Two days had passed. The news of the epic battle between the Valley's protectors and the raptors spread like wild fire. The only remaining survivors of the Red Phoenix Squadron who fought alongside the dinosaurs had been Hunter, Stone (and Zephyr) and the two other soldiers who were in the stand off. Jill's team who were up by the Great Wall had been destroyed leaving her as the sole survivor but her wounds left her gravely injured as she lay, unresponsive, on hospital bed back at the complex in the Forest of Fear constantly being monitored by Professor Baxter. Back in the Great Valley, Jason was trying his best to redress Grandpa Longneck's slash wounds having seen to other casualties of the vicious fray that had taken place.
"Is that okay Grandpa? That's the best I could get it," Jason said finally sliding down off his grandfather's tail having been using it as a levitating platform.
"It's fine Jason, thank you," the mighty longneck said with a warm smile, "it's a little difficult to move though."
"Bear with it Grandpa. The bandages will have to stay in place for a little while but once the gashes start to heal, they'll fall off. They've got a digitised programme that automatically scans the extend of the damage using nano-technology woven into the fibres. So once they've done their job, they'll fall off and disintegrate."
"I'm not entirely sure what that means son, but I'll take it as a good thing," Grandpa Longneck chuckled.
"One of Red Phoenix's better products. Sergeant Stone gave me these bandages to replace my old ordinary ones; they're much better and increase the rate of tissue reformation by twenty percent," Jason beamed. He returned to his medical kit where the rest of the gang were poking and prodding his equipment again.
"What are you guys up to? Messing around with my stuff again?" Jason laughed shaking his head. The gang stood upright trying to look innocent.
"Sorry. We just having a look that all," Petrie said grinning.
"Don't worry about it," he replied sniggering at the stupid look on his face. He picked up the small, metal case and began rummaging around in it.
"Oh no. Just great!" Jason puffed dropping the kit, spilling the contents on the soft grass.
"What's wrong?" Littlefoot asked carrying over another instrument in his mouth.
"I'm all out of nano-tech bandages. I need to replace this one on my shoulder coz it's soaked. Geez, I'm lucky I'm not dying of blood loss from this wound," he complained removing the blood-soaked bandage from his arm that had already started to fall off. The gang cringed at the sight of it as Jason unravelled it and held it up. Stuffing it back into his metal case, Jason looked around at the Green Meadow that was restored to it normal, peaceful outlook; almost like the battle had never taken place at all. All the bodies had been removed from the fields by Red Phoenix personnel and carried to their base to be incinerated. It had all been done so quickly. The larger dinosaurs that had perished defending their home had been carried away on heavy-duty, machine-operated hover-stretchers since they were far too big to be moved manually. Much to the dismay of the deceased's families, through a little counselling and persuasion from Jason, they agreed to let the humans take charge in cremating them. As these thoughts and memories processed, Jason felt his shoulder give another uncomfortable twitch.
"Jason? What's the matter? Is your arm hurting again?" Ali asked as Jason clutched his wound.
"Y-yeah…I need to get it patched up or it will never heal," he said as the pain quickly increased.
"But you said you were out of those long, white, healing stripy things. What are you going to do?" Ducky said concerned.
"I…I might go see Professor Baxter at the Red Phoenix base. He should have a few spares."
"What? You're going to go to that place under your own free will! Are you crazy?" Cera snorted.
"I don't think Jason has a choice Cera. He said that he would but that human in white can help Jason get better," Littlefoot said.
"Besides, maybe we can see how Jill's doing. I mean, we don't have to worry about anymore sharpteeth entering the Valley now that Hunter's men put up that laser grid where the hole in the Great Wall is," Jason said happily but quickly winced again at the pain.
"But how will we get in?" Ali asked getting a little excited.
"That I…huh?" Jason said suddenly. Something was making a high-pitched buzzing noise directly in his left ear.
"What up?" Petrie said slightly confused at Jason's frantic searching.
"Can't you guys hear that?" he said looking around for the source.
"I can't hear anything. What are you talking about?" Cera said mockingly.
"That noise? Can't you hear it?"
"No Jason. We can't hear anything? I think it's just you. You feeling okay?" Littlefoot said eyeing him suspiciously.
"Just me? Oh, of course…Duh! The Frequency Amplifier!" Jason said tapping the side of his head.
"The who-ie what-ie?" Cera said dumbly.
"This little gizmo. The professor's trying to contact me. Speak of the devil, here's me saying I need more bandages and he instantly calls me," Jason said excitedly.
"Okay, let's go then," Littlefoot said with a playful spring in his step. With joyful cheers, the gang charged off towards the Forest of Fear. Only Cera felt a little apprehensive about going at first, but she swiftly followed suit.
Having jogged merrily across the Grazing Pasture, the gang soon found themselves at the entrance to the Forest of Fear where they all jumped in without a care as if the superstitious rumours of it being haunted never existed. Following the path of fallen trees, they stopped on the final row of trees before the cold, stone grey, complex that sat illuminated by the golden sunlight. Through the wire fence, they could see a guard sat on a crate. He appeared to be motionless.
"Is that human asleep or what?" Petrie asked dropping onto Cera.
"I dunno. He's not moving. Could he be dead?" Littlefoot suggested.
"What should we do?" Ducky said nervously.
"It shouldn't be a problem right? Professor Baxter has summoned me so what's the big deal?" Jason said dismissively.
"Fine. If you wanna just walk right over there and get slaughtered that's you're choice," Cera grunted defiantly.
"Knock it off Cera! Jason's right. If he has been called then what could go wrong?" Littlefoot retorted.
"It's not Jason I'm worried about. It's us!" she barked back.
"Hmm…I hate to say it but she may have a point there. You guys wait here, just in case," Jason said stepping out into the clearing. Laying low, the dinosaurs watched Jason creep closer to the front gate of the base. Once he was there, he cleared his throat to attract the guard's attention. He didn't respond.
"Hey…wake up!" Jason called to him. Still no response. Jason turned to the gang and shrugged. The gang came out of hiding and walked over to him.
"Now what?" Cera said blandly.
"The hole at the back! Think it's still there?" Littlefoot suggested.
"Maybe. Let's have a look," Jason said. Shuffling their feet through the leaf litter, they made their way to the rear of the complex were, sure enough, the hole in the fence was still there. Waving them through, the gang squeezed through one by one and wandered around to the front where the guard remained completely inert. Leaning over to him, Jason was about to check for any signs of life when the man suddenly jumped up. Totally freaked, the gang screamed and all toppled backwards into the wire fence in a heap.
"Who are you?" the guard shouted point his rifle at them.
"Whoa! Slow down. Geez, you scared the hell out of us!" Jason choked pushing himself up off of Ali's head that was tied around Littlefoot's. Petrie yelped and took flight having just sat on Cera's horn.
"We're here to see Professor Baxter. He contacted me not too long ago on my Frequency Amplifier and…"
"Oh, you're the kid. Okay go on in," the guard yawned.
"Okay…erm…thanks," Jason said raising one eyebrow perplexed. As the guard returned to his post, Jason opened the door and the gang walked nervously inside.
Besides Littlefoot and Jason who had seen the base a few times before, Cera, Ali, Ducky, Petrie and Spike all eyed the marbled walls and floors in awe.
"Wow! This is amazing!" Ali said beaming.
"This is what the humans live in? It is so big!" Ducky said.
"Why's the ground so cold and hard? And why does is there a talk-back when you walk?" Cera asked following the swirling patterns etched into the floor and listening to everyone's footsteps reverberating off the walls. Jason just smiled as they turned a corner. Before long, they came to a viewing window where the gang stopped to admire what the scientists were doing. They appeared to be preparing something but the scurrying of them all made it difficult to see exactly what they were working on. All that could be made out was a large amount of silvery, capsule-like pods and a number of syringes lay dotted around on the work surfaces. Littlefoot, who was trying to get a closer look, accidentally bumped his head on the window, not realising that a pane of glass was in place. The scientists all snapped around and looked at them. Sensing every single pair of eyes on them, the gang quickly shot past the window before they got into trouble.
As they tore around the next corner, they all suddenly crashed into someone, sending sheets of paper into the air.
"What in the world?! What's this?" the man mumbled getting to his feet and dusted himself off whilst his paperwork drifted softy to the ground like large, noisy snowflakes.
"Professor? Oh sorry! We were just erm…" Jason stuttered handing him his glasses.
"Ah Jason, I see you've finally arrived. Certainly took your time," the professor said straightening his rectangular spectacles, "Oh. More friends of yours, my boy?"
"Oh err yeah. These are the rest of the gang," Jason said uneasily introducing them all in turn.
"Well, nice to meet you all. You're all quite remarkable! Anyway, enough idle chit-chat, Jason I need you and Littlefoot to accompany me to my lab. I have things I want to tell you."
"Hey, what about the rest of us?" Cera said bitterly.
"Can't they come too sir?" Littlefoot asked a little more politely.
"Very well, this way children," he nodded before leading the way.
Upon reaching Professor Baxter's laboratory, the door opened and the gang, more curious than ever, wandered in trying to take in every minor detail of the room but resisting the urge to touch. The professor went over to his computer to access some information he required. Jason sat up on the work surface and the dinosaurs all found a space on the floor.
"Right, first things first," Professor Baxter said turning to Jason, "would you please sit up on the examination table so I can take a look at your shoulder."
"Huh? How'd you know about my shoulder?" Jason asked jumping down from his seat and up onto the black table in the centre of the room.
"…The sergeant…told me about it…" the professor said a little uneasily. Thinking nothing of it, Jason allowed him to examine his claw wound that hadn't been healing very well.
"What that thing?" Petrie croaked as the professor pulled a needle out of Jason's arm just below his gaping wound.
"This is a coagulation serum. It will help the platelets in your blood to close up the wound and help it heal," he stated as he handed Jason a roll of nano-tech bandages. All the dinosaurs looked at each other dumbfounded.
"You should have come to see me about that sooner Jason. That wound appears to be pretty deep and you've lost a lot of blood according to the tissue analysis," Professor Baxter scorned.
"Yeah I know, but I'll live," Jason said facetiously exercising his shoulder joint. Tossing the roll of bandage on the side, Jason turned to Professor Baxter who was tapping away at his keyboard again.
"So, what's this thing you wanted to talk to us about?" he said talking to the professor's back.
"Oh yes, about that. Jason, do you remember anything about your mother's latest project?"
"You mean the perpetual energy source? I know bits and pieces about it, not a vast amount. Why?"
"We have reason to believe that that source we've been searching for is actually attainable. We didn't think so at first but we soon discovered that all we need a bit more information and a few more key components."
"What do you mean? You were the head of the project so why are you asking me?"
"I know that, but your mother was in charge of the expedition to the Andes was she not? Thanks to her we uncovered most of the artefacts that we have used and analysed over the past few years."
"Yeah so. What's your point?"
"My point is that some artefacts appear to be missing. Look here." The professor turned back to his computer and brought up a screenshot of an ancient manuscript on aged reed parchment that Jason recognised as the first artefact his mother discovered high in the South American mountains.
"That's the Parchment of Essence. My mother told me about that. Did you finish the translation?"
"Ninety percent through it but I have managed to decipher enough of the ancient text for it to make sense. Look here, I'll bring up the research notes…" Professor Baxter then brought up a small dialogue box that showed the information that his team was able to decode. Jason hopped down of the examination table to get a closer look. The little, huddled congregation of dinosaurs who were sat on the cold, marble floor all stood up to reanimate their frozen limbs and poked their noses in whatever space they could squeeze into.
"What're all those funny black things?" Ali asked referring to the letters as Jason scanned through the text.
"This is the translation of the parchment I showed you earlier. They are…" the professor started.
"Erm um…Professor? They're dinosaurs remember? They won't get what you're on about," Jason said clearing his throat audibly and nodding in their direction for him to read the dumbfounded expressions on their faces.
"Oh yes. Quite! Erm…Anyway, the parchment clearly states that a great power was found in one of the temples deep in the mountains. The exact date of this piece is unknown but we are sure that it was undoubtedly before the Aztecs and Incas. We believe that it may have even been before the supposed Ancient Mayan civilisation that disappeared many centuries ago. According to the legend, that power was sealed into three enchanted stones that each share a special quality."
"What kind of special quality?" Littlefoot asked flicking between Jason, the professor and the computer.
"An Essence of Life…" Jason said reading the text from the box on screen, "Each stone has absorbed and retained a particular essence of being that has been come to be known as an 'Essence of Life'. By harnessing the power bestowed upon these sacred artefacts, the bearer can use and convert it into a tangible force that can be used as he or she sees fit."
"So what does all that mean?" Ducky said hopping from Spike up to the workbench to stick her head in front of the screen.
"What it means, my dear, is that the power that these stones hold can be extracted and manipulated by a person. With it, that person can release the potential energy and thus produce what we would undoubtedly recognise as perpetual energy," Professor Baxter announced excitedly.
"I still don't geddit…" Cera said screwing up her face in confusion.
"I doubt you would get it even if it was explained; it's a human affair but I'll tell you anyway. The basic idea of going through all this trouble of obtaining this limitless energy source was so that we could put an end to things like air pollution created by the combustion of fossil fuels and dumping nuclear and toxic waste that poisons the planet so that our world could run on clean, efficient energy source that can be used and replenished without fears of it ever depleting," Jason said.
"Right, my boy. It's over a trillion times more efficient and effective than any other renewable resource our kind has ever discovered. Solar, thermal, wind energy; all of them will be made obsolete as well as achieving our goal of finding a suitable substitute for our race's over-consumption of energy."
"So, humans need energy to survive and these stones have the ability to produce that energy you need, right?" Ali said.
"Exactly my dear! If we can get hold of this source, energy consumption and depletion will be a thing of the past!" the professor exclaimed, greatly impressed by Ali's understanding.
"But wait. There's still more to the translation. According to this, once all three stones are put together it is possible to…huh? The page ends there," Jason said in surprise.
"Yes, that is as far as we've got with the translation. We are still trying to decipher the rest," the professor admitted.
"But the sentence isn't complete. It looks more like this section of the translation has been removed," Jason said greatly puzzled.
"Yes…well…erm…I think that there must be some sort of fault with the system. I'll see to it that it's fixed."
"I can fix it for you. I'm good with computers," Jason offered.
"NO! That…won't be necessary thank you! N-now! That's all I need you to see, you're all free to go now," Professor Baxter said hurryingly as if he wanted to get rid of them.
"But wait! Can't we at least see Jill first? We came here to see how she was," Cera complained. Everyone else nodded in verification.
"Yes, yes! Very well! Here, take this clearance card and the guard will let you in. She is in the Recovery Wing. Just take this corridor down as far as it goes and she'll be on the right-hand side," the old man puffed handing Jason a small, transparent I.D card with his picture on it and various other data.
"Okay, thanks professor," Jason said as the gang started for the door.
"Oh and by the way. Please don't disturb any of the other casualties. They are under strict observation and must remain in solitary confinement," he warned as Jason opened the door to let everyone through.
"It's alright professor, I know the drill. You seem really uptight…are you feeling okay?" Jason asked as Spike followed Cera out into the corridor.
"Yes, yes I'm fine! Now, go visit Jill, I'm sure she'd be glad to see you," he replied mopping his brow with a handkerchief. Still a little uncertain, Jason shut the door and turned to lead the way down to Jill's dormitory.
On their way down to visit Jill, the gang continued to eye all the walls and rooms stupefied. They all found it hard to believe that this is where humans lived in comparison to their homes of open fields and grazing meadows. Jason pretended he wasn't paying attention to their expressions of awe but he smiled at them as he read one face to the next out of the corner of his eye. It wasn't long before they reached the Recovery Wing that Professor Baxter had described and they looked down the long corridor of doors that were positioned directly opposite each other. The corridor was deathly silent and eerie as they walked past the doorways, gazing up at the symbols on each of them.
"This place creepy," Petrie shuddered as he perched on Jason shoulder.
"Is this where Jill is?" Ali asked nervously.
"Apparently, that's what Professor Baxter said," Littlefoot replied a little apprehensively.
"What are those strange, curvy, shiny things up there?" Ducky asked pointing at the metal symbols on the doors.
"I'm not sure. They appear to be Ancient Greek letters," Jason said taking a close look.
"What do they say?" Cera asked.
"I'm…I dunno. I was never very good at ancient history; especially the Greeks. I…I think this one says 'Kappa-Delta 64'. Don't know what that means," he said shaking his head after reading the symbols. Jason cautiously tried to pull the handle but the door didn't budge.
Suddenly, there was a bellowing from the far end of the corridor.
"Hey! What are you doing there?" The group flinched in shock and were about to turn tail and run when a burly looking man approached them. Everyone hid behind Jason expecting him to take charge.
"Erm…it's okay. We're here to see Lieutenant Jill Fielding; we're friends of hers," Jason said smiling weakly.
"What? This ain't no old folks' home! Get lost kid and take your dino pals with ya!" he barked poking his rifle into Jason's chest with bulging eyes.
"It's okay, we have security clearance from Professor Baxter. Here's his I.D card," Jason said innocently pushing the rifle from off his sternum and handing the guard the plastic card. With a quick look over the information on the I.D card, the guard eyed Jason and the cowering dinosaurs and handed it back to him.
"All right you're clear but I'm watching you so don't try anything funny, got it?" he said glowering menacingly at them.
"Erm…okay. Thank you…bye now!" Jason said fearfully before slipping past him with the rest of the gang closely behind.
With their encounter with the overprotective guard safely behind them, the gang walked a little further on and found a door half open with a clipboard hanging from a peg nailed into the doorframe. Unlike the other doors, there was no symbol on it and it wasn't sealed shut.
"Is this the one?" Ali asked.
"Yup. Looks like it," Jason said reading the name on the clipboard. Carefully, he pushed the door open a little wider so they could all peer inside. The room was tiny and painted white which looked incredibly meagre and dank compared to the brilliant marbled walls and floors of the corridors. There was no window; only a very small lightbulb hanging from a black cord on the ceiling that barely emitted any light. The gang gasped in horror at the sight of Jill as she lay on a small bed, wired up to a variety of machinery and covered in bandages. Everyone wandered slowly into the room and surrounded her bed listening to the gentle blipping of the electrocardiogram which was the only noise that echoed within the claustrophobic, little dormitory.
"Jill? Are you…?" Ducky started.
"I don't think she can hear you Ducky," Jason said sorrowfully as he picked up a document hanging off the railings at the foot of the bed on a clipboard.
"She isn't…dead…is she?" Ali asked regrettably.
"No. According to this report, she's in a state of comatosis," he replied softly.
"What that mean?" Petrie said slowly as he followed Jason to Jill's ECG.
"She's sleeping if you like. Her vital signs appear to be stable but this page says that they are unsure when she will wake up."
"So, there is a possibility that she may never wake up?" Littlefoot asked gravely.
"I'm afraid so. They've already operated on her slash wound but she didn't respond fully to the arousal drugs when they finished."
"It's awful!" Cera sighed. The gang fell silent and focused on Jill as she remained completely motionless. Every one of them felt responsible for Jill's injuries as it was her who saved them from the raptors' attack back in the Green Meadow. The moments of her daring rescue replayed to each of them and the gut-wrenching scene of Jill's final words before she passed out in Jason's arms. Despite winning the battle against the raptors that day, everyone felt a tragic loss at the sheer number of lives taken when the first, full-fledged battle of the Green Meadow took place. Indeed, a black day for every resident of the Great Valley.
Chapter 42: A Kidnapping from the ShadowsBack in the Great Valley, Grandma and Grandpa Longneck were sat down along with the rest of the gang's parents and a few others. They were deep in discussion about the current affair of the humans and their invasion.
"These humans are much too dangerous to speak to face to face. Doing so could result in the deaths of many more innocent dinosaurs and that's the last thing we need after that fight with those sharpteeth," Mr. Threehorn bellowed.
"I agree with you about the sharpteeth but I don't believe the humans are inapproachable. They did help us fend off the enemy after all. A decision they chose for themselves," Grandpa Longneck said calmly.
"But if it wasn't for them in the first place, those sharpteeth never would have got in," Spike and Ducky's mother said.
"Yes, they were responsible for the destruction of the Great Wall that started all this mess," Petrie's mother added.
"I know it seems that way but the humans still chose to help us. They even took charge in the cleaning up and brought our Valley back to its normal state," Grandma Longneck said defensively.
"I'm not too sure on all this. Because of all these mishaps my herd had missed the ideal time for us to migrate up to the High Hills and now with the possible threat of more sharpteeth attacks, they are all unwilling to leave," Ali's herd leader blurted out in annoyance.
"Yes, and despite wanting to stay here, most of us don't feel safe with the humans roaming your homeland," Ali's mother said.
"I understand your frustration Old One but no one has said you have to stay here. You of all travellers should know that we never keep anyone in the Valley against their will. It is just an unfortunate coincidence that these events have chosen to take place now," Grandma Longneck continued.
"I've always said that it is that human boy, Jason, who brought all this to our Valley. I say he is responsible," Mr. Threehorn snorted.
"Jason has nothing to do with the sharptooth attack! He wasn't even in the area when it happened. If Jason is responsible for anything it is for saving and helping the majority of our kind. He has rescued Littlefoot, your niece and you Threehorn. Even he was scared and confused when those other humans came to take him away," Grandpa Longneck said profoundly.
"I agree, young Jason seems very nice. He has not done anything bad but he just seems to be tied up in the middle of all of this," Petrie's mother said nodding.
"Such is true but why do you defend him so much Longneck? If he were perhaps living with someone else would you have seen him in the same light as you do now?" one parasaurolophus asked from behind. Grandpa Longneck found he could not answer straight away. Neither could Grandma Longneck.
"I…I can't say for sure but our Littlefoot believes that Jason is a truly wonderful creature and he has never been happier that he found him all that time ago. Also, Jason has grown accustom to our way of life very well and without questioning. I don't feel that he is to blame for the actions of the others," Grandpa Longneck said finally.
"Yes, he has looked out for Littlefoot as if he were his brother and they have bonded together very well despite their great differences in appearance. The same goes for Littlefoot. The night that Jason was taken, Littlefoot was deeply hurt. Still, he went off, by himself, and brought Jason back from wherever the humans had taken him. I don't believe they have any intention of separating from each other and Jason seems keen not to return with his kind," Grandma Longneck added expressively.
"But if the humans wish to return to their world, Jason will have to go with them won't he? He couldn't possibly stay here if he has his own home to return to," Ali's leader stated. There was a short silence that gripped the debaters as they awaited the Longneck's reply.
"Well…when that day comes…we will have to see Jason off and then that will be our final goodbye…" Grandma Longneck said softly but firmly.
"Yes, and until that day comes, we will welcome him as a member of our herd, no matter what his appearance or past history," Grandpa Longneck said boldly.
"But for whose sake Longneck? Your own?" Mr. Threehorn said defiantly.
"No…for Littlefoot's sake. And for that of his friends who will undoubtedly miss him too once he is gone…" he stated nobly.
Meanwhile, back in the Red Phoenix complex, Jason, Littlefoot, Cera, Ducky, Petrie, Spike and Ali were sat silently around Jill's bed. They all wished that her condition would improve but no one wanted to talk about it. Jason looked around at the mournful expressions on everyone's faces. The sight of seeing Jill wrapped up in blood-soaked bandages with an oxygen mask over her face was extremely distressing and he feared that it may be affecting their mentality as no one could look the other in the eye. They all felt far too guilty for Jill's situation to speak. Without saying a word, Jason got up from his seat and started walking to the door. Everyone watched him as he made his way across the room gazing emptily at the floor. Littlefoot was the first to move as he followed Jason out of the dormitory but gestured to the others to stay where they were once he saw them all rising. Littlefoot poked his head out into the corridor and saw Jason leaning up against the wall on the opposite side to Jill's room.
"What's wrong Jason?" Littlefoot asked softly.
"It's all my fault Littlefoot. All of this, the Chronos Doorway, the Red Phoenix invasion, Jill's coma…all this…because of me. I never meant for this to happen but it happened anyway. Just because I wanted to find out more about why my mother died that day when I sneaked into the lab ruins. If I didn't bother snooping around trying to find answers I knew I couldn't find, none of this would have happened. None of it," he muttered pathetically.
"No Jason…it's not your fault. How were you to know that this would happen? You can't predict the future so don't blame yourself…" Littlefoot said trying to comfort him.
"Maybe it would have been better if those guys back in the ruins shot me dead right there. If they did, no more people would have been injured or killed. But now, I've messed up your world as well as my own."
"That not true Jason," a croaky voice said from behind Littlefoot. Jason looked up and saw Petrie emerge from the doorway followed by the rest of the gang.
"You not a bad human. It no your fault. Me think you a great friend," he cawed perching on his shoulder again.
"Uh huh. Petrie is right Jason. You are not to blame for all this, oh no, no, no! No one can see into the future so you would not know!" Ducky chirped as she hopped onto Spike.
"Yeah, besides, if you hadn't helped us out when we needed it, we may not be standing here right now. You save me from drowning, you rescued Dinah from the Smoking Mountain and you helped Cera's dad get better when he was really ill!" Littlefoot said happily.
"Don't forget saving me from those egg-stealers when I hurt my ankle. Remember that?" Ali added smirking warmly. As everyone nodded in agreement, Spike waddled up to Jason and licked his face.
"Thanks you guys. You really know how to help me out when I need it most," Jason said smiling weakly but meaningfully.
"Hey, that's what friends are for right?" Cera said rather uncharacteristically that made Jason gape in disbelief. With that, his smile strengthened and he raised his head to admire all of them.
"Yeah. That's what friends are for…" he said before herding them all together in a group hug.
"Friends forever?" he asked gently.
"Friends forever…" Littlefoot replied instantaneously.
"Friends forever!" the rest of them chanted. For that brief moment in time, their grievances melted away as they stood wrapped up in each other.
Once they all broke away and read the smiles on each other's faces, the lights flickered unhealthily.
"What that?" Petrie asked nervously, staring up at the halogen lights that continued to flash on and off repeatedly. Before long, there was a snapping sound of stray electricity and the light then died out completely.
"What now? A powercut?" Jason said in the darkness. Suddenly, a deafening alarm rang out over the complex. Red, revolving lights danced across the marble walls in time with the siren. Completely bewildered, the gang thrashed around frantically before sprinting down the corridor as best they could in the flashing lights.
"What's going on?!" Cera cried in confusion barely distinguishable in the strobe lighting.
"I dunno. This place is going haywire! Let's get outta here!" Jason yelled above the alarm.
Tearing around the corner, scientists and military personnel were dashing around madly all shouting. Every person in sight was scrambling into the labs as if they were being chased by something. The gang tried desperately to meander their way through the sheer mass of bodies that were running in all directions in a flailing panic.
"Which way to get out of here?" Ali cried over the top of the uproar.
"I think it's this way! C'mon guys, try to keep up!" Jason said. He glanced back to see how those at the rear of the line were coping. Through the gyrating red light, he could make out Littlefoot trying to shove his way through the crowd.
"Littlefoot come on!" he shouted to him bouncing off someone coming right at him.
"I'm coming!" Littlefoot called back but was finding it hard to keep up.
After passing the last set of labs and the operations room, Jason flew down the last corridor closely followed by the others.
"There! There's the exit! C'mon guys!" he yelled. With the others in hot pursuit, Jason sped on assuming that the others were right behind him. Littlefoot, however, was constantly being pulled further and further back but rampaging men who were running in the opposite direction. He was too puffed-out to call for the others to wait for him but he tried to keep up. Suddenly, Littlefoot lost his footing and fell on his face having tripped on something. When he recovered, he had lost sight of the rest of the gang in amongst all the dashing silhouettes and frantic yelling voices. As he stood being bounced around by the charging humans, Littlefoot, unexpectedly, felt something snatch him from his place and drag him deeper into the complex. In shock, Littlefoot yelped and struggled to get free but something sharp jabbed him in his leg. Flinching at the pain, Littlefoot then felt his legs lose control and he quickly found he couldn't walk anymore. The numbness quickly flooded up his body and he began to feel faint. Within seconds, his world turned black and the blaring alarm could no longer be heard.
In the mean time, Jason and the rest of the gang had burst through the exit and were all relieved to be out of the chaos that was happening inside.
"Phew! What a rush!" Jason wheezed.
"What was that all about?" Cera said looking around.
"Dunno…we got everyone?" he replied.
"Me, Spike and Ducky here!" Petrie said flapping.
"I'm okay…" Ali said breathing heavily.
"I'm fine," Cera said with her head high.
"That's six…we're one short…Hey! Where's Littlefoot?!" Jason cried urgently.
"What? Did he not make it out?" Ducky asked desperately. Jason fought his way back to the door but members of the lab's military held him back.
"Let me go! Littlefoot's still in there!" he barked trying to shake them off.
"No admittance kid! We have to go through evacuation procedures before anyone is allowed back in!" the guard said blandly.
"Hell to your procedures! Littlefoot's still trapped in there! Let me through!!!" Jason argued but the more he fought, the more resistance the guards held on him.
"Oh! What has happened to Littlefoot?" Ducky cried despairingly.
Chapter 43: Dreams: The Storytellers of the Future"Uuurrrgggghhhh! W-where? Where am I?" Littlefoot gurgled feebly. He felt completely disorientated and his head was throbbing as if he had been hit with something hard. He slowly stood up and looked around. He was in a pitch black room with nothing around him and no noise. Littlefoot searched around for someone or something to tell him where he was. Still with nothing to even give him a clue to where he was, he tried to recall what happened before he woke up. He remembered entering the Red Phoenix complex with Jason and the others and going to see Professor Baxter in his lab. He also remembered going to visit Jill in her room, then running to the exit with everyone once the alarm went off and tripping on something then being grabbed. Littlefoot's mind drew blank after that but with the thought of his friends being somewhere different, he started feel slightly afraid and self-conscious so he decided to try and look for a way out.
Before he could take his first step, Littlefoot heard a voice come from out of the darkness.
"So, you are finally awake. You took your time but I'm glad to see you are now up," the deep voice said calmly.
"Wha? Wh-who's there?" Littlefoot asked trembling flicking his head around in all direction. He felt incredibly scared that something was watching him but he could see what it was.
"No need to be afraid. I am not here to harm you," the voice continued.
"Wh-wha-what do you want with me?" Littlefoot stammered unconvinced.
"What do you mean? I saved you from being trampled to death when the alarm went off. You should be grateful."
"What? I-I don't understand…who are you?" Littlefoot asked. He suddenly heard something shuffle directly in front of him closely followed by the sound of clapping footsteps approaching him. Shakily, Littlefoot stood his ground to await the arrival of the figure whom the voice belonged to. To his surprise, the footfalls stopped abruptly and silence fell on the dark room once again. Trying to glare through the emptiness, Littlefoot then heard something click. Instantly, the room flashed making Littlefoot jump. Then, the lights slowly grew and the entire area came into view. The room was vast and beautifully decorated with statuettes on pillars, oak bookcases filled with books and manuscripts and painted portraits of wise looking men and women hanging on the red and gold walls each with their own silver plaque underneath. Directly in front of Littlefoot was a sturdy-looking wooden desk with a computer monitor on one side. On the other, resting up against the edge of the desk, stood a man in a black suit, white shirt and a Red Phoenix tie. He looked very neatly trimmed with his arms folded across his front and wearing a smile that looked potent. Littlefoot backed away slightly as he looked into his cold eyes which were locked on to him like a predator sighting prey.
"Hello, Littlefoot isn't it?" the man asked smoothly without budging. Littlefoot found he couldn't speak. The man's stature was so intimidating he felt powerless as he stood, eyes wide with fear, a few metres away from him. He slowly nodded.
"I thought so. You are a dear friend of that human boy, Jason, are you not?" the man continued. Littlefoot was shocked; so far, he hadn't gotten a single fact wrong. Again he nodded, still unable to say anything. The man smiled and chuckled.
"You seem troubled by my appearance Littlefoot but I assure you, you have nothing to fear. Please, I am fully aware that you can talk. Honour me with the melodious sound of your voice…" he said slickly.
"Wh-who are you?" Littlefoot stammered as the words finally passed the tight, nervous lump in his throat.
"I am Dominic Westwood. I am the last surviving director of our world's largest biological and chemical business ever to be established in the industry. I rule all that you have seen in this base but my reign is much greater than just this tiny, little concrete cellar. We have numerous facilities worldwide, stretching from research bases in the depths of the Pacific Ocean to observation centres high the peaks of the Alps," he said explosively. Littlefoot stared at the businessman blankly as all the words he had just described had literally glided straight over his head.
"I see you are blissfully unaware of the size and scale of my company since it doesn't exist here and won't do for approximately sixty-five million years from now," Westwood said sniggering.
"So, you are from the future. Like Jason," Littlefoot said cautiously.
"That's right."
"So you are the leader of your herd? All the humans here follow you?" he asked naively.
"In a manner of speaking; yes I am. I control all the actions of the Red Phoenix Laboratories Corporation now that I am the only remaining director of the company after that unfortunate accident," Westwood said sorrowfully.
"Wh-what unfortunate accident?" Littlefoot asked nervously.
"A viral outbreak of one of our prototypes which destroyed our population. A transportation pod carrying a live sample was attacked by protestors and it overturned spreading the virus."
"That virus…Jason told me about it. He said that it killed all the humans and that hardly anyone was left afterwards. The end of the world of the humans…"
"I see he has informed you on this matter. We were at a great loss but the remaining members of my dedicated team were determined to find a way to reverse this terrible curse we, as a race, have bestowed upon ourselves."
"How? If humans are…dead…how could you fix that?" Littlefoot asked intrigued.
"We have discovered a way. Do you remember how your friend, Jason, got here in the first place?" Westwood asked.
"Y-yes. He came through a funny, blue circle. He found me when I was lost in the forest and he rescued me from a pack of egg-stealers," he replied a little uneasily.
"That blue circle you described is one of our greatest achievement. The Chronos Doorway. It is a machine that is capable of opening a pathway through time and transporting, whatever steps into it, to another specific place in time. Somehow, Jason was able to activate the Doorway even when the console was completely disconnected. That is how Jason was brought here and it also how we came as well thanks to a little of whatever Jason used was still in the console. That is the key to rebuilding our world."
Littlefoot didn't know what to say next. He had always wondered what Jason's world was like and how he came to the Great Valley but it didn't explain why he was here. As he stood pondering, Westwood spun around from his spot on the desk and sat down in his large leather chair that creaked audibly as he rocked in it.
"I don't suppose you realise the importance of Jason's recent captures and his constant co-operation in this matter; I don't believe he understands the seriousness of the situation either," he said, his hands pressed together with his index fingers resting on his chin.
"What do you mean by that?" Littlefoot asked suddenly snapping out of his thoughts.
"Whilst both you and Jason have been here, my research team have run a series of critical tests on your cellular structure and DNA sequences and found they you both have a special pattern that is capable unlocking the final door to our race's renovation."
"Huh? I'm afraid I don't quite understand. Are you saying that I can help the humans back in your time?!" Littlefoot asked astounded.
"That's right. Your molecular formation has a direct link to a specific energy pattern we have discovered thanks to a manuscript known as "The Parchment of Essences"," Westwood continued.
"That's the thing Professor Baxter showed me with Jason and the others. I didn't quite get everything but I said there was something to do with some special stones absorbing a special quality," Littlefoot said trying hard to rack his brain for the information he was told a little while ago in the professor's lab. He turned back to Westwood who was now fiddling around with his computer.
"Yes. Those stones are said to hold a potential energy source that can be used unlimitedly. With our world in ruins, the Chronos Doorway hold the key to its restoration but the problem is that it consumes more energy than it is humanely possible to supply. The energy stored in those stones can activate the console again so we can return to the point in time where the disaster happened and prevent it."
"I get it. By doing that, the virus won't escape and the humans will be saved!" Littlefoot blurted jovially. Westwood nodded with a smug grin on his face.
"But we still have an obstacle in our way. We know about the stones and their origins but we don't know where they are. If we could possibly locate them, our civilisation can be saved."
"What do they look like?" Littlefoot asked curiously. Something in the back of his mind was constantly being jolted but he couldn't remember what it was. Westwood then waved him over to come and stand next to him. Forgetting his nervousness he had had before, Littlefoot obeyed and wandered over to the desk.
"Look here," Westwood instructed. Littlefoot turned and looked at the computer screen. In amongst all the text and wavering line graphs, his attention was drawn to a spinning, triangular model of a glittering jewel.
"That…that's…" he began.
"That is one of three Stones of Essence. Each with their own special feature, all three have unspeakable energy reserves that can be tapped and used. It is this energy that we need to reactivate the Chronos Doorway." Littlefoot continued to stare at the jewel in awe as flashbacks of his dreams suddenly flooded his mind.
"Each stone has a specific name; each related to a character and their strongest trait of life. This green stone is the "Summoner's Soul Emerald"…this red on is…"
"The "Warrior's Heart Ruby"…and the blue one is the "Guardian's Tear Sapphire"…I know…" Littlefoot said with his eyes fixed on the screen. He appeared to be completely zombified.
"You know of them Littlefoot?" Westwood said cracking a sinister smile behind him.
"Yeah…I've had dreams about them…all those stones and I've met all the others who hold them…" he replied entranced. He couldn't believe what he was seeing or hearing.
"…My dreams…they are…real!?!"
"It appears so. You will have to tell me about them but now…let me ask you something to ultimately test your knowledge on these stones…Does the name "Heaven's Eternity Crystal" remind you of anything?" Westwood asked darkly.
"Why…yes! It is the stone that is formed when all three stones are combined into one. Once all three stones are together, they become that yellow stone but…there is something else."
"Oh? What might that be Littlefoot?" Westwood continued sappily.
"There is a trick to bring out its power. It can't just be taken. Something has to be done first…I don't know what it is but that old longneck said so…" Littlefoot replied slowly still in shock.
"Well. You have been most helpful Littlefoot. Now, you could be even more helpful in answering another rather serious question," Westwood said switching off the computer monitor and looking him in the eye, "Do you have one of these three unique stones? It is absolutely imperative that you tell me the truth because our race's future depends on it. Do you or do you not own one of these marvellous stones?" Littlefoot found he couldn't break away from Westwood's icy glare and his words burned his insides. The entire human race's future depends on his answer.
"I…I…" he stuttered.
"Yes…go on!" Westwood urged resting his hands on his shoulders.
"Y-yes. I do. I have the blue stone; the Guardian's Tear Sapphire. It's at home, I keep it in a safe place. I thought it was just a lucky stone so I kept it," Littlefoot said slowly, feeling a little confused by everything.
"Excellent! You may have just saved our kind Littlefoot! You are our saviour! Do you know who the others are?" Westwood asked after laughing loudly with glee.
"Well…my dreams keep telling me that the others are those who I have already met. In one of my dreams, a shadowy figure saved me from being crushed by some black vines and it had a glowing, red stone. A few days later, Jason rescued me from drowning at the Thundering Falls when I got caught in some water plants. He cut me free and the red stone in his pendent looked like it was glowing too. Just like in my dream…could Jason be one of the stone holders?"
"Yes! It is a perfect match! Who could the other owner be?"
"Well, I remember another human with a long stick came and saved me from some evil trees. She had a green stone on her finger with a white swirl in it."
"What happened then Littlefoot? You can tell me…" Westwood said hurryingly.
"She…died…right in front of me. I think one of the trees scratched her and there was a deep wound on her stomach. It…it's kinda like when Jill rescued us from those sharpteeth in the Green Meadow. She had a long stick that she used to destroy them all but…Jill was hurt…really bad. She too had a nasty gash on her front," Littlefoot said slowly. He then suddenly gasped in horror, "Oh no! Does that mean?! If my dreams have been right so far then Jill could…No!"
"So it's Jill Fielding! I never would have thought that all this time I had the final stone owner right under my nose…Anyway Littlefoot you have been most helpful! You can rest assured that you have undoubtedly saved mankind from the cruellest of fates. We can now undo that black patch in our history and continue to live. Thank you so much," Westwood said wetly. Littlefoot was only half listening. He was deeply concerned for Jill's welfare now that he had proclaimed that all his dreams had become real. Westwood returned to his computer and started working on it again.
Littlefoot slowly moved from his static position and wandered into the centre of the room. The shock of all his dreams coming true was so striking, he couldn't make sense of anything. Nothing seemed real. Sitting down on the cold, marble floor, he looked around at Westwood who was busy tapping away at his keyboard. Swinging his head around, Littlefoot then noticed felt something strange in the air. It wasn't a scent but he could sense something giving off some sort of a signal to him. Looking around for it, he then noticed something sparkle out of the corner of his eye. Up on the large oak bookcase, Littlefoot could see Jason's pendent on the middle shelf just lying there. With a quick blink, he glanced back at Westwood again but he was still pre-occupied with his computer. Slowly inching forwards, Littlefoot approached the bookcase and gingerly picked up the pendent in his teeth. With one last glance at Westwood, he started for the door.
"Erm…Littlefoot?" he said suddenly. Littlefoot froze solid but didn't face him as he didn't want him to see the pendent in his mouth.
"Y-yesh…" he mumbled.
"I must thank you for your input on all this. Our company and race is indebted to you."
"Erm…you're wheelcoome," he said awkwardly with Jason's ruby in his mouth, "Carn I goo now?"
"Um? Oh yes, yes! Thank you again…I'll open the door for you," he said.
"Err…no, no! I carnn geddit," Littlefoot slurred in a panic fearing he'd come over and see him with Jason's pendent.
"No, no it's quite all right. Here…" Westwood said. Littlefoot clamped his eyes shut fearing he'd spot him. To his amazement, there was a click and the large oak doors opened automatically. Opening his eyes slowly, he found himself staring out into the, once again, lit corridors of the complex. Without another word, he sprinted out of the room and into the maze to be reunited with his friends.
As the doors shut behind Littlefoot, Westwood smiled deviously at his notes on the screen.
"Thank you my long necked friend. You have just given me the solution to my little dilemma. Indeed you have saved the human race…as you have just appointed it a true ruler over all life. It is only a matter of time before all shall be revealed including my latest creation. Yes…Project Red Phoenix is almost complete…all I need is for the pawns to take their place on the playing board then, the game can begin."