CHAPTER ?: IF WE HOLD ON TOGETHER

Wonders are waiting to start

Live your story

Faith, hope and glory

Hold to the truth in your heart

If we hold on together

I know our dreams will never die

Dreams see us through to forever

Where clouds roll by

For you and I

Souls in the wind

Must learn how to bend

Seek out a star

Hold on to the end

Valley, mountain

There is a fountain

Washes our tears all away

Words are swaying

Someone is praying

Please let us come home to stay

If we hold on together

I know our dreams will never die

Dreams see us through to forever

Where clouds roll by

For you and I

When we are out there in the dark

We'll dream about the sun

In the dark we'll feel the light

Warm our hearts, everyone

If we hold on together

I know our dreams will never die

Dreams see us through to forever

As high as souls can fly

The clouds roll by

For you and I.

- If We Hold On Together, The Land Before Time

They returned to the Great Valley. The cheering was deafening. Sharpteeth, Flatteeth, Egg Stealers, and the good Bothteeth all applauded the Gang of Seven, Ali, Strut, Perrin, Andromeda, Thud, and Pterano. The Great Valley War was over. The herds and packs came forward to greet the ones who had never stopped believing in their dreams. Those who hadn't given up hope in their darkest hour. The saviors of the dinosaur world. They didn't even bother to fight each other. Nature itself was forgotten on this day of celebration. The world had been saved from evil.

Meanwhile, the Fanged Flatteeth and their allies turned to fight. The demise of the Terror of the Mysterious Beyond had really put them in a bad spot. Their hopes of power in a new world order were dashed. And their punishment wasn't done yet.

"Excuse me. I have a little business I need to attend to." said Chomper. Thud and Andromeda followed him. Dil and Ichy also joined them, as did Velo, Edna, Darrien, Thorn, Lorenzo, and Farrell. "It seems that I"m fated to hunt dinosaurs. I found that I don't like hunting Flatteeth. However, you think you're superior to everyone. So let's see how superior you taste." said Chomper. The enemy gasped in fright.

The Sharpteeth chased the enemy. Many were brought down. Chomper would eat well from now on, hunting these enemies of the dinosaurs instead of the Flatteeth that he dearly loved. His health would be fine.

Antiochles approached him. "Chomper, as you know, you defeated Red Claw. That makes you the leader of the pack by all accounts. We'd all be honored to have you in charge. And, of course, we will allow other kinds to join. It is an excellent idea, as you have clearly demonstrated. I see you've fulfilled the prophecy after all, Chosen One. You've taken down the leadership of the Great Valley and set things right. I guess the interpretation was different than we always thought. Come live with us." said his father-in-law in Sharptooth.

"Papa, I'd love that. I'll come often, but my true home is in the Great Valley. Littlefoot, the one who beat the Fanged Flattooth, has agreed to demand my return there, permanently, or else he and Ali live in the Mysterious Beyond. I do also have a favor to ask of you." said Chomper in Sharptooth.

"Yes Chomper." said Antiochles in Sharptooth.

"I want you to not harm my Flattooth friends when they visit sometimes. They really liked the green food there." said Chomper in Sharptooth.

"It will be done. Take care of our daughter for us." said Antiochles in Sharptooth.

"Goodbye dear. We hope you will visit us soon." said Andromeda's mother to Andromeda in Sharptooth. Andromeda hugged her parents goodbye. They also hugged Chomper goodbye.

Chomper and Andromeda approached another pair of Sharpteeth. His parents smiled at the couple. "I guess I'm a bit different than you thought I'd be when we first met in the Great Valley nearly 20 cold times ago. However, I hope you think I've turned out alright." said Chomper in Sharptooth. His parents nodded.

"We couldn't be more proud of you Chomper." said his father in Sharptooth.

"You will make a great father." said his mother in Sharptooth.

"Hey, one thing at a time. I just got married a few weeks ago and need to settle down first. However, I'll admit, it is on my to-do list." said Chomper in Sharptooth. His parents and Andromeda laughed.

"We hope you will visit us soon." said Chomper's father in Sharptooth.

"Of course." said his son in Sharptooth.

They hugged both him and Andromeda and then left. They went to the Great Valley with Littlefoot.

"We now know the truth about the Old One's death and about Chomper. Therefore, I demand that he stay and..." said Littlefoot.

Chomper gave Littlefoot a look.

"Right, I demand that he and Andromeda stay and that if they can't, that Ali and I will be leaving." continued Littlefoot.

The vote of the leadership was unanimous. Chomper and Andromeda could stay.

"Also, maybe I'm asking a bit much, but could Strut and Silona stay too? They want to eat green food. They aren't fond of eggs." said Chomper. Again, the vote was unanimous, they could stay.

There was something very important that Littlefoot wanted to announce right then. "I"m going to celebrate my Star Day from now on, starting with this, my 25th." he said. There was loud cheering everywhere.

"Also, as I have chosen Ali and she has chosen me. As I come of age today, I'd like to have our union ceremony at once so I can continue my herd, and because, quite frankly, I think I've waited long enough." he said. Again, there was cheering, mixed with laughter at his comment about having waited long enough.

And so Littlefoot and Ali became one that day. They approached Grandpa and Grandma Longneck and other leader of the Combined Herd.

"Do you Littlefoot take Ali to be your loving wife, to love forever, despite the circumstances around you, and to take care of her and raise a loving family with her?" his grandfather asked.

"I do." said Littlefoot.

"Do you Ali take Littlefoot to be your loving husband, to love forever, despite the circumstances around you, and to take care of him and raise a loving family with him?" asked Grandma Longneck.

"I do." said Ali.

"Then I hereby declare you and Littlefoot as Soul Mates and husband and wife." said Grandpa Longneck. Littlefoot and Ali kissed. The Combined Herd cheered.

Ali's herd came to the new couple. "Ah, yes, I suppose you'll be leaving. Ali and I wish you the best of luck. I presume you've picked a new leader." said Littlefoot.

"As a matter of fact we have. One who gives so much of himself and asks so little in return. A Longneck with wisdom far beyond his years. You." said Ali's grandmother.

"Me?" gaped Littlefoot.

"Yes, we can help you with the harder things, but we know a great leader when we see one. We know the Old One would have wanted you as her successor." said Ali's father.

So it was that Littlefoot got to lead a herd after all. He was most honored, but of course, he took the role humbly and never abused his power.

[To Be Continued]