Disclaimer: I do not own Age of Reptiles, or The Land Before Time.
Land Before Time / Age of Reptiles (Tribal Warfare) Part III
Grandpa glared at Nicolai. "A herd must be lead, and taught, not ruled, for example, if a member is injured, the heard must do what is in their power to protect this member."
"No." Nicolai said. "If a member is injured, that member is on his or her own. If it survives against predators to a time when it is no longer injured, then of course the herd would welcome them back, but why waste the lives of the healthy to protect the lame?"
"Because some day," Grandpa said. "You might be the lame one."
"If I were so foolish as to injure myself, which is not likely, I would deserve to be left behind." Nicolai said. "A migratory herd cannot slow for even the most valuable member, we waited for the old one, and look, if we'd left her behind, we could have been here twelve moons ago."
"And when you are the old one? What then?" Grandpa said.
"Well, when I am the old one, I would have fulfilled my purpose." Nicolai said. "Listen oldster, I mean you, and other old ones no disrespect, why not let the old live in the great valley? But the young ones must continue on their way. Must continue to migrate back and forth to food."
"But there is food enough for all in the great valley." Grandpa protested.
"Either way it goes oldster," Nicolai said. "You're not a part of the herd. Do you want to migrate with us? Fine, but can you keep up? I am going to be the new ruler of the herd, and there is no way around it."
Grandpa was about to talk back, but Grandma gave him such a look, that he kept his mouth shut. It was none of his business, this was their cousin's matter to deal with.
Dark Eye waited in the bushes, Leopard, Quetzal and One Claw were chasing the big mouth away from the water, into the field. It would be up to him to make the actual kill.
The big mouth ran into the field, trumpeting. It ran close to Dark Eye, then with lightning speed, Dark Eye jumped out, and was on its back. He dug in with his killing claws, and then dug his three fingers into its side to hold on. He reached out with his jaw, and snapped its neck just bellow the skull. Quetzal, Leopard, and One Claw arrived, and the feast began. The Big Mouth was still alive, even though Dark Eye didn't understand why. He'd snapped it's neck, by all rights it should be dead. He tore its throat away, to shut it up. Then there was a loud roar.
"Blueback?" One Claw asked.
"Long Jaw!" Leopard said, as Long Jaw's massive form moved into view.
"Dark Eye." He said. "So you survived. Well you're eating my meal. Though I thank you for silencing it for me, you've saved me a lot of work." Long Jaw laughed wickedly. "Now run along." He moved closer to them.
"Lets go." Dark Eye said, glancing at Leopard who looked ready to pounce. "There is nothing we can do to stop him, let's just go."
"Unsuccessful hunt." Quetzal said.
"Blasted two finger." One Claw snapped. The pack slowly withdrew towards the lake. "Let's kill another one." One Claw suggested.
"Oh yeah!" Leopard said sarcastically. "And I'll go get Blueback so he can steal our kill just like Long Jaw did. Let's just go home. I'm getting this bad feeling."
"its called hunger." Quetzal said, "We should really try to catch something."
"Or," a voice said. "Maybe something's just caught you."
"What?" Quetzal asked, then the lake moved, water rushed at them in a wave, then a large sharp tooth appeared. "Necromancer!" Quetzal gasped. Necromancer had killed Maya the same day that Blueback raided the den. But Dark Eye didn't expect the crocodile had gained a taste for pack hunter flesh.
The group ran off.
"How many times are we going to be attacked today?" Leopard asked.
"Let's just go home!" One Claw said.
"Agreed." Quetzal said.
"Today is just not our lucky day." Dark Eye admitted.
"Today is your lucky day." Neckbiter said to Claw and Claw's brother Blaine. "No more hunger, we can migrate to the great valley. No more Blueback. Dark Eye had held out on us, he knows where the great valley is, but even in the worst famine, he's never taken us."
"I don't believe you." Blaine said. "Every one knows the great valley is just a legend the leaf eaters pass around."
"Don't be a fool." Claw snapped. Neckbiter had managed to pull Claw over as a comrade, Claw was to say the least his most devoted follower. It'd taken only a mater of moments to turn him, Claw had nothing even resembling a brain.
"I do not believe you." Blaine said. "And those of you who do, should be ashamed of yourselves for doubting Dark Eye." Blaine's comment wait aimed towards Neckbiter's two other followers, both male since Neckbiter felt it was more important to bring the stronger males onto his side.
"It's true, it makes sense!" Claw said. "Why are times so tough? Because most of the leaf eaters are going to the great valley!"
"Time's are not tough." Blaine said.
"Yes they are, do you remember when we were younger? Before Dark Eye became the Alpha? There was always enough food, now look at us, of eight eggs, usually one or two survive."
"So?" Blaine asked. "It's always been that way. And what does Neckbiter care for the survival rate of youngsters? Tell me Neckbiter, what happened to your son again?"
Neckbiter thought for a moment. The first infant he and Halla successfully hatched had been male. Halla had once asked Neckbiter to watch the brat for an hour, and no one, including Neckbiter had seen the brat since. "I lost him, big deal." Neckbiter protested. "I'm careful with the others."
"No matter." Blaine said. I don't believe you, and I never will."
"Fool." Claw snapped. "Can you believe only in what you see?"
"Trust me Blaine," Neckbiter said. "You will soon see the Great Valley, when I lead you to it."
"You're lying." Blaine said, not sounding so sure.
"What do I have to gain by lying?"
"You'd gain control of the pack." Blaine spat.
"Trust me, I can show you the great valley, then would you believe me?" Neckbiter asked.
Blaine seemed to think about this. "I'll side with you, but if you lie, I'll kill you."
"Deal." Neckbiter said. He moved on to his next victim.
"Neckbiter!" Another male, named Hama said. Hama was middle aged, and had been easy to convince.
"What is it Hama?" Neckbiter asked.
"Scar is coming back, I think Dark Eye may be with him."
Neckbiter stomped the ground. "Find out." He looked to Claw and Blaine. "Don't say anything to any one, meet me tonight here at the beginning of the log, and we'll talk then, bring friends if you like, but don't tell them anything."
His followers rushed into the pyramid. Neckbiter looked at Hama, who was rushing across the log. The log was the bridge to the lair, which was on a small cliff that couldn't be reached without the log. Blueback had jumped across it though.
Littlefoot and Ali and the others played for a long time. It was late, they were going to sleep, when Petrie's mother flew down with a familiar flyer that Littlefoot knew he'd seen somewhere, but he couldn't remember.
"Petrie, meet your new uncle, Zipolote, he's offered to baby sit you kids." Petrie's mother said.
"Zipolote?" Littlefoot thought. "Where had I heard that name before?"
"Have we met?" Littlefoot asked Zipolote.
"No." Zipolote said simply, but he didn't sound honest.
"Oh. Okay." Littlefoot said. He'd figure it out later.
Dark Eye curled up with the other three members in his pack. They had been tracking a leaf eater, but it'd gotten away, now they were a day away from home. They'd get there by dawn, he wondered if every one was okay.
Neckbiter informed the five new pack hunters of his plans.
"I don't want to do anything to hurt Dark Eye, he's been a great leader for so long."
"A great leader? Pytor, think about it, he's holding out on us!" Claw snapped.
"But he protects us!" Pytor said.
"Where was he when Blueback attacked? He didn't protect us then." Neckbiter said.
"He was hunting with Quetzal and Maya! And anyway, you were the first to run into the pyramid, where were you?"
"I was weaker then, now I'm stronger. You can ask Halla, I fought Long Jaw with no fear."
"The word of your mate, as if I could trust her." Pytor said.
"You can trust Neckbiter." Claw said. "Dark Eye is strongest, but maybe it's only because he saves the food for himself and keeps us half starved!"
"But I'm not starving!" Blaine said.
"Because you're used to being hungry!" Neckbiter said. "Think of the great valley, full of leaf eaters to fat to run away, it's a giant buffet!"
"And what happens when we exhaust the food supply?" Pytor asked.
"We wont!" Claw snapped.
"Be quiet!" Neck Bitter snapped back. "And anyway, Claw is right. It's impossible to exhaust the food supply, just as it is impossible to drink all of the great lake!"
"I am not convinced." Pytor said.
"Then you can stay here and starve!" Neckbiter snapped.
Pytor paused. He was young, but very smart for such a youngster. His intelligence reminded Neckbiter of Quetzal. So smart and powerful considering she was a female.
"I care about Dark Eye, he's my nest brother! But I can't approve of what he's doing!" Neckbiter continued.
"But he'd never hold out on us!" Pytor said.
Pytor and Blaine were the only one's not with the program. Other than them, the rest of the small pack around him agreed, and they'd force their mates into it. That was almost half the pack.
"Listen, Pytor." Neckbiter said. "I already told Blaine, if I'm lying, you can kill me."
"Well . . ." Pytor seemed to be thinking. After a long time, he nodded. "Very well. I'll do it."
"Do what?" A gruff voice asked.
"Dark Eye?" Hama asked.
"No, it's Scar." Neckbiter muttered.
"What are you youngsters doing out here?" Scar asked, slowly walked over to them.
"Nothing. Go away." Neckbiter snapped.
Scar glared at them. "You're lying."
"I'm not!" Neckbiter snapped.
"Fine. I'm going to go back to the pyramid, but I don't want you youngsters staying out to late." Scar said. Neckbiter nodded, and snapped at him. A signal that he should leave.
"Why didn't you want to tell Scar?" Blaine asked.
"Because, he'd never let it happen. Scar is all tradition." Neckbiter lied. There was the risk that Scar would tell Dark Eye.
Scar stomped off towards the Pyramid. He hated being pushed around by youngsters. He paused. "Why not listen to them?" He asked himself. He turned towards the Log Bridge. The small pack was talking there in hushed voices. He ran at top speed, and jumped across the gorge at another end. He circled around to the log. He jumped onto it, and with all the stealth he could muster in his old age, he slowly approached them, as if they were prey.
"We will have to take the majority of the pack, who ever we can, and go into the Great Valley." Claw said.
"No," Pytor said. "The nesting females won't make it. What about Nata? She's still got infant hatchlings."
"I know it sounds cold," Neckbiter said, "But we'll have to leave them. She can have more when we get to the great valley."
"But her mate is dead!" Blaine protested.
"That's her problem." Claw said.
"Sad but true." Hama said.
Scar was shocked at what he was hearing.
"Nata can have another litter, she's still reasonably young, she can always find another mate." Neckbiter said.
"But those hatchlings are our feature!" Blaine protested.
"No, their not." Neckbiter said. "The Great Valley is our feature. Do you want to starve? Then stay here. Want to eat? Come with me."
"I'm with you," Pytor said. "But . . . poor Nata . . . those hatchlings are all she has in life."
"What about your own mate Halla?" Another young male, Orion asked.
"She's strong, if she lays her eggs before we reach the great valley, we'll have to leave them behind."
"Well," Orion said, "I suppose I'm willing to follow you, so long as your willing to make the same sacrifices we are."
"I agree." Another male said.
"No . . ." Scar whispered. He was almost right on top of them. How could they plot like this? It would be the end of the pack!"
"Who's there?" Neckbiter snapped. He turned in Scar's direction. Scar saw him peer into the darkness.
Scar stood up. He was old, but he would defend the pack's feature, he'd defend the hatchlings with pride. "I'm here Neckbiter. And I won't let you leave so many hatchlings to die."
"Old one." Neckbiter snapped. "Hah. It's for the better of the pack. Most of them die any way."
Scar growled. "But the ones that survive Neckbiter. Those are the one's I'm fighting for. How can you," He looked at Claw and the others. "How can you follow this one, if he does not care for your children? Or even his own?"
"The survival rate of hatchlings will grow once were safe in the great valley!" Neckbiter snapped.
"How can you be sure the great valley will be what you say it will be? Weather or not it exists, how can you be sure that it is not guarded?"
"It exists!"
Scar frowned. "Are you sure?"
"Of course I am."
"You're a fool." Scar said. He'd hoped his words had scared the others. "Upon his return, I intend to inform Dark Eye." He began to walk back to the pyramid, when suddenly he felt incredible pain in his back.
Neckbiter slashed the back of Scar, leaving six bloody gashes, three on each side of the old one's body. "You won't tell Dark Eye!" He said.
"Neckbiter!" Scar cried, he sounded amazed. He reorganized himself. "So this is what it comes down to my son? A battle to the death between us?"
"If it needs be." Neckbiter said. "But I am not, and never was, your son." He lunged forward, he opened his jaws, and tried to bite down on Scar's neck. The oldster dodged, and hit his head with his tail.
Neckbiter fell back, Scar had half a tail, but it still hurt. He growled. He jumped into the air, and came down on Scar, but Scar dodged and kicked for Neckbiter with his foot claw.
Neckbiter dodged, and slashed out at Scar's thigh, the attack hit, and Scar stumbled. Neckbiter moved in for the kill.
"Neckbiter . . ." Scar said.
"No, the time for words is over. As is your story in the great circle of life." He jumped for Scar, his claws ready, his mouth open. Scar rolled over to one side. Neckbiter was on his feet in a flash, he stumbled, then regained his stature.
Scar was getting tired, Neckbiter could see it. The oldster ran towards him, and slashed with his claws, Neckbiter turned around, and slapped Scar's arms away with his tail. He raised his foot and with his killing claw he cut a large bloody gash in Scar's belly. He ran forward, and gave the old one a nice head butt. Then he moved his head up, Scar's frail old neck. Neckbiter proved himself true to his name. He clamped his jaws down on Scar's neck, and he held tight, until finally, the old dinosaur died.
Neckbiter took Scar by the neck, and led him to the edge of the cliff. He dropped him.
"The same fate for any one who even thinks about telling Dark Eye." He said.
Claw grinned at him approvingly. "I think we have a new Alpha Male."
"Think?" Hama asked. "If you only think, your brain is slow. I KNOW we have a new Alpha Male." Hama grinned, and bowed.
"Then do as I say," Neckbiter said. "Tell your mates and some of the other males, only the ones you really trust. With a little bit of luck, we can have most of the pack on our side before Dark Eye gets here."
"Sure thing boss." Hama said, still bowing as he left.
"I get so excited when change comes around." Claw said. He and Blaine left.
Neckbiter didn't trust Pytor and Blaine. But he hoped what he'd just done had brought them over to him with fear at least. Because if they would follow him now with no further objections, then killing Scar was worth it. But then again, it'd felt so good, maybe it was worth it anyway.
Neckbiter stalked off towards Halla's nest. She was asleep. He laughed softly. He was Alpha male of almost half the pack, and pretty soon he'd be total alpha. He snickered to himself, and lied down next to his unwanted mate. He closed his eyes, and went to sleep. Tomorrow was going to be a big, important day.
Dark Eye had this feeling in the back of his head. All was not well.
"Quetzal . . ." he whispered. She was the closest to him. She ignored him and continued to sleep.
"Leopard?" Dark Eye asked. Leopard was sleeping on the other side of Quetzal. He wasn't awake either.
"One Claw?"
"Yeah?" One Claw asked.
"One Claw, I want you to wake the others, while I try to get a scent and make sure that nothings stalking us. I'm getting a bad feeling."
"Me to," One Claw said. "But I don't smell anything."
Littlefoot woke up, Ali was pushing him.
"What is it?" He asked.
"Littlefoot, Cole and I wanted to say good bye, were leaving."
"What?" Littlefoot got up. "But you just got here!"
"Nicolai has taken control of the herd, we have to go, good bye Littlefoot."
"Grandpa!" Littlefoot shouted. He couldn't let Ali and Cole leave, not again, they were his friends, and who knew if they'd come back with a new leader like Nicolai.
"Littlefoot?" Grandpa asked.
"Ali's herd is leaving!"
"Ali!" Nicolai shouted. "Cole! Come on! Or I leave you behind."
Littlefoot saw grandpa shake with anger. "The young ones? How could you Nicolai!"
"Shut up oldster!" Nicolai snapped.
"I've had enough, you're the one who should shut up." Grandpa said.
"I've beaten every one who opposed me," Nicolai said, "I'm the new ruler of the herd."
"You haven't beat all the challengers!" Grandpa roared. Littlefoot was shocked. And it looked like Nicolai was to.
"You challenging me oldster?"
"That's right." Grandpa snapped.
"Then . . ." Nicolai shook his head. "Then I'm sorry, but you're going down, I won't go easy on you."
Grandpa rushed towards Nicolai, Littlefoot saw Grandpa rear up on his hind legs, and kick Nicolai with his front legs.
"Go Grandpa!" Littlefoot shouted. Grandma woke up and looked a little less excited than Littlefoot thought she would be.
"Darling!" She cried. "Give up! Don't fight!"
"Listen to your mate oldster!" Nicolai said, he slapped Grandpa, who was still on his hind legs with his tail. Grandpa fell back, and hit his head, but he got up again.
"I cant let you take the young one's into a life where they sooner to be left behind to die than be protected. I'm going to lead this herd!"
"Never!" Nicolai snapped. "And I'd never let the young one's fall to far behind."
Grandpa slowed his attack, he seemed to be considering what Nicolai said.
Then Littlefoot saw it. Nicolai stepped back on a tree, it bent backwards, and Grandpa got closer and closer to it.
"Grandpa! Look out!"
Nicolai moved his foot away from the tree, and it flew out, and hit grandpa's side.
"Grandpa!" Littlefoot cried.
"Dear!" Grandma screamed.
"I warned you old one." Nicolai said.
FWOMP
Grandpa slapped Nicolai with his tail. The younger long neck fell down and hit his head on a rock. Grandpa got up again. Nicolai got up to, but his head was bleeding. He grunted, and charged Grandpa. Grandpa moved out of the way, but to slowly, he and Nicolai were locked in combat, and Nicolai had the upper hand.
Littlefoot could barely watch. He saw Grandpa and Nicolai fall into the river. Nicolai moved his neck back, then slapped his strong young neck against Grandpa's weak older neck. Grandpa fell into the water, Nicolai stepped on what Littlefoot assumed was his grandfather's neck.
Littlefoot had been told rarely were battles like this to the death, but Nicolai had no intention of letting Grandpa up. Grandpa's head came up, gasping for air, but Nicolai stepped on it.
"No!" Ali screamed.
"My darling!" Grandma screeched.
"Grandpa!" Littlefoot shouted.
"Littlefoot!" Cole shouted. "Your grandpa has to give up!"
"He cant, he can't get up! He can't talk under water!"
"But Nicolai will kill him!"
"ROAR!" Littlefoot's grandpa threw Nicolai off of himself. He limped out of the water. It was turning red thanks to Nicolai's blood. Nicolai got out of the water, and rushed for Grandpa. Littlefoot closed his eyes. There was a loud cracking sound. Littlefoot opened his eyes, Grandpa was on his knees, and Nicolai was lying unconscious next to a shattered tree.
"Your grandpa won!" Ali said, she looked shocked, and glad.
"Grandpa won!" Littlefoot said excitedly.
"Is Nicolai all right?" Cole asked.
"Let's go see!" Littlefoot said.
"Wait . . . Littlefoot." Grandpa said weakly. He limped to Littlefoot. "My darling grand child, what I just did was wrong. I let my emotions get in the way of my reasoning. I want you to promise me you won't ever do what I did today."
"Grandpa . . ." Littlefoot said softly. "You were great! You saved Ali and Cole from having to go away."
"I know." Grandpa said weakly. "But I should never have meddled in the affairs of our cousin's herd. Using violence was even worse. Littlefoot, promise me you wont ever resort to violence, even if it seems to be the good idea at the time, it almost never is."
"But when is it a good idea Grandpa?" Littlefoot asked.
Grandpa didn't answer. "Littlefoot," He said. "It's rarely a good idea, and you'll know deep down inside when it is, but no matter how good of an idea it is, it is never the right thing to do."
"But . . . if you didn't fight, Cole and I would have been taken away, maybe even left behind and eaten by sharp teeth." Ali said.
"That is why I fought." Grandpa said weakly. "But, when Nicolai said he was joking, I believe he honestly was. He'd never leave you behind, perhaps an oldster like me, but never a youngster like you, you're the feature." Grandpa said.
Ali didn't say anything. Littlefoot knew how she felt.
"I jumped to a conclusion," Grandpa continued. "And it was the wrong one." He closed his eyes. "I can't lead your herd."
"But you have to." Ali's mother said. "You won."
"Fah!" Grandpa snapped. "I nearly died, nearly killed Nicolai. If he lives, tell him I'm sorry. I can't lead this herd."
"But . . . you must . . ." Nicolai said. He moved his head up, and stood up. He was wobbly, but he was standing. "You . . . beat . . . me . . . I respect . . . you . . . oldster . . . you're the herd's leader . . . we'll do . . . what ever you say . . . if you don't want to migrate . . . we wont. If you . . . want us to . . . eat rocks . . . we will."
Grandpa shook his head. "I can't ask you to do that. Nicolai, you're the leader of the herd, I don't deserve to be the leader. I was wrong."
"Then . . ." Nicolai said, "I refuse to lead." He looked at the members of the herd. One by one, they each refused to lead. "You see?" Nicolai said. "You . . . have no . . . choice . . . oldster." He added the last part with a grin. "I never thought . . . I'd be so . . . stupid as to . . . injure myself, but . . . you proved me . . . wrong oldster . . . I have so much to learn . . . from . . . you . . . please teach me."
"Were staying?" Cole asked. "I've got to go tell Stomp and Spike!" He rushed off.
"I . . . I cant teach you . . ." Grandpa said. "There's nothing to teach."
Nicolai looked disappointed, so did Cole.
"But," Grandpa said. "You stick around here for a little while, and maybe you will learn something."
Nicolai smiled. "Excellent . . . Oldster." He said.
"Let's go tell our friends!" Cole said to Littlefoot.
Littlefoot nodded. Ali and Cole were going to stay in the great valley! This was better than words could describe! He had two new friends, and Grandpa had a new herd.
Dark Eye and the others ran as fast as they could. It was almost sunrise, they should be reaching the lair . . . Dark Eye preyed that when he got back, the lair would be in one piece, and the entire pack would be alive. If Blueback had done anything to them, Dark Eye swore revenge.
"Dark Eye . . ." Quetzal said. She was the second fastest runner in the pack besides Dark eye, so Leopard and One Claw were making an attempt at keeping up a few meters behind them.
"What?"
"Do you smell that?" Quetzal asked.
Dark Eye sniffed the air. "Blood!" He said. He closed his eyes, he ran as fast as he could, he ignored fatigue, he ran, he ran . . . he jumped over the gap, ignoring the log bridge, he stopped and opened his eyes.
Every one was waiting for them. No one was dead. Every one was there! Every one, except Scar.
"Where's Scar?" Dark Eye asked.
"Dark Eye," Neckbiter said, with a wicked grin. "How good of you to come, welcome home, we've been waiting for you."
"Where is Scar!" Dark Eye shouted. He could smell Scar's blood, but he couldn't tell where it was coming from, it was so faint.
"Well, he came back, but he fell off the cliff. Old age you know." Claw snickered.
Dark Eye looked around. The entire pack was glaring at him, Nata, Hama, Claw and Blaine, every one.
"You've been holding out on us Dark Eye." Neckbiter said.
"What do you mean?" Dark Eye said coldly. Quetzal and the others appeared.
"You know where the great valley is, and we want you to take us."
"It's just a legend. It doesn't exist!" Dark Eye said.
"Lies." Neckbiter said. "But you'll soon learn to tell the truth. Guess what Dark Eye, we've elected a new Alpha male, want to guess who he is?"
"Neckbiter, master of sweet words and lies?" Dark Eye offered.
"Not quite." Neckbiter said. "It is me, but I'm not the one who lies."
"I never lied to the pack."
"You held out on us. Now your going to take us to the great valley, or . . . well, I cant guaranty your safety once I let my pack loose on you."
Dark Eye looked over at the Pack. Faces he knew, faces that were burned into his memory forever, faces he loved. Faces he preyed to see when ever he returned from a hunt. "How could you all do this to me?" he asked.
"Try to see it from our point of view." Neckbiter said. "Were hungry."
Nata approached Dark Eye. He frowned. "We just want to know how to get there, we won't force you to come with us."
Dark Eye closed his eyes. He was beaten, there was nothing to be done about it. "Follow the bright circle to the rock that looks like a long neck-and then past the mountains that burn. Go past that and follow the path left by the leaf eaters."
"There were no burning mountains when we went there." Neckbiter said angrily. "Are you lying?"
"No." Dark Eye said. "When 'we' went we took a different path, one that is far to complicated for your brain-take the basic path and you will get there-it will take several moons longer but you will get there. There are several springs, and there will be leaf eating herds traveling along the way so you needn't worry about food." Dark Eye closed his eyes. "You win Neckbiter-take your pack and go."
To be continued . . .
A/N: Please review, tell me what you think, even if your reviewing for the second time, or if you want to flame me, and cuss me out, I want to know what people honestly think of this story.
Land Before Time / Age of Reptiles (Tribal Warfare) Part III
Grandpa glared at Nicolai. "A herd must be lead, and taught, not ruled, for example, if a member is injured, the heard must do what is in their power to protect this member."
"No." Nicolai said. "If a member is injured, that member is on his or her own. If it survives against predators to a time when it is no longer injured, then of course the herd would welcome them back, but why waste the lives of the healthy to protect the lame?"
"Because some day," Grandpa said. "You might be the lame one."
"If I were so foolish as to injure myself, which is not likely, I would deserve to be left behind." Nicolai said. "A migratory herd cannot slow for even the most valuable member, we waited for the old one, and look, if we'd left her behind, we could have been here twelve moons ago."
"And when you are the old one? What then?" Grandpa said.
"Well, when I am the old one, I would have fulfilled my purpose." Nicolai said. "Listen oldster, I mean you, and other old ones no disrespect, why not let the old live in the great valley? But the young ones must continue on their way. Must continue to migrate back and forth to food."
"But there is food enough for all in the great valley." Grandpa protested.
"Either way it goes oldster," Nicolai said. "You're not a part of the herd. Do you want to migrate with us? Fine, but can you keep up? I am going to be the new ruler of the herd, and there is no way around it."
Grandpa was about to talk back, but Grandma gave him such a look, that he kept his mouth shut. It was none of his business, this was their cousin's matter to deal with.
Dark Eye waited in the bushes, Leopard, Quetzal and One Claw were chasing the big mouth away from the water, into the field. It would be up to him to make the actual kill.
The big mouth ran into the field, trumpeting. It ran close to Dark Eye, then with lightning speed, Dark Eye jumped out, and was on its back. He dug in with his killing claws, and then dug his three fingers into its side to hold on. He reached out with his jaw, and snapped its neck just bellow the skull. Quetzal, Leopard, and One Claw arrived, and the feast began. The Big Mouth was still alive, even though Dark Eye didn't understand why. He'd snapped it's neck, by all rights it should be dead. He tore its throat away, to shut it up. Then there was a loud roar.
"Blueback?" One Claw asked.
"Long Jaw!" Leopard said, as Long Jaw's massive form moved into view.
"Dark Eye." He said. "So you survived. Well you're eating my meal. Though I thank you for silencing it for me, you've saved me a lot of work." Long Jaw laughed wickedly. "Now run along." He moved closer to them.
"Lets go." Dark Eye said, glancing at Leopard who looked ready to pounce. "There is nothing we can do to stop him, let's just go."
"Unsuccessful hunt." Quetzal said.
"Blasted two finger." One Claw snapped. The pack slowly withdrew towards the lake. "Let's kill another one." One Claw suggested.
"Oh yeah!" Leopard said sarcastically. "And I'll go get Blueback so he can steal our kill just like Long Jaw did. Let's just go home. I'm getting this bad feeling."
"its called hunger." Quetzal said, "We should really try to catch something."
"Or," a voice said. "Maybe something's just caught you."
"What?" Quetzal asked, then the lake moved, water rushed at them in a wave, then a large sharp tooth appeared. "Necromancer!" Quetzal gasped. Necromancer had killed Maya the same day that Blueback raided the den. But Dark Eye didn't expect the crocodile had gained a taste for pack hunter flesh.
The group ran off.
"How many times are we going to be attacked today?" Leopard asked.
"Let's just go home!" One Claw said.
"Agreed." Quetzal said.
"Today is just not our lucky day." Dark Eye admitted.
"Today is your lucky day." Neckbiter said to Claw and Claw's brother Blaine. "No more hunger, we can migrate to the great valley. No more Blueback. Dark Eye had held out on us, he knows where the great valley is, but even in the worst famine, he's never taken us."
"I don't believe you." Blaine said. "Every one knows the great valley is just a legend the leaf eaters pass around."
"Don't be a fool." Claw snapped. Neckbiter had managed to pull Claw over as a comrade, Claw was to say the least his most devoted follower. It'd taken only a mater of moments to turn him, Claw had nothing even resembling a brain.
"I do not believe you." Blaine said. "And those of you who do, should be ashamed of yourselves for doubting Dark Eye." Blaine's comment wait aimed towards Neckbiter's two other followers, both male since Neckbiter felt it was more important to bring the stronger males onto his side.
"It's true, it makes sense!" Claw said. "Why are times so tough? Because most of the leaf eaters are going to the great valley!"
"Time's are not tough." Blaine said.
"Yes they are, do you remember when we were younger? Before Dark Eye became the Alpha? There was always enough food, now look at us, of eight eggs, usually one or two survive."
"So?" Blaine asked. "It's always been that way. And what does Neckbiter care for the survival rate of youngsters? Tell me Neckbiter, what happened to your son again?"
Neckbiter thought for a moment. The first infant he and Halla successfully hatched had been male. Halla had once asked Neckbiter to watch the brat for an hour, and no one, including Neckbiter had seen the brat since. "I lost him, big deal." Neckbiter protested. "I'm careful with the others."
"No matter." Blaine said. I don't believe you, and I never will."
"Fool." Claw snapped. "Can you believe only in what you see?"
"Trust me Blaine," Neckbiter said. "You will soon see the Great Valley, when I lead you to it."
"You're lying." Blaine said, not sounding so sure.
"What do I have to gain by lying?"
"You'd gain control of the pack." Blaine spat.
"Trust me, I can show you the great valley, then would you believe me?" Neckbiter asked.
Blaine seemed to think about this. "I'll side with you, but if you lie, I'll kill you."
"Deal." Neckbiter said. He moved on to his next victim.
"Neckbiter!" Another male, named Hama said. Hama was middle aged, and had been easy to convince.
"What is it Hama?" Neckbiter asked.
"Scar is coming back, I think Dark Eye may be with him."
Neckbiter stomped the ground. "Find out." He looked to Claw and Blaine. "Don't say anything to any one, meet me tonight here at the beginning of the log, and we'll talk then, bring friends if you like, but don't tell them anything."
His followers rushed into the pyramid. Neckbiter looked at Hama, who was rushing across the log. The log was the bridge to the lair, which was on a small cliff that couldn't be reached without the log. Blueback had jumped across it though.
Littlefoot and Ali and the others played for a long time. It was late, they were going to sleep, when Petrie's mother flew down with a familiar flyer that Littlefoot knew he'd seen somewhere, but he couldn't remember.
"Petrie, meet your new uncle, Zipolote, he's offered to baby sit you kids." Petrie's mother said.
"Zipolote?" Littlefoot thought. "Where had I heard that name before?"
"Have we met?" Littlefoot asked Zipolote.
"No." Zipolote said simply, but he didn't sound honest.
"Oh. Okay." Littlefoot said. He'd figure it out later.
Dark Eye curled up with the other three members in his pack. They had been tracking a leaf eater, but it'd gotten away, now they were a day away from home. They'd get there by dawn, he wondered if every one was okay.
Neckbiter informed the five new pack hunters of his plans.
"I don't want to do anything to hurt Dark Eye, he's been a great leader for so long."
"A great leader? Pytor, think about it, he's holding out on us!" Claw snapped.
"But he protects us!" Pytor said.
"Where was he when Blueback attacked? He didn't protect us then." Neckbiter said.
"He was hunting with Quetzal and Maya! And anyway, you were the first to run into the pyramid, where were you?"
"I was weaker then, now I'm stronger. You can ask Halla, I fought Long Jaw with no fear."
"The word of your mate, as if I could trust her." Pytor said.
"You can trust Neckbiter." Claw said. "Dark Eye is strongest, but maybe it's only because he saves the food for himself and keeps us half starved!"
"But I'm not starving!" Blaine said.
"Because you're used to being hungry!" Neckbiter said. "Think of the great valley, full of leaf eaters to fat to run away, it's a giant buffet!"
"And what happens when we exhaust the food supply?" Pytor asked.
"We wont!" Claw snapped.
"Be quiet!" Neck Bitter snapped back. "And anyway, Claw is right. It's impossible to exhaust the food supply, just as it is impossible to drink all of the great lake!"
"I am not convinced." Pytor said.
"Then you can stay here and starve!" Neckbiter snapped.
Pytor paused. He was young, but very smart for such a youngster. His intelligence reminded Neckbiter of Quetzal. So smart and powerful considering she was a female.
"I care about Dark Eye, he's my nest brother! But I can't approve of what he's doing!" Neckbiter continued.
"But he'd never hold out on us!" Pytor said.
Pytor and Blaine were the only one's not with the program. Other than them, the rest of the small pack around him agreed, and they'd force their mates into it. That was almost half the pack.
"Listen, Pytor." Neckbiter said. "I already told Blaine, if I'm lying, you can kill me."
"Well . . ." Pytor seemed to be thinking. After a long time, he nodded. "Very well. I'll do it."
"Do what?" A gruff voice asked.
"Dark Eye?" Hama asked.
"No, it's Scar." Neckbiter muttered.
"What are you youngsters doing out here?" Scar asked, slowly walked over to them.
"Nothing. Go away." Neckbiter snapped.
Scar glared at them. "You're lying."
"I'm not!" Neckbiter snapped.
"Fine. I'm going to go back to the pyramid, but I don't want you youngsters staying out to late." Scar said. Neckbiter nodded, and snapped at him. A signal that he should leave.
"Why didn't you want to tell Scar?" Blaine asked.
"Because, he'd never let it happen. Scar is all tradition." Neckbiter lied. There was the risk that Scar would tell Dark Eye.
Scar stomped off towards the Pyramid. He hated being pushed around by youngsters. He paused. "Why not listen to them?" He asked himself. He turned towards the Log Bridge. The small pack was talking there in hushed voices. He ran at top speed, and jumped across the gorge at another end. He circled around to the log. He jumped onto it, and with all the stealth he could muster in his old age, he slowly approached them, as if they were prey.
"We will have to take the majority of the pack, who ever we can, and go into the Great Valley." Claw said.
"No," Pytor said. "The nesting females won't make it. What about Nata? She's still got infant hatchlings."
"I know it sounds cold," Neckbiter said, "But we'll have to leave them. She can have more when we get to the great valley."
"But her mate is dead!" Blaine protested.
"That's her problem." Claw said.
"Sad but true." Hama said.
Scar was shocked at what he was hearing.
"Nata can have another litter, she's still reasonably young, she can always find another mate." Neckbiter said.
"But those hatchlings are our feature!" Blaine protested.
"No, their not." Neckbiter said. "The Great Valley is our feature. Do you want to starve? Then stay here. Want to eat? Come with me."
"I'm with you," Pytor said. "But . . . poor Nata . . . those hatchlings are all she has in life."
"What about your own mate Halla?" Another young male, Orion asked.
"She's strong, if she lays her eggs before we reach the great valley, we'll have to leave them behind."
"Well," Orion said, "I suppose I'm willing to follow you, so long as your willing to make the same sacrifices we are."
"I agree." Another male said.
"No . . ." Scar whispered. He was almost right on top of them. How could they plot like this? It would be the end of the pack!"
"Who's there?" Neckbiter snapped. He turned in Scar's direction. Scar saw him peer into the darkness.
Scar stood up. He was old, but he would defend the pack's feature, he'd defend the hatchlings with pride. "I'm here Neckbiter. And I won't let you leave so many hatchlings to die."
"Old one." Neckbiter snapped. "Hah. It's for the better of the pack. Most of them die any way."
Scar growled. "But the ones that survive Neckbiter. Those are the one's I'm fighting for. How can you," He looked at Claw and the others. "How can you follow this one, if he does not care for your children? Or even his own?"
"The survival rate of hatchlings will grow once were safe in the great valley!" Neckbiter snapped.
"How can you be sure the great valley will be what you say it will be? Weather or not it exists, how can you be sure that it is not guarded?"
"It exists!"
Scar frowned. "Are you sure?"
"Of course I am."
"You're a fool." Scar said. He'd hoped his words had scared the others. "Upon his return, I intend to inform Dark Eye." He began to walk back to the pyramid, when suddenly he felt incredible pain in his back.
Neckbiter slashed the back of Scar, leaving six bloody gashes, three on each side of the old one's body. "You won't tell Dark Eye!" He said.
"Neckbiter!" Scar cried, he sounded amazed. He reorganized himself. "So this is what it comes down to my son? A battle to the death between us?"
"If it needs be." Neckbiter said. "But I am not, and never was, your son." He lunged forward, he opened his jaws, and tried to bite down on Scar's neck. The oldster dodged, and hit his head with his tail.
Neckbiter fell back, Scar had half a tail, but it still hurt. He growled. He jumped into the air, and came down on Scar, but Scar dodged and kicked for Neckbiter with his foot claw.
Neckbiter dodged, and slashed out at Scar's thigh, the attack hit, and Scar stumbled. Neckbiter moved in for the kill.
"Neckbiter . . ." Scar said.
"No, the time for words is over. As is your story in the great circle of life." He jumped for Scar, his claws ready, his mouth open. Scar rolled over to one side. Neckbiter was on his feet in a flash, he stumbled, then regained his stature.
Scar was getting tired, Neckbiter could see it. The oldster ran towards him, and slashed with his claws, Neckbiter turned around, and slapped Scar's arms away with his tail. He raised his foot and with his killing claw he cut a large bloody gash in Scar's belly. He ran forward, and gave the old one a nice head butt. Then he moved his head up, Scar's frail old neck. Neckbiter proved himself true to his name. He clamped his jaws down on Scar's neck, and he held tight, until finally, the old dinosaur died.
Neckbiter took Scar by the neck, and led him to the edge of the cliff. He dropped him.
"The same fate for any one who even thinks about telling Dark Eye." He said.
Claw grinned at him approvingly. "I think we have a new Alpha Male."
"Think?" Hama asked. "If you only think, your brain is slow. I KNOW we have a new Alpha Male." Hama grinned, and bowed.
"Then do as I say," Neckbiter said. "Tell your mates and some of the other males, only the ones you really trust. With a little bit of luck, we can have most of the pack on our side before Dark Eye gets here."
"Sure thing boss." Hama said, still bowing as he left.
"I get so excited when change comes around." Claw said. He and Blaine left.
Neckbiter didn't trust Pytor and Blaine. But he hoped what he'd just done had brought them over to him with fear at least. Because if they would follow him now with no further objections, then killing Scar was worth it. But then again, it'd felt so good, maybe it was worth it anyway.
Neckbiter stalked off towards Halla's nest. She was asleep. He laughed softly. He was Alpha male of almost half the pack, and pretty soon he'd be total alpha. He snickered to himself, and lied down next to his unwanted mate. He closed his eyes, and went to sleep. Tomorrow was going to be a big, important day.
Dark Eye had this feeling in the back of his head. All was not well.
"Quetzal . . ." he whispered. She was the closest to him. She ignored him and continued to sleep.
"Leopard?" Dark Eye asked. Leopard was sleeping on the other side of Quetzal. He wasn't awake either.
"One Claw?"
"Yeah?" One Claw asked.
"One Claw, I want you to wake the others, while I try to get a scent and make sure that nothings stalking us. I'm getting a bad feeling."
"Me to," One Claw said. "But I don't smell anything."
Littlefoot woke up, Ali was pushing him.
"What is it?" He asked.
"Littlefoot, Cole and I wanted to say good bye, were leaving."
"What?" Littlefoot got up. "But you just got here!"
"Nicolai has taken control of the herd, we have to go, good bye Littlefoot."
"Grandpa!" Littlefoot shouted. He couldn't let Ali and Cole leave, not again, they were his friends, and who knew if they'd come back with a new leader like Nicolai.
"Littlefoot?" Grandpa asked.
"Ali's herd is leaving!"
"Ali!" Nicolai shouted. "Cole! Come on! Or I leave you behind."
Littlefoot saw grandpa shake with anger. "The young ones? How could you Nicolai!"
"Shut up oldster!" Nicolai snapped.
"I've had enough, you're the one who should shut up." Grandpa said.
"I've beaten every one who opposed me," Nicolai said, "I'm the new ruler of the herd."
"You haven't beat all the challengers!" Grandpa roared. Littlefoot was shocked. And it looked like Nicolai was to.
"You challenging me oldster?"
"That's right." Grandpa snapped.
"Then . . ." Nicolai shook his head. "Then I'm sorry, but you're going down, I won't go easy on you."
Grandpa rushed towards Nicolai, Littlefoot saw Grandpa rear up on his hind legs, and kick Nicolai with his front legs.
"Go Grandpa!" Littlefoot shouted. Grandma woke up and looked a little less excited than Littlefoot thought she would be.
"Darling!" She cried. "Give up! Don't fight!"
"Listen to your mate oldster!" Nicolai said, he slapped Grandpa, who was still on his hind legs with his tail. Grandpa fell back, and hit his head, but he got up again.
"I cant let you take the young one's into a life where they sooner to be left behind to die than be protected. I'm going to lead this herd!"
"Never!" Nicolai snapped. "And I'd never let the young one's fall to far behind."
Grandpa slowed his attack, he seemed to be considering what Nicolai said.
Then Littlefoot saw it. Nicolai stepped back on a tree, it bent backwards, and Grandpa got closer and closer to it.
"Grandpa! Look out!"
Nicolai moved his foot away from the tree, and it flew out, and hit grandpa's side.
"Grandpa!" Littlefoot cried.
"Dear!" Grandma screamed.
"I warned you old one." Nicolai said.
FWOMP
Grandpa slapped Nicolai with his tail. The younger long neck fell down and hit his head on a rock. Grandpa got up again. Nicolai got up to, but his head was bleeding. He grunted, and charged Grandpa. Grandpa moved out of the way, but to slowly, he and Nicolai were locked in combat, and Nicolai had the upper hand.
Littlefoot could barely watch. He saw Grandpa and Nicolai fall into the river. Nicolai moved his neck back, then slapped his strong young neck against Grandpa's weak older neck. Grandpa fell into the water, Nicolai stepped on what Littlefoot assumed was his grandfather's neck.
Littlefoot had been told rarely were battles like this to the death, but Nicolai had no intention of letting Grandpa up. Grandpa's head came up, gasping for air, but Nicolai stepped on it.
"No!" Ali screamed.
"My darling!" Grandma screeched.
"Grandpa!" Littlefoot shouted.
"Littlefoot!" Cole shouted. "Your grandpa has to give up!"
"He cant, he can't get up! He can't talk under water!"
"But Nicolai will kill him!"
"ROAR!" Littlefoot's grandpa threw Nicolai off of himself. He limped out of the water. It was turning red thanks to Nicolai's blood. Nicolai got out of the water, and rushed for Grandpa. Littlefoot closed his eyes. There was a loud cracking sound. Littlefoot opened his eyes, Grandpa was on his knees, and Nicolai was lying unconscious next to a shattered tree.
"Your grandpa won!" Ali said, she looked shocked, and glad.
"Grandpa won!" Littlefoot said excitedly.
"Is Nicolai all right?" Cole asked.
"Let's go see!" Littlefoot said.
"Wait . . . Littlefoot." Grandpa said weakly. He limped to Littlefoot. "My darling grand child, what I just did was wrong. I let my emotions get in the way of my reasoning. I want you to promise me you won't ever do what I did today."
"Grandpa . . ." Littlefoot said softly. "You were great! You saved Ali and Cole from having to go away."
"I know." Grandpa said weakly. "But I should never have meddled in the affairs of our cousin's herd. Using violence was even worse. Littlefoot, promise me you wont ever resort to violence, even if it seems to be the good idea at the time, it almost never is."
"But when is it a good idea Grandpa?" Littlefoot asked.
Grandpa didn't answer. "Littlefoot," He said. "It's rarely a good idea, and you'll know deep down inside when it is, but no matter how good of an idea it is, it is never the right thing to do."
"But . . . if you didn't fight, Cole and I would have been taken away, maybe even left behind and eaten by sharp teeth." Ali said.
"That is why I fought." Grandpa said weakly. "But, when Nicolai said he was joking, I believe he honestly was. He'd never leave you behind, perhaps an oldster like me, but never a youngster like you, you're the feature." Grandpa said.
Ali didn't say anything. Littlefoot knew how she felt.
"I jumped to a conclusion," Grandpa continued. "And it was the wrong one." He closed his eyes. "I can't lead your herd."
"But you have to." Ali's mother said. "You won."
"Fah!" Grandpa snapped. "I nearly died, nearly killed Nicolai. If he lives, tell him I'm sorry. I can't lead this herd."
"But . . . you must . . ." Nicolai said. He moved his head up, and stood up. He was wobbly, but he was standing. "You . . . beat . . . me . . . I respect . . . you . . . oldster . . . you're the herd's leader . . . we'll do . . . what ever you say . . . if you don't want to migrate . . . we wont. If you . . . want us to . . . eat rocks . . . we will."
Grandpa shook his head. "I can't ask you to do that. Nicolai, you're the leader of the herd, I don't deserve to be the leader. I was wrong."
"Then . . ." Nicolai said, "I refuse to lead." He looked at the members of the herd. One by one, they each refused to lead. "You see?" Nicolai said. "You . . . have no . . . choice . . . oldster." He added the last part with a grin. "I never thought . . . I'd be so . . . stupid as to . . . injure myself, but . . . you proved me . . . wrong oldster . . . I have so much to learn . . . from . . . you . . . please teach me."
"Were staying?" Cole asked. "I've got to go tell Stomp and Spike!" He rushed off.
"I . . . I cant teach you . . ." Grandpa said. "There's nothing to teach."
Nicolai looked disappointed, so did Cole.
"But," Grandpa said. "You stick around here for a little while, and maybe you will learn something."
Nicolai smiled. "Excellent . . . Oldster." He said.
"Let's go tell our friends!" Cole said to Littlefoot.
Littlefoot nodded. Ali and Cole were going to stay in the great valley! This was better than words could describe! He had two new friends, and Grandpa had a new herd.
Dark Eye and the others ran as fast as they could. It was almost sunrise, they should be reaching the lair . . . Dark Eye preyed that when he got back, the lair would be in one piece, and the entire pack would be alive. If Blueback had done anything to them, Dark Eye swore revenge.
"Dark Eye . . ." Quetzal said. She was the second fastest runner in the pack besides Dark eye, so Leopard and One Claw were making an attempt at keeping up a few meters behind them.
"What?"
"Do you smell that?" Quetzal asked.
Dark Eye sniffed the air. "Blood!" He said. He closed his eyes, he ran as fast as he could, he ignored fatigue, he ran, he ran . . . he jumped over the gap, ignoring the log bridge, he stopped and opened his eyes.
Every one was waiting for them. No one was dead. Every one was there! Every one, except Scar.
"Where's Scar?" Dark Eye asked.
"Dark Eye," Neckbiter said, with a wicked grin. "How good of you to come, welcome home, we've been waiting for you."
"Where is Scar!" Dark Eye shouted. He could smell Scar's blood, but he couldn't tell where it was coming from, it was so faint.
"Well, he came back, but he fell off the cliff. Old age you know." Claw snickered.
Dark Eye looked around. The entire pack was glaring at him, Nata, Hama, Claw and Blaine, every one.
"You've been holding out on us Dark Eye." Neckbiter said.
"What do you mean?" Dark Eye said coldly. Quetzal and the others appeared.
"You know where the great valley is, and we want you to take us."
"It's just a legend. It doesn't exist!" Dark Eye said.
"Lies." Neckbiter said. "But you'll soon learn to tell the truth. Guess what Dark Eye, we've elected a new Alpha male, want to guess who he is?"
"Neckbiter, master of sweet words and lies?" Dark Eye offered.
"Not quite." Neckbiter said. "It is me, but I'm not the one who lies."
"I never lied to the pack."
"You held out on us. Now your going to take us to the great valley, or . . . well, I cant guaranty your safety once I let my pack loose on you."
Dark Eye looked over at the Pack. Faces he knew, faces that were burned into his memory forever, faces he loved. Faces he preyed to see when ever he returned from a hunt. "How could you all do this to me?" he asked.
"Try to see it from our point of view." Neckbiter said. "Were hungry."
Nata approached Dark Eye. He frowned. "We just want to know how to get there, we won't force you to come with us."
Dark Eye closed his eyes. He was beaten, there was nothing to be done about it. "Follow the bright circle to the rock that looks like a long neck-and then past the mountains that burn. Go past that and follow the path left by the leaf eaters."
"There were no burning mountains when we went there." Neckbiter said angrily. "Are you lying?"
"No." Dark Eye said. "When 'we' went we took a different path, one that is far to complicated for your brain-take the basic path and you will get there-it will take several moons longer but you will get there. There are several springs, and there will be leaf eating herds traveling along the way so you needn't worry about food." Dark Eye closed his eyes. "You win Neckbiter-take your pack and go."
To be continued . . .
A/N: Please review, tell me what you think, even if your reviewing for the second time, or if you want to flame me, and cuss me out, I want to know what people honestly think of this story.