Some harsh language in this one, just a heads up :)
Chapter 2: Arguments
With a sigh of relief, Littlefoot settled down on the rocky floor. The stone walls were hiding him completely and unless someone decided to take a closer look, he had a good chance to persist in this round.
The boy rested for a moment, catching his breath after jogging in a rush to escape the seeker before they started seeking. However, he wasn't granted this moment of rest. Suddenly, footsteps could be heard rapidly advancing and no sooner than he had risen back to his feet, another longneck entered his hideout - though it wasn't Ali who found him…
Rhett, for the first time since entering the Great Valley, felt truly happy, a huge smirk on his face as he spotted the pathetic purple-grey longneck in the small, enclosed hideout. This was so perfect, Littlefoot was cornered in there. He could play his cards to full effectivity…
"Yo, Little… foot," he spat out coldly, in a disgusted manner, walking up to the other boy in a clear, confident and dominant posture. "Nice hideout you got here, I'll hide here as well." Giving the boy a firm stare, he added, sneering. "If you don't mind, that is…"
Littlefoot backed off slightly. What was Rhett doing here in his hideout, why did he follow him and just what was he up to? Clearly, Littlefoot could tell, he had some sort of agenda on his mind. "I have a bad feeling about this…"
"S-sure, feel free to use this as a hideout too…" Littlefoot replied uncertainly, avoiding Rhett's penetrating green eyes which continuously stared him down. "Thanks…" Rhett cackled with a smile that seemed as false as it was deceiving. Littlefoot hoped that the other longneck would settle down and patiently wait to be discovered, however the boy had no such thing in mind.
"So, Littlefoot… let us talk," Rhett began, casually strutting around, never failing to penetrate him with his intimidating stare. "I will need to have a word with you about a certain issue… you can tell, right?"
"Uhh, sorry, what?" Littlefoot was dumbfounded. "What's your problem? As far as I know there is no…" but just then it began to dawn on him.
"Pah, you sure are dense," Rhett laughed coldly, unsettling Littlefoot even further. "What's his problem? Ali would never even consider hanging around him anyway… not while she has someone else to play with… oh."
"Ali, she's mine. Squeeze that into your little brain, Littlebrain. Don't even consider the remote possibility of playing with her let alone flirting with her. She's mine, dumbass, you got that loud and clear, right?" Rhett was looking at him like someone trying to stomp on some annoying bug. Despite the obvious threat, Littlefoot's initial reaction was to be ridiculed.
"W-what?" he deadpanned, the mere accusation too ludicrous for him to take serious, the bold claim beyond unreasonable.
"You think this is funny, huh?" Rhett's pose transitioned from laid-back dominance to something a lot more threatening. Littlefoot jerked. "I'll have you know, Babyfoot, that I'm not in the mood to goof around like you and your dumb-witted friends. Consider your words carefully… I'm not gonna fool around…"
Littlefoot gulped as Rhett cornered him gradually. He had assumed that Rhett was all talk but he'd just been proven wrong. This boy was dead serious and he was all alone right now with the lunatic cornering him. What should he do? Run away? Lie to Rhett in order to make him think that he'd agree to such nonsense? If Rhett attacked him, would he have to fight?
"Well, I'm not flirting with her, what's your problem?" he asked carefully, acting slightly submissive as not to escalate the situation but yet he'd tell Rhett what he thought about his statement.
"Dude, are you fucking retarded?!" Rhett shouted indignantly, shoving Littlefoot even further into a corner. "Not flirting… my ass! How stupid do you think I am, eh?! Answer me, idiot!"
"Very…" Littlefoot's mind replied though he just barely managed not to say it out loud. As Rhett pushed him further back much to his annoyance, he had to bent back his head since the boy was pushing his nose against his angrily. He was now effectively squeezed into the very corner of his hideout and he didn't like it one bit.
"Seriously, how dense can a longneck be? You really are a stupid flathead who knows nothing; you're not flirting with her? Come one dude, give me break!"
"You're the one who should give me a break…" Littlefoot thought, slowly beginning to get annoyed about Rhett's antics. Gathering some courage from the nonsense the beige-coloured longneck was spewing, he replied ferociously.
"Oh, I see… let me sum this up… so you say Ali is all yours, right?" If the situation hadn't been in Rhett's favor, he might have laughed at him but given that Rhett had the upper hand he thought better of it. "You're saying I'm stupid but what do you understand about love, Rhett?"
"She's mine, that is all you need to cram into your degenerated brain, loser," Rhett cackled but Littlefoot only felt reinforced in his reasoning.
"That's precisely why I feel you are the dense one around here, Rhett!" he declared, deadpanning, immediately feeling Rhett's snout angrily pushing against his but he resisted the push just as fiercely. It was no longer a battle of words but a battle of wills as well. "You're the stupid one here, Rhett! I may not know much about love but my grandparents taught me one thing you're awfully ignorant about!"
"Oh yeah?" Rhett gave another push. "Entertain me with your nonsense, Littleneck!"
"Someone you love doesn't belong to you just because you ignorantly claim them. You have to earn the love of another dinosaur through your words and actions and not force your selfish desires upon others!"
"Nonsense!" Rhett yelled, headbutting Littlefoot fiercely and pressing him against the cold rock wall. "Ali will love me, she doesn't have anyone and, unlike the wuss you are, I can protect her with my handsome body. You can't keep up with me because I got the looks, the muscles and the brain. You got none of it so bugger off and don't get in my way!"
Despite the obvious aggression, Littlefoot had a hard time staying serious, considering how ludicrous Rhett's statements truly were. He simply couldn't back down as much as he wanted to submit for the sake of saving himself from his idiocy.
"I'm sorry to crush your vivid fantasies but I'll have you know that Ali would never think about going out with you!"
"Oh?" Rhett sneered, amused. It only took a quick movement and a small shift of his weight and Littlefoot was effectively pinned against the wall, completely at his mercy though it discerned the pathetic boy little.
"Ali doesn't like your attitude and neither do I," Littlefoot said matter-of-factly with as calm a voice as he could manage, his glare meeting Rhett's. "You'll never win her if you don't try to win her heart. As a matter of fact, with that attitude of yours, you will never love any girl if you don't even learn the most basic…"
"SHUT UP!" Rhett screamed, spitting into Littlefoot's face. He had hit a sore point. "I won't allow an amateur like you to mess with a beauty like her! She's mine, you won't take her away!"
"Take her… away?" Littlefoot laughed, it was too much ridicule to take. "Rhett, we're just trying to enjoy the little time we can see each other, relax… You can see her all the time after all…" Littlefoot attempted to appeal to Rhett's reasoning, however, that trait seemed to be missing in the boy completely and he began to get seriously annoyed with being shoved against the hard rocks.
"You're not to see her at all, dumbwit!" Rhett cried in fury. "She's my girl, MY GIRL! I decide who she may see and who she mustn't!"
That was, when Littlefoot finally had enough. In a surge of anger, he broke free from the pindown, getting behind Rhett lest he'd be cornered once again.
"I've had enough of this nonsense, Rhett!" he cried at the top of his lungs, glaring angrily at the beige-coloured longneck. Even Cera would often back down when seeing this expression on his but Rhett seemed relatively unimpressed, if anything. "Ali sees me as a friend while she sees you as an annoying idiot! She'll decide for herself who she wants to spend her time with!"
Rhett casually turned around to face him again, his expression that of subdued anger and annoyance yet his words was calm and mocking.
"Fine, Babyfoot… How about a deal? Ali is free to choose but you must not stop me from hanging around wherever she is going with you and those idiots you call your friends."
Littlefoot twitched for a second, that insult hit where it hurt but he knew better than to start a fight over it.
"Otherwise…" Rhett continued, walking up to him and pushing his nose against his again. "If you decline, you'll let me have my way with Ali but I won't bother you. That's my deal and you better don't half-ass me - nor tell anyone about our friendly chat, is that clear?"
Littlefoot felt rage flare up inside of his stomach. Rhett was trampling not only on his pride and feelings but on those of Ali and his friends as well. More importantly, he was once again on the best way to ruin Ali's visit for everyone involved once again. Something had to be done though now was a bad time, considering that Rhett seemed more than ready to take their dispute to a physical form, judging my his aggressive behavior.
"Fine, I agree to your terms," he spat, glaring at Rhett angrily. "For now anyway, don't think for a second that I'm going to accept this sharptooth crap!"
"Splendid," Rhett cackled in amusement, removing his nose from Littlefoot's face at last. He would have preferred the other option of course but this way he could enjoy himself in different ways as well.
"But you'll never get what you want from Ali, no matter what you do, Rhett! Never!" He'd make sure that it never came to that, Littlefoot swore to himself.
"Oh, we'll see about that…" Rhett smirked. "Anyway, this is now my hideout, get lost!" He needn't bully Littlefoot out for the purple-grey longneck did so readily on his own before Rhett could finish his sentence. "Quite a coward you are though, Babyfoot!" Rhett exclaimed teasingly, hearing no further sounds from the outside. Pleased with himself, he sat down on the floor and waited for Ali to find him. Perhaps he'd even win this game despite how little he cared?
"That insufferable…" To say Littlefoot was angry would be a big understatement. He was quite frankly furious right now, plowing through the forest like a maniac. He didn't care about the game anymore, all he cared about was finding his friends to tell them the news and figure out how to resolve the issue and make sure Rhett wouldn't cause them any additional grief. It was lucky that no sooner than he was out of hearing range, Littlefoot bumped into the person he most needed to talk to at that moment.
Ali was aimlessly scouting the forest for her friends when the sound of vegetation being ripped as well as rapid footsteps managed to gain her attention. "What is going on?" she wondered before the figure of Littlefoot came waltzing into view rapidly, almost crashing into her before he took notice of her.
"Littlefoot, what's wrong? Oh, I found you!" Ali said though she quickly realized that something must have happened.
"Let's find the others quick, Ali. We need to talk!" Littlefoot panted in obvious anger. "Don't go looking by the rock wall. A certain someone is hiding there but I'd rather ditch him!"
"Is it Rhett?" Ali suddenly deadpanned. Upon Littlefoot's instant nod, she inquired. "Did he do something?"
"Quite," Littlefoot frowned. "Come on, I'll tell you on the way…"
"Okay…" Ali sighed before racing after Littlefoot who clearly was in a hurry.
"So, to pick up our Rhett talk where we left it off, can I just hear it from you again, Ali? Do you hate him?"
"Hate… him? Hmm, I wouldn't say I hate him but I certainly don't like him…" Ali replied thoughtfully. "Let me guess, Rhett followed you into your hideout and decided to be an idiot again?"
"Precisely!" Littlefoot panted. "He's spitting more nonsense than a smoking mountain on a really bad day, how do you put up with this?!"
"Well… as I said before, the time we spend migrating isn't exactly amazing… it is nice not to be completely alone but… Rhett annoys me more often than not…" A sad, melancholic look flashed across her face and Littlefoot could tell immediately why Ali was feeling that way, for he couldn't even endure Rhett for a single day. How was Ali keeping sane?
"You know that he loves you, right?" Littlefoot then continued as if talking about a particularly annoying bug in his nest.
"I'm aware of it, yes," Ali stated, however her expression suddenly changed completely as it transitioned into a happier, almost witty mood. "But, see, he will never be the one I love. I… already have a candidate, see?" Both slowed down significantly, Ali awkwardly grinning before avoiding Littlefoot's befuddled glance.
"Who is it?" Littlefoot said with mild curiosity though his anger still carried in his words so they came out a little harsher than intended.
"Not telling…" Ali giggled. Littlefoot couldn't see her face since she was running ahead. If he hadn't been angry about Rhett, his curiosity might have persevered, however he went back to business rather quick.
"Either way, Rhett does not understand a thing about it, about love. You should have heard him, seriously… Ali belongs to me, blah blah blah… Like he can claim any girl he wants! That's not how it works!"
Ali suddenly halted in her movement.
"What is it?" Littlefoot demanded. Did he hit a nerve on accident?
"Actually… "Ali hesitated, whatever she had on her mind clearly bothering her. "You see… out in the Mysterious Beyond as you call it it's not so uncommon for a male to claim a female of their choice. Not everyone is kind like you, some males simply fight for a female and the winner gets to… well, you can imagine…"
"And the females agree to this?" Littlefoot deadpanned.
"Some do, others are forced into it. I've… heard some stories about it in my herd and none of them were pleasant so let's better not dwell on such things, okay?"
"Good point, good point…" Littlefoot agreed hastily. That truly didn't feel right and if Rhett was believing that this was the true form of love then he could fall into a fire pit for all he cared. "You know, I firmly believe that love is something you have to earn."
"Yes, same here," Ali stated, a slight smile appearing on her face. It was good that Littlefoot was so dense, otherwise he might have caught on to a few things by now. "Anyway, let's hurry to find the others, Rhett worries me too and I don't want him to ruin my stay at the Great Valley."
"Well said, Ali. Perhaps we should just call it a game and hurry up?"
"No, I'd like to find them fair and square. Don't let him ruin this game," Ali proposed with a pleading look. Littlefoot couldn't argue with that logic after all.
"Oh alright, let's find them!"
The morning had transitioned into noon when Ruby had finally been found. Littlefoot had tried his best to appear normal on the outside though he couldn't hide his bad mood completely as they were heading back to the clearing.
"So is Littlefoot sulking because he was found first?" Cera grinned though Littlefoot ignored her strictly.
"Now only Rhett is missing, where might he be?" Chomper mused as the clearing came in sight.
"We… decided to ditch him, Littlefoot and I that is," Ali explained uncertainly. "See…"
"We need to talk… right now!" Littlefoot suddenly thundered, everyone jerking a little upon the harsh eruption of anger which the longneck certainly wasn't know for.
"What happened-ed?" Ducky wondered, walking over to Littlefoot to pat his front leg. "Please do not shout, I do not like shouting at all, oh no no no…"
"Did Rhett do something stupid?" Cera hypothesized.
"Well…" Ali was about to say something when she realized what time of the day it was. "Oh no, it's already noon, I have to check back with my mother. Littlefoot, you go tell them! Be back later! Won't take too long!"
"Sure, seeya in a bit!" Cera grinned, speaking on behalf of everyone, her bond with Ali still being tighter than everyone else's. Not counting Littlefoot, that was. Once Ali was out of sight, Littlefoot picked up where the girl left off.
"Okay guys, so while we were playing, Rhett followed me into my hideout and demanded a lot of nonsensical sharptooth crap. If we don't do something, he'll end up ruining our time with Ali!" Littlefoot briefly summed up the situation. Cera was the first to react.
"Geez, and I had a feeling he'd end up causing trouble…" the threehorn cursed.
"What he demand?" Petrie wondered.
"That we let him have Ali all day or that he can stick around us without me saying a word against it," Littlefoot spat out in disgust. Spike immediately let out an angry cry and Ruby folded her hands in a way that meant no good.
"Okay, I thought Rhett was a bit of an idiot but this beats everything," Chomper commented drily. "What in the name of our ancestors is he thinking?"
"He isn't thinking, that's the thinking he does!" Ruby growled angrily. "I agree that we mustn't accept either option."
"Precisely!" Littlefoot shouted, stomping his foot. "Ali doesn't want either option to happen either. When he cornered me, I pretended to agree with him sticking around but I was obviously just trying to lose him. We must make sure that he doesn't know where we are… and if he happens to find us…"
"...I'll chase him away," Chomper growled. "Seems like I'm the only one he's scared of."
"Oh, he hasn't seen me in full swing yet," Cera boasted. "He'd better have fast legs."
"Guys, we should not fight with Rhett, no no no," Ducky reasoned but she was quickly overwhelmed.
"No, he big bully like Hyp. He bully Littlefoot so me wanna bully Rhett too!" Petrie stated with a firm nod, crossing his arms.
"We shouldn't look forward to it but if it comes down to it, we all know our priorities, our priorities we know," Ruby spoke in an agitated manner.
"And if everything fails, Chomper can eat him for all I care," Cera grunted. "Anyway, let's eat some, shall we?"
"Sure, but let me just phrase this before we have lunch," Littlefoot spoke darkly, gritting his teeth. "From now on, we have to be careful guys and we might not be able to play as much as we'd like to… our top priority is keeping Rhett in the dark about our whereabouts. We obviously can't use this place anymore and Ali will have to make sure each morning that she isn't being followed. It's far from ideal but this is the reality we're facing… let's eat."
Soon, Cera had shaken a good chunk of leaves off a nearby tree with some help from Spike and everyone had their fill though they ate in awkward silence.
It took Ali some time to remember the way but eventually she managed to return to the place her herd had slept the previous night where her mother was already waiting.
The female longneck had been brooding over a few things on the way and now she couldn't wait to set her plans into motion. The most recent ridicule Rhett had produced had only reassured her in an issue she'd been thinking about ever since learning about her herd's plans to visit the Great Valley…
"Hi mum!" she called when the tall body of her mother came into view.
"You're late," her mother stated as the girl walked up to her.
"Sorry, I got a little lost trying to remember the way back," Ali immediately apologized, exchanging a quick nuzzle with her mother.
"Well, I'm happy to inform you that we've settled on a place to reside, I'll take you there now," she explained matter-of-factly, still a little sour about Ali being late.
"Oh, where is it?" Ali wondered with curiosity.
"Not quite central as we hoped but this old longneck who is looking after your friend was suggesting a pond not too far from here which is a little secluded and it has lots of greenery for us to eat. Upon checking it out, Old Old decided that it was good enough for us."
"Oh, Littlefoot's grandfather suggested it? Then it must be nice!" Ali said happily.
"So far, I'd say it is," her mother confirmed. "Well, shall we go?"
"Yes!" Ali agreed. She wasn't truly caring much about their residence as long as she could get to talk to her mother about a certain issue but she also didn't want to crash into the nest without warning, so to speak. Quietly, she walked alongside her mother who was heading straight towards the next forest in sight.
"It's behind those trees so it should be easy to find for you as long as you remember where the main entrance is where we slept last night."
"That should be possible," Ali giggled. "Do I need to go in or would you let me back to my friends now?"
"Hmm, my only concern was you knowing where we sleep so it should be fine. However, shouldn't you have something to eat before then?"
Ali hadn't forgotten about her plan of course so this just worked in her favor. Nothing like a chat while having lunch, she reckoned.
"Oh sure, I wouldn't mind some though my breakfast was very good," Ali stated matter-of-factly, Littlefoot's culinary tour through the Valley still filling her belly to a healthy extend.
"Help yourself to these then, dear," her mother said, ripping a few mouthfuls of leaves from the nearest tree for Ali to devour. The girl dug in readily.
"Thanksch mum," she said as she munched happily.
"Taking a while, is she?" Rhett cast a glance upwards to the Bright Circle which stood high above his head. He had waited for what felt like an eternity yet no one had even gone remotely near his hideout ever since he'd chased away that dumbass Littlefoot.
"Did that rock-for-brains keep his word? Gee, I sure don't trust this… perhaps he told the others where I am and they decided… no, surely they wouldn't be that mean, would they?" Case in point, Rhett was tired of waiting so he got up and left the hideout. He didn't care about being found if the game was still ongoing… although he had reason to believe that the others had ditched him.
"They'd better not or their beloved Littlefoot will be deep in shit… actually, I kinda wouldn't mind beating him to a pulp just now…" A profound smirk burned itself into his facial muscles, as if it was the only expression they ever knew. If his suspicion really turned out to be true, there'd be a lot more things to anticipate than some trolling and teasing, that much was certain. His spirits high, Rhett navigated his way back to the place where they would likely be…
After taking a few bites, Ali decided to bring up the matter she needed to address.
"Uhm, mum? Could I have a word with you about something important?"
"Oh, what would that be, Ali?" her mother inquired with some curiosity. Ali gulped.
"W-well, see… … I have a request!" she exclaimed after finding the courage in her heart to speak about her sorrow thoroughly. "I beg you that you hear me out, mum…"
"Of course I will hear you out, what's the matter? You didn't get yourself into trouble, did you?"
"It's… mum, I need to be honest… see, I… " Ali sighed. "I don't want to live the life we've been living all this time. See… i-it's so nice here in the Great Valley, why d-don't we just stay here? Just you and me?"
Ali's mother didn't reply immediately, pondering how to respond to her daughter's inquiry.
"Ali, dear… we can't just leave the herd like that? A herd is like family, you can't just leave... "
Unfortunate as it was, Ali had expected such an answer but she wasn't ready to give in so easily.
"I understand, mum, but this herd is not family to me… they're all strangers who merely travel with us in my opinion…" Ali stated uneasily, knowing quite well that her words mightn't sit well with her mother but she needed to speak her full mind here.
"Is there a particular reason that makes you think that way, Ali?" the grown-up inquired understandingly. "I know we don't do much with others but a herd is still family. We live together and we all want what's best for each other. We protect each other. Now I can't deny that the Valley would be quite safe but…
"Yes, it is very safe, I'm sure Littlefoot's grandparents would second that immediately!" Ali shouted impatiently. At least, her mother was being fair and wasn't trying to silence her the moment she spoke of it.
"Our numbers are great enough to grant us safety too, don't forget that, Ali," her mother reminded her but Ali wouldn't hear any of it.
"Mum, just think about it… we could live a peaceful life here… no more travelling around in scorching heat, no more thirst and hunger for days, no more dangers! The Great Valley is so much better than what the herd can offer us, don't you think?!"
"Well, I can't deny that but still…" the grown-up seemed conflicted. "Ali, is there a particular reason why you want to leave the herd? You didn't even bring up the possibility of everyone staying here after all. Now that's something I wouldn't oppose at all."
"Well…" Ali sighed heavily. "It's just… I'm lonely in this herd. In the Valley I have friends, in the valley I have fun. There's hardly any fun out there and… I'm tired of it, okay?" She said these words calmly but she still obtained a certain ferocity, a certain determination.
"You have Rhett," her mother stated. "Is he not good enough?"
"Mum, seriously?" Ali deadpanned. "Rhett is a big jerk. He's looking for trouble with Littlefoot because he doesn't want anyone to play with me. But the thing is, he's an idiot, he can get lost for all I care!"
"Now now calm down, dear, don't say such things out of nowhere... " her mother shortly reprimanded her but Ali wouldn't listen.
"He deserves it…" Ali grumbled. "Mum, if what he told Littlefoot is any indication, he thinks of me much in the way those males think about females… you know… the ones that come and only leave the eggs when they go again…"
"How do you come to such a conclusion, dear?" the grown-up asked, mildly irritated.
"See, Rhett doesn't care whether I like him or not," Ali explained, clearly upset. "He claimed that I belong to him alone and that's why he sought a fight with Littlefoot… I've never seen Littlefoot so upset and angry when I ran into him after it happened…"
"You weren't together all the time?"
"We were playing Hide and Seek, see?" Ali pointed out matter-of-factly.
"Oh well, that makes sense then," the adult longneck admitted. "I can't deny that this sounds like bad news, Ali, but why does that make you want to leave the herd? Is it because of Rhett?"
"Not only but… I'd rather not see him anymore to be frank," the girl responded with as much honesty as she could muster.
"Okay, that is understandable… though he never came across to me as how you describe him now. Anyway, is there any other thing that makes you want to leave the herd?"
"Quite…" Ali gulped - this would be her trump card and she'd have to make sure that she played it well. "So… I just don't want to leave my friends and… in particular… Littlefoot I… I like him… like… a lot…" Ali felt like disappearing into thin air but she had to pull through. It was all for Littlefoot and her freedom to be with him all the time after all.
"Oh, you like him? the female asked in mild surprise.
"Yeah, I do," Ali admitted, slightly embarrassed. "You know… last time I was here, that was just when I met Rhett and I was… well, I kind of turned him down because Rhett didn't like him… I mean, I sorta knew he was making things up but he was still my friend and back then I really believed Rhett was nice if he wanted to be nice. I didn't want to upset Rhett because I was afraid my only friend in this herd would leave me… I was so so stupid. I should have been nicer to Littlefoot. I wasted a fair amount of our time and I realized too late that I actually liked him a lot. We already left before I could get a chance to sort my feelings… It's been a long time but now these feelings have resurfaced and… I don't want to be separated from Littlefoot again… Can you understand that, mum?"
"I certainly do, dear," the grown-up sighed heavily. "I do understand your feelings but I'm afraid I cannot leave the herd just for your sake, Ali. Please try to understand... "
"But mum!" Ali cried.
"Once you're older, Ali, you're free to choose your own path but you need to mature and grow up first. I don't doubt that you're completely sincere about your request and I'm glad that we talked about this but I cannot grant your request at this time. Enjoy your time you have, make sure that Littlefoot knows about your feelings and make a promise, both of you. He seems like the type of dinosaur who wouldn't break one."
"But... but that's a very long time! I-I don't want to be stuck with good-for-nothing Rhett for another year or two! I'll go crazy before that happens!" Ali cried in a mixture of anger and disappointment.
"I'm sure something can be done about Rhett, dear, if it becomes necessary that he is reprimanded for his behavior. Just hang in there, I know you're not satisfied but try to understand… please."
"I still don't understand why they're so important to you, important enough that you would leave a paradise when you see it…" Ali said while sulking. Her mother then gave her a quick nuzzle. "It's as I said. Family is family. When your father died, I was left with no family but little you and I was too weak to protect you. This herd became the family I lost and it will remain that way forever until I grow old, Ali. You've been too young to make that decision so you are free to leave once you are old enough if that is what you yearn for. Of course you could invite Littlefoot into our herd too, have you considered that yet?"
"No I haven't but I doubt Littlefoot would want to… he's happy here and he wouldn't leave behind his friends… they certainly have no place in a herd like ours…"
"That they don't…" the adult agreed, nodding.
"Anyway, when will I be… old enough?" Ali asked sulking.
"When you've proven that you are grown-up in mind and body. A few Cold Times, I'd say."
"That's too long!" Ali ranted immediately but her mother merely chuckled.
"I know, I know it is. Forgive me…"
"Could you at least consider life here in the Great Valley?" Ali requested quietly. "Investigate a little and look around. Maybe you'll like it more than you think now?"
"You sure are a persistent one," the female laughed heartily but then her expression became serious again. "Well, I guess it doesn't hurt to do that if it means we have a compromise?"
"I… guess so," Ali mumbled, crestfallen. "D-don't think that I'll give up this easily though!" she then blurted out with the last bit of bravado she could muster. It certainly wasn't enough.
"That's fine, Ali. Now, eat up and go back to your friends. And keep me informed about Rhett, okay? If that boy really is up to no good, I'll have a word with Old One about this."
That, at last, soothed Ali's mood if just a little.
"Will do, though I guess Littlefoot and the others are going to try avoid him. If you could distract him in the morning so he doesn't get to follow me secretly like he did today would be helpful…"
"That can be arranged," the grown-up spoke with a mild smile. "Now, off you go."
"See you later!" Ali called before walking back to her friends, although her mood wasn't exactly better than before. Ali caught herself letting her head hang low, however she then reminded herself that being down and gloomy wasn't helping at all. This was not the time to be having these emotions, or at least she'd be better off restricting them somewhat for the sake of having fun and spending time with her friends. Hurrying, she ran back across the Valley she'd like to make her home so readily…
Littlefoot sat some distance away from everyone. After the group was done eating (Chomper had disappeared for a bit), he'd retreated somewhat as the others relaxed in the early afternoon heat or talked among themselves. Littlefoot couldn't be bothered to join them, not now. His mind was just churning with subdued anger and he had a few things to reflect upon after this eventful morning.
If there was one thing that really annoyed him, it was how Rhett had shoved him around earlier. Littlefoot didn't like to admit it but if it came down to a test of strength, Rhett would be the obvious winner. Living the harsh life out in the Mysterious Beyond had built a lot of strength and also Littlefoot presumed that the boy may be a season or two older than he was. Usually, he wouldn't have to worry about this but the deranged boy had acted rather aggressively and there was no doubt for Littlefoot that he would have resorted to violence if he hadn't gotten what he had wanted. Also considering that he broke the deal as soon as it was forged, also considering the threat Rhett had voiced in the occasion he did exactly that… well, it put him into a slight state of unrest. He'd have to make sure that he was never alone when Rhett was around lest the boy decided to attack him when he least expected it…
"I'd better stay close to my friends now," he muttered quietly as he watched Petrie entertain Ducky and Spike with a few flying tricks while Ruby and Cera were ranting about the poor quality of the Great Valley's best mud pool this year.
"And then there is Ali…" Littlefoot didn't like to admit it but Rhett had said a few things during their argument which actually hit a sore point. Was he really flirting with Ali? Was that how Rhett saw it? Or, he grunted, was it just what he wanted to see? He knew too well from Cera that she'd often twist facts to use them in her favor and Rhett was probably doing the same earlier, he reckoned.
"More importantly though, what are my feelings for Ali really?" The way Rhett had spoken about love had stirred his mind. He remembered the funny feeling inside his stomach he had been feeling earlier, a feeling he never knew previously. I didn't want to deny it but if it came down to it, he would ditch his friends without a second thought if it meant seeing Ali. He could never get tired of her cute smile, yes, that angelic, sometimes goofy smile… Perhaps, he'd have to talk to the girl again sooner or later to confirm a few things for these feelings particularly surfaced when they were all alone...
"Last but not least, why does Rhett hate me so much? And why do I… " Littlefoot could tell that he saw him as a rival for the love of Ali which he craved (but would never get, Littlefoot mused with gritted teeth) which made sense considering the boy's line of reasoning. However, he was more curious if his very own source of hate was more complicated than met the eye on first glance…
"Well, I can't deny it, I hate him because of how much of a freak he is, because of how idiotic he acts and because of how full of himself he can be… but that's not it… I'm not one to hate others… but... " Truth be told, if it came down to a fight between the two, Littlefoot wasn't so sure anymore if he'd avoid it at this point. Not only had Rhett trampled on his pride (which he usually didn't care so much about) but also did he try to steer him away from Ali which was simply unforgivable given their difficult distant relationship. Littlefoot hated to admit it but just now, Ali having gone off to see her mother, he kind of missed her, he kind of wanted her to be at his side, smiling, being happy… touching their noses like they did as a greeting the other day… There, the feeling returned to him just now, stronger than ever, in spite of Ali's absence, or maybe because of it? Littlefoot didn't know but one thing he did know.
"This squirmy, nervous feeling… it is clearly related to Ali and I think I may know what it means… maybe I am really Rhett's rival here? Maybe…"
Just then, he remembered something Ali had said earlier.
"Also, who is it that "candidate" that she spoke of a little earlier? If it's not Rhett, then who is it? Ali doesn't know any other longnecks her age, does she? Oh wait…" Had Ali meant… him? Did the girl in fact show some real interest in him? Did she really - he couldn't even think about the word, let alone say it out loud. Was it what he was feeling towards Ali just now?
That was when the boy saw Ali joining their group again.
Hate Rhett now? well, me too!
This chapter is my submission for the january prompt "Argument" of the Gang of Five fanfiction prompt challenge.
So now we have it. Rhett and Littlefoot are at each other's throat but also Littlefoot and Ali are developing their relationship, slowly. :P
I know this was a lot to read but I hope you all liked the developments ^^
Guest chapter 1 . Feb 23
"Although we discussed this prior to the upload, the story is too perfect to not at least give a short review. Hopefully you don't mind some repetition. Thank you for redeeming my favorite girl in the LBT franchise. You really get the sense of what she's gone through trying to deal with Rhett being in the herd, putting up with him out of necessity but certainly not enjoying it. I appreciate that you incorporated her standing up to Rhett when he was insulting her friends. Ali can often be shy and eager to please but underneath that, as we saw in the fourth film, she's not afraid to stand up for her friends or risk everything to help those in need. Aside from how this fanfic brings back the pink/lavender longneck we all know and love, Littlefoot and I have the same opinion of Rhett. That blood sucking insect line perfectly describes what I thought upon seeing him in the episode. The reunion between Littlefoot and Ali is a vast improvement over what we saw on screen. The subtle intimacy seen here in Littlefoot's descriptions of Ali, their mutual feelings of elation, and slight physical affection elevated a scene that felt very rushed in the TV series.
This chapter demonstrates your talent for characterization and I can't wait to see more."
Thanks my friend. I cannot argue with any of the points that you bring up and I'm glad that my characterization worked! Thanks for the discussions we had for they are both inspiration and motivation for me to keep working, to keep writing. Same goes for your in-depth reviews even though I am usually hearing them before even uploading things lately. You're welcome too! :)
The Rhombus chapter 1 . Feb 24
"I dare to say that Littlefoot might not be especially effective at hiding his affections for a certain female longneck. :p This prologue does present many possibilities for how things can develop in the future with both the physical growth of all the participants and the arrival of Rhett and Ali creating the framework for possible romance and conflict. No matter how this develops, however, I look forward to keeping up with this story. :)"
Thanks Rhombus, yes Rhett will be one of the three main characters here and the looming triangle should be obvious :P
OwlsCantRead chapter 1 . Mar 2
"Hey, it's everyone favorite Rhett! :p
The idea is, well, an Ali return isn't all that new, but I suppose having Rhett be a literal obstacle is a bit different. It's probably going to be a rollercoaster of emotions and conflict from here on out. :p"
Oh, you can say that twice ;) Thanks Owl!