about his situation. He just found out the plants he had eaten belonged to someone else, and now he was labeled a thief. Not to mention the only way out of this meant he had to reveal himself to the dinosaurs and admit it was an accident. However the question still stands on how the dinosaurs would think of him being a strange creature that technically was not suppose to exist yet. What was he to do?

"Why does this have to happen all the time?" Balto said to himself. "All I do is just get something to eat, and I choose the one bush that already belongs to someone."

Balto tried to think of another way to get out of this, but he couldn't. He was stuck in this situation for now. Balto then walked up to the tree and bushes next to his cave.

"Until this all blows over I'll stick with the plants near here." he said as he was about to eat until…

"Help!"

Balto stopped when he heard that. He turned to where the voice came from to see if he heard right.

"Someone please help!"

After hearing that Balto ran to where the voice was coming from. When he got there he was shocked when he saw a young longneck dinosaur hanging from the side of a cliff. Balto tried to think of a way to help the young dinosaur, but by the looks of it he didn't have much time. Suddenly the young longneck lost his grip and started to fall. Balto then did the only thing he could think of that might work. He ran over to where the longneck was going to land as if trying to catch him. It worked the longneck landed on Balto's back, but the force of the fall caused both of them to tumble to the ground and blackout. Moments later Balto was able to get up and noticed that the longneck was also up. For a moment they just stood there observing each other. So far the only thing they had in common was that they were both the same size. Balto could tell that the young longneck was both curious of him and a bit afraid, so Balto decided to approach him to show he was harmless.

"Are you okay?" he said as he made one step to the dinosaur.

Littlefoot didn't respond. All he did was make one step away from Balto.

Balto noticed this. "I just want to know if you're okay." Balto took another step closer and Littlefoot made another step back. "That was a nasty fall and I…"

Before he could finish his sentence, Littlefoot ran into the forest away from Balto.

"Wait." Balto said trying to stop him. "It's okay I won't…" Balto then noticed that the longneck was long gone. "…hurt you."

After that Balto made a soft sighed and decided to go back to his cave. When he got there he started to eat the treestars near his cave hoping they didn't belong to someone too. He then thought of all the things that's been going on in the valley. Balto hasn't been here for one day and he's already branded a thief. Although he did save a young dinosaur's life that had to count for something. However the dinosaur did run from him after being saved; probably thinking Balto was going to eat him or something. This was exactly what he was trying to avoid, but it was too late now. While Balto was eating he started to smell something. He finished what he was eating and sniffed the area, and noticed the scent was coming from a nearby bush. In moments Balto knew who it was.

"You can come out now I know you're in there." he said facing the bush.

In minutes Littlefoot came out of the bushes facing Balto. There was still that sense of curiosity and fear, but Littlefoot thought since Balto saved him then he couldn't be that bad. It took awhile before any of them spoke, so Balto decided to break the tension.

"Hi."

"Hello." Littlefoot said finally finding his voice. "I just wanted to thank you for saving my life."

Balto smiled when he heard that. "It was nothing." he replied. "You were just lucky I was there at the time." Balto then continued eating.

"I also wanted to say sorry for running away like that." Littlefoot said as he approached Balto a little. "It was just that even though you saved me I was…"

Balto stopped him from saying anything else. "It's okay." he said. "I understand why you ran off, so no apology is necessary."

"Thanks." Littlefoot started to have a certain liking to Balto. He just looked into his golden eyes and he could tell that there was a great kindness in Balto. Something that made Littlefoot trust him. "My name's Littlefoot. What's your name and what are you anyway?"

"My name's Balto, and I'm a wolfdog." he answered.

"A wolfdog?" Littlefoot repeated. "What kind of a dinosaur is that?"

Balto chuckled when he heard that. "I'm not a dinosaur Littlefoot." he said truthfully. "A wolfdog is a mammal. A type of creature that will live long after the dinosaurs. Of course my kind isn't going to around for... quite a long while from now" he tried his hardest to explain since he had no idea when the first wolf or dog was born. "I kind of got stuck in this time period by accident."

Littlefoot took in everything Balto just said. "You mean you're from the future?" he asked. All Balto did was nod his head. Littlefoot was shocked and couldn't believe that he was face to face with someone from the future. However there's something Littlefoot needed to know. "Um Balto I was wondering… are you the one who…" Littlefoot couldn't bring himself to say it. He already felt like he was just becoming friends with this new creature and didn't want to be rude.

Balto knew what the question was. "You want to know if I'm the one who stole the treestars?" Littlefoot nodded. "Yes it was me." Littlefoot just stood there listening to Balto's confession since he alread had a feeling that it was him. "It was an accident. When I came here last night I was so hungry because I hadn't eaten anything all day, and if I knew those treestars belonged to anyone I wouldn't have touched them." he confessed everything, but it felt good that he confessed to someone he could talk to.

Littlefoot could tell that Balto was sorry for what he did and wanted to help him. "Balto why don't you go and tell everyone the truth?" that got Balto's attention. "The grownups would go easy on you if they knew it was an accident."

Balto thought about it but his answer was, "I'm sorry Littlefoot but I can't." Littlefoot gave him a questionable look. "I can't because I'm afraid the other dinosaurs will give me the same reaction as you did." Balto did the best to make Littlefoot understand. "I'm afraid that once they see me that they'll think I'm a dangerous creature of some sort."

Littlefoot felt sorry for Balto. Then he got an idea. "Hey Balto how about you just tell my grandparents. I'm sure they'll help you with this." he said thinking it was a good idea.

Balto thought it over. "I don't know Littlefoot." he replied.

"Don't worry Balto my grandparents are the greatest longnecks in the valley." Littlefoot was trying his best to help Balto. "I'm sure they understand if you explain to them that it was an accident."

Balto thought long and hard about this and his final answer was, "Alright lets go."

Littlefoot was excited to hear that and led the way. When they left the forest, Balto was given the opportunity to see more of the valley's beauty. However the one thing Balto was glad about was that he made a new friend. Even though they just met, Balto felt that he could trust Littlefoot. Also Littlefoot kind of reminded Balto of someone, but he couldn't put his paw on it. In moments Littlefoot led Balto in an area where two elderly longneck were grazing on a tree. As Littlefoot ran over to them, Balto started to have that nervous feeling again. What if they didn't like him or think he was dangerous, but Littlefoot said they were kind and caring so he approached them.

When Littlefoot came up to his grandparents he greeted them the usual way. "Hi Grandma, Grandpa."

Both of his grandparents stopped eating to speak with their grandson. "Ah Littlefoot your back already?" asked Grandpa.

"Did you have fun with your friends?" ask Grandma.

Littlefoot stuttered a little. "Well kinda."

"Well you can tell us all about it after…" Grandpa stopped what he was saying when he noticed Balto approaching them. "Littlefoot who's that behind you?"

Balto then stopped in his place not wanting to provoke the longnecks in anyway. Littlefoot saw this and decided to help him out.

"This is my new friend, Balto." Littlefoot informed. "Balto these are my grandparents."

In seconds, Balto found the courage to say, "Hello."

"Hello." both of Littlefoot's grandparents said curious about Balto.

It took awhile for anyone to say anything. "So Littlefoot where did you meet Balto?" Grandpa ask.

"I met him in the forest." Littlefoot answered. "I was looking for the thief on my own then Balto saved my life."

"Saved you?" Grandma said shocked to hear her grandson was in any danger. "What happened Littlefoot?"

Littlefoot took a deep breath. "Well I was climbing down a cliff and I fell." he paused. "But Balto caught me, if it wasn't for him I'd probably be dead."

Littlefoot's grandparents were frighten to hear that he had almost died, but they were thankful that Balto was there to save him.

"Well whoever you are I'm thankful that you saved our grandson." said Grandpa. Hearing that made Balto feel better about facing up to what he did. "Just one question though." Now the good feeling was gone. "I don't mean to be rude, but what are you exactly?"

Balto then took his time to explain everything to them. He told them everything he told Littlefoot and more. He told them he was a wolfdog a creature from the future. That he somehow got sent to the realm of the dinosaurs. Also how he didn't know how to get back home to his family.

"Oh I'm terribly sorry for what happened to you Balto." Grandpa said truthfully. "Well I guess it's only fair that you stay here in the Great Valley until you can find your way back.

Balto was happy to hear that. "Thank you sir you're too kind." he said as he felt that he warmed up to them.

"No thanks are necessary Balto." Said Grandma. "You saved our grandson it is the least we could do."

Balto smiled knowing that he earned the trust of Littlefoot's grandparents. However Balto had an issue to talk with them about, but was afraid of what they would think of him. Though it was an issue that Balto had to discuss he just didn't know how to say it. Littlefoot noticed and decided to help out.

"Grandpa the reason Balto came here to meet you was because he wanted to talk to you about something."

"Really what is it?" Grandpa asked.

Balto took a deep breath. "I… took the treestars." Grandma and Grandpa gasped. "It was an accident I didn't mean to steal them honest." Balto then told them everything that happened. Balto was hoping that Littlefoot's grandparents would understand and help him. "The reason I came was because Littlefoot said you two could help me with this."

Grandma and Grandpa look at each other and then Grandpa spoke. "Well Balto, Grandma and I believe you, but our word won't be enough to convince the grownups." Balto puts his head down. "However we can setup a meeting at Council Rock for you to admit what you did was wrong, and hopefully the rainbow face will find it in his heart to forgive you." Balto's spirits rose back up again when he heard that.

"Until then please feel free to enjoy the valley." Said Grandma.

"Thank you." Balto said feeling better.

"No thanks are necessary Balto." said Grandpa. " As Grandma said it is the least we could do saving our grandson."

Littlefoot was glad to hear this. "Grandpa is it okay if I show Balto around the valley."

"Of course Littlefoot but be careful." said Grandpa.

"Alright come on Balto lets go."

Littlefoot led Balto all around the valley. Balto got to see all the beauty this valley had to offer, and he was impressed. Balto has never been in a place like this before; it was amazing. They had been to Council Rock, to thundering falls, and the great plains. Balto was truly amazed by everything he saw. It was all simply amazing.

"This valley is amazing Littlefoot." said Balto "Thank you for showing me around."

Littlefoot smiled. "Well that's what friends do for each other." after he said that Littlefoot remembered something. "Oh no."

"What's wrong?"

"It's my friends; I promised them that I'll meet them in the tall grass." Littlefoot informed him. "I better go before they think I'm not going to show up." Littlefoot headed to the tall grass, but noticed Balto wasn't coming with him. Littlefoot didn't want Balto to feel that he was being left out. In fact Littlefoot felt that he had a connection with Balto that he couldn't understand. "Hey Balto do you want to come play with me and my friends?"

Balto was surprised to hear that. No one has ever asked him if he could come play before. Of course his answer was yes, and Littlefoot happily led him to the tall grass. When they got there Balto saw four different type of dinosaurs that Littlefoot said were his friends. He saw a threehorn, a duckbill, a flyer, and a spiketail. Balto could have found Littlefoot's friends unusual since they were different types of dinosaurs, but he made friends that weren't his kind so he didn't care. Although he was a little bit nervous of meeting them since he didn't know what they would think of him. When he saved Littlefoot the response he got was him running away, but Littlefoot did come back to thank him. What will be the response of these new dinosaurs kids if he just walks up to them.

Littlefoot could tell that Balto was nervous. "Balto are you coming?" he asked.

Balto then snapped out of his thoughts. "Um…yeah I guess I'm a bit nervous that's all." he said.

"Don't worry I'm sure my friends will like you." Littlefoot replied.

After saying that Littlefoot made his way to his friends with Balto following. Littlefoot's friends were busy playing to even notice him at first, but as soon as they did they rushed over to greet him.

"Hi guys." said Littlefoot as he walked over to his friends.

"It's about time." said Cera. "What took you so long?"

"Sorry I sort of ran into someone." Littlefoot answered as he moved over to show everyone Balto. "Everyone this is Balto, Balto these are my friends."

No one said a thing after that. They just stared at Balto as if he was a ghost. I mean they never seen a creature like him before. Even though Littlefoot trusted him they still had their doubts. Cera expectedly didn't like Balto. She didn't know why she just didn't like this guy. Balto and Littlefoot were a little nervous with this awkward silence, so Balto took his chances.

"Um hi. Littlefoot tells me that you guy are very good friends." that was the only thing he could think of to say.

Still none of Littlefoot's friends said anything. Balto was getting the feeling that he wasn't welcome. Then after a minute or so Spike walked up to get a better look at this new creature. Spike sniffed Balto for a few seconds. After sensing no danger coming from him, Spike started licking Balto's face. Littlefoot felt relived that one of his friends likes his new friend. Petrie and Ducky seemed to be warming up to Balto when they saw Spike licking his face, but Cera still didn't like him one bit. Balto was just focused on Spike who was still licking him.

"He's very friendly guy isn't he?" Balto chuckled as Spike was still licking him.

"Balto this is Spike." Littlefoot informed him. "He's a spiketail."

When Spike was done licking his face Balto asked, "Can Spike talk?"

"No he's never been able to talk."

"He said my name once he did, he did." Ducky replied as she walked up closer to Balto.

"Oh well what's your name then?" Balto asked looking down at the young swimmer.

"My name's Ducky." she answered as she got on Spikes head. "I'm a swimmer yep, yep, yep."

After that Petrie flew up to introduce himself. "Hi Balto my name Petrie. Me a flyer." He said showing off his wings.

Balto was quit impressed with Littlefoot's friends, but one he felt didn't like him at all, Cera. "So who's your friend over there?" he asked Littlefoot.

"That's Cera." Littlefoot answered. "She's a threehorn, so she can be a bit stubborn at times."

"I heard that!" Cera shouted as she made her way up to Balto and the rest of her friends. "Anyway what are you and where did you come from and why are you here?" she asked as if interrogating him.

Balto took his time and begin tell them everything he told Littlefoot and his grandparents. That he was a wolf dog and what they were. He also told them that he came from the future, and he didn't know how to get back. The only thing he didn't mention was that he was the one who stole the treestars. Him and Littlefoot decided not to tell them until the meeting at Council Rock the next day. However besides that Littlefoot's friends were amazed about what they learned. They couldn't believe they were standing in front of a creature that wasn't from this time period.

"You really from future Balto?" asked Petrie.

Balto answered by nodding his head.

"You still didn't tell us why you're here in the first place." said Cera.

Balto didn't know how to answer that, but before he could say anything Littlefoot jumped in. "Oh come on Cera. Balto needs a place to stay until he gets home, and the Great Valley is the safest place to stay."

Cera wanted to keep up the argument, but decided not to. After that Littlefoot and his friends went back to their games. Of course Balto was invited to play, and he made the games fun. The first game they played was tag which Balto was great at since he was faster than any of them, and remained the longest one to not get tagged. Although he was kind enough to let his new friends tag him on purpose. The next game they played was hide and seek which Balto was also good at when it came to looking for everyone, but when it came to hiding well he really doesn't blend in with anything in the Great Valley. When it got late the parents of the dinosaur children called their kids back to sleep for the night. One by one the kids went to their nest until Balto and Littlefoot remained, but it wasn't long before Littlefoot was called by his grandparents.

"I have to go." Littlefoot said to Balto. "Thanks for playing with me and my friends, Balto."

"You're welcome." Balto replied. "And thank you Littlefoot for showing me around the valley."

Littlefoot let out a "Goodbye!" before going to his grandparents.

Balto went back to his cave to stayed the night again. Balto still couldn't believe all that happened in one day of staying in the valley. First he was accused of stealing, saved a young dinosaur, became friends with that dinosaur, became friends with his grandparents, and became friends with his friends. This was such a weird day, but Balto wasn't complaining. He just hoped that when he had to confess at Council Rock that all the dinosaurs would understand it was an accident, so he could stay in the valley peacefully. Before Balto went to sleep he tried to think of how he could get back home. With no hint as to how, Balto decided to drift away in his sleep and worry about it another day.

End of Chapter 2

A/N: Well there's chapter two everyone. Just to let you all know that the rest of the chapters probably won't be as long as this. Anyway I hope you enjoy the story so far, and don't forget to send me some reviews. Next chapter Balto goes to court that might be interesting.