Chapter 52: An Unwelcome Guest

Flap…..Flap….Flap…

Sculra opened her eyes from her rest and in a flash was outside her cave in the afternoon sun and looking down at Sierra who had just landed on the ground. "What's going on Sierra?" she demanded.

"Aren't you going to offer some hospitality for a tired Flyer?" grunted Sierra. However Sculra just clenched her hands into fists.

"Cut the crap Flyer and tell me what is going on or all you're going to get is a big headache when you wake up in the morning" threatened Sculra shaking her fists at him.

"Okay, okay" growled Sierra. "You'll be pleased to know that everyone in the Valley knows that your stupid friend lives"

"She's not my friend Sierra and never has been but go on" said Sculra.

"It appears that the Valley got news from an old Flyer friend of mine about her but enough about that. I also found the little brat near The Big Water" said Sierra coldly, he almost spat out the words 'little brat'.

"And" said Sculra dully.

"I dislocated her leg, that should slow-"

"You should have broken it, you idiot!" scolded Sculra harshly.

"I would have done worse had not been for some other Swimmers that chose to attack me before I could do anymore, there is a Swimmer herd at The Big Water and it looks like the two that attacked me are relatives of the brat's mother."

Sculra's eyes widened in surprise. "Count on Sura's family to cause trouble for me" she thought. "Continue." She said sounding a little more curious.

"I found out that the little brat has a lover. I was going to eat him before they stopped me." Sculra had a pondering look on her face.

"Any other news?" she asked.

"The brat's secret has been found out now everyone in the herd knows what she is doing and will hold a meeting, she should be in real trouble now. Oh and she has also been training with Swimmers from The Big Water"

"What!?" yelled Sculra in shock, her mind quickly processed this new information. If Ducky was learning from them then she would have more skills to bring to The Trial which means more chance of success. Sculra couldn't allow that to happen but now with the herd onto her that would soon stop. Suddenly a thought crossed her mind. "Who's the herd leader?" she asked.

"The herd leader?" asked Sierra in surprise.

"Yes the leader of the Swimmer herd, do you know who they are?" said Sculra impatiently.

"Yes, I overheard some Swimmers talking about their leader, a male called Rarlap" said Sierra.

Sculra's eyes widened. "Sharptooth Crap!" she cursed furiously.

"What?" asked Sierra.

"That herd leader is no traditionalist he will support her, I need another plan, a plan to get her back here even if Cyrest comes. I'll be able to finally move in and give them hell!" hissed Sculra angrily.

"How do you propose we do that?"

Sculra held a hand under her chin and thought for a few moments then Sierra spoke again, interrupting her train of thought.

"Oh and the brat's friends, those kids are missing, they disappeared a few days ago but I have seen then en route to The Big Water" he said.

Sculra smirked. "Well, well" she said thoughtfully "I think we can turn this around. Sierra fly back to The Big Water as fast as you can and tell Sura that I have her worthless so called son, the Spiketail and will kill him in a day's time if she does not choose to return to The Valley."

Sierra shook his head "Those kids are already close to The Big Water, the plan won't work."

"Ahh, but here is the next part of the plan." Said Sculra with a wicked smile "You then fly to intercept the kids and stop them or cripple them anyway you can and also tell Sura this so she knows it was me: Compassionate herd leaders are trouble and never abide by traditions and it is a herd leaders duty to uphold those traditions no matter what. Tell her those exact words and she'll know it's me"

Sierra nodded.

"Now get some food and water and be off with you!" said Sculra as she turned away with the same wicked smile on her face, Sura would not get off easily with her this time. A few minutes later Sierra had taken off as fast as his wings would carry him, at such a pace that he would arrive at The Big Water in the evening.


GRUMBLE!

"Ohhhh, my tummy is making its angry noise" groaned Ducky when she and Trough arrived back at the cave on the Mo's back. One could easily hear the angry grumbles and gurgles coming from Ducky and Trough's belly's. Sura and Bluey seemed to be okay but the two kids were really feeling it.

"My stomach is killing me" groaned Trough in agreement, he like Ducky was holding onto his belly as it grumbled. He could only assume that this was a result of the underwater green food from The Big Water that he and Ducky ate, yet it did not appear to affect the adults.

Noon confirmed Trough's theory a moment later "It's the green food you had, your bodies aren't used to it" she said, sounding a little worried.

"Then why are me and Bluey okay?" asked Sura.

Noon shrugged with her fins "I don't know, perhaps it's because your both adults and it only affects children" speculated Noon.

"You don't say" moaned Trough as he slid off Mo's back and into the water, closely followed by Ducky.

"My tummy hurts it does, it does" said Ducky as she fell on her knees, the water was now up to her chest.

"I'm sure you'll both be fine" said Noon.

"I hope so" said Sura.

"You're Back!" Everyone turned to find Cyrest, Grandma Swimmer and Jane advancing down the slope to the water's edge.

"And you're alive" said Cyrest with a cheeky smile while the others just rolled their eyes.

"Yeah but it was a very close in thing." said Sura sounding awfully tired.
"Way too close for comfort" added Bluey.

"That bad huh?" asked Cyrest.

"You have no idea," said Sura "but at least Ducky succeeded and we all got out alive."

A loud gurgling sound brought the adults attention back to Ducky and Trough, they sounded worse. Their bellies gurgling unpleasantly.

"Are you two okay?" asked Grandma Swimmer in a worried voice.

"We ate some underwater Big Water plants" said Sura, "And it seems it does this to children." Sura gestured to Ducky and Trough.

Grandma Swimmer shook her head.

Ducky held onto her belly and groaned, suddenly she felt the pressure travel through her body and build up, with only a few moments left before the inevitable happened all she could say was "Oh no!"

FAAAAAAAAARRRRRRRRRRRRT!

It came out like an explosion from her rear end and a huge amount of large bubbles erupted to the surface around a very red faced Ducky. She was soooo embarrassed as everyone laughed but not coldly laughing, friendly laughing. However she felt immensely relieved as the pressure ebbed she gave a sigh of relief even though that caused everyone to laugh harder.

"Well, better out then in" chuckled Bluey.

Trough stopped laughing and said "That was the biggest tail bubbles I've ever seen" he laughed again, loudly.

Ducky blushed but then she took on a malicious smile as Trough's belly grumbled. Trough groaned but to his surprise Ducky gave his belly a large push inward. "Oh no!" cried Trough, just like Ducky as he too let out a huge fart, the huge bubbles rose to the surface as he gave a sigh of relief but his cheeks lit up bright red.

"I do not know" said Ducky playfully "I think you made larger tail bubbles" she said, pointing to Trough.

"I did not!" cried Trough indignantly "I'm sure you made larger!" he said.

"Yeah right" laughed Ducky.

The two would have continued bickering if it weren't for the laughter of everyone around them at their little antics.

"Well when you too are quite done, I think we had better get to the meeting, we don't want to be late" said Sura with a wide smile on her face.

"Agreed" said her mother and sister.

"Okay mom" said Ducky and she and Trough proceeded to get out of the water and dry themselves.

"And by the way if your wondering Ducky made the larger tail bubbles" said Cyrest as they were about to head off. This caused Trough to laugh and Ducky to blush "Cyrest!" she cried indignantly as he laughed at her expense.

"Come on you two" called Grandma Swimmer who was already heading off along with her two daughters.

"Coming!" cried Ducky and Trough simultaneously, they both exchanged surprised looks with each other before running to catch up with the other adults, there was a meeting to attend and Ducky had quite forgotten how important it was going to be.

In a large secluded clearing the Swimmers had gathered or rather the adults who had to attend, including the elders and a few parents, the rest of the adults were looking after the kids. They were sitting in a circle. Rarlap stood by his mate, Alane as he watched the gathering take place.

He had already told her about the situation and what he planned.

"You are doing the right thing dear, I would do anything for our future children, I won't condemn a mother for being a good mother and keeping her child from dying" said Alane. She was one of the most beautiful females in the herd but unlike them she was very hard, she was made of pretty stern stuff after having a life filled with fierce struggles between life and death and herd loyalties.

She and Rarlap had met when he as an adolescent first arrived in the herd along with his brother. Two orphans. Rarlap was not the dominant of the two and he and his brother were always on edge with each other. However when Rarlap first saw Alane. He liked her but so did his brother, like all other males in the herd, they were captivated by her looks. However Alane although she was kind and friendly she was notably very tough and always pushed any potential suiters away by being as distant as she could.

She was also one of the few females who could hold her own in a fight, a skill that served her well. More than once she had to fight off some very irate males who would not take 'no' as an answer. Coming from a hard family that hardly looked after themselves, Alane was forced to care of herself at a young age as her parents seemed to regard her and her clutch mates as a bad accident.
However when Alane actually met Rarlap it was when a particularly aggressive male had attacked her in the dead of night….


Many Years Ago in The Mysterious Beyond.

Alane walked back to her nest during the early night time hours. It was her hobby to go out and star gaze, it was an activity that didn't involve any physical effort like so much of her life had demanded, it was just something she could do to cool down. Even though it meant moving away from the herd and into potential danger it never deterred her from taking a short journey to one of the few pleasures she found in life.

She was nearing the perimeter of the large herd that was sleeping beside the wide, fast flowing river. Her nest was only a short walk away on the periphery of the herd's nests, it was part of the measures she took to see that no one got to her, even though she was only an adolescent she had left her parents who had abused her more than once before, it was this unspeakable act of betrayal that broke her innocence and robbed her trust of others.

Alane feared taking people in due to fear of having to go through the same treatment her parents had put her through. Even if she did find love she still distanced herself from it for fear of losing all that she might hold dear, even though she had many males interested in courting her she had refused them all, it made her existence a rather lonely one.

A sudden rustle in the bushes to her right caught her attention. Alane immediately jumped into a defensive stance, not daring to say a word less she alert any potential threats to her whereabouts. Her eyes darted other the scenery looking for any sign of danger but all she could see was trees, reeds and lots and lots of shrubs that littered the ground making a huge hiding spot for any lurking predators. Alane was about to dash off when the sound of a rock hitting a tree came from behind.

Alane darted around to face…..nothing. Alane sighed in relieve then suddenly.

SMACK!

Something big slammed into her back and knocked her to the ground and leapt upon her prone form. Alane reacted almost by instinct and rolled around into all fours and using her tail she swung it upwards towards her back and felt contact. A body slammed to the ground beside her. Alane positioned herself into a defensive stance and faced her aggressor, another Swimmer, a male.

She recognised him, he was a suiter that like so many others, she had rejected but it appeared that this Swimmer was not going to let her stop him from claiming her. "Now dear we can do this the easy way or-" Alane rammed him in the gut before he could finish leaving the male winded as she took off for her nest at breakneck speed however the male was not so easily deterred. He sprinted after her, being an adult he was much faster and had no trouble catching up with her. Seeing Alane tiring he leapt at her and knocked her to the ground and pinned her under his body.

"Get Off Me!" Yelled Alane fiercely, slashing at him with her arms until he pinned them down and gave her an ugly smirk.

"Now you'll be mine" he said and got into position above her.

Suddenly….

WHACK!

The male fell to the ground as another male Swimmer entered the fight, he had belted him with his tail, causing him to fall to the ground.

"Get Away From Her!" yelled Rarlap. Placing himself in front of the astonished if somewhat relieved Alane in a defensive stance.

"Get out of my way kid!" hissed the Swimmer when he righted himself.

"Never!" said Rarlap who was glaring at his adversary grimly. "You have no right to do this to her!" he bellowed aggressively, however the Swimmer charged but Rarlap was ready he knelt on his knees and as the larger Swimmer bore down upon him he grabbed hold of his belly and using the Swimmer's own speed and weight against him he threw him other his body and headfirst into a tree which successfully knocked him out.

The two Swimmer were breathing heavily, white mist forming around their mouths as they both looked at the defeated Swimmer then their gaze shifted to look at each other.

However only a few words were exchanged between them before they went their separate ways.

"Thank you"

"Your welcome"


Back To The Present

Alane shook her head slightly as she returned her thoughts to the present but had she known at the time that she would soon fall for Rarlap she might have tried to leave the herd but very slowly they begun a relationship, it started off as mealy simple courtesies which extended into friendly conversations. It was then that they realised how similar they were and immediately started to take a liking to each other and over the years their bond had just grown stronger and stronger until finally they became mates. Now however they would soon become more as Alane felt the lump in her abdomen, she would be a mother soon and Rarlap would be a father.

Alane was determined to give all her children the love she never had, and she was determined not to let traditions in any way cause harm to any child, having grown up in a traditionalist family and many of her abuse was a result of violating some unknown tradition to her at the time. She would not allow that to happen to anyone else while she lived.

It wasn't long before Grandma Swimmer or Isira as she was known by members of the herd arrived tailed by Bluey and Sura with Ducky walking nervously next to her. Trough had been dropped off at home since young ones weren't allowed at these types of important meetings.

Grandma Swimmer and Bluey too their respective positions on the outer circle while Sura with Ducky stood in the centre of the circle under the scrutiny of every adult present. Sura noticed a few sympathetic looks but she also noticed an equal number of firm looks but the rest, the majority of Swimmers scrutinized her and her daughter with unreadable expressions.

The meeting was started by Rarlap who came forward and said in a calmly "Good Afternoon my fellow friends, herd members, Swimmers" said Rarlap, his voice was loud enough for everyone to hear him without any trouble. "This meeting has been called to resolve a troubling matter. Yesterday I witnessed an intolerable act of bullying from the children of our herd." Rarlap's tone changed to a firm, appalled tone.

"I was not alone in witnessing this incident as both Bluey and Isira were with me along with Sura here" He gestured to each Swimmer respectively and continued unabated. "We saw this youngling, harassed by nearly every single child in our herd and she yelled at them all and left. It was her words however that carried the most weight when she revealed that she was taking The Trial of Destiny."

The adults murmured amongst themselves until Rarlap finally continued with his speech. "I understand that she is not supposed to be out here…training for The Trial, in our wisdoms" There was a collective gasp from all the adults present. Laura was looking at Ducky and Sura in shock, of course she had found out about The Trial but now she was told the full reason of why Ducky and Sura were out here.

There were some angry murmurs among a small group of dark brown Swimmers, but mostly it was just shocked murmuring from the assembled adults, a child trying to master such wisdoms? It was such a long shot in their minds that no one believed it was worth it. "We are here to discuss these developments as a group and to pass respective judgement on Sura and Ducky, first however I want to know each of your opinions on the matter, and we will hear from Sura and allow her to tell us the full story of why they are out here" said Rarlap calmly, he did not condemn Sura and Ducky with his words but it felt like they were being put on trial by a whole herd.

"There should be no need for slow judgement here, the issue is simple." Called one of the browns in the group that had been muttering angrily. "Those two Swimmers have violated our traditions and such a breach can only mean a harsh sentence of pain or death." He said, the browns nodded their heads in agreement.

Sura felt her stomach drop a little and Ducky almost felt like she had gone greener at his words, this was obviously a very high stakes meeting they were in, the decision of which could decide their fate's.

"But no one has survived the Trial, why not let that be her punishment" called out a green. However another green interjected. "To the dung heap with traditions, this is wrong!"

A few seconds later the meeting fell into a very passionate argument about what should be done with Sura and Ducky. The numbers of for and against were equal.

"SILENCE!"

The clamour died down when Rarlap bellowed and everyone turned to look at their leader. "All those who support stand on the right side and all those against stand on the left side." The Swimmers split into two even groups of fifteen each. "Now," said Rarlap "We will now hear what Sura has to say." He said and politely sat down and allowed Sura the floor.

Sura cleared her throat and spoke "My fellow Swimmers, I am not your enemy nor is my daughter. I have travelled many days from The Great Valley and survived Sharpteeth to come here and give my daughter the training she needs to survive The Trial."

A green Swimmer raised his hand. "Yes?" asked Sura politely.

"I don't recall anyone ever finding out who takes The Trial until the last few days before The Trial, so how do you know that your daughter is taking it" the Swimmer asked curiously.

"I am one of two herd leaders and I live in The Great Valley" there was some interested mutterings when she mentioned that, it was unheard of for a Swimmer herd to have two leaders.

"The other herd leader is also the High Elder of the herd and her name is Sculra and as soon as she chose who was going to take The Trial she told me" explained Sura.

"Why would she do that?" asked Alane in surprise.

Sura closed her eyes sadly and turned to Alane "Because we don't get on and she hates me, for taking the mate she wanted, for defying her, for taking in an orphan Spiketail as my own son" said Sura.

The faces around looked at her in surprise at hearing that Sura had adopted a Spiketail. "Preposterous" muttered one of the browns under his breath.

"She chose Ducky for one reason," said Sura slowly and gravely "She chose her to die"

There was a surprising silence which lasted until Laura asked "Why?"

"For the same reason that she told me before I should have known, she did it all to make me suffer, this is her way of torturing me" she said and looked down at the ground in pain "By killing off my eldest child in front of me, in a situation where I can't do anything to stop her, she has already attacked my daughter at my own nest, she wasn't safe in the Valley with her around"

There were looks of sympathy and shock from most people in the circle. "I have done the only thing I could do, teach Ducky how to survive, I am doing what any mother would do for her kids." Sura looked around at the assembled adults "How many of you are parents?" she asked "Those who are know that children are precious and if one of them was in danger you would do anything to save them because that is what being a good parent means, you do it because you love them. I may have many children and I may have never lost one child but I will not lose any one of them, I would die before I let a single one of my children come to harm" She said passionately. Sura's appeal to the parents seemed to have swayed a few minds as there were several Swimmers who walked from the left side over to Rarlap's right.

It was at this moment that Rarlap chose to push the advantage. "I may not be a parent but I will be soon" he said looking proudly at Alane, there was a collection of gasps since most of the herd were oblivious to Alane's pregnancy. "And if I ever want someone I could look up to for being a good parent it is Sura," Sura looked flattered, she blushed lightly. "She is doing all she can for her children and protecting every single one of them a love and dedication that I hope Alane and I will be able to show too" he said, Alane nodded with him.

"Who cares whether she is a good parent or not, they have still violated our tradition and should be punished." Called the same brown. Only his group of six stood in opposition.

"Haven't I already been punished enough?" asked Sura and walked over to the browns and lifted her neck to show the huge scar she had there "Look at this" she said calmly, everyone looked at the supposably mortal wound with shock. "I was attacked by Fast Biters on my way here, I saved my daughter but they nearly killed me. I came here to find one who has survived The Trial to train Ducky and I have done that but I nearly paid the ultimate price for it. A few days ago a Flyer attacked my daughter and dislocated her leg and attacked Trough, he was sent by Sculra to stop us" said Sura.

The browns looked a lot more sympathetic.

Sura walked back into the middle of the circle and said "We have kept to our traditions and they have served us well but there are some that are cruel and we still uphold those." She said suddenly Alane rose looking sad.

"Sura is right," she said and looked round the circle at the surprised faces, they had not expected her to speak up. "I distanced myself from everyone because of fear that I would be treated like a piece of dirt, like how my parents treated me and they did that because I violated traditions by accident when I was a child, traditions I was oblivious too!" Alane's voice rose in anger "But they didn't care, no they still beat me for it and when I was young I witnessed males trying to literally mark their chosen females as is tradition." Alane shook her head firmly "There are some traditions that we don't need and The Trial of Destiny is one of them, I do not think it is worth the blood of so many of our children and if I were in a position to stop it then I would stop it without hesitation." She declared firmly "It is wrong!"

The last opposing browns got up and started heading over to the right side of the circle.


He watched the Swimmers from his hiding spot in the bushes, behind the trees, he watched silently, observing the going on's of the Swimmers, his eyes widened in shock then narrowed in fury when he saw them. The two Swimmers that he and his brother had hunted, the ones that he was hunting in honour of his dead brother. With a menacing growl he prepared to charge but then saw the Swimmers break into a circle with the two Swimmers he was hunting in the centre.

"Dammit" he thought. If those two were in the centre with every side protected by other Swimmers then any attempt to attack would be futile. He instead laid down on his belly and watched the proceedings, he couldn't help but wonder what was going on here but he didn't understand what was being said so he just watched, waited and assessed.

The youngling he remembered appeared to be relatively fitter then she had before, significantly more fit then when he had last saw her. "Which means she might be harder to catch" thought the Fast Biter.

He turned his attention to the youngling's mother.

She had recovered and was back in full health however the damage of their last encounter was obvious for all to see with the scars on her back, belly, shoulder and the most obvious and the most shocking of all: the slash across her neck, the one that he had inflicted.

However when he saw the Swimmer show off that scar to the shocked audience, he couldn't help but growl furiously, so she was bragging how she survived having her neck cut open by him?! He trembled with fury as he tried to keep a calm composure as he watched the meeting. However seeing this Swimmer bragging of surviving him and killing his brother was enraging for the Fast Biter.

Of course he never saw his brother die but he found him laying on the ground with a huge wound in the chest that had been made by a rock but he mistook it for a wound made by the crest of a Swimmer, forgetting that Swimmers don't use their crests for defence but his grief muddled mind wanted a scapegoat and that scapegoat was Sura and Ducky.

He waited until he saw the Swimmers move over to the other side, now he had a direct line of attack over to the two Swimmers. He narrowed his eyes and sprung up and charged at the two Swimmers and leapt out of the underbrush with a bloodthirsty roar of fury and begun his attack.


Sura heard the roar and instantly turned on her heels just on time to see a Fast Biter leap out of the woods and run at break neck speed straight towards her and Ducky. She immediately grabbed Ducky and leapt to the side at the last moment before the Fast Biter crashed to the ground exactly where she had been a moment ago, Sura rolled and jumped to her feet in a defensive stance. The whole meeting degenerated, some Swimmers turned and fled while others held their ground in a defensive stance but Bluey, Grandma Swimmer, Rarlap, Alane and two other Swimmers ran to Sura's aid.

They stood in a menacing defensive line in front of the furious fast biter who had just shaken the dirt from his teeth and turned to stare directly at Sura and Sura looked at him with horrible realisation. "Oh no" she whispered as she realised who this fast Biter was, Ducky to gasped as she recognised the Fast Biter "Oh no, no, no" she said fearfully as the horrible memories of their last encounter jumped to the forefront of her mind.

At this point most lone Fast Biters would retreat at having a quarter herd of full grown adult Swimmers standing in front of them, which made the actions of this Fast Biter most disturbing as he stayed and paced around the Swimmers who followed his every move with apprehension. Why wasn't this Fast Biter retreating or attacking? Suddenly Rarlap realised that he had already singled out a target and seemed impossibly determined to be successful in this hunt, but who was the target?

It didn't take a genius to figure it out. The Fast Biter had his eyes fixed on only one pair: Ducky and Sura. They were his targets and he was obviously not going to let them go without a fight.

"Sura get behind us now!" bellowed Rarlap to which Sura quickly pull back behind the defensive line of Swimmers, however the Fast Biter saw this and with an angry hiss he charged forward. Rarlap aimed a blow at him with his tail which the Fast Biter ducked under and continued to move forward. Bluey charged at him but the Fast Biter just grabbed her belly as she neared him and using her own body weight against her, he threw her over his head and into the two green Swimmers, knocking them over like oversized skittles.

Grandma Swimmer and Laura jumped in front of Sura. "Run dear!" yelled

Grandma Swimmer to her daughter but Sura wouldn't move. "I'm not leaving you!" she replied and put Ducky down behind her and joined the defensive line.

"Sura get out of here! He wants you!" Yelled Rarlap. The Fast Biter grinned when he saw Sura join the defensive line but all of a sudden Alane charged him from behind and sent him flying straight into Grandma Swimmer's tail which she used like a giant mace to swipe the Fast Biter to the ground.

"Leave Us Alone Fast Biter!" she shouted.

The Fast Biter got back onto his feet, snarling viciously. Suddenly he charged and leapt up into the air, straight at Sura who jumped out of the way but that left her back open to attack. Her mother tried to tail lash the Fast Biter but he jumped over it and to their surprise he sprinted past Sura.

It looked like he was retreating until they all heard a familiar scream. The adults gasped as Ducky turned and ran from The Fast Biter.

"NOOOO!" yelled Sura and ran after the Fast Biter. Ducky was nearly at the tree line and possible safety however the Fast Biter jumped into the air and landed on his side and slid straight at Ducky preventing any hope of her manoeuvring the predator. The Fast Biter rose up onto his feet but this time he held a fearful, struggling Ducky in his right claw, he held his free claw threateningly over Ducky's belly. Though this message was no verbal the meaning was perfectly clear "Don't come any closer or she gets disembowelled."

Sura had frozen stiff, a look of dawning horror on her face as she realised that these were probably her dear daughter's last moments. "NO!" she cried out, tear pouring from her eyes. The other Swimmers stood petrified as they watched the scene helpless to save Ducky. It was all down to the Fast Biter now…..

The Fast Biter looked coldly into Sura's horrified eyes, now she would know how he felt, then he looked into Ducky's eyes and saw to no surprise the fear and the sadness as she shivered in his grasp as tears started to fall from her blue eyes, which seemed to be begging him to let her go. As the first tear fell onto his hand he felt something different to the anger he had gotten so used to grow inside him. Sorrow. He had always hunted out of necessity to survive, he found no joy in killing other dinosaurs that he has never even met, who have their own thoughts, feelings and lives. None of them deserved to die at his claws but it is the way of the world and he had never felt remorse at the death of a leaf eater till now, because this time he was not killing out of necessity but out of a desire to avenge.

His eyes, softened, he couldn't help but wonder if this was how Red Claw first started but he had made a promise and he was nothing if not an honourable Biter. Although he would not like what he was about to do, separate a mother from her child forever but he resolved he would hate himself later for it.

"I am sorry little one, but I will make it quick" he said quietly to the little one even though she could not understand him. He placed a claw across the youngling's neck and prepared to slash it open in one swift movement that would end her life before she could feel any pain. The Swimmer seemed to realise that this was her end and looked at her mother one last time before closing her eyes tightly and waiting for the end.


"NOOOOOOO!"

SCHLUCK!


The five friends walked along the river slowly and wearily, they were nearing The Big Water but they were becoming almost too tired to continue. Cera was limping and had to be helped along by both Ali and Ruby who were both exhausted at having to carry the unwieldy weight of the Threehorn for so long. The three girls were panting and Ruby seemed to be on the verge of collapse, carrying Cera all day had taken its toll on her, she was not as strong as Ali and could hardly handle the weight on her now exhausted arms. Thankfully Spike seeing how exhausted Ruby was walked beside and nudged her away and took her place.

"Thank you Spike, Spike thank you" said Ruby wearily.

"How long do you think we have left Ali?" asked Chomper.

"I think we'll get there within the next day or two" said Ali sounding just as exhausted as Cera.

"Well at this rate we won't get there till the next Cold Time" sighed Diver frustratingly.

Cera just groaned. Even though she hated being the weakest of the group she admitted that she needed the help, her leg had split open during the chase with Red Claw and was now turning yellow, clearly indicating infection. Ruby had tried to patch it up but the constant movement meant that the herbs she applied would not take much of an affect against the infection. It caused Cera much pain and she was struggling to continue, the only thing that kept her doing was the hope of seeing Littlefoot and Ducky again, she missed them both and Ducky especially.

"Maybe we should rest?" suggested Petrie.

Diver looked up angrily. I won't rest until I find my sister" she said firmly but the rest of The Gang disagreed with her.

"Well you can continue while we all rest up" said Cera sounding annoyed at Diver's nagging.

"Spike?" said Diver in the hopes of receiving some support from him, after all Ducky was Spike's sister but Spike shook his head, even though he wanted to see Ducky desperately and their pace was frustratingly slow he knew they all needed rest if they ever wanted to find Ducky.

Diver sighed in defeat "Okay, we'll rest up till night and move on" she said as the five started to settle down against each other and fall into a deep sleep. Diver however was the only one who remained up. She silently walked into the water and dived under and lay on the muddy bottom and just tried to calm her thoughts.

Diving like this was a favourite past time for her, Ray and Ducky. To just dive and lay on the bottom of a stream and try to get ones thoughts in order was very satisfying, even more so when there was company but that was something she didn't have this time. Although the cool water brought some calm to the Diver's distressed mind.

She was still trying to work out why Ducky of all people was doing The Trial. Unlike her sister she didn't have the luxury of knowing about Sculra's motives she only knew what she originally first heard from Littlefoot and the rest of The Gang. She just didn't understand why it had to happen. Why Ducky of all her people? Why her sister?

Diver found herself wishing once again that The Trial never existed and life was like it had been before The Trials when they still had their full innocence.

Suddenly a shape swooped across her for a second and then was gone, it was a rather large shape and Diver could not see or hear it from where she lay. In curiosity and a little bit of caution she swam slowly to the surface and got onto the bank and saw to her horror Sierra bending over Cera with malicious intent.

"GUYS!" She yelled. "HEY YOU HORRID FLYER TRY ME FOR A HUNT!" Diver yelled at the top of her lungs.

This certainly did the job of distracting Sierra and alerting The Gang who all jumped up in surprise.

"Sierra!" yelled Cera and without any warning she charged the Flyer and rammed him in the gut. Sierra fell back, winded. "That's for being the vile fiend you are!" Yelled Cera. Diver ran to Spike and jumped on his back and yelled to her friends. "RUN!"

The Gang didn't need telling twice and took off at a harsh pace, Ruby and Ali and Chomper were all helping Cera run, who may have been quite irate but she didn't verbally complain as she and her friends ran for cover.

Sierra however was flying above at a rapid pace as he tried to catch up with The Gang, he wasn't supposed to be here at the moment. He had yet to deliver his message to Sura mainly because he thought that Sculra's plan while good was way too risky and filled with too many flaws, so he chose to take out the kids before they reached The Big Water, screw his orders.

The Gang ran beneath a large canopy of tightly knitted trees. Sierra cursed but he knew they would have to come out sooner or later, with that in mind he thought he might have some fun with them. "Oh so you want to play hide and seek do you? Well you can come out now I found you!" he cackled and shook the canopy with his talons in an attempt to scare the children out but that didn't work. So he just hovered above and waited patiently.

Beneath the protective shelter of the trees The Gang lay breathing heavily with fear and exertion. How were they going to get out of this one? Suddenly Ruby pricked up. She picked up a whole load of sticks and stones in her arms and mentioned Diver and Chomper to do the same. "Ali, Spike you help Cera while we cover you, we will cover you while you help Cera" said Ruby.

"Okay Ruby" said Chomper and grabbed as many sticks and stones as he could while Diver likewise did the same thing. Spike and Ali took up position next to Cera.

"Good Luck Guys" said Petrie.

"Good Luck to you too" said Chomper.

"We're going to need it" whispered Diver under her breath.

"NOW!" yelled Ruby and as one they all ran out of there hiding space and ran along the river bank. A glance upwards revealed that Sierra was already after them.

"Here Chew On THIS!" yelled Chomper and turned as did his other Theropod companions and all at once they threw a barrage of sticks and stones at the Flyer. Sierra gawked in surprise and took evasive action but he was too slow and the projectiles hit their target. Bruises appeared all over his body and wings and he even sustained a small cut on his cheek.

Now raving mad he yelled out to them as they ran off "You won't get away from me that easily you little brats!" he dived at them but a well-aimed shot from Ruby hit Sierra right between the eyes causing him to yell furiously and continue his pursuit.

Ruby, Chomper and Diver ran as fast as they could, while throwing a projectile every now and again back in Sierra's direction.

"Guy's over here!" called Cera, she was sticking her head out of a concealed cave and beckoning them to her before she hid again. The cave was across a branch from the river that ran into a large shallow pond with crystal clear water in it and a sandy bottom. The three friends made for the cave while Sierra flew behind them, gaining ground despite the objects that were being thrown at him.

"I'm out of ammo" cried Chomper.

"So am I" replied Ruby.

"I have one more stone" said Diver as she crossed the river with her friends but suddenly she got stuck and started to sink. "Help!" she called as she slowly sank in some Sinking Sand. Petrie was quick to respond, he darted out of the cave and swooped in front of Sierra's face and flew circles around him in an attempt to distract him but it only partially worked.

"Diver!" yelled the two friends simultaneously and ran back to Diver and tugged her out of the Sinking Sand. Diver looked at the sand that she had walked through. It was the same as the sand in the waterhole. Diver's eyes lit up as she had a plan and without a word she ran off towards the pond. She had one stone and she would use it wisely. Ruby and Chomper ran after her with surprised yells but Sierra suddenly swooped down upon them. Ruby and Chomper threw themselves flat onto the ground in order to dodge the attack.

Whack!

Diver's last stone found its mark. The Flyers head. "Come And Get Me!" she yelled. Sierra was however already swooping towards her with his mouth and talons wide open for the kill.

Diver ran to a rock over the pond and waited until Sierra was just a few feet from her before she jumped. Sierra's talons struck the rock and he lost control, with a yell Sierra tumbled head first into the pond only to get caught in the Sinking Sands. Sierra realised he was in trouble and struggled vigorously even though his fate was already sealed.

Diver yelled, calling out for help as she held on for dear life to the rock she had jumped off, it was the only thing stopping her from sinking beneath the waters, when she landed in the water she immediately grabbed the rock she had been standing on and held on with all her might.

"HELP!" she called.

"Diver!" It was Chomper, he appeared on the rock along with Ruby and they both grabbed hold of a hand each and pulled Diver out of the Sinking Sands. Diver got back on her feet as she watched the last of Sierra's body disappear beneath the water, never to trouble anyone ever again.

"Come on," said Ruby "Let's go find the others so that they can be found and we can be on our way" said Ruby. Her companions nodded and ran back over to the cave.

"Guy's, you can come out Sierra has sunk in the sinking sands!" announced Diver when they got there.

Cera was the first out. "Well I always knew he'd come to a sticky end" she said "Now let's go before anymore Flyers creep up on us" she said and with the help of Spike and Ali moved on and resumed their journey to The Big Water with Chomper, Ruby and Diver following behind and Petrie flying above, keeping an eye out for any more unwelcome guests.


The Swimmer's gasped, blood splattered the grass and the fast biter shrieked.

Trough was holding onto the Fast Biter's tail by his teeth and had thrust a sharp rock into the flesh of his tail, causing the Fast Biter to shriek in pain and surprise, he turned to see Trough and shook his tail violently in an attempt to dislodge him but Trough held on. He had secretly followed the grown-ups and watched the meeting but when he saw The Fast Biter grab Ducky and hold his claw to her throat he saw red. Grabbing the nearest rock he could find, he then charged out of the bush behind the Fast Biter and jumped up and bit down on his tail and thrust the sharpened stone into the tail with all the strength his arms could give it.

The sudden shriek caused Ducky to open her eyes in surprise but she gasped when she saw Trough holding onto the tail. "Do not let go Trough no, no, no!" she yelled encouragingly.

Sura saw her opportunity and sprinted forwards and snatched Ducky out of The Fast Biter's claw and kicked him in the gut. The Fast Biter fell backwards two metres and landed with a thud on his back, completely winded. Trough let go of The Fast Biter's tail and found himself scooped up in his mother's arms as she came to his rescue. Sura and Laura retreated behind the defensive lines which had swollen in size as some of the bystanders joined in. At least twenty four Swimmers barred the way.

The Fast Biter righted himself and looked back at the Swimmers, looking furious. "This isn't over" he hissed in Sharptooth and dashed away, knowing that he'd have no chance in a fight against a defence that strong.

"Oh Ducky" said Sura in relief as she nuzzled her affectionately while Laura nuzzled Trough "Oh my brave boy" she said.

Ducky looked over at Trough "You saved my life you did, you did" she said in thanks.

"You saved me once, I just returned the favour" replied Trough with a smile as he jumped over onto Sura's hand and embraced Ducky. "I would never let anyone hurt you" he said.

"No, no, no" said Ducky in contempt.

Rarlap watched the display with and smile and walked over to Sura. "That was close"

"That fast biter was the one who did this" said Sura holding onto her throat were the scar was.

"I think he has a grudge against you" said Rarlap sounding worried "and I don't think you've seen the last of him" he added.

"We'd better get back to Cyrest" said Sura then she turned to Rarlap and Alane "Thank you" she said to which the two nodded.

"You have nothing to worry about Sura, the herd is on your side otherwise they wouldn't have helped you" he said with a smile. Sura felt like a huge weight had been lifted off her shoulders, finally she didn't have to worry about anyone trying to harm her or Ducky from this herd.

"Thank you dear, you'll both make good parents when the time comes" she said in praise.

The couple beamed. "Good luck Sura" said Alane.

"And Good luck Ducky" said Rarlap as Grandma Swimmer left with her daughter and Laura. "I'm staying with Rarlap and Alane tonight" said Bluey. Her mother gave her a playful smile and Sura gave her a look of cheeky suspicion. Bluey had told her that she sometimes spent time with Rarlap and Alane, they were some of the few friends she had in the herd. Though Sura couldn't help but wonder what they got up to when they were alone.

But as they left Trough still had one last thing to say. "Can I sleep over with Ducky tonight?" He asked his mother.

"Of course you can dear" she replied as they headed off away from the meeting clearing.


There was a gorgeous sunset on the horizon of The Big Water when in two separate, places two separate parties had arrived. "I'm coming Ducky" said Littlefoot quietly as he and his father's herd arrived at The Big Water however unknown to him, The Gang had also arrived at The Big Water. "I'm coming Littlefoot" thought Ali when she arrived. Now the friend's would soon be reunited, that she was sure.