A Pale and Cold Dawn
Ortin's eyes widened as he looked at the other flyer in front of him rise to his wings and head towards the skies. He had been only moments away from slaughtering the boy but here he was, escaping from the scene as if he was being threatened by a herd of adult threehorns. The bluish dinosaur could hardly believe his luck as he had already been prepared to meet his end here. If that had been the price to keep his friend safe, that would have been a price he would have paid without any second thoughts.
Inside, the male could only guess that his foe's escape had to have something to do with the flash of light that had illuminated the entire field only a few seconds earlier. Whatever had driven Haste's pawns away, Ortin knew he had to be more than grateful for it. He had made it… even if his quest had been a failure. He sighed deeply as he turned to look at the sight behind himself, speaking softly.
"It's okay now, Glide. They're gone." He said as he looked at the cover of the ground sparkles suddenly break as Glide's head appeared from under it. The girl looked at her friend in surprise, not really able to believe what was going. The flyer's walking was forced and slow because of the injuries she had received which had also been the reason for her hiding in the face of the battle. Her voice shuddered as she asked the obvious question.
"Wh… what happened? What was that flash and where did the other flyer go?" She asked, causing Ortin to cross his arms on his chest and speak in a silent voice. It was clear he was still overcome by the shock of the battle but his breaths were growing easier by the second.
"I do not know. He escaped immediately after the flash but I do not have any idea what caused it. But what matters is that you're safe." He said, causing the girl to sigh deeply before her expression grew more tense and angered. Her voice trembled as she spoke to her friend.
"Why, Ortin? Why did you come back to me? Why didn't you go stop Lenel? And where is Petrie?" She asked threateningly, not really liking Ortin's appearance in the least. Of course she was grateful to him for saving her but stopping Lenel would have been far more important! Ortin cringed deeply at those words, not liking the answer any more than the girl did.
"Glide… you do not know the whole truth about what has happened within our herd. Haste is at least as terrible as Lenel and I tried to head after her but… but my efforts failed when her followers found me before I found her. I shook those fools off but I was unable to find Haste again. I tried to do just that but after I found that one flyer searching something here, I decided that I had to make sure he wouldn't find you. I… I wouldn't want to lose you as you're the only friend who has always been there for me." He said, cursing his inability to get to Haste. He would have been willing to trade his life for hers at any moment but he had never got that chance.
The boy's words hit Glide more than she had expected. Yes, it was true that she and Ortin had been through a lot and inside, she couldn't imagine life without him. The more she thought about it, the more she realized she would have done the same in the boy's position and she couldn't help but feel happy about the male's kind words. Her voice was surprisingly soft as she gave her answer.
"Why… thank you, Ortin. You've been a good friend as well. But… do you have no idea about what happened to Petrie and Lenel?" She asked, making the male shook his head weakly. However, his expression wasn't downtrodden in the least and it was even encouraging.
"I do not but the battle is over and if either Lenel or Haste had won, we'd know about it by now. Are you ready to go search for him?" He asked cheerfully, more than eager to see what had happened. Glide took a deep breath as she looked at the other flyer, her voice a weary one as she gave her answer.
"Soon, Ortin. But first, tell me everything you know about Haste. I always felt there was something seriously wrong with her." She said, not willing to be kept in the dark about what had happened. Ortin sighed slightly, knowing he owed Glide as much and then he started to recite the tale Petrie had told him.
"Ruby!? Are you still there? Please answer Petrie!"
The fastrunner hardly heard those words as she slowly fell to her knees. She didn't want to make the flyer more miserable than he likely was right now but she couldn't muster the strength to answer him. Yes, she had survived but she had failed once again. Ducky was dead and she had lost her only chance to ever return Arial from wherever she was right now. Tears started flowing into the ground as she thought about the misery of all, slowly mixing with the blood trickling from her many wounds. Her breaths grew weaker as she heard Littlefoot's voice in the distance.
"Where are you, Ruby? We're safe now!" He yelled but again, the fastrunner found no strength to give her answer. She hardly even noted Petrie's next call even if he was barely one longneck's length away from her anymore.
"Here she is but she not answer to Petrie! Come quick!" He yelled as he headed towards the fastrunner. He could immediately see she was still alive and not even on the brink of death as he landed besides her. The flyer moved in front of Ruby and looked her directly at the eyes, speaking to her weakly. The boy was more than worried for her and it was more than apparent in his voice.
"Me sorry we left you alone but… you ask us to leave. Petrie…" He started before getting interrupted, his own words twisted by the immense amounts of sorrow that filled his heart because of Ducky. He knew that was the main reason for Ruby's sadness but he shared that pain as well. There had to be something else within her mind and Petrie was more than worried about what that something would be.
Ruby, on the other hand, was far from willing to answer that question. She was still annoyed by Petrie's unwillingness to help her before even if she knew he had his own, very good reasons, to oppose her. But the flyer knew nothing about what she had gone through and she didn't have the strength needed to go through all of that again.
"It is not that, Petrie, and you know that! Just… just let it go. You do not have any idea about what happened to me." She said, not willing to drag the conversation on any longer. However, those hopes were crushed the moment Orchid's voice reached her ears.
"Thank goodness you survived, Ruby! Just… just never scare me like that again!" He yelled in never-ending happiness as he jumped off from Littlefoot's back and ran towards his sister before embracing her warmly. It took a moment before the girl returned that gesture and even when she did, it was weak and half-hearted. Ruby's voice was likewise silent as she whispered to her brother.
"I just wanted to make sure you'd live through this, Orchid. Now that Arial is gone, that's the only thing I could do. I'm happy to be here but… poor Arial…" She said while looking right at the boy's eyes. Orchid's joy quickly turned into sorrow as she realized just what Ruby meant. The scene turned silent immediately and the younger fastrunner started to sob alongside her sister as Petrie and Littlefoot looked at the sight silently. The seconds passed on slowly when the longneck asked the obvious question.
"Wh… what happened to your sister, Ruby?" He said simply, causing the female to look at his eyes keenly even if it was clear she held nothing but respect and affection towards him.
"I lost her to this forest earlier tonight and I tried to befriend anyone I could to bring her back from those monsters ruling this place. Now that they're gone, I… I cannot save her anymore. And we even… oh, Ducky…" She said as she nuzzled her brother whose triumphant joy had turned into sadness.
Littlefoot's heart skipped a beat as he heard those words. He hadn't seen Ducky during the fight but she had been there in the reflection he had witnessed earlier. That and Ruby's words… it just couldn't be. As he saw the depth of Ruby's distress, he asked Petrie in a silent, grave voice.
"What do you know about Ducky? Did you see her?" He asked, praying he didn't receive the answer he feared he would. Petrie's face immediately revealed the truth and it was immediately clear she was no longer in this world. The flyer couldn't even look his friend in the eyes as he gave his answer.
"Ducky… Ducky gone, Littlefoot. She… she died just before you showed up! She save Ruby and Lenel… Lenel grab her and… AND THREW HER AGAINST A STONE WALL, CRUSHING HER COMPLETELY!" He yelled as he broke down completely, not even able to see Littlefoot's reaction. The longneck sat down in shock, able to only stare at the darkness in shock. No, it couldn't be… had he actually been that close to reuniting with the kindest dinosaur he had ever known only for her to die just moments before they got the chance! The fact that Ducky was in the reflection he had seen… the thought she had still been alive back then.
The boy sniffed deeply as he thought about the cruelty of it all. He slowly lowered his gaze towards Petrie and asked the other male the only question he could.
"Is… is she still… still out…" He asked, making the flyer nod before the longneck could finish. The smaller dinosaur's voice was beyond broken as he spoke to his friend.
"Me not sure if Petrie can do it but me owe it to Ducky to bid her farewell. Littlefoot, Ruby, you want to come with Petrie? He asked as he slowly spread his wings, looking as the faintest twinkle of light started to appear in the sky, serving as the first harbinger of the new day. However, none of the four dinosaurs noted it as they pondered about the monstrous task in front of them. Littlefoot approached the flyer, not hiding his emotions in the least.
"I wouldn't pass any chance to see her after all this time. Lead the way, Petrie." He said, his heart beating wickedly within his chest.
Ruby, on the other hand, looked at her friends longingly, only Littlefoot's unexpected appearance giving her any glimmer of hope in this most sickening of situations. However, her heart told her that she had only one option here: she couldn't allow Ducky to pass on without a proper goodbye. She nodded at her brother and inhaled deeply as he rose to her full height.
"She gave her life for me. I wouldn't be worthy of living if I didn't respect her sacrifice even that much." She whispered, causing Petrie to look at her longingly. The flyer then rose into the air, his thoughts completely focused on the task at hand. In this moment, he wasn't able to give Ortin and Glide any thought even if still cared about them deeply. However, Ducky's loss overwhelmed his entire world right now and giving his farewell to her was something he simply had to do. He spoke to his friends as he headed back towards the fateful place he'd curse for the rest of his life.
"Petrie go first in case some of the bad flyers still out there. We no want any more losses." He said simply, the four dinosaurs heading towards their fallen friend in complete, deafening silence.
The sight in front of him was someone he had already accepted in his mind's eye but seeing it before him was something that made Littlefoot's heart colder than it had been since losing his family. The sight of Ducky lying against the rock wall, her head partially buried in the ground sparkles. He could see a massive injury just over her forehead, knowing that it was the spot that had hit the wall. Pieces of fractured bone could be seen in the wound but none of those witnessing that sight wanted to look at it. The longneck slowly collapsed into the ground as he tried to catch his breath, the pain filling every part of his body.
That pain was shared by the fastrunner on his right side but to Ruby, it was mixed with guilt and bitterness at everything that had led to this moment. The omnivore started to slowly approach the swimmer and she knelt by her side, trying to smile weakly as she looked at the other female's still-open eyes. Her voice nearly broke down as she started to speak, able to finish her words only barely.
"Wh… why did you come back, Ducky? If you had just done like I asked… you'd still be alive. But… at least you saved me so… thank you for that at least. You'll never know just how much you meant to me in the Valley and during the past weeks." She said as she suddenly seemed to stop still, able to only look at the passed swimmer. Her three companions stared at her solemnly, not speaking one word. After Ruby had finished speaking, Petrie started to weakly move forward to speak what he had in mind.
"Oh, Ducky. Petrie… Petrie always saw you as me best friend of all in the Valley. Me always feel like… like you were there for me when I needed you most and me even felt… felt something me never felt with anyone else! That… one day we could have been even more than friends…" He said while allowing tears flow down his cheeks. All of that was true: Ducky had understood him more than any of his other friends and she had always treated him like no other dinosaur had. His thoughts were suddenly interrupted by Ruby who asked him oddly.
"What do you mean by that, Petrie?" She asked cryptically, making the flyer gulp slightly. Of course he knew such feelings would lead nowhere and even if some first seeds of love had been planted in his heart, he knew very well Ducky could never have been his mate. He exhaled slightly as he prepared to answer, not willing to start opening up about those kinds of feelings right now.
"Forget about what Petrie said. It just a stupid thought anyways." He said as he looked at the swimmer, not really able to say anything more.
Littlefoot looked at the duo sadly but the longneck knew that he had to say something as well and he'd do so gladly. His earlier loss of hope had been overwhelmed by this loss and for the first time in ages, he felt like Littlefoot again and not some useless pile of rocks lying in the forest. He slowly moved towards the duo and then started speaking slowly.
"You truly were one of a kind. No one else was able to make me feel the same way you did. I'm just sorry… that I wasn't there in time to save you. You already saved me once so… I'm so sorry." He said, thinking about the day when Ducky's companionship had woken him up from his apathy following his mother's death. Without her appearance, the boy knew he would have almost certainly starved, a thought which made his heart ache even more.
Ruby sighed deeply as she suddenly looked behind herself, seeing the forms of two dinosaurs which filled her heart with bitterness and hate. Lenel and Sireia were still lying only a short distance from her and while she was glad that they would never again be a threat, merely their presence made her tremble with rage. She wanted nothing more than to punish herself for ever serving either of those monsters but what was done was done. She didn't want to cheapen Ducky's passing by dwelling in her own self-pity. Her voice was hoarse and sickened as she spoke to her friends before doing something that surprised them greatly.
"She doesn't deserve to lie here next to those two. I'll take her somewhere where Ducky doesn't have to rest with her killers." She said as she picked the swimmer's already-cold body from the ground, cringing as she saw the full extent of her injuries. Along with her head, most of the bones on her left side had also been crushed and Ruby nearly dropped her friend as she saw it all. However, she soon gathered herself as she followed the stone wall until it suddenly curved right and after walking a bit further, making sure that the two flyers were no longer anywhere to be seen, she laid Ducky back to the ground, leaving her in a sitting position against the wall. Ruby's voice trembled as she spoke, hardly able to comprehend even now what had happened.
"That's a better spot for her. Here, Lenel and Sireia won't be able to haunt her anymore." She said while earning approving nods from her companions. The wind seemed to slowly grow stronger as the fastrunner turned away from the swimmer while wiping her tears way with her hand. She exhaled deeply as she slowly joined her friends. The three other dinosaurs looked at her sadly as Littlefoot spoke with a teary voice.
"I guess this is as good spot as any. I… I just wish… it wasn't like this. Goodbye, Ducky. I… we will never forget you." He said, turning away from his friends as he sniffed heavily. The longneck's heart was a storm of loss but he also couldn't quite overlook the joy of reunion with two of his other friends.
Petrie looked at the longneck, frowning slightly as he looked at his extremely thin and scarred form, suddenly realizing he knew very little about what had happened to the other boy. His current condition was a far cry from the broken, even insane, Littlefoot he had met earlier on this night. Of course he was happy to see him feeling better but everything he had told before still haunted the flyer. He hated to ask Littlefoot the things he had in mind but he knew that the longneck owed him some answers. However, his voice was meek and low in order to minimize the emotional impact the larger dinosaur was going to experience because of his question.
"Littlefoot… Petrie hate to ask you but what happened to you? Me heard you found the Valley again and me tried to look for you and me finally did. But what happened after you left the Valley? You said that… you lost your whole family but… how?" He asked, causing Ruby and Orchid's eyes to widen immediately as this was complete news to them. However, Littlefoot's weary gaze confirmed that Petrie's words were true. The longneck turned to look at the flyer and asked him glumly.
"Are you sure you want to know? I certainly don't want to think about that but… I guess I owe it to them to tell you the truth." He said as he looked at the sky again, looking as the darkness of the night was starting to get replaced by the light hue of a Cold Time's morning. Petrie could see the distress within the other male's eyes but he could see that deep down, he was ready to tell his story. The smaller boy's voice was beyond concerned as he spoke again.
"Please do, Littlefoot. Your grandparents, daddy and Shorty were our friends as well." He said, meaning every word he said. Every one of them had been nothing but friendly to them and even Shorty with his hubris and arrogance was a good dinosaur at heart. Littlefoot sighed deeply before glancing at ducky one more time, feeling the aching in his heart slowly spread to each part of his body. He knew that he didn't have the strength to go through it all but he could at least tell what had been the cause of their ends.
"Okay, Petrie. Yes, I indeed found the Valley again but I simply couldn't stay there for long without you or my grandparents. They had left to look for me but of course neither of them knew just where we had gone. It was all some sick joke… it was because they didn't wait for me in the Valley…" He said while shaking his head. He was clearly disgusted by his own story and his three listeners could see just how distressed the longneck really was. Littlefoot took a deep breath before he continued, wondering just for how long he could take this.
"Anyway, they had headed at the same direction we had headed for, right to that cursed desert… and BECAUSE THEY NEVER FOUND ME, THEY CONTINUED LOOKING FOR DAYS! WHY COULDN'T THEY JUST TURN BACK EARLIER? WE COULD… WE COULD BE TOGETHER IF THEY HAD DONE THAT!" He yelled, new tears flowing into the ground as he tried to calm down. However, it didn't take long until his anger turned into sadness, his voice falling tremendously.
"It was I who finally found them and they were… they were slowly starving from the searching. They had become lost in that desert after they had refused to give up the search. I was just there… just there in time to see them pass away. They hardly even recognized me anymore and they could no longer even speak. Poor grandma and grandpa." He said with wide eyes, staring right at the ground. He had tried to ignore that memory to his best ability but now, that moment came back at him like the highest wave of the Big Water. It suddenly seemed to sweep away all of his courage and the longneck started to sob deeply as he thought about it all, causing Ruby and Petrie to glance at each other quickly.
Especially Petrie was stunned by those news as he had known Littlefoot's grandparents nearly for his whole life. He knew just what they had meant to the longneck and they certainly hadn't deserved such a ghastly end. His own heart grew heavy as well even if he had already heard about their passing before. He moved closer to his old friend, looking at the longneck understandingly.
"They must have been happy to know you alive, Littlefoot. That all they would ask for." He merely said, knowing there was nothing else he could do to help his friend. Littlefoot looked at the flyer with half-closed eyes, steeling himself for whatever came next. His voice was still low and pained but it was steadier than before, clearly as a sign that whatever was coming meant a lot to him.
"I truly hope so, Petrie. I wandered those wastes for many days and I nearly joined them in the Great Beyond and I had already accepted that fate. However, I was found by some scout that belonged to my dad's herd and… and I joined him and Shorty. Without grandma and grandpa and you guys, I had nothing keeping me in the Valley. For a short time, I thought that I could really be happy in my dad's herd despite everything that had happened. He was overjoyed to have me back and even Shorty seemed nicer than ever before. I also got new friends there and I felt like I belonged there. That I was supposed to follow dad on that path." He said while looking at the sky, looking at the new light twinkling by his mother's side. That sight made him feel slightly easier even if he'd never recover from what followed in his story.
Ruby looked at the longneck glumly, knowing that whatever came next had to be beyond monstrous. It seemed that Petrie had heard something she hadn't and the flyer's silence convinced her to listen to whatever Littlefoot had to say. No words would do any good right now anyway. She sat into the ground in silence as the male continued his story.
"However, that wasn't meant to be. After three weeks of travelling with them, first of the herd became sick. At first she was merely more tired and sadder than usual but in a day or two, she started to cough violently and before long, those coughs… were filled with her blood. She grew weak and shuddered as the hours went on and it didn't take long until she finally collapsed into the ground, too weak to take another step. Dad tried to get her up but there was nothing he could.
It was around that point that more members of the herd started to cough ever more violently, more and more of them dying right in front of our eyes. Some of the others wanted us to spread out and regroup at the same spot after a week in order to see who was still healthy… but dad had none of it. He wanted us to stay together so that we could defend each other but that was the worst thing he could have done back then.
More and more of them became sick and… it wasn't long until dad got that same disease as well. He tried to fight it for as long as he could but in the end, it was all for nothing. He told me and Shorty to get away from the others while we still could and we were forced to leave while he was still alive. Shorty didn't want to leave him even then but we weren't given a choice. For a moment, we thought we'd at least have each other but… neither did that last." The longneck took a deep breath as he thought about it for a moment. Slowly, both Petrie and Ruby rose to their full heights and moved to sit on Littlefoot's sides in a clear show of support. Both of them had more than glum expressions on their faces but neither of them wanted to interrupt their friend.
"After a day, we reached a narrow pass that we had to go through. I didn't know that anything was wrong back then but as we reached its midpoint, Shorty suddenly turned around and ran away from me. I tried to follow him but he warned me not to do so. Only at that point did I learn that he had the first signs of that terrible sickness. I tried to tell him I'd stay by his side no matter what but… he suddenly charged at the mountainside, causing the rocks to block the path between us. He wanted to make sure I'd never get that cursed sickness and… it's because of him that I'm still alive today." He said, tears continuing to fall from his eyes. Both of his friends looked at him in compassion, only now understanding the depth of Littlefoot's pain. Ruby looked at him for a long time before trying to cheer him up to her best ability.
"But… if you never saw him again, there is a chance Shorty is still alive, isn't there?" She asked but to her shock, the boy merely shook his head. The faraway gaze within his only grew deeper as he gave his answer.
"No. I spent the next days trying to find a way back to the other side and I finally did. And Shorty… he was still there. He had tried to get somewhere but he had barely even left the pass. He is gone, Ruby." He said, causing the fastrunner to take a somewhat ashamed expression as she hadn't wanted to give the male any false hopes. Petrie cringed at those words, only barely able to comprehend just how his friend had to have felt. He decided to move on, knowing that he had no way of making the longneck feel any better.
"What happen then? How you find your way here, Littlefoot?" He said, making Littlefoot turn to slowly look at him. He had a weary expression and it seemed like his pain had slowly started to turn into simple longing. His voice was softer as he gave his answer.
"I once again had no place to go and just as before, I was almost on the verge of giving up. I was starving and everyone I knew was dead. Those were truly terrible days… but then something happened that you may not believe. Suddenly, the sky became filled with bright, brilliant…" He started before the light of early morning suddenly turned into blinding radiance, similar to the one Ruby had witnessed back in the Desolate Rise. Littlefoot gasped as he looked at those lights, able to speak only a few words.
"They looked exactly like that, Ruby and Petrie! But why…" He started but almost immediately, the flyer whispered in clear astonishment. He shook his head in disbelief, the previous burst of light ending the fight paling in comparison to this.
"It… it coming from the pond where the fight started. Me… Petrie believe those lights call us there." He said, his heart starting to beat faster and faster as he thought about what was going to happen. However, Ruby's reaction was the strongest one of the three and her hands turned into fists as she turned towards the direction the light. She gritted her teeth together as she spoke to her friends, more than eager to get to action.
"That'll be their last mistake! They will give Arial back to me before this day is over or I am not a fastrunner! Those… those cursed bastards…" She said before her determination eased for a moment more. She slowly turned around to look at Ducky, knowing that this would be the last time she'd ever see the swimmer's face. With a heavy heart, she approached the swimmer before whispering into her unhearing ears sadly.
"Thank you again, Ducky. Rest well, my friend, and thank you for what you did for me." She said before rising up again, seeing her friends look at the swimmer, clearly more than agreeing with the fastrunner's message. The omnivore then spoke to her companions before speaking to them sternly.
"Let's go and show those monsters that they messed with the wrong fastrunner." She said, causing the others to look at each other in clear worry. None of them wanted to get on the spirits' bad side but it was true that they simply couldn't leave Arial out there… wherever she was. Petrie spoke to the longneck silently, knowing that there was only one way forward.
"Let's do as she say, Littlefoot. Me just hope she know what she doing." He said as he took to the skies, causing the other male take a deep breath as he headed after his friends.
"Are you sure this is a good idea, Ortin? We know those ghosts wanted to help Lenel and they haven't done one good thing for us this entire time! Shouldn't we stay away from them?" Glide asked as she forced her way forward, every step she took causing a wave of agony to flow through her wounded body. Ortin looked at her in concern but his voice was rather determined as he gave his answer.
"You're right but there's not much else we can do. We have no place to return to and besides, every dinosaur nearby saw those lights! If Petrie is still alive, he'll be there as well." He answered, knowing his words to be correct. However, he couldn't help but feel that the if in his question was more than formidable as he didn't have any proof that the other boy still hadn't journeyed into the Great Beyond. However, his optimism was further hit by the girl's next words.
"What do you think happened to Haste and Lenel? We've seen neither of them since the fight ended so they must be dead but… how? Do you think the first flash had something to do with it?" She asked, hating to be a burden to her friend. All her life she had wanted to prove that she needed no help but she knew she would have been dead by now without the male. But she was alive and she knew that was something to be grateful about. Ortin's voice was almost tense as he answered.
"I think so. After all, that happened right before everything went quiet. But how about you, Glide? Are you feeling any better?" He asked, seeing that the female's bleeding was slowing by the second but he could see the weakness and pain within her face. The girl groaned as she gave her answer, hating her condition beyond any words.
"I will live, Ortin, and that's all that matters right now. I just feel so d…" She started but before she got further, she heard a cheerful cry from the skies above her.
"Ortin, Glide! It really you! You still alive, thank the Bright Circle! He yelled as he headed towards the duo, his mood easing somewhat as he saw that his two friends were still alive. He landed right in front of the duo and wasted no time embracing them heartily. Ortin cringed slightly at that gesture, slightly unsure on how to respond. His voice was awkward as he gave his answer.
"Yes, we are, Petrie but… what happened to you? And aren't you mad to me?" The bluish flyer asked, the other boy's rush of happiness slowly starting to evaporate again as the reality pressed into his mind but his voice was still warm as he answered.
"Of course me not mad at you, Ortin. You didn't do the right thing but neither has Petrie always. As for what happen to me, it a long story but me can tell you that Lenel and Sireia dead." He said, his face growing more agitated as he spoke their names. Glide let out a sigh of relief as he heard those words, able to draw the conclusions about that piece of news herself.
"In that case, it was likely Haste who died when the first light flashed! Great job, Petrie!" She said cheerfully before they heard a feminine voice calling at them.
"Who are you talking to, Petrie? Are they… are they…" She started before remembering the two flyers that she had seen by Petrie's side at the start of the battle. She had no idea about just what kind of flyers they were but she did know that they hadn't started their acquittances in the best possible terms. Her voice was tense but she tried to sound as kind as she simply could despite her grief, they were Petrie's friends after all.
"Umm… hi, both of you. My name is Ruby. I'm afraid I didn't give a good impression the last time I met but I assure you, I turned on Lenel before his end. I mean no ill to either of you." She said, hoping that there wasn't any more drama coming her way. She was already sick of it. Glide and Ortin nodded at each quickly, both of them knowing just what each other was thinking about. Glide approached the fastrunner slowly, cocking her head as she gave her answer.
"I believe as much but I've never been able to trust your kind and the thing is, the fact you ever fought for Lenel tells a whole lost about your judgement. I'm not going to drive you away for Petrie's sake but know that we will keep an eye on you and if you try anything funny, then maybe Petrie will finally realize you cannot be trusted. But for now, I have nothing more to say." She spoke dryly, earning an annoyed grin from Ruby and the omnivore's voice was a bitter, even menacing one as she gave her brief answer.
"How gracious of you." She merely said before turning her gaze away from the two flyers, her disdain apparent in her gestures. Petrie looked at the two in clear annoyance as he didn't want his friends to distrust each other but Glide and Ortin's reaction wasn't a huge surprise to him. The boy merely crossed his arms and looked at the sky, deciding it was best to simply let this matter lie for now. He looked as Littlefoot and Orchid greeted their new companions but neither of them seemed to be particularly excited by that meeting after what the two had said to Ruby. He simply decided to get over this awkward meeting as he asked his companions the question burdening his mind.
"Now that we past that, there only a short way towards the pond anymore but me not see anything!" He merely said, causing Ruby to move to his side, seeing the waters glimmering in the distance. The early morning was completely silent and the pond seemed to glimmer ever more brightly in the new light. However, that sight only made her resolve burn brighter than before and the fastrunner suddenly cried at the air, more than determined to finally end this charade.
"You damn ghosts, spirits or whatever you bastards are, gather enough guts to face me! Know that I will not leave this place without her so if you won't return her to me, then you'll have to kill me you cursed monsters!" She yelled, her outburst surprising her companions save for Orchid. Only he knew the depth of Ruby's love for her siblings and he was more than glad to see that she still had the determination she had always had. To no one's surprise, the lights started to slowly gather around the small group, circling them in their center. Ruby's face only grew darker as she looked at them, only the sight of them making her blood boil. She could hardly contain herself as she heard the voices appear in her head.
"You truly are brave to come making demands here, fastrunner. Not many dinosaurs would dare to do that." They said and to the omnivore's astonishment, she noticed that her friends had heard those words too. When Lenel had spoken with them, the others had heard absolutely nothing so apparently the ghosts wanted to let everyone know just what they were talking about. Even then, that mattered nothing to her and Ruby took another step forward as she gave her response.
"That is because I have nothing more to lose! Without her, I have only my brother and he deserves someone else in his life than the sister who has caused only grief and pain to him! Why did you even take her from me? Just… why? ANSWER ME, NOW!" She cried, hardly noticing Orchid walking to her side with a somber look on his face. It was clear he wanted Arial's return more than anything else and he wanted to be on Ruby's side as she tried to make that happen. It wasn't long until the duo heard the spirits' next answer.
"You should have been able to realize it by now, Ruby. The answer has lied before you this entire night." They said, causing Ruby's breaths to quicken as she grew more and more outraged. However, before she was able to answer, Orchid stepped forward and spoke to the spirits with his hands crossed.
"Please, just forget those riddles and tests for a while. I do not know if you know just what we've been through but none of us wants anything bad for you or even the powers you offer. I know both I and Ruby just want Arial back. I'm not sure just how you wanted to test Ruby but I ask you, just forget it and allow us to leave. Together." He said in a low, genuine voice, his tone surprising even Ruby. She hadn't expected his brother to keep his calm here and voice the siblings' prayers that precisely. She was suddenly ashamed of her own brashness but those fears started to dissipate when the ghosts' spoke next.
"What about you, Ruby? Do you agree with what the boy said?" They said, almost prompting the omnivore's heart to skip a beat. What were the ghosts proposing now? Was this just another game? She could recognize some kind of shift in their tone but she wasn't sure what to think about it all. For now, the girl decided to speak merely the truth even if she hated the thought of slithering in front of those who had harmed her and her family in such profound ways.
"I do. I've wanted nothing else this entire night. Please, Arial's safety is the only thing I wish for now. Return her to us and we'll be away from here before the evening." She said, struggling to keep her voice calm and soft but she managed to finish her words without betraying her underlying feelings. At first, nothing seemed to happen but after a moment, the ghosts started to move further away from the two siblings and to the duo's extreme astonishment, a tiny whirlwind of light started to form in front of them.
At first it seemed like another one of the ghosts but soon enough, they were able to see hues of purple and pink within that whirlwind, followed by flashes of plumage, of hands and of a distinct head… It wasn't long before the whirlwind disappeared and Ruby nearly froze in place as she saw her sister in front of her, clearly sleepy and confused but alive and healthy. She yelped deeply as the flurry of emotion washed over her and before she knew it, she had closed her sister into her embrace again, speaking to her in utter happiness.
"Thank the ancestors you're alive, Arial! I was already fearing the worst!" She cried as the other girl tried to breath between Ruby and Orchid's shows of affection. She could only barely form the next words even if she was more than happy to be there as well.
"Wh… what happened? Where am I?" She asked, the entire scene being one of total mystery to her. Orchid looked at the female in surprise, giving his answer immediately.
"Don't you remember? You ran away from us and the spirits took you away from us! It's been at least two hours since we last saw you!" He yelled, allowing tears of joy to flow into the ground at this unexpected turn of events. Arial looked at him with wide eyes, her voice more than weak and fearful as she gave her answer.
"No, I don't. The last thing I remember is walking with you in the forest… after which everything went dark." She said while shuddering from shock, those news clearly overwhelming her mind. Ruby noticed that as well and she pat her sister's back warmly as she tried to calm her down, at least part of her immense guilt and horror slowly wearing off.
"Well, now you're back with us and that is all that matters now. You're safe." She said, knowing those words to be true. Arial's breaths slowly grew easier as she realized she had nothing to fear anymore but her older sibling wasn't quite content with the situation just yet. She turned to look at the spirits again and spoke in an unsure, wavering voice.
"You have our thanks but… why? Why did you take her away in the first place? And why did you cause me those damn visions?" She asked, dreading what kind of answers she would receive. Petrie decided to stay silent for now even if the former was more than sickened by the beings' presence after they had rejected him earlier. He would bring that up sooner or later but he'd allow Ruby to get the answers she was looking for. It wasn't long until the answer came.
"It was all to ensure that you'd be here during this fight. Those visions tested you mental strength while we knew that holding your sister here for a bit longer would ensure that you're not going to leave too soon." They said but those words only made Ruby more agitated than before. Yes, she now had her sister but these ghosts' actions sickened her without an end.
"Test me? In case you didn't notice, I never asked to be tested because I never, ever, wanted the power Lenel and Haste were after! And even if I was, only a monster would use my sister to manipulate me!" She screamed, just thinking of all the sadness and sorrow she had experienced simply because of the spirits deciding to force her to join the fight. Her teeth hurt has she gritted them together while listening to the next answer.
"At least you answered our call. Only those who have nothing more to lose and are seeking some kind of hope saw the colors we sent. We did that because we could see where Haste and Lenel's rivalry as well as Stealth's hubris would lead and we wanted some others here to prove their own worth in the midst of all that bloodshed." The voices told but it was at this point that Petrie decided to finally join the conversation. His voice was equally sickened as he asked the question bothering him greatly.
"If you had simply allowed Ruby and the others stay away, then Ducky would still be alive! It your stupid games that killed her, nothing else!" He cried, bitterness more than apparent in his cry. Ruby and Littlefoot nodded at that question decisively, knowing his accusation to be true. The spirits seemed to spread out farther away from the five friends before speaking again.
"Yes, she would still be alive but neither would you have been able to stop Lenel nor Stealth without Ruby and Ducky being here. We never knew just how they would act but their presence did end up making a clear difference and despite the swimmer's death, we still stand by our decision. It may not seem fair to you but we simply cannot fight all of the battles of the living for them because it is the living who will make a difference even outside this forest. That is not why we're here but we did kill Haste as she would have been a disaster to us all." They said, making Petrie to let out an enraged cry as he attempted to dash towards one of the nearest lights, more than willing to avenge Ducky's passing.
However, just before he hit the ethereal sphere, the flyer felt himself freeze within a blink of an eye, unable to move a finger. Yet, his mind was still as sharp as ever and his panic rose as he heard Littlefoot yell to the spirits.
"Let him go! I think you are just a bunch of bullies who…" He started but before he could finish, his voice was eclipse by a rumbling response that made all of the five young dinosaurs' heads hurt.
"Now, we have to make a few things clear to you. No, we did not want to hurt any of you but neither did we strive to keep you safe. We did not call you here because we wanted you but because you yourselves answered the call even if you didn't know it. Yes, you might have suffered because of it but in case you didn't notice, there are bigger things going on here than you! So stop acting like spoiled brats and realize that you are not in charge here! Now, calm down or get away from here but you surely don't want to do that." The voices said as Petrie suddenly regained his ability to move. Littlefoot looked at the ghosts bitterly and while he tried to keep his tone somewhat restrained, it still held his deep bitterness.
"And what now? You said you got us here to prove our worth so are you now going to give us the great power you promised the others? Especially after you said that I had failed?" He asked, seriously not knowing what kind of an answer to expect. Even if he despised everything about the spirits, he still wanted to hear as much as possible about this game he and his friends had been drawn into. It wasn't long until he received his answer.
"To be honest, Littlefoot, we failed you because the other players hadn't arrived yet and your anger and hate only made rejecting you easier. As for your other question, no, we would never give these powers to children as it would leave only to another strategy like the one that tied us to this place. But we agree that all your performances were formidable on this day and if you continue on your paths, you might one day be worthy of this prize, if you so wish." The voices told, making Ruby glance at her friends in clear annoyance, not hiding her frustration at this discussion.
"You make it sound like a competition where only one of us will be able to win. Are you seriously trying to make us turn against each other, especially after we all saw just where it lead Haste and Lenel?" She asked, not able to trust her own ears. She was beyond outraged by what she was hearing but the answer she received made her calm down somewhat.
"No. We can choose the most suitable dinosaur to continue Olres' work without fighting as well but the flyers were already determined to resort to violence. And it is very clear each one of you would accept any of your friends' victory before standing against them so don't worry about that. But keep our offer in mind and remember that as long as your hearts are true, you have nothing to fear." They said, causing the three friends to glance at each other in clear confusion, not really knowing what to think about all of this. It was clear that none of the three trusted the ghosts but even then, that promise was more than luring to any dinosaur… Petrie gulped before speaking, slightly unsettled by this conversation.
"Me… me think we should do. At least you brought us all together so that good at least…" He said, not really able to determine what to think about all of this. Yes, Ducky had died because all of this but it was true that her passing wasn't really the ghosts' fault. He still despised the game they had played and he certainly wouldn't never, ever follow within Lenel and Haste's footsteps. The flyer glanced at his friends briefly as they prepared to follow him but before they could do that, they heard the spirits speaking to them again in a more enigmatic tone.
"We indeed brought you together even if it was a mistake. However, I think we can do even more than that after everything you all have gone through…" They said, causing the flyer to frown deeply as he turned to look at the sphere of lights again, something within those words making him unnerved. He crossed his arms as he looked at them, willing to know what it was that they were talking about.
"What you mean by that? What more can you do to us? And if you try any more games, me will get away immediately!" He cried, seeing that Ruby and Littlefoot agreed with him. The ghosts slowly seemed to disperse over a larger area, clearly preparing to do something very unusual. The voices spoke to the children again and this time, each of them could only listen in utter and complete shock.
"As a sign of our goodwill towards all of you, we will allow you this one meeting with those you all miss dearly. But remember, this opportunity will not come ever again…" They said as the area around the pond started to glimmer. The three friends as well as Orchid and Arial looked at the scene in thrall, not able to believe what they were seeing. New spheres of brightness appeared before them, slowly starting to lose their shine and to their complete shock, they started to slowly take shapes and forms… and familiar ones as well.
Ruby's heart nearly failed her as she saw the features of her dearest friend appear in front of her, never expecting to see him again. The young sharptooth was transparent but other than that, he was just as she had remembered him. On his sides appeared the rest of their lost friends as well: Cera, Ducky and Spike were there alongside the benevolent carnivore. He was the first one to speak and his voice sounded just like it had before.
"Umm… hi, everyone. Nice to see all of you again!" He said, knowing just how it awkward this meeting had to be to his friends.. However, those words seemed to break the astonishment within Ruby, Petrie and Littlefoot and the fastrunner didn't waste any time running towards her friend and the one whose death had set all of this into motion. Her voice was beyond overjoyed as she spoke to the ghastly sharptooth.
"F… forgive me for failing to be there when you needed it, Chomper! I… I'm so very sorry for what happened back then… I failed everyone when I let you go alone…" She pleaded but to her shock, she realized she couldn't touch the other dinosaur. She could see the somewhat longing but still glad look on Chomper's face as he gave his answer.
"We already spoke before, don't you remember, Ruby? I cannot thank you enough for doing as I asked you to and going on despite everything that happened to you. But there's no reason to think about that now that we're together, right?" He asked, earning a teary but warm nod from the female. She quickly looked what her other friends were doing, noticing happily that they were also preparing to utilize this beautiful moment to their best ability.
"Umm… Ducky? Me sorry me never had the time to tell you everything Petrie wanted to… but you see, me s…" The flyer started but to both his joy and sorrow, he heard the a silent giggle from Ducky as the swimmer heard those words. There was a sad tone to her words as well even if she was more accepting about the current circumstances. She knew very well how sickening it was that only a while ago, she would be alongside her three surviving friends but there was no reason to dwell within all of that anymore. What was done was done and she simply had to accept it.
"You don't have to worry about that, Petrie. There was a lot I would have said as well but now we have the chance to make up for that, we do. I was just so glad to see you as I had missed you almost as much as Spike, yep, yep, yep." She said as she hugged her brother, making Petrie shed a tear after another as he saw that familiar but yet so distressing sight before him. There was no doubt that this really was Ducky but he knew very well that they'd be together only for a short while. The flyers took a deep sigh as he prepared to say the words he had wanted to say for a long time.
"Ducky… me not know if you feel the same but… if you still were with me for good, me think… me think me would have seen you as more than a friend. I know it weird but…" He started but the swimmer waved him to stop there. She took a sad but understanding look as she answered to the male.
"I think I felt the same way but… even if I could go with you, it would never have worked and we both know it, Petrie. But do not think about it anymore. I am sure you will find happiness with someone else in the future, I do." She said, giving her sweetest smile to the other dinosaur. Petrie gulped at those words but he simply couldn't do as told. The boy's eyes grew moist as he tried to give his answer.
"But it just so hard. Only after our fight in the Valley and after losing you did I realize just how much me like you, Ducky! Petrie would give anything if… if this night never happened." He said while the swimmer looked at him in compassion. She would have wanted nothing more than to give her friend a deep hug but that simply wasn't possible. Instead, she looked him in the eyes and spoke to him sweetly.
"I know and so would I but… I am happy I was at least able to save Ruby and we did succeed, did we not? Things could be worse, yep, yep, yep." She said while glancing at Ruby, happy that she seemed much more like her old self. There seemed to be a chance for a happy ending for many of her friends and she could only regret that she couldn't be with them but if there was one thing the swimmer was good at, it was sharing others' happiness. And that was the one thing that mattered to her right now.
"Well, you seem miserable, Littlefoot. That certainly doesn't look like your old self." Cera said while looking at the wounded boy before herself. Even if the longneck hadn't expected to hear that voice ever again, something within it made her heart beat faster and instinctually, she knew the exact answer to that mock sneer.
"Of course I don't as you haven't been there to force me to do my best to save myself from your ideas. Is it any wonder that I'm not the same longneck without you?" He asked with a slight smile even if this conversation shocked him greatly. The threehorn tried to act as if she was offended by those words but that changed after she let out a sigh before speaking to him sadly.
"Yeah, you are not wrong. I wasn't always the best friend to you or the others but… but I always tried my best." She said, thinking about all the times when she had been wrong and Littlefoot right. The longneck shook his head before approaching the threehorn, trying to keep his together in an effort to keep his thoughts together to avoid saying anything he didn't mean.
"I know you did, Cera, and that was something I always respected. In many ways, were as different as possible but even then, I saw you as my dearest friend. Even the memories about our first journey… even those slowly became happy ones as I looked at what you became. Cera, I would have loved to have you by myself even in the future. Despite your mistakes, you always wanted to do only the right thing and that is rare." He said while narrowing his eyes while looking at the still-dark skies. The threehorn looked more than surprised at that praise and she asked carefully the one question that bothered her.
"I'm just worried about daddy and Tria. They deserved better than losing me… as did Tricia. I miss them greatly, Littlefoot… as well as you." She said, causing the male to nod deeply, finding nothing more to add to the threehorn's words. She could see how badly Cera was suffering inside and he hated the fact he was unable to help her. He tried to keep her a reassuring smile as he answered to the threehorn.
"At least we will never forget everything you four thought us, Cera. Nothing will ever again be the same without you. But let us not make this meeting so glum. Let's make it one to remember." He said as he turned at the rest of his friends, trying to look as encouraging and calming as he simply could. His voice ended the chattering among the, each of them more than happy to listen to the one who had always led them during their many adventures.
"It's hard to believe we're all here now and I think it's a good proof about our friendship, everyone! Cera, Ducky, Spike and Chomper, thank you for being there for us today. I'm just so happy to meet all of you again." He said, causing the four dinosaurs to approach him, each of them smiling at him with genuine joy. It was Chomper who spoke to the longneck, his voice carrying nothing but reverence and happiness at the first dinosaur he had seen in his life.
"I think we all are. You know, somehow it felt like we were always going to be together the moment we arrived in the Valley and I feel the same way again. We may not be able to stay here for much longer but I hope you all remember that even we are not completely gone. I'm sure you understand already, Littlefoot and I hope the rest of you will in time." He said, causing an ominous atmosphere fall upon the seven friends, each of them thinking about what to say to the sharptooth's words. Petrie approached him carefully, his voice wavering as he gave his answer.
"You… you have to go already? But… you barely just return to us…" He asked, causing Chomper to nod glumly at the flyer. The predator's voice was heavy as he spoke to the flyer.
"I think so. Even this place can't sustain us for much longer." He said, causing the three remaining friends' faces to fall immediately. Ruby gulped at those news and walked closer to the images of her four passed friends, looking at them glumly.
"I… if that is so, thank you so much for making this meeting possible. I had always taught that ancestors would watch over us in our darkest moment and… you proved me right. I am glad I was able to spend all that time with you. And Chomper, thanks for forgiving me as well." She whispered, thinking about her previous conversation with the boy. The carnivore gave her a brief smile before explaining himself to the others.
"I understand why you did that, Ruby. I would never have forgiven them if they had hurt you. I… I just have one request to all of you, one that I know Cera, Ducky and Spike have as well." He said cryptically, making Littlefoot gulp deeply. He took a step towards the sharptooth, speaking in a forced voice.
"Anything, Chomper. Just tell us." He said, his heart beating wickedly in his chest. To his slight surprise, it was Ducky who gave the answer, her face darkening as she presented the plea.
"Just try to move forward from this. I know how difficult it was for me without Spiky, I do. but this adventure is over. You still have a chance to make a difference in your world and we do not want to see you waste that chance, oh no, no, no." She said, causing her three living friends to nod sadly. Petrie walked towards her and eyed all of his surviving closely. His voice was heavy but hopeful as he gave his answer.
"Petrie think we all agree that much. but me want you to also promise that you will always be there with us, even if we cannot see you. That we seven… that we seven will always be together, no matter what." He said while his heart ached. He didn't want to say those words but after he had managed to finish his question, breathing became again easier for him and the flyer could feel his heart also slowing down a little. The boy looked with a smile as Cera approached him and winked at him keenly.
"You bet, Petrie. I swear that we will not leave you for a moment and I hope you will feel it somewhere inside you in the Cold Times to come. But our bonds will carry on forever, we promise you that much. It was good to see all of you again this one time. But now it is the time for a goodbye." She said as her, Ducky, Spike and Chomper's forms started to slowly disappear into the air. Ruby ran towards them and yelled one last time with a pleading voice.
"Be well, Chomper and the rest of you! Thanks for being here one more time! Goodbye, my friends, my friends, goodbye." She finished more silently as the four dinosaurs disappeared completely, leaving the three survivors and their four companions again alone in the pale light of the morning. Littlefoot sniffed slightly as he turned around, knowing that from now on, his four friends would only be voices in his heart like his mother and father, a thought that made fresh tears flow down his cheeks. The boy turned at the approaching ghosts and asked them with a forced voice.
"W… was it true? Was it true we will not see them again?" He asked, hoping that there might be some way these meetings could happen again but it wasn't long before those hopes were largely ruined.
"Yes it was. We shouldn't have given you even this one chance and calling for souls from the Great Beyond is something that weakens us every time. We have a connection with that world but that connection is more than fragile and if we use it too much, it will completely disappear and we all cease to be." The voices said, causing Ruby to look at them with a long face. Her voice was silent as she asked the next question, her mind clearly dwelling in the recent meeting.
"Don't you want that? Being forced to linger here for hundreds of Cold Times must be… a worse fate than heading into the Great Beyond." She said, sniffing deeply as she looked at the spot her friends had just stood. Not a muscle moved in her face as she listened to the answer.
"Initially we thought so but Olres reminded us how much good the right dinosaur can do if given the chance. We are more than happy to wait for someone to continue his work and that way, we can hopefully one day atone for our stupidity of agreeing to start that battle so long ago. It might be a long wait but we hope it will be worth it. But now, we no longer have anything more to discuss. Do not tell about this land to anyone else and remember our offer. One day, any of you might grow up to be the exact dinosaur we have been looking for. We will look forward to that day with great interest." The voices said, prompting the three to nod at them wearily. Littlefoot looked at the ghosts one more time and asked them one more question.
"Hey, I was just wondering, can you tell something to those in the Great Beyond? I'd really like to send a small message." He said but he immediately received an answer that almost made him ashamed.
"We will not interfere in that world's affairs in any way. Also, you should know better than anyone, Littlefoot, that you can do that part yourself. Your parents are in your heart and you can tell them whatever you want yourself." The spirits said before they disappeared into thin air, leaving the seven dinosaurs to look at that sight silently. Indeed, Littlefoot knew that more than well. He turned to look at his friends with a weak, joyless smile as she asked the question and hang heavily over the small group of dinosaurs.
"Well, I am more than happy I could share this journey with you and see our friends again but… what now? I mean, where are going from now on?" He asked, not willing to put any pressure on his friends as so much had happened since they last met. Ruby still didn't have a place in the Valley so if the three wanted to stay together, they couldn't go back home. That fact hung heavily over the small group, no one having clear answers about what to do from now on.
Petrie was the first one to show any willingness to break the silence. He knew he'd return to his family one way or another but inside, he knew he didn't want to return to the Valley even if given the chance. This life of freedom had made his former home seem so small and restraining to him and that wasn't what his heart wanted. Willing to hear some other thoughts before announcing his own plans, he turned to look at Ortin and Glide and asked them carefully.
"Wh… what you want to do? I think your old herd still not accept you after Haste's survivors tell their story. And without any real family, Petrie not sure if you even want to." He said, drawing everyone's attention to the two flyers. Ortin was clearly taken aback by the other boy's words and he gulped deeply as he tried to stutter some kind of an answer. Truth be told, some kind of plan had started to form in his mind…
"Umm… you… you're right, Petrie. Kero will likely be the next leader and I'm sure he believed Lenel's tale about my family. But… I… I've been thinking… did you really mean it when you said I might become a leader of my own herd one day?" He asked, causing the other male's heart to drop slightly. Those weren't the words he had wanted to hear right now and that sentiment was reflected in his voice.
"Petrie think me seen enough of leaders for a good while, Ortin. They bring nothing but trouble and death to others." The flyer said, prompting an answer from Glide who was less surprised by Ortin's answer. She spoke to Petrie in a cryptic voice, clearly more open to Petrie's suggestion.
"I'm sorry you saw the very worst our herd had to offer, Petrie, but most leaders I've seen actually cared for their herds. Nimble, for example, wanted nothing more than to keep us safe and maintain the trust between the other leaders. If you still remember her, you know I speak the truth." She said, causing Petrie to cross his arms as he thought about the passed female, not really able to argue with her. Nimble had been kind towards her and it was true she had never risked her followers for nothing. His thoughts were interrupted again as Littlefoot approached the three flyers.
"Not to speak of my dad, Petrie. Even if he made a terrible mistake, he really turned lives for the better. Ortin, if you really hope you know what being a leader really is." He said but immediately, Petrie answered to the longneck in a more frustrated voice than he had expected.
"Littlefoot, no flyer really knows that! Ortin thinks he leader just because he related to a respected flyer who live a long time ago! As were Lenel and Haste and look where it took us!" He yelled but before he could finish, Ortin approached the brown-colored boy and put his hands on his shoulders, his voice holding nothing but respect and pleading.
"Petrie, I know you distrust our traditions and I know I've made many terrible mistakes but trust me, I really want to do better. I know that my family's path is also my path but I certainly do not want to do the mistakes Peak did and I don't want to have anything to do with Olres' powers. I just want to help as many flyers live their lives happily and to do that, I have a long way ahead of myself. But Petrie, I know it's much to ask… but if I succeed in starting a herd one day, would you be there to help me? You have proven to be wiser than me in many ways and I'd be honored to have you by my side." He asked, causing the other flyer to stare at him with wide eyes.
He could see Ortin was being more than honest about what he was saying and he knew very well just how respected Littlefoot's father had been among his own herd and even in the Valley as a whole. He wanted to believe that his friend had what it would take to be someone like that but even then, he had his doubts…
"Ortin, even if me want to say yes, how can Petrie know that you be like that even when you lead a herd? Me not want to see you become a bad flyer with me being forced to watch you do all kinds of bad things! How can Petrie know that?" He asked, looking directly at Ortin's eyes. The bluish flyer waited for a few seconds before sighing deeply, knowing he had to make a good impression now. One way or another, this was the life he had to lead now or else he'd be forced to live a life of a shame and regret.
"Because you saw what Lenel did to my family, what he did to me! All these hits on my face were made by him and I'd never want to be like him. Petrie, I know I am reckless and headstrong and I make mistakes but never once have I actually strived for something because of selfishness! I need you to keep those things at bay and that is why I ask you to accept my request. Stand by my side when the time comes." He said with a steady voice, almost fearful about whether or not he was ready to take this path but it was the only one open to him. He was Warekli's last descendant and either he'd have to embrace it or be seen as a weak loser.
The other boy looked at his friend with pondering eyes, clearly unsure about what to do. On one hand, he didn't want to lead that kind of life anymore but even then… maybe, just maybe, he'd be able to make Ortin see enough sense to be a positive influence on the world of the flyers. But even then, he wouldn't decide any of that now as now it was time to end this tragic adventure once and for all. His face turned into a careful smile as he spoke to the other boy.
"Petrie would want to believe you, Ortin, and if you think you ready to take that path, me think me will fly it with you one day. But as you say, none of that will start before we much older and for now, me want nothing more than to return to me family and live a normal life for once." He said, earning a slight chuckle from Ortin. He looked at the other boy warmly, clearly approving of his answer.
"I understand, Petrie. I and Glide will try to find one of other flyer herds and live with them for a while before starting to strive towards our goal. We will call on you, Petrie, when we need you." He said, causing the other male to nod at him quickly. His tone mirrored that of Ortin's, signaling that they were in agreement.
"Very well, Ortin. Me look forward to that day." He said, earning a thoughtful look from one of his other friends.
This was far from the first time Ruby had thought about her future but after Petrie and Ortin's discussion, she had to admit she and her friends wouldn't stay together forever. She had wanted to avoid telling about her plans earlier but now that Arial was safe, it was time for her to finally start rebuilding her own life and to get over all the losses of the last season. And to do that, she'd need to be alone for a good while. The fastrunner turned at Littlefoot and spoke to him silently, her words clearly uncomfortable even to herself.
"Littlefoot, please take Orchid and Arial to the Valley for me. They need some place to safe now that daddy and mommy are gone. I… I cannot look after them anymore." She said, causing the longneck to become clearly shocked by her request. He narrowed his eyes as he answered the female's plea.
"Wh… why, Ruby? Do you think I'm going back to the Valley… and where would you go?" He stuttered, this entire meeting becoming a terrible mess in his eyes. He hadn't even known about Ruby's parents' fate and now he was asked to look after her siblings. The two younger omnivores approached their sister in clear astonishment, Arial asking her in a pleading voice.
"You cannot do this, Ruby! W… we just found each other again! Of course we'll stay together!" They said, causing the older fastrunner to take a deep sigh and to bring her hand to her forehead. After a moment, she knelt in front of the duo and spoke to them sweetly but seriously.
"Yes, I know you'd want that, Arial and Orchid. But no matter what anyone says, it was my fault this entire debacle ever happened and… I just cannot look after you. Who knows what kind of tragedy I'd cause next. I hope to learn to become a better sister to you both in the seasons to come but to do that, I need some time to sort things out with no one depending on me." She said and immediately Orchid tried to say something before the older halftooth silenced him with a gesture. She then moved to look at Littlefoot and she spoke to him sadly.
"As for you, Littlefoot, I know you have a future in the Valley even now. I know you care for it and its denizens more than anything, save for us, and that you want to help the others there. I would be able to finally move on if I knew they'd be there with you." She said, almost prompting the boy to try to prove her otherwise. However, Littlefoot's words died down in his mouth before he could voice them.
It was true that he didn't really have a choice from now on. His father's herd was gone and he knew no other home than the Great Valley. He knew he'd be safe there and it was true he loved that place dearly. However, he was far from confident about Ruby's decision but if this was her choice, she'd respect it. His tone was a tense one as he spoke to the omnivore.
"If that's what you want, I can do that much for you, Ruby. But I will miss you a lot." He said, prompting new protests from the two younger omnivores. They turned at Ruby and cried at her in desperate outrage.
"Please don't do this! We will go with you and there's nothing you c…" They started in unison but Ruby's expression silenced those protests. Slowly, she relaxed and put her hands on her siblings' shoulders and spoke to them reassuringly.
"I promise you this is not the last time we meet, Orchid and Arial. One day when I've finally learned the things I need to learn, I will come to the Valley to take you home. I'm sorry but this is the very best thing I can do for you or anyone else. I promise you that the Valley is the most beautiful place you've ever seen and that you'll love your time there." She said, causing a tear to fall from Orchid's eye. He looked at Ruby silently before whispering his answer.
"Just don't stay away for too long, Ruby. And that you will really return to us in time." He sniffed, causing Ruby to nuzzle him slightly. She tried to give him a weak smile even if it was more than difficult in this somber moment. Her voice was warmer than ever as she gave her answer.
"I wouldn't abandon you for any reason, Orchid, don't worry about that. And besides, we don't have to leave each other just yet. We have to get away from this place first, right?" She asked, knowing her point to be a correct one. It would take at least a few hours for the seven dinosaurs to leave this cursed land and that fact alone made the two young children a bit less distressed. Ruby, Littlefoot and Petrie nodded at each other, knowing that this journey was approaching its end but each of them were also glad they could take its last steps together, accompanied by their passed friends who they knew were with them for the rest of their lives.
And so ends the second-to-last chapter of Separate Ways. Our heroes' fates are slowly becoming clear even to themselves and even if there remains certain uncertainties in their futures, this adventure is about to end to all of the survivors' relief. And with the knowledge that their friends are still with them, it will be far easier for Petrie, Ruby and Littlefoot to accept that they still have roles to play in the seasons to come. With this chapter, Separate Ways has become the first LBT story to cross 600k words which is pretty incredible. I dearly hope you liked this chapter and see you again with the very last chapter of this fic which should be released in about two weeks.
DiddyKF1: I'm sorry if Ortin and Glide's fates seemed vague in this chapter as that wasn't my intention. Hopefully their role in this new installment will clear things out a bit as there were many things that were still left open in that previous installment. As for your words about Haste, I'm beyond happy you approved of my handling of her and thank you a lot for your kind words overall about all the intrigue in this story.
And yep, Haste certainly wasn't worth anything except the fate she received. I wanted to show that even Lenel had some spark of true goodness and greatness inside him even if they were buried under his cruelty and obsession. Haste, on the other hand, was just a gutless backstabber without whom the world is a better place. Again, thanks a lot for the praise about the battle as it means a lot to me. Hopefully you like this chapter as well!
Guest: Well, they are not going to be resurrected but maybe the events in this chapter work just as well…
Anagnos: It's great to hear you enjoyed this most important of chapters, Anagnos! You are absolutely right that this is the point where the Gang needs to take new courses in life, no matter how difficult it may be. They may not share a similar bond to their previous one but that doesnät necessarily mean its any weaker than during their time in the Valley.
Your analysis about Lenel is very spot on as he truly wanted to make world a better place and he had all the qualities needed to do just that. His end was overall a tragic one but even more regrettably to him, Ducky's death will forever taint his name beyond any recovery. Also, it's true that too much ambition seldom brings good results, nefarious plotting even less. Finally, you're right that the Gang's journey isn't quite over yet and I hope you'll like these final steps of this long journey…
The Rhombus: You certainly characterized the themes of this chapter very well. I wanted to make the characters stand against each other here even if it was clear that none of them had bad intentions. But in situations like these, not everyone can have a happy ending and this time it was Ducky. Overall, I'm extremely happy you found the battle flowing well as it's true the pacing was quite fast. I truly hope you find this chapter as enjoyable as the last one and I look forward to your thoughts about it as well.
jaythefox02: The points you bring up are some I had expected to hear, to be honest. As I said, Ortin and Glide should have played a larger role in this chapter but they certainly did not disappear for good. As for Littlefoot, I can see his appearance seeming too convenient but I wanted the main characters find each other one at a time in order to keep the pacing somewhat smooth. Even then, Littlefoot was one character that should have had a larger role.
Finally, the Valley and the rest of the flyer herd weren't a major focus as there weren't major dynamics going on within them. In the herd, Kero has likely kept it together while waiting for Lenel's return while the Valley, well, you'll see… In any case, thanks for the review and voicing some of the misgivings about this chapter that I had myself.