Well, here's the thing... the next 4 chapters are longer than the 3 (+ prologue) posted yet. I was hoping to somehow meet the deadline for the fanfiction prompt challenge but it quickly became clear that I wouldn't due to various reasons. But worry not, this story will be finished regardless of how far I fall behind the deadlines. Too much work has gone into it plus it's a joy to write about Rhett xD

That being said, I won't spam 30k worth of content at the same time like I did with chpt 1 &2. I intent to pick up working on this story once my summer break starts (in about a month) and catch up posting the chapters until then. Now, without further ado, here you go!

Chapter 4: More Trouble with Rhett

To say Rhett was furious would be a huge understatement. His legs were trembling with utter rage, his dinner had long since escaped his belly and it had taken a tremendous amount of strength and willpower not to interrupt and beat him to a piece of meat.

"That retarded asshole… he won't get away with this!"

As much as he wanted to headbutt some sense into the boy who was now engaging with the girl he desired with all of his body and senses, that just wouldn't be honorable. Rhett couldn't care less if this was just a normal brawl between males but since it was about a female, honor was important. He'd learned all about the traditions and he was thinking about challenging Littlefoot into a traditional fight in which the winners gets to take the female. It was quite common in many places and part of the reason why he'd always tried his best at being tough and strong so that one day he could choose who to mate with. Not that he was old enough to do so just yet but females were better earned early and his opponent, Littlefoot, seemed like an opponent he didn't need to worry about. Heck, would he even be aware of the existence of such a tradition? Based on how he'd perceived the Valley on his two visits so far, it was a place full of wimps who valued peace and harmony above everything else and Littlefoot was perhaps the most disgusting example.

"He absolutely mustn't rub off these idiotic traits on Ali or that girl will be spoiled for the rest of her life!"

Fuming, he watched the two lovebirds leave the outlook at last. His wrath was no longer directed at Littlefoot alone but partly at Ali as well for she was stupid enough to fall for an idiot like him. Ali had deceived him cruelly but it wasn't too late to change her. Luck was now on his side after all.

"Those fools, they made a wish in company of each other…" A cold laugh escaped his mouth, just quiet enough to go unnoticed. "That boy is so retarded, did he not know that one does not only have to keep their wish a secret but also BE by oneself when casting the wish? That's just causing bad luck instead and I just know what they wished for…" An evil grin appeared on Rhett's face all of a sudden. "Idiots, you're not the only ones who've seen that light. I made a wish too and it'll be superior to your lovey-dovey bullshit!"

Having that in mind gave the boy new energy and spirit after losing his dinner due to the disgust and anger he'd felt. Now, it was time to spoil their happy evening and get some enjoyment out of this at last. Besides, he still had a few things to say to Littlefoot… Without hesitation, Rhett stepped out into the open, no longer caring whether Ali was part of his scheme anymore for how spoiled she was…

"Hold it right there!"

Littlefoot jerked out of his happy trance when a harsh voice broke the silence of the night. He immediately recognized the voice that spoke up but Ali was quicker to speak up.

"I can't believe it!" she yelled at no one in particular while turning around to face the newcomer to the scene who was obviously the recipient of her outburst though. "I thought I'd tricked you!"

Rhett jogged up to the pair to confront them, wearing something between a smug grin and an angry frown.

"Fools, it was a child's play to find you again after ditching me…" Rhett began strutting around the two as their angry glares were repelling from him. "I must say, you're more gutsy than you let on earlier, Littlefoot. Didn't we have… a deal?"

"You're the fool here if you think he was taking you serious!" Ali yelled angrily. "Bugger off and leave us alone!"

"Well, I'm afraid I can do as I please," the boy cackled. "But, go ahead, make me leave if you can… or maybe your loser," Rhett cleared his throat audibly. "I mean your lover might be able to chase me away?"

"Spit it out, Rhett, what do you want?" Littlefoot deadpanned. "If it's the same thing you asked of me earlier then don't get your hopes too high…"

Rhett's expression froze the cackle in his voice disappearing, making way for a fiercer undertone.

"Listen, flathead, I suggest that you renounce that enhanced "friendship" you two just formed… for your own good as well as Ali's."

"You SAW everything?!" Ali suddenly screamed in outrage.

"Don't get the wrong idea, it was so disgusting to witness that I puked several times, in fact," Rhett said, downplaying the issue but he'd made the girl very furious.

"If I catch you again following any of us around, you'll be in big trouble, Rhett, that's a promise!"

"I don't give a damn, okay?" Rhett retorted fiercely. "You'd better watch what you say stupid girl. If I catch YOU with this dimwit again, I promise you, BOTH of you, that you'll be very very sorry… Listen to my words!"

Littlefoot and Ali exchanged worried glances and it needed no words to communicate what they were feeling. Littlefoot's reply came promptly.

"I decline your ridiculous demand, Rhett. Ali has already chosen who she likes… and who she doesn't…" Ali stood beside him with a firm stare.

"That's right! Both of us have chosen and you're not part of our choice, Rhett!"

"Sorry, nothing you can do," Littlefoot reinforced their statement. "Deal with it and stop whining like a little child. It's embarrassing, you know?"

The beige-coloured longneck twitched.

"Listen, I have chosen YOU long ago, Ali, and I don't give a crap whether either of you like it or not," Rhett hissed angrily while stepping dangerously close to the pair, frowning at Littlefoot. "About you, you better watch your mouth or you might find it bloody and stuffed with itchy grass when I'm done with you. Remember this you pathetic fool; the males choose the females… accept it or fight for her… not that you'd stand a chance against awesome me…"

Now it was Ali's turn to twitch.

"I knew you were an inconceivable idiot, Rhett, but actually you're irredeemably stupid and beyond help! Let's go, Littlefoot!"

"Yeah…" Littlefoot agreed, shooting a glare at the beige-coloured longneck. "We're wasting our time here, let's go home." The two longnecks made an attempt to turn around and leave but Rhett wouldn't allow them to leave, not before he'd achieve a mental victory over them. Angrily, he entered a sprint and, like a spear, thrust his muscular body between the two friends, knocking Ali down in the process.

"Are you crazy?!" Littlefoot yelled in an outrage but before he knew it Rhett had pushed him from his feet.

"What if I am?" Rhett chuckled. Littlefoot tried to break free but Rhett had him tackled firmly to the ground. "Okay, dumbass. I thought I'd made it very clear what I'm going to do if you continue to cross my plans but let me phrase it again…"

"How dare you, Rhett!" Ali yelled while getting back to her feet unscathed. Rhett ignored her completely.

"Make up your mind until tomorrow, flathead. If I see you with Ali one more time, you'll have to bear the consequences of your stupidity!" Rhett spit on the ground next to Littlefoot before he turned his attention to the girl. "I'll have my way, Ali. I promise you," he hissed quietly before he got up, releasing Littlefoot, and disappeared into the dark of the night.

Ali was trembling with rage.

"You insufferable asshole!" she cried into the dark forest but Rhett had already disappeared. Needless to say, the pink-coloured girl was steaming like a hot spring at boiling temperature.

"Calm down, he's not worth it…" Littlefoot spoke quietly as he struggled back to his feet, stretching his muscles after being forced into such an uncomfortable position for so long. Immediately, he walked up to her, standing by her side, unharmed.

"I know but… URGH!" Ali stomped her foot before some tears began running down her cheeks. "H-he ruined E-EVERYTHING!" What could have been the best day of her life had turned into frustration and fear. Ali could tell that Rhett was dead serious about this and, therefore, their relationship was already in danger before it could begin to blossom.

"Don't worry..." Littlefoot spoke in a quiet, slightly concerned and tired but soothing voice, touching the girl's tail in a comforting manner. "He won't get what he wants; I simply refuse to let him do as he pleases. Ali, I love you and I'll do everything I can to make sure that we can be together like this. But let's go home now, we'll figure something out later…"

Ali snuggled up to him for a moment until her sobs died down.

"T-thanks, Littlefoot," she said quietly. "Let's go."

Ali's mother was already sleeping when the two longnecks arrived back at Ali's temporary residence in the Valley.

"I'll come to get you tomorrow after the Bright Circle rises," Littlefoot spoke as the two looked each other in the eye, though none of them was wearing a happy expression.

"Okay, "Ali merely replied, looking down a little until she felt Littlefoot's cheek meet her own.

"Don't worry, we're stronger than him," Littlefoot hummed.

"Yeah, there are two of us after all." Slowly, a weak smile crept up her face.

"Goodnight, Ali," Littlefoot whispered, rubbing her cheek intimately.

"Sleep well," Ali yawned with a smile before they separated.

Neither of them had been able to sleep well that night but when the first rays of the Bright Circle peeked above the mountains to the east, they knew that they couldn't rest, not when Rhett was trying to tear them apart.

While Littlefoot's biggest concern was a potential brawl between Rhett and him – a situation he was utterly inexperienced in safe for the numerous arguments with Cera that ended in a physical fight, Ali was spending the first moments of the day attempting to figure out a way to distract Rhett and sneak away from the nest.

"Obviously, I can't distract him myself so I'll have to bribe someone to give him a task…" As the girl puzzled about the matter, she gobbled down some treestars from the lower branches of a tree she could just barely reach. Her initial thought seemed quite inviting, however there was one big issue.

"Not only do I have to make sure Rhett doesn't catch wind of this, but also he'd better not realize it was me…" Rhett was already beyond aggressive and a little spark like that might light up all his anger at once. Whoever she bribed (that was another issue, right?) had to act thorough and unsuspicious lest the boy catches who really gave him a job to do. And who might have the qualities to perform such an act? Unfortunately, she didn't know many longnecks in her herd which gave her rather few options.

"If I picked my mum, I'm sure she'd help me out but Rhett would see through this in no time…"

Suddenly, thundering footsteps shook the ground and then the tree she was eating from shook violently as another grown-up took a big mouthful of leaves. It was her mother, apparently awake now.

"Good morning, Ali," the female spoke casually as she enjoyed the rare opportunity to taste lush and green treestars.

"Good morning," Ali said neutrally, not looking up and attempting to pick up her thought again.

"Something the matter dear? You look troubled." The grown-up bent down her neck. "You didn't have a fight with Littlefoot last night?"

"No, no, we had a great time but… you see…" Just then, it occurred to the girl to ask for advice. "Rhett has been following me around all day despite how we tricked him during that game of Hide and Seek. It makes me feel uncomfortable and… I need to make sure he's not following me around again today. Do you have any idea how we could distract him?"

"Following you around?" her mother wondered curiously. "You're not saying he's stalking you now, are you?"

"Hmm, I guess you could say that, yes. He also followed us last night and caused us quite some grief with his nonsense! See, he's trying to separate me from Littlefoot because he wants me all for himself… or something like that."

"Tsk, that boy really doesn't have any manners, does he?" The grown-up shook her head with a sigh. "I'm beginning to understand why he's causing you so much grief."

"Yeah, he's such an idiot!" Ali complained, slamming her tail onto the ground to underline her point. "So… what do we do?"

"Well, Old One gave me and a few others a task; I could simply take him with me, pretending he's been ordered to. I shouldn't be done before noon so I'd be helping you there, right?"

"That'd be great but… mum, he mustn't realize that I'm all behind it. He's in a terrible mood and he's even been threatening Littlefoot last night…"

"Don't worry, I can be very strict and authentic." Ali's mother gave her daughter a wink before she turned serious again. "By all means though, please report to me if he's following you around again. I won't say anything when I take him on this scouting mission Old One gave me but I'll notify Old One if he does it again."

"Yeah, she's the only one he might listen to…" Ali sighed. "Well, thank you for helping me out."

"You're welcome, I know the time with your friends is very important for you so it's the least I can do." The grown-up smiled when Ali gave her a quick nuzzle. "So, I take it you're going out playing with your friends again?"

"Yes, Littlefoot should be here soon to pick me up, I think he said that we're going to do some exploring around the Valley today," the girl answered.

"Ah, that's great," the adult replied as she finished her breakfast. "Have fun, I'll go get that rascal now and do my tasks. Don't be back too late."

"Sure, see you later!" Ali called before she resumed her own breakfast. Things had gone much better than she could have thought and now she could only pray that her scheme would work and that Rhett wouldn't realize where they'd gone…

A little earlier, Littlefoot had been caught by his grandfather as well as he rummaged deep in his mind for a solution against Rhett's threat. He hadn't really found anything yet so he decided to put his faith into his wise grandparent.

"Quite unusual to see you all thoughtful in the morning, Littlefoot," the old male mused as his neck descended onto Littlefoot's head level. "Is something the matter?"

"Hmm, you could say that," Littlefoot mumbled as he interrupted his fruitless efforts.

"You didn't have a fight with your friends, did you? Or…" a mirthful look appeared on his face. "Does it have to do with a certain girl longneck?"

Littlefoot rolled his eyes. Obviously, he couldn't tell his grandfather that he was much closer to Ali now, he'd break the promise he'd made with the girl. And yet… in a way, it really did have to do with Ali…

"Not exactly…" he responded thoughtfully. "But… Grandpa, there is something that's bothering me or… maybe I should say… someone."

"Oh? How can I help you, Littlefoot? What happened?"

And so, the boy explained the situation that had unfolded the previous night without letting on that he was actually in a relationship with Ali.

"So, you see, Rhett thinks I'm an opponent for him but we just wanna have fun while we can… and he's spoiling that…"

"Ah, that's understandable, Littlefoot," his grandfather spoke calmly. "I suppose words were not enough to dissuade him then?"

Littlefoot gave a frustrated nod. "You know, I believe he wants to start a fight with me. He's been saying stuff like "the males pick the females" and when I asked Ali what he meant she said that some longnecks apparently consider it tradition to fight over the females… Is that true, grandpa? I… don't like the sound of it…"

The expression of the old longneck darkened.

"That's right, some longnecks live by this principle though none of us ever thought high of it," he explained with a sigh. "If that Rhett guy challenges you, please don't accept it no matter what he says. Stay close to your friends, you outnumber him too greatly when you're together. I think that's really all I can do. He's a member of Ali's herd so it will be up to her to get the higher-ups in her herd to stop him."

"Don't worry, I don't want to get involved with an idiot like him…" Littlefoot grunted.

"That's good, now I suggest you have yourself some breakfast. You need a lot of energy to grow and have fun, right?" His grandfather's eyes twinkled.

"Right!" Littlefoot chuckled. "Thanks, Grandpa!"

A little later, he was heading towards Ali's nest.

"Come to think of it, he wasn't much of a help," the boy concluded as he allowed the conversation to penetrate his mind once again. "But I guess it is indeed Ali who can set things into motion here… I'll need to talk to her about it…" With that in mind, Littlefoot increased his speed and hurried to the little forest were she now lived.

Ali's mood brightened up when she saw Littlefoot jog towards her. Quickly, she scanned the area to see that nobody was nearby.

"Hiiiiiiii," she chirped when he arrived, exchanging a quick nuzzle before someone could catch them doing it.

"Hi Ali," Littlefoot greeted her with a smile, returning the slightly impetuous greeting. "How's the situation?"

"Rhett has been taken care of… for now… I hope…" the girl responded a little uncertainly. "My mother agreed to take him with her while she's doing stuff for Old One so we should be able to ditch him today."

"Great thinking!" the boy commended. "I was talking to my grandpa before I came here and he too said that we need to find a way to keep him away from us. Though it'd have to be you since he's a member of your herd…"

"Yeah, if things aren't getting better, I'll have to report him to Old One though I cannot tell if she'll do anything. She isn't judging fairly you must know. Get on her good side and she'll be kind, get on her bad side and she'll be relentless. I'm not sure what side Rhett is on but I think she's still angry at me for going to the Land of Mists back then…"

"I see…" Littlefoot said thoughtfully. "Well, it'll be worth a try I suppose. Let's get going now though so the others don't have to wait for us this time."

"Oh sure, let's go!"

The two young longnecks began heading towards the Secret Caverns though their conversation wasn't over yet.

"Say, what will you do if Rhett really challenges you to a fight?" Ali wondered. "Will you fight him or will you decline?"

"Ali, if only I knew… I-I don't know what to do…" the boy responded with a heavy sigh. "He's made me really mad and part of me wants to kick his butt for the things he did and said but…"

"Yeah… he's strong. No offense, Littlefoot, but… see, if you were to fight, he'd probably win…"

"I'm well aware of that," Littlefoot sighed. "That's why I don't want to accept. But if there's no other way to silence him… I wonder if there are any tricks I could use… I didn't dare ask my grandpa after I realized that he wouldn't be happy…"

"Understandable, I wouldn't know how to fight myself either… Fighting is bad…"

"Yeah…" Littlefoot sighed. "But if he ever harms you, I'll kick his ass for that and if I need help from my friends, I promise you that I will…"

"I'm pretty sure all of them would help us immediately," Ali said with an encouraging smile. "Don't worry, it'll all be fine. We'll win."

Littlefoot suddenly had a deja-vu, hadn't he pretty much said the same things to Ali last night?

"Right, let's not be worrywarts. Let's have some fun instead!"

"Indeed, I'm curious what places you're going to show me today," Ali said with a smile.

"Believe me, there are more interesting things to see than we can show you but there's this cave with lots of cool stuff in it. You'll love it!"

And so, they walked the remaining distance until they arrived at the Secret Caverns. Of course they were the last to arrive again.

"What's taken you two so long?" was the first greeting they got when the Secret Caverns came into view and of course it had been Cera, impatient and slightly rude as always who'd been the one to say it. After her initial greeting, her tone changed immediately though. "Well, whatever. Suppose you two've been up all night on a date or something like that?"

"Crap, is she bluffing or did she see us?" Littlefoot panicked though he quickly settled on the bluff.

"I have no idea what you're talking about, Cera," he quickly laughed the accusation away. "I always seem to forget how much food I need for breakfast though. At this rate I'll one day need to eat as much as Spike!" he lied although part of it wasn't too far from reality.

"I can relate, I'm still hungry," Chomper said in a goofy voice. "Where's Rhett when you need him, I could have a little snack right now…" Immediately, Ruby stepped in front of him with her index finger pointed at the little sharptooth which silenced him immediately.

"Oh whatever," Cera grunted. "You managed to give him the slip this morning, Ali?"

For a moment, Ali felt inclined to tell the threehorn about the nightly encounter with the idiotic boy but quickly thought better of it.

"Mmhhmm, I made sure that he has errands to take care of this morning," the female longneck replied with a nod.

"Excellent," Cera stated.

"No Rhett all day and your worries go away, yep yep yep," Ducky chirped which sent a few laughters through their ranks.

"Alright guys." Littlefoot finally took the initiative to get things started for the day. "Is everyone ready to do some exploring? I was thinking that we could try to find some Sky Color Stones today."

"Oh yes yes yes!" Ducky exclaimed in excitement. "I still need to recover those stones I losted-ed a Cold Time ago, yes I do!"

"This time you know where to find them, right Littlefoot?" Cera teased though she froze when Ruby spoke up.

"As far as I remember, I remember that you didn't find a single stone, not a single stone you found."

"W-well, neither did you!" Cera shot back nervously. "I'll show you this time for sure!"

"Well, that gonna be entertaining for sure," Petrie deadpanned before slipping a chuckle.

"Aww, hopefully I'll actually see one this time," Chomper lamented.

"You will, this time you're following me and not look for snapping shells with Littlefoot," Cera said with a smug grin. Everyone seemed hyped to go on this particular search but Ali and Spike. Considering the Spiketail had gotten stuck and was then left behind by Ruby, Cera and even Ducky, that was only understandable. Ducky noticed the Spiketail pouting and poked him in the side.

"Spiky, do not worry, we will not leave you behind this time, I promise, I promise," the swimmer said though it didn't fully convince him. Instead, he mumbled something unintelligible. "Oh, that is right, some of us will not fit but we have gotten bigger and stronger so we can just make the hole bigger too, yep yep yep!"

"Uhm, guys?" Ali finally found the courage to speak up. "Sorry for not knowing but what are those Sky Color Stones you are talking about? See… I don't think I've ever seen one…"

"Oh perfect, it'd be boring if you'd already seen them anyway," Cera said with an encouraging smile.

"What are they though?" the longneck inquired with reserved curiosity.

"You know what Sky Colors are, right?" the threehorn deadpanned.

"Of course I do!" Ali immediately shot back. "They're beautiful, appearing after the rain stops and the Bright Circle returns to the sky!"

"Eeyup, and we've discovered stones that have these colours on the inside!"

"All you need to do is to break them to see that they are Sky Color Stones, break them is what you need to do," Ruby explained matter-of-factly.

"Oh okay, are they pretty too?" Ali wondered.

"Oh yes yes yes, they are, they are!" Ducky exclaimed dreamily. "Very pretty."

"So pretty that you wouldn't let us have any last time…" Cera grunted.

"Uhm, about that…" Ducky began hiding behind Spike in shame.

"Well, let's get going, shall we?" Littlefoot announced. "Cera, would you lead the way since you were the one to find them last time?"

"Sure." A smug grin appeared on her face. "Child's play, I'll find them in no time. Follow me!"

And so the seven friends and Ali set into motion, following the threehorn who led them through the Great Valley… without Rhett in tow this time.

You're probably thinking why the heck I'm referencing a tv-series episode of all blasted things. Well, can't blame ya xD

The thing is, for the plot to work I need these guys in a cave... and this is the only episode with a cave in it that's half decent ^^ You'll understand after reading the next chapter, yep yep yep :)

So, Rhett has been taken care of and the group of friends are setting out on an adventure within the borders of the Great Valley. What could possibly go wrong? Find out in the next chapter! :D

Hope you liked this one, please do share your thoughts!

PS: I've got 4 chapters of this story done, including this one. I'll try to post one roughly once a week but don't take my word, my moods are swaying in the wind like treestars...

hadiginga chapter 4 . Apr 16

"is rhett planing on hurt littlefoot"

hadiginga chapter 4 .Apr 17

"Wen will be a new chapter I want more"

Thank you for your interest in my story :) Unfortunately, it takes a lot of time and effort to make such a great tale happen so please excuse my slow updates. That being said, I hope you will keep up with my updates since that'll answer your question eventually (in about 2 chapters ^^)

The Rhombus chapter 4 . Apr 18

"This chapter quite nicely built upon the developments of the previous installment and showed us the continuing turmoil in Ali's mind as she worked up the courage to speak honestly to Littlefoot about her feelings. From her nervousness, Littlefoot's obliviousness (for a time), and the shooting stars themselves setting the mood, I think that you captured the admission of their love to one another quite effectively. :yes

Now if only a certain member of the gang could deal with Rhett... (Come on, Chomper! None of us will tell the adults if you end up eating him.) In this chapter we see a bit more of his selfishness and creepy stalker-ness as he studies the gang and looks down on them with condescension. I suspect (only partially based upon the prompt :p) that things will be coming to a head soon.

This was a nice chapter as usual. I look forward to seeing how Rhett tries to screw this up in the chapter to come. :p"

Thank you very much for the review rhombus :)

I can confirm that Rhett will be screwing a lot of things up in the chapters to come :DD

Guest chapter 4 .Apr 17

"This is the most adorable scene I've ever read on this site. I enjoy your clever use of references, such as their date being on the cliff where he first saw her herd, and the romantic atmosphere on display here is perfect. This really shows the depth of understanding you have for both characters and the result is incredibly relatable. Both of them are a bit akward since it's their first date, exemplified by the line "you look good...in a beautiful way", but the awkwardness never overshadows the chemistry of our longneck couple. It was refreshing to see a romantic scene progress naturally as they became more comfortable with the situation and opened up to one another. All too often I see authors rushing through relationship milestones as quickly as they can, but you wisely chose to take things slowly and focus on character development. In that vein I like how you used all of Ali's established character traits in unique ways. Showing her kindness, shyness, and lighthearted teasing towards Littlefoot when he finally realized his feelings for her. Even with all the praise I've given in this review it still seems inadequate in comparison to the scene you've created. I've wanted to see my two favorite characters in the franchise get together ever since I first saw Journey Through the Mists as a kid and this doesn't disappoint after over a decade of waiting. I have no idea how you're going to top yourself when they meet in SDP, but thank you for everything you've done for the characters of Littlefoot and Ali. After so long they've finally recieved the sweet romantic scene they deserve and I couldn't ask for anything better."

I know we've talked about this in detail when I wrote this. All I can do now is to thank you once more for your praise and your help with proofreading and decision-making for this story. Believe me, it was such a blast to write this :)

Feverfew chapter 4 .Apr 29

"I'm super excited for this story like you don't understand I've been wanting something like this forever thank you so much man! You have these characters down pat!"

Aww thanks! I hope you'll continue to follow the story despite the slow progress, I've definitely got some cool stuff planned! :)