Chapter 53: Together Again

Evening in The Great Valley

The adults of the missing children were gathered in The Stone Circle waiting anxiously for Ariel's report. She had flown for most of the day outside The Great Valley in search of the children, experience told the adults that they had probably gone on one of their little adventures, the fact that they hadn't been seen for the past several days only reinforced the adults conviction that the children were somewhere outside The Great Valley.

"I have searched all around the outside of The Valley and I haven't seen any sign of the kids" Ariel said to the worried adults.

Mr Threehorn gave an angry grunt. "Where could those kids have gone this time?" he said, voicing the very question that all the adults wanted answered. "Those kids will be in some major trouble when they return" said Brace, sounding both equally agitated and worried.

The adults started talking amongst themselves, each proposing ideas more outrages then the one before about where the kids could have gone. It was at this moment that a grim faced Ruphus voiced the theory that he had worried was correct.

"I think I know where the kids are" he said calmly. The statement caught the attention of all the adults and they turned to stare expectantly at Ruphus. "I think the kids have gone to The Big Water."

There was silence as everyone digested this new piece of information. Mr Threehorn shook his head "Why would the kids to go back to The Big Water?" he asked Ruphus.

"Because that's where Ducky is" was Ruphus reply.

"I think your right" said Ariel. "It makes sense, they all miss her and after that storm they were probably concerned whether she was okay or not, the fact that your daughter" she pointed to Ruphus" is missing supports this" she said thoughtfully, scratching the bottom of her beak in contemplation.

What about Ali? I bet she would have gone after Littlefoot instead of Ducky" said Brace.

"But Littlefoot has gone with Bron and his herd…." said Grandma Longneck but stopped there as she suddenly realised something "his herd is going to The Big Water" She realised that was probably the reason why Littlefoot went in the first place, because he wanted to see Ducky again and desperately, but what could make him that desperate, then the next piece of the jigsaw fitted in place. Sierra's lie about Sura's death…..Yes that would certainly stir up Littlefoot, he must have heard about the lie but not the truth. Grandma looked at Grandpa and shared a knowing expression with him, it appears his reasoning was the same as hers.

"They are all looking for Ducky" said Ruphus.

Grandpa looked down at Ariel and asked "Do you think you could fly down to The Big Water and find them?"

"You just watch me" said Ariel firmly "I'll return as soon as I can" she said and proceeded to take off.

"I'll look after your children while you're gone Ariel!" called Ruphus.

"Thanks Ruphus" she replied in relief.

"And tell Cera that she will have a lot of explaining to do when I see her again!" called Mr Threehorn.

"Okay" was all the Flyer said as flew off towards The Big Water with all possible speed.


Evening at The Big Water

The massive Longneck herd had stopped for the night behind the shelter provided by the cliffs in sight of The Big Water, the original idea was to nest on the shore but there was a large herd of Swimmers nesting there so Bron took the inland area instead of the shoreline so as to respect the boundary between of the other herd.

Littlefoot had fully recovered from his injury though one could see the fine line that ran the entire length of his neck. He was lucky it was only a glancing blow or he would be dead by now. Also the young child that he had rescued had formed quite the attachment to him, he was always looking for ways to impress him or to engage with him in some of his games.

While Littelfoot was happy to oblige he was also felt very strange, he had never had played with other young longnecks, it was something that his childhood had so far denied him, course he had Ali and Shorty but not at the age of the young Longneck he saved. In a way it was a glimpse into a whole world that could have been his had things been a little different.

He was however grateful for the respite as they reached The Big Water, he could finally sit down and rest along with Shorty while they both looked out towards the sparkling waters of the ocean. Littefoot sighed in content, however he did not feel very content, he felt restless and impatient. He was so close to his goal and all he had to do was wait for the right time.

"What is your plan littlefoot?" whispered Shorty when he saw the impatience in his brother's demeanour.

"Wait till night then find Ducky" replied Littlefoot.

"So when Bron and everyone else falls asleep we go?" questioned Shorty.

Littlefoot nodded. "I hope Ducky is okay" he said quietly.

"We'll find out tonight Littlefoot don't you worry" Shorty said and yawned as he settled down. "Wake me when it's time to go." He said as he closed his eyes and appeared to fall asleep. Leaving Littlefoot looking out over the ocean with a great longing, the would be a time to search for Ducky but it was not now, he needed to wait just that little bit longer before he and his friend were reunited.


Rarlap and Alane's Nest

"What a day" sighed Rarlap as he splashed some water over his head and rubbed his brow. "I thought Sharpteeth don't come close to The Big Water because they can't smell because of the strong smell of the water" he said.

"That Fast Biter gave me chills" said Alane. "The way he fought, like he had nothing to lose"

"That was the The Fast Biter that slashed my sister's neck open" said Bluey in concern.

"No wonder he went for her and Ducky, he must have a grudge against them and that means, he will be back, I don't think he'll stop till he gets what he wants" Rarlap looked down in contemplation, he knew what the Fast Biter wanted and he was determined to get it.

"Well, I'm just glad that we all made it through the day in one piece" said Bluey.

"You're not wrong there Blue" said Rarlap.

Alane looked at Bluey and asked her "I wonder if your little friend has found someone he actually likes who also likes him" said Alane in a curious voice, though Blue knew what she was getting at.

Bluey laughed. "Those two" she chuckled "They are really close and they appear to be in love with each other and they are really funny, they're already kissing in the open and…. Making bubbles from the wrong end" She laughed.

The couple joined in on Bluey's mirth. "They sound like they already planning what to name their children" laughed Alane.

"They seem good for each other" commented Rarlap. "But there is still the matter of The Trial." He said in a more grim voice.

"Don't remind me" said Bluey firmly "I have had it with that good for nothing Trial, if Trough loses her and I and Sura and all her friends and family lose her then I will personally destroy this Trial" said Bluey.

Rarlap put a hand on Bluey's shoulder "Don't worry too much Blue, you and your sister are teaching Ducky all she needs to know" he said encouragingly. Bluey sniffed and nodded.

"I know she can do it Blue, just have faith in her abilities" said Alane softly.

Bluey smiled, grateful for the support. "Thanks guys, you are the only ones who have ever showed me friendship" she said.

"You are a worthy friend Blue, never forget that" said Rarlap, he gave her a gentle nuzzle. Blue returned his nuzzle and holding on tightly to Rarlap's flank and gave him a kiss on the lips, she quickly broke off and looked away embarrassed.

"What am I doing? I can't do this!" she said in distress.

"Bluey, I like you just as much as I like Alane" said Rarlap.

"But your mated I-"

"A herd leader can have more than one mate Blue" said Rarlap.

"But-"

"Oh quiet Bluey, you are our friend, you and your mother have done so much for us that we could never be out of your debt, it's time we repaid you" said Alane to Bluey's surprise.

"Oh Alane" said Bluey, there were tears in her eyes. "thank you both" she said and fell into Rarlap's embrace, it would be a night that she was sure she would never forget.


Ali waited. She waited impatiently for her friends to wake up. After they had got to The Big Water Petrie suggested that they all rest up as they were all very tired. Ali wanted to push on but the others thought over wise and chose to get some well-deserved R&R. Ali chose sit by and keep watch even though she thought it was a little silly since Sharpteeth were not known to hunt on the shores of The Big Water due to the fact that the salty smell of the ocean overwhelmed their sense of smell and without their sense of smell they were at a disadvantage so they chose to hunt further inland where the smell of salt water was not so overwhelming.

She was so close she could feel it, somewhere out there was Littlefoot and Ducky, she was desperate to see them both again, Littlefoot especially, she wanted to kick his butt for leaving her for a wild fast runner chase. She just hoped he was alright, although she was agitated and a little annoyed with Littlefoot, she was a lot more worried than anything else. What if something had happened to him what if he hadn't survived the storm? Ali felt her stomach dropped at the thought, she didn't want to think about it but she could not shed the feeling that something bad had happened to him.

Ali looked out over the ocean. There was a Swimmer herd to their right and large inaccessible rocky cliffs to their left. Ali had been here before and knew where the stream was and she knew the most probable place that Bron's herd was. She had not forgotten what her mother had said about the rumours of where Cyrest lived, that was where she was most likely to find Ducky. But where Littlefoot would be when she went to search for him she did not know, would he stay with the herd or go to find Ducky?

She would leave that decision till they got to the stream.

Ali waited for several more hours until darkness had descended and the sky lit up with sparkling stars and a half moon, it was at this moment that she heard a long yawn form her rear and saw The Gang was waking up.

It was Diver who woke up first with Cera quickly following, however she quickly tried to go back to sleep when she saw what time it was. "Come on guys, stay awake" said Diver sounding enthusiastic and wide awake.

"It's night time" groaned Cera.

"Get up Cera we go now" said Petrie. Spike even tried to push her awake, he was so eager to see his sister again. Only Ruby, Chomper and Cera were not up.

"Come on get up!" said Ali loudly as she woke up Chomper and Ruby while Spike finally lost patience and rammed into Cera's side. That woke her up.
"Hey, Stop That!" cried Cera angrily. "I'm up already, so stop it Spike!" she hissed disgruntledly.

"Okay now let's go" said Ali and she lead The Gang off in search for their two friends.


"Okay, let's go" whispered Littlefoot to Shorty once he was sure his father was asleep. Shorty nodded and the two boys silently got to their feet and tip-toed away from where Bron was sleeping and while keeping to the shadows they made their way out of the herd unnoticed except for one pair of eyes that watched them coldly as they disappeared of into the night.

"Let's go up there and get the lay of the land" said Shorty and gestured to a small woven track that led up to the top of the tall cliff on the right side of the stream. The track was rocky and hardly big enough for them and looked rather treacherous.

Littlefoot had doubts about Shorty's decision, he remembered what Ali's mother said about where Cyrest lived but if Ducky was with the Swimmer herd then they might indeed be able to spot her from high up on the cliff. "Okay" he said and the two brothers started their slow, laborious climb up the winding trek.

The half-moon providing enough light for them to see the trek and not trip and fall over the edge of the cliff which was getting ever higher as they progressed. It was a cool evening with no wind but white mist formed around their mouths as they breathed. It would be the cold time soon. Finally the top came into view with a strong bound Littlefoot landed on the top of the cliff and was almost blasted backwards by a strong, cool wind coming from across the ocean, Shorty likewise was almost blown back by the unexpected breeze. They had not felt it on the way up because the cliff had shielded them but now a rich salty breeze lifted their senses and made them feel alive.

Littlefoot led the way over to the edge and looked over the ocean. "Wow" he and his brother said simultaneously, the view was breathtaking, The Night Circle shone over the water creating a white light over the surface of the shimmering water.

"Over there" said Shorty and ran over to the left edge of the cliff, followed closely by Littlefoot.

Ali led The Gang on the way to the stream, they were now making their way across the sandy beach. The trees of the shore where filled with sleeping Swimmers in their individual nests. Every now and then The Gang would spot kids sleeping, nestled beside the mothers flanks. Diver could not help but feel a little emotional when she saw this. She had not been in a Swimmer herd in The Mysterious Beyond for many years and the fact that she had not slept with either her sister or her mother for a considerable amount of time now and that thought was not at all helping her current mental state.

Spike, seeing his sister's obvious distress placed his head beside her in support. "Thanks Spike" whispered Diver as she pated Spike's nose. Spike gave an affirmative grunt and grabbed her back in his mouth gently and placed her on his back where Ducky would usually sit when she rode on him. "Let's go" said Diver and the two continued to follow Ali. Who was keeping a sharp eye over absolutely everything in sight.

Spike knew why Ali felt like this and could easily relate with her feelings. She was looking for Littlefoot, she was as desperate to find him as he was to find Ducky, he couldn't blame her in the slightest. Petrie landed on his back behind Diver and they all walked on finally they sighted the stream. They were now so close to finding Ducky, he just knew it.

"Do you think we should start there" said Shorty as he looked over at the Swimmer herd.

"I was told that Cyrest lives in a cave not in the open" said Littlefoot. "But perhaps, she might be down there so let's give it a try." Littlefoot turned along with Shorty and moved parallel to the cliff edge which as they were to shortly find out was a disastrous decision.

CRACK!

"AHHHHHH!"

The ground beneath Littlefoot's and Shorty's feet gave in under them, the next thing they felt was a sudden drop and a painful impact on their backs on a slope beneath them as they rolled down a slope with a rather steep incline and over the edge with horrified yells. Now they were falling head first towards….

A huge pile of mud at the base of the cliff. The two boy cried out and tried in vain to brace themselves for the touchdown.

SPLAT!


"AHHHHHH!"

"What was that?!" cried Cera in alarm when she heard the two screams from above.

"It came from over there" said Chomper as he pointed in the direction of the screams.

"Let's go check it out so we can see if we can help" said Ruby and led the way over toward the cliff. All of a sudden there was a loud splat and the screams were cut off. The Gang increased their pace. As they got closer to where they has heard the noise they all heard a loud muffling sound.

"Over here" said Ruby and pushed her way through a few bushes and was greeted by the vertical walls of the cliff but that was not what caught the attention of her and her friends. It was the pair of tails and rear legs sticking out of a large pile of foul smelling mud. The unlucky fools who had fallen in where making muffled noises and their legs were shaking around like mad as they vainly tried to extract themselves from the mud.

"Hold still!" called Cera.

The two dinosaurs seemed to have heard Cera because they ceased their struggles while Cera and Spike grabbed a tail each while the others held back with their hands held over their noses. "Eeeeeeewwwwwwwww!" said Cera with a mouthful of tail. This mud was even more stinky them the mud Spike landed in when they visited the geysers.

Cera and Spike gave a few mighty tugs until finally to bodies fell out of the mud and onto the ground in front of them gasping for breath, they appeared to be two Longnecks. "Are you okay?" asked Cera in shock.

One of the Longnecks looked up in surprise and opened his mouth in shock when he looked at her.

"Cera?"

The Gang gasped in astonishment, they recognised that voice anywhere "Littlefoot?" said Ali in startled shock.

"Ali!" said Littlefoot. That was certainly enough to confirm the identity of the two Longnecks. It was Littlefoot and Shorty.

Littlefoot walked up to Ali but Ali kept her distance as she did not want to touch Littlefoot's mud covered body. He and Shorty were completely unrecognisable with their usual colours being covered by the foul smelling mud.

"What are you all doing here?" Asked Shorty.

"Looking for you two" replied Cera bluntly.

Littlefoot was about to say more but Cera cut him off. "I think we can talk after you guys get cleaned up because you absolutely STINK!" said Cera, thrusting her paw over her nose. The boys could take a hint and quickly made their way into the stream and began washing off the mud, The Gang followed.

"You have both come here on a wild fast runner chase!" said Cera angrily.

"What do you mean?" asked Littlefoot defensively.

"Sierra lied all along, we found out from Pterano that Ducky's mother is still alive" said Cera.

Littlefoot gasped, the bomb dropped on him and he realised how much of a flathead he had been. "And that's why you're here?" he asked as he washed his face. With the mud cleared from all but their backs The Gang could easily see Littlefoot and Shorty's distinguishing features. They just had to wash their backs.

Chomper stepped forward as they brothers didn't smell as bad now. "Well, we thought we might be able to see Ducky as well" he said innocently.

Littlefoot chuckled. "What do you say we say hi to Ducky tonight?" he asked, he got a chorus of enthusiastic "Yeah's" from his friends.

"But might me ask how you fall in mud?" asked Petrie.

"We fell off that cliff when the ground gave way under us" said Shorty.

"Ohhh" said Diver in understanding.

"Diver?" said Littlefoot surprise "What are you doing here?"

"I'm here to find my mom and sister" The Swimmer replied simply.

"Okay" said Littlefoot and was about to follow Shorty's move and wash the last of the mud off his back when-

"STOP!"

"Chomper?" said Ali in surprise as the small Sharptooth shouted out and walked over to Littlefoot and stopped in front of the mud on his back and lowered his nose to a few centimetres away and took a deep sniff. His friends looked rather bemused but didn't interrupt him

Chomper analysed what he was smelling. It was difficult to get a clear picture from the smell because of the salty air but he managed to sniff something.

"Swimmer…..elderly…..male….good health….feeling tired" he said internally

"Swimmer….hatchling….female…..good health….related to elderly male…feeling excited and playful"

"Swimmer….youngling…..male….good health….not related…smells like he's in love"

Chomper took another deep sniff and analysed the scents

"Swimmer….elderly…..female….good health…feels worried"

"Swimmer….adult…..female….good health….closely related to elderly female…feels relieved and tired"

Chomper wondered why he was smelling these things, he should not be smelling all these scents unless…the answer hit him. "Ah guy's that wasn't mud you landed in."

Littlefoot and Shorty visibly cringed at this statement while their friends were looking at them in a mixture of disgust and amusement. Cera has to stifle a laugh at the unlucky Longnecks.

Littlefoot quickly tried to wash off but suddenly Chomper let out a gasp.

"What is it Chomper, Chomper what is it?" asked Ruby.

Chomper didn't answer but took another sniff. Cera looked away at what Chomper was doing so that she would not lose her appetite. There were two more scents that hit Chomper, he analysed them.

"Swimmer…mother…..related to other females….good heath…..feels very nervous"

Chomper's heart rate accelerated as he finished analysing that scent and moved onto the last scent.

"Swimmer…youngling…daughter of the mother…good health…feels very happy…Ducky!"

Chomper gave a loud exclamation. "Guys I smell them, I smell them!" he cried, jumping up and down in excitement.

"What?" asked Cera.

"I smell Ducky and her mother!" he cried out in joy.

Everyone pricked up when he said that. Littlefoot washed the rest of his body until his hide was cleaned and asked eagerly "Can you find them Chomper?"

"I could if I went back to the relief spot" replied Chomper and immediately took off with the others running hot on his heels. Chomper arrived back at the relief spot and after taking a deep sniff of the air he followed the trail at a brisk pace around the cliff and onto the rocky beach. After a short while he stopped. The others stopped behind him.

"Chomper?" asked Littlefoot uncertainly

"I can't smell the trail anymore," said Chomper "all I can smell is the Big Water" he gestured out towards the water.

"The cave has to be around here somewhere" said Littlefoot.

"Like over there" said Cera. Everyone looked at the place Cera was looking at and saw the opening of a cave in the rock. Without waiting Chomper, closely followed by Ruby and the rest of The Gang, all ran up towards the cave and towards their dear friend Ducky.


The six Swimmers were all sleeping peacefully. Cyrest slept next to Isira. Jane was wrapped in his tail and closer to the entrance lay Sura coiled around Ducky and Trough who were both sleeping soundly side by was at that moment that a seventh dinosaur entered and he was no Swimmer but a young Sharptooth. He quickly eyed the chamber until finally his eyes came down on one Swimmer. The Sharptooth ran forward and shouted out in a very happy voice "DUCKY!"

The Swimmers jumped awake as suddenly a whole load of newcomers where seeping in through the entrance. Cyrest jumped up and instinctively placed himself into a defensive stance, it was then that he noticed the Sharptooth bearing down on Ducky.

"Sura, LOOK OUT!" he yelled.

Trough gave a cry of fright when he saw the Sharptooth coming towards them at full speed but suddenly the most unexpected and the most surreal thing that Trough had ever seen happened.

Ducky jumped up with a happy cry. "CHOMPER!" she yelled out in joy and ran towards the purple Sharptooth to Trough's horror which changed to confusion when Ducky embraced the Sharptooth, he was even more astonished to see the Sharptooth vigorously return Ducky's hug.

"Ducky!" cried another voice and a pink Fast Runner appeared.

Ruby!" cried Ducky and leapt into her arms and embraced her, the Fast Runner returned Ducky's hug and looked positively delighted.

Suddenly Ducky was bowled over by a brown Flyer.

"Oh Petrie!" said Ducky in joy as she embraced the Flyer in a strangling embrace while The Flyer returned her hug with a hold that was even more stronger than even Ducky's. "Oh me o happy to see you Ducky" shouted happily.

All of a sudden Ducky found herself nuzzled on three sides by Littlefoot, Cera and Ali. She cried out each of their names in joy and hugged each one of them, even Cera didn't resist her hug. They all disengaged with wide smiles on their faces but suddenly Ducky fell on her back a she was attacked by the wet but warm tongue of her dear brother. "SPIKE!" Ducky laughed as she was tickled by Spike then embraced his snout. Spike continued to lick her and she laughed out in delight.

"Spike stop it, it tickles it does, it does" laughed Ducky to the amusement to her friends, it had been so long since they had seen each other and now they were together again. Ducky got back on her feet only to see a familiar sight running towards her, calling her name in joy.

"Diver!" cried Ducky, tears of happiness now falling down her cheeks as she reunited with her sister. Diver was just as emotional. The two sisters embraced and nuzzled each other as they both shed their happy tears. Spike embraced them both is his front legs and nuzzled them with his snout.

"Diver! Spike!"

"Mom!" cried Diver and Spike let out a happy cry as he and Diver were embraced by Sura, Ducky quickly joined in as the family found itself embracing in one big hug. Sura nuzzled Ducky lovingly while Ducky laughed then she proceeded to nuzzle Spike in joy.

"Oh my little ones" she said gently and embraced them again. The Gang watched the exchange with smiles on their faces as a small part of the Swimmer family was reunited.

Cyrest cleared his throat loudly. "Um, what is going on here?" he asked in confusion.

"And who are they?" asked Trough pointing to The Gang, he kept a nervous eye on Chomper and Ruby though.

"Oh kids" said Sura in surprise as she finally seemed to notice them.

"These are my friends yep, yep, yep" said Ducky.

She pointed to each one of the Longnecks in term as she said their names. "This is Littlefoot, Ali and Shorty" she pointed to the orange Threehorn "This is Cera" Cera puffed out her chest in pride, obviously liking the attention. Ducky held the Flyer's hand "This is Petrie and these two," Ducky pointed at the Sharptooth and Fast Runner "are Chomper and Ruby" Then Ducky moved on to her family members "and this is my brother Spike and sister Diver" she finished.

Trough looked agape no one had mentioned to him who Ducky's friends were, he just assumed they were Swimmers but the only Swimmer that was her friend here was him. He was also astonished about Spike being her brother. How could a Spiketail become brother to a Swimmer? He looked at Diver and noted her dark green coloration, she looked similar to Ducky, there was no way that she couldn't be her sister.

Suddenly Ducky took Trough's hand and pulled him to his feet "Guy's this is my new friend, his name is Trough yep, yep, yep" she said cheerfully.

There was a chorus of friendly greetings that completely overwhelmed Trough, he had hardly ever been greeted in a friendly way and now he had nine other completely new dinosaurs happily greeting him in their own unique ways as if they had known him for years before. "Errr Hi" he said weakly. Though he kept his distance from Chomper, he was still freaked out that the Sharptooth could talk and understand him and that made him awfully nervous.

Jane's excited squeal brought all the attention over to her. Cyrest was holding her in her arms while she looked at them with excitement and fascination. "And this is Jane, she is a hatchling she is, she is" said Ducky.

"So cute" said Cera as she looked at the little Swimmer.

"Ah, Kids….." Sura said so as to get the children's attention "We are all glad to see you"

"Yep, yep, yep" interjected Ducky happily.

"But what are you all doing here?" asked Sura eyeing them all.

"It's a long story" said Littlefoot.

"Oh do not worry you can tell us, you can" said Ducky as she sat down next to Diver. The Gang taking this an invitation all made themselves comfortable and Littlefoot began the narrative.

"Well it all started when that Flyer Sierra came to The Valley and told everyone that your mother was dead" said Littlefoot.

"WHAT?!" shouted Sura in disbelief. "Are you saying that foul Flyer who helped kidnap my daughter and nearly broke her leg several days ago went around The Valley telling fat fibs?!" Sura sounded outraged.

"That is very mean it is, it is" said Ducky angrily crossing her arms in agitation.

"Yeah," said Cera "But Pterano appeared a few days later and told us he met you"

Sura sighed in relief "And he told you I was alive" said Sura hopefully.

"Yeah he did," said Cera "but Mr and Mrs Longneck over here" The Gang laughed at Cera's snide comment about Littlefoot and Ali "didn't know that Pterano had come, they still thought you were dead"

Sura shook her head.

"Oh said Chomper as he remembered Sculra's attempt to steal Sura's eggs. "I should say that Sculra tried to use a pair of egg stealers to try and steal your eggs a short while after you left"

The affect this sentence had on Sura was frightening. "WHAT!? That evil creature tried to steal my eggs!?" She shrieked in rage, slamming her hand on the ground angrily.

"Calm down Sura" said her mother, putting a reassuring hand over her daughter's back but Sura was still fuming.

"Don't worry," said Chomper "I helped the grown-ups by tracking down the egg stealers and we stopped them from harming any of the eggs, you still have every single egg, even after the storm"

Sura noticeably calmed down "Well at least the eggs are okay" she sighed in relief.

Littlefoot took his chance to continue "Then my Dad's herd came back to The Valley so Shorty could do The Big Longneck test and I came up with a plan to go to The Big Water with my Dad's herd and find you"

"Well at least you went with a herd" said Sura.

"Do these kids do this all the time Sura?" asked Cyrest.

"You have no idea" chuckled Sura in response. "Now where were we?" she said.

"Um…Cera told me about Sierra's lie but Littlefoot had already left and then The Killer Storm hit" said Ali

Everyone tensed at the memories of that storm.

"Is everyone in The Valley okay?" asked Sura nervously.

Diver shivered "Mom, Dad was hurt real bad protecting the eggs, he would not leave our shelter even though he was hurt and aunt Merri got hit on the head by a frozen sky water stone and Rapid got swept away down the Fast Water"

Ducky looked horrified and Sura's face paled significantly.

"Oh no, no, no" said Ducky in distress as she held her hands over her mouth in worry "Is Rapid okay?" she asked in concern.

Ruby nodded. "I found him by the Fast Water and took him into The Secret Caverns but not without a little souvenir" She pointed to the scar on her back. Ducky gasped in shock and so did Littlefoot for this was new to him too. "Rapid is alive but he has a broken leg"

Sura gasped, looked horrified. "He's okay?"

Except for an extremely wounded pride he's perfectly fine" said Diver.

"After the storm everyone who was hurt got sick, including dad and aunty" said Diver

"If it wasn't for the Flyers then we would have lost a lot more than we did" said Ali.

"Mr Clubtail didn't make it and Mrs Maia was lost along with her entire family" said Cera sadly.

Sura sighed sadly "Oh dear" she said.

"Littlefoot nearly got himself killed saving a little kid, he got his neck sliced open" said Shorty and pointed with his foot to the huge scar along Littlefoot's neck.

Everyone gasped. Ali nuzzled Littlefoot then all of a sudden she slapped him on the back with his tail.

"Ow!" cried Littlefoot.

"That's for leaving and almost getting yourself killed!" bellowed Ali furiously "Did you even think about me and how I felt when you left?!" tears were falling from her eyes as she glared at Littlefoot.

"I'm sorry Ali, I was only trying to help" replied Littlefoot, nuzzled Ali in a consolatory manor.

"Oh no, more lovelings" said Cyrest.

Isira chuckled and the children laughed but not Ali and Littlefoot.

Sura cleared her throat "What happened after the storm guys?" she asked.

Cera took poll "Well, when we all recovered Ali planned to go after Littlefoot and tell him the truth" said Cera "and Diver sneaked along with us" said Cera.

"Diver" said Sura disapprovingly, scowling at her daughter.

"I did save them from Red Claw, Screech and Thud"

"What!?" cried Littlefoot.

"Yeah, they were chased by those three idiots and Cera collapsed" said Diver.

"Cera collapsed?" said Shorty in disbelief.

"You would if your leg was injured" said Cera disgruntledly and held up her injured leg so everyone could see the scars on her leg.

Then all who hadn't seen the scars exclaimed in shock.

"It happened in the storm" said Cera.

"Okay so Diver saved us and we moved on until we were attacked by that foul Flyer Sierra" said Ali.

"Oh no, no, no" said Ducky.

"That horrid Flyer" said Sura furiously.

"But Diver tricked him into falling into the sinking sands, he won't be bothering us anymore" said Chomper.

"Oh Diver my brave little one" said Sura and gave her a gentle nuzzle. Diver chuckled as she was ticked by her mother's muzzle. She felt so happy to be with her mother and sister again.

"We arrived at The Big Water today" said Ali.

"So did we" said Littlefoot.

"But we met up with Littlefoot and Shorty a short while ago after they fell off a cliff and into your relief spot" said Cera.

The Swimmers gave revolted looks. "Yuck, yuck, yuck!" said Ducky in disgust.

"Then Chomper followed your scent, followed your scent he did until he couldn't follow it anymore" said Ruby.

Trough was pretty shore he was not the only one who shook his head in confusion when Ruby said that, he had never known anyone that had a speech pattern like that.

Petrie continued "We find cave and then we find you" he said in joy and did a few exhilarated loop the loops.

"Well that is quite the tale" said Grandma Swimmer.

"Oh" said Sura as if she just realised something "I think you should meet Cyrest, he's been teaching Ducky the wisdoms" said Sura introducing the elderly Swimmer "and Diver I would like you to meet someone very special" said Sura as Grandma Swimmer came over to her. Diver looked to very curious.

"Diver I would like you to meet your grandmother" she said.

Diver's mouth fell opened as she gazed at the elderly Swimmer.

"Mother this is my daughter Diver" said Sura.

Grandma Swimmer lowered herself down to Diver and gave her a warm smiled.
Diver was still staring opened mouthed "Grandmother?" she said uncertainly.

Grandma Swimmer chuckled "I certainly am" she said with a nod of her head and nuzzled her gently. Diver laughed and returned her nuzzle.

"It's a pity Bluey isn't here" said Sura "I'm sure she would love to meet her niece"

Diver looked up at her mother in surprise. "She will soon Sura don't you worry" said Grandma Swimmer as she broke off from Diver.

"Oh I am so happy to so all of you again I am, I am" said Ducky as she nuzzled Spike's head. Spike returned her nuzzle and sighed in content.

"But what am I going to do with you little trouble makers," sighed Sura. "I can't just take you back can I?"

"No way!" said Diver, a consensus shared by the whole gang.

"Well I guess it's safer here then out there so I don't see a reason why you can't stay" said her mother.

"Yay!" cheered Ducky, jumping up in happiness. "Oh thank you mama thank you, thank you, thank you" she said happily. Sura gave her a warm smile in return.

"Wait one moment here," said Cyrest in objection "this is my nest here and what guarantee do I have that my niece won't be gobbled up by a Sharptooth or Fast Runner?" demanded Cyrest firmly.

"I swear on our lives that neither Chomper nor I will harm your niece, your niece Chomper and I swear not won't harm on our lives" said Ruby holding up a hand as she made that pledge for herself and Chomper.

"Yeah!" said Chomper raising his hand in agreement.

Cyrest shook his head in a daze as he was still rather unfamiliar with Ruby's unique speech. "Can you speak for them both Ducky?" he asked.

"Yes, yes, yes" said Ducky. "Chomper is friendly and nice and so is Ruby and they are both my friends they are, they are" said Ducky in confirmation.

Cyrest scrutinized the two youngsters for a bit longer for any signs of deception but he could find any reason to believe that they were lying. Cyrest sighed "Okay then you can stay here" he said.

The friends looked at each other happily. "Hey Ducky why don't you tell us what happened to you?" asked Shorty, he had so far kept quiet but he was also interested in Ducky's story. However Sura dejected with a shake of her head.

"A story for tomorrow" said Sura. The kids all let out loud groans, causing the grown-ups to chuckle. "It's sleeping time not story time" said Sura noting the children's heavy eyelids.

"Okay mama" said Ducky.

"We'd better go" said Littlefoot to Shorty who nodded in agreement.

"But Littlefoot, Shorty will you not sleep here with us?" asked Ducky in surprise.

"I wish we could Ducky but we got to get back to my Dad, we don't want him to get worried" said Littlefoot.

"Okay, goodbye and goodnight guys" she said. Her gesture was repeated by the other children. Trough was unsure whether he should but they all treated him fairly so there was no reason he should not return their kindness.

Littlefoot and Shorty left the cave and stepped out into the cool sea breeze and quickly made their way back to the herd however they were both deep in conversation.

"How are we going to sneak off tomorrow" said Shorty.

Littlefoot however looked troubled he looked Shorty in the eye and said. "I can't keep doing this"

"Can't keep doing what Littlefoot?" asked Shorty.

"Fibbing and sneaking around my Dad," he looked down and stopped his walk "Perhaps we should just tell him what I really came here for" he said.

Shorty gave him a dark look "I don't think that's a good idea, he might get mad at us"

"But I can't keep trying to stay away from my Dad. I came here to find Ducky but I also want to spend more time with him, I don't want to have to wait until after the cold time for him to visit anymore" said Littlefoot looking down.

Shorty looked deeply into his brothers eyes and saw in them sadness, he had not spent the time he had wanted with his father, he just wanted his father to stop the whole herd leader act with him and have his Dad back with his Grandparents in The Great Valley as a family, the family they should have been from the moment they met.

Shorty gave Littlefoot a sympathetic look "If you do it I'll be there with you" he said.

Littlefoot smiled at the support from his brother "Thanks Shorty, now let's get back to the herd" he said and walked on with Shorty following. They reached their sleeping father and settled down for sleep but unknown to them, all was that not as it appeared, Bron's eye was open on the side that they couldn't see and he had seen them.


"Come along kids, we can tell our story tomorrow after we all get a good night's sleep" said Sura as she laid down from her previous sitting position.

"Okay mama" said Ducky as she let out a tired yawn and walked over to her mother but this time she was accompanied by the rest of her friends. For Sura it was a new experience to have so many larger then Swimmer children coming up to sleep beside her bulk.

Spike lay down in his usual spot beside Sura's belly along with Ducky, Diver, Trough and Petrie sleeping beside his belly. Ali and Cera laid down further up beside Sura's chest while Ruby and Chomper laid down near her tail. As Sura curled her body around the children she heard Ducky mumble, half asleep "I am so happy we are all together again I am….I am" she said as she finally dropped off into a comfortable nights rest.

Sura smiled at her and gently nuzzled her, a gesture she repeated for each of the children sleeping beside her as if they were her own children. "Thank you for saving my son Ruby and my eggs Chomper" she whispered to the two youngsters and gave them each a lick and a thankful nuzzle. The two kids chuckled in their sleep when Sura licked them but they quickly relaxed back into a peaceful slumber.

"Good night mother, good night Cyrest" said Sura as she laid her head down.

"Good night Sura" said Cyrest and Grandma Swimmer in turn as everyone settled down for the night. For Ducky it almost felt like she was back in The Great Valley with all her friends and family, before she knew of The Swimmer Trials. It felt so good to see then all again and at last they were together again to help each other through their adventure like they always had. Everyone slept peacefully that night.