Chapter 4: A Dark Plan
Pterano and his cronies flew off to Three-Horn Peak, while carrying Ducky. They were now very close to their destination. The 3 Flyers then landed near some cliffs. Sierra and Rinkus were not very good at landing carefully since it was a little windy. They both crashed into each other. Though Ducky didn't get hurt by the rough landing. Pterano then landed but in a better way. Ducky then told Sierra and Rinkus that they were definitely not good at landing. Sierra then got mad.
"Pipe down you, or I'll…" said Sierra. He raised his wing as he was about to smack Ducky, but Pterano then spoke to stop him.
"Sierra! Show a little self-control, will you?" Pterano said with a frown. Sierra wouldn't have any of it.
"Self-control, my tailbone!" Sierra said with anger. The mean Flyer pointed at Ducky as he went on. "I been putting up with that whiny little voice since we took off. 'No, no, no.' 'Yep, yep, yep.' It's driving me nuts, nuts, NUTS!"
Rinkus then said that nobody was following them. He walked by the edge of a cliff. He then said that they could just leave Ducky behind and go find the stone. Ducky then came in.
"I would not do that if I were you. No, no, no" said Ducky.
Rinkus raised an eyebrow. "Leave you behind?"
Ducky then pointed at the cliff. "No, stand on that edge."
Rinkus then raised both eyebrows. Suddenly, the cliff broke apart and Rinkus fell to a lower cliff a few feet below while screaming. Pterano and Sierra went wide-eyed. Ducky then shrugged and said "Told him."
Pterano and Sierra then flew down to where Rinkus landed. Rinkus groaned painfully. Pterano then crossed his arms.
"Oh, Rinkus. Out of the mouths of hatchlings, as they say" said Pterano. Rinkus then sat up.
"Well, if you are so smart, who's watching the little babble-beak?" said Rinkus. All 3 Flyers raised both eyebrows as they realized what they did. No one was watching Ducky. She was now trying to run away from the mean Flyers. Ducky then went wide-eyed when she saw that the 3 Flyers were now flying towards her very quickly. She ran as fast as she could but the Flyers started catching up. Sierra then flew close and had his talons ready to grab her.
"Gotcha now!" yelled Sierra as he got inches away from Ducky. Suddenly, the ground gave way and Ducky fell, right before Sierra could grab her. Ducky screamed as she fell. The 3 Flyers then landed when they saw the hole. Pterano then called out to Ducky.
"Come out now, child. I promise we won't hurt you" said Pterano. But all Pterano heard was his voice echoing down the hole. Rinkus and Sierra looked down the hole. They couldn't see Ducky at all.
"Must have been quite a drop" said Sierra.
"I can't see a thing. It's way too dark down there" said Rinkus. Pterano actually felt upset at losing Ducky and replied "Poor thing". Sierra simply said "So what?"
"I was responsible for that little Swimmer. And now I've lost her" Pterano said with a frown.
Sierra simply grinned. "Well, Pterano, you should be used to this kinda thing by now." Sierra didn't care about the little Swimmer's life and only cared about the stone. Pterano still felt a little upset. It looks like that Pterano wasn't completely evil but the other 2 Flyers sure seemed like it. The 3 Flyers then flew off, not knowing that Ducky wasn't hurt. The hole led to a small cave. Ducky held onto a stalactite. She was pretty high off the ground. She held on tightly to the ceiling rock. But then suddenly, it cracked and broke apart. Ducky screamed as she fell. Fortunately, she landed in a small pond in the cave. She got out of the cold water and looked around.
"Hello? Is anybody there?" Ducky called out into the cave. Her voice created an echo. She thought that she was alone. She definitely liked it when dark caves were empty. She started to walk away to find a way out. However, she didn't know that she wasn't really alone. 2 figures were walking in the cave as well, slowly following Ducky.
Meanwhile, Sonic and the other kids were on their way to find and rescue Ducky. They came to a big cliff that had some long vines that connected to another cliff. Cera then complained that it would take too long to climb the deep ditch. Littlefoot then saw the vines that connected to the other side.
"Those vines look strong enough. I'll bet we could use them to walk across" said Littlefoot. But before they stepped towards the vines, Cera then walked and stopped in front of the others.
"Oh, no. Not this Three-Horn" Cera said with a frown. It seemed that Cera didn't agree with this idea.
Sonic then smirked. "What's the matter Cera? Afraid of heights?"
Petrie then grinned and started chanting, "Cera a scaredy-egg"
Cera then frowned. "Hey, I'm not a scaredy-egg."
Sonic was still grinning. "You sure about that? Because it looks like you are."
Cera then glared at Sonic. "I'm not, okay! (Calms a little) But every time we sneak off and leave the Great Valley, We end up having to crawl across some giant ditch or pointy rocks, or something."
The group then nodded. Cera then complained that they always use a boulder or a log to cross and that she always ends up at the back of the line. And that she always falls off or gets chased by a Sharptooth. Sonic rolled his eyes and shook his head with a smile. The others thought that Cera had a point. Littlefoot then asked what they should do. Cera seemed unsure for a moment.
"Well, uh… well, this time, I'm gonna be the one who goes first" said Cera. The little Three-Horn then walked out in front.
"So, if there's trouble, I'm not stuck behind, screaming my head off. No. This time, I'm going to be safe" Cera said with a little bit of pride. The other kids didn't want to argue so they agreed. They all started to walk towards the narrow vines. Sonic crossed his arms while he looked at Cera.
"Well, Cera should know that the first one in line isn't always safe" thought Sonic. Littlefoot then saw Sonic get into a racing stance.
"Are you coming?" said Littlefoot. Sonic then looked at Littlefoot with a smile.
"Nope. I'm using another way. Besides, where's the fun of just walking across?" said Sonic.
Littlefoot raised an eyebrow but then replied, "okay."
Sonic then walked a few feet back and then, with a burst of speed, jumped right over the ditch to the other side. Sonic landed with no problem. Cera frowned a little as she saw Sonic land. Sonic then watched the kids to make sure that they would not fall. The kids slowly walked on the narrow vines. Petrie flew by though. Littlefoot tried to be careful because the vines felt wobbly. Cera had trouble as well. She felt very nervous as she looked down below. She then walked very slowly. After a few minutes, they were almost across the vines.
"Come on, you're almost there" Sonic called out.
"Yeah, we're coming" said Littlefoot. Just when they were about to fully cross the vines, Spike spotted a yellow flower on the vines. Spike then licked his lips. Sonic then saw this and raised both eyebrows.
"Spike, don't!" Sonic shouted.
"Spike, no!" exclaimed Petrie. But it was too late. Spike chomped on the flower and the vines. He swallowed the flower. But because of Spike chomping on the vines, the vines were coming loose. The other kids went wide-eyed as did Sonic.
"Hang on!" exclaimed Littlefoot. The kids held onto the vines while Petrie grabbed Littlefoot's neck tightly. Sonic then jumped on the vine with them and held on as well. The vines broke were Spike munched down and they all fell. Everyone shouted "Whoa!" as the vines swung downward. The rest of the vines broke and they all went flying into a nearby cave. What's left of the vines got tangled on Spike. The kids went rolling into the cave and skidded to a stop. Sonic also rolled but he regained himself and slid on his shoes to a halt. Sonic dusted himself off a little.
"You guys alright?" asked Sonic.
"We're… okay" grunted Littlefoot. The kids groaned a little and started to get back up. Cera then glared at Spike. Spike smiled in a silly way.
"Don't ever do that again" Cera said with frustration. Spike groaned. The kids then dusted themselves off by shaking a little.
"Well, at least none of us are hurt" said Sonic.
"And we're all here" added Littlefoot. Littlefoot then got sad. "I mean, except for Ducky."
Spike groaned in a very sad way. The others also felt sad. Sonic felt sad too but then his expression turned into anger.
"Those mean Flyers" thought Sonic. He was determined to get Ducky back.
"Poor Ducky" said Cera. Petrie said the same thing. Then they all heard a voice say, "Poor me." Everyone raised both eyebrows. Everyone shouted "Ducky!" They all looked towards the sound and saw their Swimmer friend who was sitting by a ledge. Ducky then saw her friends and smiled.
"You're okay!" Littlefoot said with a smile.
"Yes! Yes I am!" Ducky exclaimed with joy. Spike ran over and licked Ducky, like a dog that was happy to see its owner. Ducky giggled and then hugged Spike's snout. Sonic and the others then came over and hugged Ducky as well.
"How you get here?" asked Petrie.
"Well, the Flyers chased me and I ran, and I fell through the top of a big cave into a big cold water (makes shivering motion), and I walked down this big crawl-hole and then I found you" Ducky explained.
Sonic then looked at Ducky with a frown. "Did those Flyers hurt you?" asked Sonic.
Ducky shook her head. "Oh, no, no, no. I'm okay. I am."
Sonic sighed with relief. "So, why did Pterano kidnap you?" asked Sonic.
"Well, I went to cheer up Petrie because we said mean things about his uncle. So, I walked to find him but then I heard Pterano and the other Flyers talking" explained Ducky. She also explained about Pterano's evil plan to rule over the Great Valley. The kids were a little surprised about Pterano's plan but not Sonic. He knew Pterano was up to something horrible and the kids knew why Pterano couldn't be trusted.
"And so, I went to tell you and Littlefoot but the Flyers found me and then took me away" said Ducky. Sonic now knew why Pterano took Ducky away because of what she found out. Sonic then looked at the ground with a frown while crossing his arms.
"It's like Pterano is just as bad as Eggman but at least he didn't hurt Ducky" thought Sonic.
Petrie felt very upset. He hugged Ducky while sobbing a little.
"Me not understand why Pterano so mean" said Petrie. Cera rolled her eyes while frowning a little. She could care less about that arrogant Flyer. Ducky tried to comfort Petrie.
"Do not feel bad. Your uncle was not as mean as the other Flyers" said Ducky.
Petrie felt a little surprised. "He… He not?"
"Oh no. He was very sad when they dropped me. He was. He was" said Ducky.
Sonic and the others were a little surprised. Though Sonic wondered if it was true or Pterano was up to his own tricks. But Sonic wanted to respect Pterano anyways because the Flyer was part of Petrie's family.
"Everybody has a little bit of good and bad inside them" said Ducky. Petrie smiled a little.
"Yeah, everybody want to do the right thing but sometimes they do it all wrong. Pterano act bad but he still good, someplace inside" said Petrie. Sonic and the others raised both eyebrows and then they all smiled, except Cera.
"Well, then. Maybe we can give your uncle another chance, to make things right" said Sonic. Petrie smiled at what Sonic said. The others thought about it.
"Yeah, maybe" groaned Cera. Sonic frowned slightly at Cera.
"Can we go home now?" Cera said while feeling impatient.
"No, Cera. What about the Flyers and the Stone of Cold Fire?" Littlefoot said with a serious expression.
Cera rolled her eyes and walked to the entrance of the cave. "Aw, it's just some dumb old rock. We have Ducky back. Everything is fine."
"Yes, we got Ducky back but I still think that we should stop Pterano's plan" said Sonic.
Ducky nodded. "I agree with Sonic. I do. What if the Stone of Cold Fire really is a magic thing? Then it would be bad if the Flyers got it. It would. It would." The others nodded in agreement. Spike replied with an 'Uh huh.'
Cera sighed. "Oh, alright, fine. But I still don't know how we're supposed to catch up with them."
Sonic knew that he might be able to catch the Flyers himself but he knew that there was no way that he could carry all the dino kids on his back. They would have to find another way somehow. Ducky started to walk out of the cave.
"Do not worry, Cera. We will find a…" started Ducky. But before she could finish with 'way,' Sierra suddenly appeared and grabbed Ducky with his clawed feet. Ducky screamed in fear. Sonic and the others went wide-eyed and ran out of the cave to a cliff.
"Ducky!" exclaimed Cera. Sonic and the kids saw the other Flyers appear. Sonic glared at the 3 Flyers.
"What they doing back?" Petrie said with worry.
"They must've heard us scream when we fell into the cave" stated Littlefoot.
"Well, we lost Ducky once. We're not gonna lose her again!" exclaimed Sonic. The Blue Runner zoomed and jumped to a cliff near the Flyers. He held onto the ledge while he kept his eyes on the Flyers. The kids watched Sonic run.
Sierra held Ducky tightly as she struggled to get free. Pterano then flew next to Sierra. He was starting to have second thoughts about kidnapping the little Swimmer.
"What are you doing? Let her go" said Pterano.
Sierra frowned. "Make up your mind, Pterano. You're the one who said the others won't stop us so long as we've got the brat." Sonic listened to their conversation.
Pterano felt a little upset. "Well, yes, I did say that. But, um…"
"Yeah, you heard Pterano. Let her go!" Sonic shouted to Sierra.
Sierra looked at Sonic with a glare. "Get lost, ya spiky rodent!"
Sonic glared back. "You've had it!"
Sonic, using both feet, kicked off the ledge and jumped towards Sierra. He used his Homing Attack. Sierra flew quickly out of Sonic's path. Sonic missed but he landed on another ledge. He held onto the cliff and got ready to strike again. This time he'd make sure he wouldn't miss. Ducky gasped lightly and glared at Sierra. Before Sonic could act, Ducky bit Sierra's foot. Sierra replied, "Ow!" And he dropped Ducky. Ducky screamed as she fell. Pterano frowned at Sierra.
"You lummox! You dropped her!" scolded Pterano.
"Of course I dropped her. The little Bigmouth bit me!" Sierra said with anger. Sonic and the others went wide-eyed as they watched Ducky fall.
"She's going into the river! Hurry!" exclaimed Littlefoot. Littlefoot and the others slid down a hill to the side of the big river. Sonic let go of the cliff and dived after Ducky. Ducky hit the water with a 'splash.' Ducky swam to the surface. She tried to swim but the river current was strong. She struggled to stay above the surface as the current flowed in a fast way. Sonic then hit the water. He struggled against the current as well while he swam after Ducky. The other kids went to the edge of the river. They saw Ducky and Sonic coming.
"Here they come!" exclaimed Cera.
"We need something to help us pull them out" stated Littlefoot. Littlefoot then saw the vines that were still tied onto Spike.
"Spike, those vines might work" said Littlefoot. Spike looked at the vines on his back while raising an eyebrow.
The 3 Flyers watched the kids and Sonic from above. Sierra glared at Ducky.
"Nobody takes a bite out of me and gets away with it" stated Sierra. The mean Flyer dived down to the kids, followed by Rinkus. Pterano called to his cronies to stop what they're doing. But the 2 Flyers weren't listening. Pterano groaned with annoyance and then followed the Flyers.
The kids found a log and tied the vines on it. Littlefoot used the log on the water while the other kids used the vines to keep it steady on the water, creating a vine rope. Sonic then caught Ducky as the current pushed them. The others tried to hold on tightly, while Sonic and Ducky came by fast.
"Grab the vine, Sonic!" yelled Littlefoot.
Sonic coughed a little in the water. "On it!"
Sonic then made a grab for the vine and caught it with one hand. He held Ducky with another hand. Sonic then had Ducky grab the vine as well. They both used the vine to get to the log that Littlefoot was on. The other kids started to slip on the shore, trying to hold the vines. The current was very strong.
"We slipping!" exclaimed Petrie. Sonic helped Ducky to climb on the log and Sonic followed.
"You guys okay?" asked Littlefoot.
"Yeah, thanks" Sonic said with a smile. Ducky also thanked Littlefoot.
"They're safe!" Cera said with a smile while she held the vine in her mouth.
Petrie looked to the sky with wide eyes. "But not for long!"
Sierra and Rinkus screeched as they came closer. Cera and Spike gasped and accidentally let go of the vines. But they both grabbed the vines again on time, but the current started to take them into the water. Cera and Spike slid onto some wood planks, and went into the water. Cera and Spike were now jet skiing on the water as the current flowed. Sonic and the kids held on as they rode on the river, with Petrie flying by them. Cera and Spike swerved to avoid the large rocks in the river. Everyone held on tight as they went down a small water fall with a 'splash'. Sierra and Rinkus got close to the log. All the kids gasped while Sonic glared at the 2 Flyers. The mean Flyers then hit the water near them. The kids struggled to hold on without falling into the water. The Flyers were about to attack again. Sonic got ready to hit back. But then Pterano came by his cronies.
"Stop this at once. Get a grip, will you?" said Pterano. Sierra and Rinkus then grinned at their leader.
"Don't mind if we do" Sierra said as he grabbed Pterano's right wing. Rinkus then grabbed Pterano's left wing and laughed wickedly. They were going to force Pterano to help them catch the kids. They all dived down towards the kids. Pterano grunted as his cronies held both of his arms.
"Let go of me! How dare youuuuuuu!" shouted Pterano.
Ducky felt afraid. "They're going to get us!"
Sonic had a brave expression and got ready. "Oh, no they won't!"
Littlefoot then saw something and had an idea while smiling. "Yeah, not if we can keep them distracted long enough."
Sonic then looked at Littlefoot and felt confused by what Littlefoot said. But then he looked up and knew what Littlefoot meant. A low rock bridge came into view. Sonic smiled as he knew what the plan was.
Littlefoot then looked at the Flyers and wagged his tail. "Hey Flyers! Down here!"
"Yeah, over here!" Sonic said while waving his hands.
The other kids were confused as they didn't know what the plan was. "Guys, what are you doing?" asked Ducky.
"Can't catch us! Can't catch us! Ha Ha!" laughed Littlefoot.
"Nah nah!" Sonic yelled while making funny faces and sticking out his tongue at the Flyers. Sierra and Rinkus got really mad. They didn't notice the rock bridge coming closer but Pterano saw it with wide eyes. The other kids were about to find out what Sonic and Littlefoot planned.
"Don't bet on it, you little…" said Sierra. But before Sierra could say more, all 3 Flyers smacked into the rock bridge. Sonic and the kids had lost the mean Flyers. They went down one small waterfall. The log started to stop by land. They finally got away from the mean Flyers. They all got on shore.
Sonic chuckled. "Well, that was fun."
Cera chuckled too. "Ha! Did you see how those wing-brains hit that rock?" Cera closed her eyes while saying 'boom!'
"Yeah, but you also see how other Flyers grab Uncle Pterano? Them make him chase us. Him not even their leader" Petrie said with frustration. Sonic sighed and nodded.
Meanwhile, the Flyers started to regain themselves from the crash they suffered. Pterano got up while frowning at his lackeys. He dusted himself off and cleared his throat.
"I repeat. I am the leader. I give the orders. You follow them. Understood?" said Pterano. The other 2 Flyers groaned and then nodded. Pterano then replied, "Good."
Pterano then took to the sky and his cronies followed. Sonic and the kids watched the 3 Flyers.
"Me no get it. How come Pterano still with them?" asked Petrie.
"He probably still needs their help" answered Sonic.
"But why? Where they go?" Petrie asked again.
"Back up to the Smoking Mountains to find that stone. Where else?" said Cera.
Petrie then called out to his uncle. "Uncle Pterano! Not go!"
But the 3 Flyers kept flying to the mountains. A big storm was starting to form. A clap of thunder was heard. Though no one knew that Eggman sent Ichy to follow the Flyers. Eggman watched on his screen while chuckling wickedly.
End of Chapter 4
