Showers of Emotion

The cloud cover had formed so quickly; the Great Valley dinosaurs expecting what they had hoped for since the week began, not long into the early season of the changing Tree Stars. Even Mr. Threehorn seems to be expecting what they call Sky Water, easing his original thoughts of their green food drying up when he looks into the sky. Kodi though, is rubbing heads with Cera and their two children, knowing the Sky Flakes mean Sky Water is on the way, and a certain flower that only blooms after rainfall. This flower eases the digestive tract so tougher green food can be digested more easily. Threehorns are known to eat tough food as their beaks and strong jaws are built for this, so the new youngsters are always given these particular plants to strengthen their jaw muscles.

Ducky and her kind do not mind if the Sky Water falls or not, seeing as they live by the watering hole. But they sure do want it to rain at some point, as moist green food is needed for the growth of their young. A particular water side plant for example tastes much more juicy after a rainfall, and its leaves swell up with a certain liquid that is good for the immune system. The new ones of course will need this, in case they are attacked by biters in the deeper waters when they are older and stronger to swim there. All Duckbills are known to do this for their young, as it was the first stage of their growth when they were young.

Petrie's mate had made their nest in the cover of large leaves inside a regular sized nook, the shade keeping them cool. These leaves are naturally built to withstand stronger downpours, which they too are expecting to fall any time soon. They have been longing for the typical berries that grow best after a rainfall, that will help their young to grow stronger flying muscles for their first flying lesson upon reaching the age of branching. The place she chose hosts small perennial plants and trees that are perfect for this tradition. Every Flyer must teach their young how to fly, as it is the part and parcel of everyday life upon passing this stage.

Sensing Sky Water is going to fall, Littlefoot and Ali are waiting in the shade of a tall tree with their children on Ali's back. Being the tallest dinosaurs in the valley, Longnecks can feel the moist air lingering under the clouds and are known to inform others of danger and hazards first and foremost because of their size. They are resting at the nest for this rainfall to moisten certain Tree Stars that their young need to grow strong, as Littlefoot remembers when his mother had given one to him. Ali understands that this is what her mate wants for their kids, and agrees with his wishes without any hassle. This is what her mother had done for her when she was just a hatchling, and knows which trees host these type of leaves the best due to her life of migration after their valley became inhospitable for her kind.

Spike is also awaiting the rain as he is in search of ferns that are easier to chew after rainfall, especially for his only child. They can be mashed into a more pulp-like mess that way, and help to build muscle strength mainly in their legs and tail. Spiketails have a history of Wandering, so they are always migrating in search of other places where green food can be found. Now that Spike is a member of a herd, he must abide by his leader's intentions. This means that when the time comes, he will be leaving the valley and his friends upon the arrival of the Cold Times.


The first few drops of rain started to dance among the leaves and puddles of the Great Valley; splashing on the ground and backs of the dinosaurs, giving them hope that the land will start flourishing once more. Grandpa though, was nowhere in sight. Even Bron seemed to have disappeared, perhaps in search of his father or so Littlefoot had thought. But they have been gone for a while now, ever since the cloud cover had begun to form. Littlefoot started to worry, getting closer to his decision of searching for them though he has no clue where either of them had headed to. He stands himself up and goes to head off, but Ali says otherwise.

"Littlefoot. Why not wait until they come back?"

"I'm worried about them."

"But. You don't know where they've gone." Littlefoot sighs in acceptance upon Ali's reply.

"I guess you're right." He lays back down beside her, licking her cheek a few times and rubbing his head with hers before they both close their eyes to rest. The sound of the rain seems to ease all their regrets and relax the children as the air starts to cool around them.


Grandpa is standing like a statue, letting the rain massage his aching back as he stares at the bed of flowers under the trees before his feet. Who knows how long he has been stood here; eyes closing as tears form in his eyes, caressing the ground before him where they fell? This place is very special to him, as he reaches into the tree and pulls a large red Tree Star free from its grasp. Respectfully he lets it drop from his jaws, watching how it flutters down to the earth as more tears fall to rest. This is where Littlefoot's grandma had passed away during the Hot Times, the flowers now growing in place of her body ready and blooming for the Time of the Changing Tree Stars. This leaf has been the second Grandpa sadly let fall, there on the bed where Grandma now lay. The rain gracefully continues giving Grandpa a memory of his mate's final day, here in this place under the same manner of Sky Water.

...

Grandma lay weak and fragile, down on the ground under a maple tree where large Tree Stars are growing. There are two of these large trees here, grown in such a way that an arch had formed, keeping her dry from the rainwater. Behind them the sound of falling water could be heard, and the sight of a beautiful small lake just able to be made out. Grandpa's footsteps could be heard not far away, but Grandma could not even get up. She instead opens her eyes and raises her head as high as she thought possible, that was all she could manage.

"How are you feeling love?" Grandpa asked gently, nuzzling his mate on her nose when he arrives.

"Tired." Grandma's reply sounded soft and raspy, as if she was losing her breath. Grandpa pulls off a large Tree Star, letting it fill up with rain so his wife can drink. "Are Littlefoot and Ali, okay?" The Tree Star is rested beside Grandma, and she laps up what little water there is, welcoming the coolness down her throat. Despite being in the shade, the heat was still immense. Grandpa could feel it under the shade, drying him off much to his digression.

"Yes dearest. Though Ali has recently become heavy. Pretty soon, she'll be laying her eggs. You'll see."

"I may not last another, day in this, godforsaken heat."

"I'm sure you'll pull through."

"But dear. I fell, because of it."

"I know this year's Hot Time is the highest we've had on record so far, but the Great Circle is going down now." He pauses when Grandma rests her head down again. "You'll be up again in no time."

"This time, I'm afraid I, can't." There is a trickle of a tear from her eye as she closes them both.

"But, my love." Grandpa started to cry, not wanting to accept that his mate's last time alive could happen overnight. "You are the strongest, Longneck I know."

"Not anymore, Bron and Littlefoot are now. They are our family. They have our blood." She pauses as the sky darkens. "Please. Stay by my side. I must rest."

"I shall stay and rest here with you. Please, don't worry." Grandma closes her eyes, listening as the Sky Water sings her memorable elegy. Grandpa watches as it falls, closing his eyes under the weight he knew they had to carry.

Grandpa woke after only a short rest for he could not sleep. Nudging his mate she felt cold to the touch, and he knew she had only just passed away; his tears falling from his eyes. Grandpa does the only thing he can, call over some other Longnecks and his son, so her body can be gently covered with plants. The night stays cold and wet, while Grandma's Time of Great Passing can be fulfilled. Knowing Littlefoot and Ali were resting together, he did not want to disturb them or give the news that Grandma had died.

...

"Papa Longneck!" A familiar voice called as Grandpa turned to look at his son Bron. "Please, come back to the nest. You'll catch your death out here." Grandpa knew Bron was right in saying that. Nights will be much cooler soon, now that the Hot Times have gone away for another year. The Sky Water continued, as Bron viewed his mother's grave once more. "Thank you mother, for caring for my son at his time of need." He turns to his father. "And thank you father, for choosing the best mother I have ever known."

"Bless you Bron, for these kind words of yours." Bron walks his father back to the nest. He seemed to know his father had gone to his mother's resting place, and had already planned for his son to visit the same grave later in the day.


Spike too had been distracted ever since the rain began. His mate knew this all too well by studying his body language; remembering how the scars around his neck came to be, and why his voice may never return. His scars have been there since last year, after he only just met her in the herd he is now a part of. She heads to him and tries to coax him back under the tree where it is dry.

"Spike dear!" Spike looks to her, though it did not change his mood. "Why not come back and join us? It's dry under here!" The little one is resting on the back of his mate, more or less asleep. Spike bows his head before walking back; upon reaching the shelter he simply turns and faces the rain as he lays down, the memory of his near death fresh in his mind. It was a day like the day is now, only more dire out in an unknown region of the Mysterious Beyond. He had travelled far in search of both a herd and a mate, hoping he would be accepted where he could live a normal life.

...

The land here feels cold to the feet of the Spiketail. Seeing as it is early morning, light is very sparing. He has travelled for miles the past few weeks from his home region of the Great Valley, trying to remember what his parents had shown him on their travels through the Mysterious Beyond. He had eventually accepted they were his parents and had decided to go with them after a while, ready to learn what it means to be a member of a herd and a family. But that was years ago.

His wish is soon granted when he senses a herd nearby and the scent of its females in heat. Being of mature age now, he was ready to mate knowing deep down the custom of a Spiketail bull.

"Down there?" Spike replied to an imaginary voice it seemed, the only friend he has had since being out here. "But that way is Sharptooth territory, as mean as they come." Knowing that danger could be imminent Spike continues to walk down in search of the herd keeping a close eye on his surroundings, but all the time he journeyed through there was no sign of either Sharpteeth or Spiketail's in the area. Am I going the wrong way? Spike suddenly thought when all he heard was ambient noise from the many small creatures that live out here, though the herd's scents were still quite pungent.

Spike has heard this silence for a short while now, ever since he entered the ravine; the serene river that cut through the land, and the path he then found that seemed to incline at a steady ascent. Rapidly the air here seems to change, the scent of danger nearby and a sudden storm beginning to brew. Knowing it is unwise to travel out in bad weather, his instinct to keep moving until he finds shelter started to act up. But a loud cry from one of his kind had suddenly been heard over the thunderclap, telling him to rapidly charge in hope he could help out. The scene he comes across is two Spiketail's locked in battle with a large thickly necked Sharptooth, pinning them both down simultaneously. One of them is female, lying on her side with the carnivore's foot pressing down on her neck. The other much older Spiketail has been gripped round its neck; despite the amount of movement being forced against the meat eater it would not let go with its jaw hold. Spike though had seen enough, and instantly charged to the rescue when the rain started.

"Leave them alone Rock-headed brute!" He bellowed before throwing his weight into the side of the beast and into the pressure point of its neck, forcing it to let go of its hold and step off the female. It had heard the insult and was not at all pleased, but never thought it would be attacked side on. After dispatching its prey or so it had intended before the attack, it would have brutally wounded and killed him for later. Now that its original plan had been foiled, it had no choice but to deal with this new challenge.

"Stranger!" The older Spiketail complied a little surprised, as the female is helped up.

"Go! Catch up to your herd! I will handle him!" Spike ordered, swiping the meat eater across his head with his tail, dazzling him to give the two Spiketail's time to escape.

"Go Zaria!" He looks to the female and ushers her back to the cover of the herd.

"But, father!"

"There is no time! Get back to the herd and ask for help!"

"Yes, father!" Zaria hurries along to the herd, hoping anyone would agree to help out a stranger, though she doubted this too much. Her father stays behind to try and battle the threat again, despite the bad limp from his right hind leg. Spike knew he would not be left to fight alone, even though he considered the father should keep away.

"I said to go!" Spike shouted as he dodged a bite attack from the threat.

"And leave you fighting! That is not in my custom!" He swipes at the torso of the carnivore intent on a laceration, but the meat eater back-steps to avoid the attack.

Custom? Spike thought as he aimed his tail spikes towards the Sharptooth's chest. Is he the herd leader? The carnivore back-steps again, before using his own tail swipe to try and catch them both off guard. The attack is quickly ducked, and he replies with an angry roar. It is then that the downpour falls, increasing the hazard of a slip-up on the dangerous ascent, and the older Spiketail suddenly tripping on the ground water flow due to his damaged leg. With the chance the Sharptooth had been waiting for like last time, he hurriedly goes back to his previous intent; ramming Spike against the mountainside he goes for the killing bite on the already injured prey. Knowing this may be his last moment, the leader accepts the way of life and closes his eyes.

"NO!" Spike growls; unable to see things clearly due to his rage, he blindly charges into the jaws of the Sharptooth against the older Spiketail's discretion. His cry could be heard by all on the pass when the carnivore's jaws tear deeply into his neck and throat, piercing his jugular and crushing his larynx. He is thrown down then pinned by the large foot on his ribs; clawed above his shoulder and on his side before three other Spiketails appear just in time with Zaria to send the monster on his way. With fresh bleeding wounds on his side, leg and torso, the Sharptooth flees from the scene knowing he will be sliced up more by their tail spikes if he stays any longer. The taste of Spike lingering on his tongue, he can only dream of dispatching him another time. Spike however, had been choking and coughing; spluttering out blood in one last attempt to clear his windpipe. But there is no sound coming from him except the rush of air, and the almost silent flow of blood that oozes from his wounds.

"Quick! We need something to clog the blood, or else we will lose him!" The leader ordered. "Hold on stranger! Please..." The leader's voice fades away as everything becomes a salty blur. Spike's last sighting was that of the female staring in horror and sorrow at his damaged body, the one he remembers from years ago, but before he could say her name he blacks out losing all sense of his surroundings.

...

Zaria knows she needs to comfort Spike, and carefully lays down beside him. Emotionally hurt by what Spike had been through, she rubs her head with his in a loving way; a lick here and there trying to help him forget. Through his tears and head rubbing, Zaria knew her love had worked towards a new memory and watches Spike close his eyes to rest, a slight smile forming on his face. She notices Bron walking with another Longneck close by, understanding clearly that these two are the father and grandfather of Spike's best friend Littlefoot, but closing her eyes she had wondered. Where have they been?