For the record, I don't own the Land Before Time, Age of reptiles, I don't own crap. I don't even own the stuff normal people own. Normal people would own a DreamCast AND games, instead of just the former and not the later. Whereas I'd kill for a Record of Lodoss War game, which would be the first I ever get. But That has nothing to do with dinosaurs or disclaimers so disregard it. Forget it.
Eri: Forget what? You telling me to forget it, or the thing that you said before that, which I've already forgotten because it was boring and had nothing to do with dinosaurs?
Littlefoot felt as if the entire world were on his shoulders. He felt this way very often. He rarely thought of the meat eaters he'd befriended, only the cold memory of the more aggressive monsters remained with him. And for that reason he maintained the wall.
Many people believed that he was foolish, that the wall would never fall. Some of them even believed that the sharp teeth had died out of starvation long ago. But Littlefoot knew better.
And he'd do everything he could to keep the valley safe, even when he was old and weak he'd still maintain that wall. Until his legs gave out and his bones collapsed. In truth he knew of a certain point in the wall that could be knocked down and repaired easily, but he'd never seen a need to open the door.
But such need would soon present itself, as chance had decided.
Now he walked slowly to his normal sleeping ground, along the way he saw Ducky.
Ducky was the first friend he ever made, even though he met Cera first, they were not fast friends. Now, with the burden of many adventures and many years, Ducky, like the rest of his old friends, had a litter of her own to take care of. As if it were the ultimate payback for the grief they had caused their own parents, Ducky, Cera, and Spike all suffered now the same fear that harm might meet their children. Petrie ran a loose ship, he knew his children were safe in the valley, and, being the most skilled flyer in the valley Petrie could easily track down anyone or anything if there was any kind of danger.
Of course he didn't know what kind of danger presented itself now. No one did.
Littlefoot and Ducky said their hellos, and passed each other by. Now that they were adults, they spent less time together. They hadn't exactly grown apart, but they now had so many responsibilities it was difficult to arrange any sort of "gang meeting" so to speak. That didn't stop them from trying at first, but as the years went on they saw less and less of each other until passing glances, the occasional hello, and discussions about children were all they saw of each other.
Littlefoot noticed one of the hatchlings was now following him. The child looked a lot like his siblings, however he was the only male, and so Littlefoot easily told him apart from his sisters, and matched his name to him.
Frog seemed interested in following things that looked interesting. As soon as Littlefoot became less interesting, Frog set off after a dragonfly until Ducky used her tail to gently sweep him back towards the nest.
Chasing dragonflies . . . now who did that remind Littlefoot of?
The air stunk like rotting flesh, a pleasant smell to a Sharp Tooth, but perhaps not so helpful to a Sharp Tooth trying to track.
Chomper knew there were intruders in his territory. He could smell them. They were small, and there were at least five of them, possibly six, but no less than five different scents. They were all fairly close together, so when the stench of death masked one scent, Chomper could hone in on another.
As he grew closer, he could tell these were several different dinosaurs. He kept himself quiet and down wind. When he came close enough he could see them. There were five. One was a pack hunter, another was a flyer flying low to the ground near the pack hunter, as if they were speaking. Two Crunches followed, by a large Fan Back.
Chomper was tired of seeing mixed packs hunting in his territory! He was baffled by it, he'd never seen Dinosaurs of different kinds cooperate except in the Great Valley. So now he decided to attack, and force these flat teeth out of his zone!
He leapt out of the trees, and caught the flyer in his jaws. He crushed its skull with his razor sharp teeth, then swallowed it whole. He brought a heavy three toed foot down on the Fan Back before it could move, cutting the bony fan on it's back but causing no serious damage to the Dinosaur.
The two Crunchers charged for him, he wasn't prepared, and they hit him in the legs. He was thrown onto his stomach, and landed on the Fan Back. The pack hunter rushed for him and leapt onto his neck.
Chomper roared with pain and frustration. He swung his head around, and snapped his jaws over and over until he managed to clamp onto the Pack Hunter's tail, then with a mighty swing he tore the beast from his neck and threw him into the trees that Chomper had been hiding in earlier.
The two Crunchers were charming again, this time Chomper was ready. They came in from left and right, he bend down low, and at the right moment turned right, swinging his tail as he did, they now came from front and back. The one in the back was batted away by his tail, and went crashing into the same trees as the Pack Hunter. The one Cruncher that came from the front, Chomper simply avoided it's head, but then brought his heavy jaws down on it's back and shook the life from it.
He basked in his glory, but he'd forgotten the fan back!
It hit him like a falling tree, only lower. He wasn't knocked down, but almost. Chomper roared in anger, and then raised his powerful foot to stomp down on the Fan Back.
But the Dimetrodon was prepared now, it moved aside and as Chomper's foot hit the ground, the Fan Back lunged forward and bit the ankle.
Chomper was outraged! He rarely fought large carnivores, and when he did he relied on his feet and jaws. He'd never put any faith in his small hands.
But now, the Dimetrodon charged again, Chomper decided to be original. He lunged down, so that he landed with his face next to the Fan Back's belly. With his small hands, he shoved his claws into the eyes of the enemy, and using this to hold on, and his feet to keep his ground, he tore into the Fan Back's stomach, viciously and mercilessly until it finally fell to the ground and died.
Chomper raised his head and roared in triumph. He'd won! Now that'd show those mixed packs, intruding on his territory and eating his prey.
Unfortunately, as Chomper bent down over the Dimetrodon's corps, he did something he hadn't done for years. He forgot.
He forgot that he'd smelled a sixth sense.
The Spinosaurus seemed to explode from the trees, Chomper had done the same thing, and he realized from the same place. This creature had been hunting him as he hunted this pack!
The Spinosaurus was old and battle scars covered its body. One eye was blinded. But it was still a fierce aggressor. I lunged for him, it's long snout snapped at him, Chomper moved aside and let it pass, then he lunged for it's back and tried to sink his teeth into it's hindquarters, but it whacked him away with it's tail.
The blow was heavy and it hurt worse than anything he'd ever felt from a long neck.
Chomper would not be put down so easily. This was his territory and he wasn't going to let it go without a fight. One of them would die.
Though Chomper had no time to think about it, his subconscious mind did wonder which of them would die. The Spinosaurus was old, it was battle worn and blind in one eye. But it had experience and the scars to prove it. Chomper had experience fighting Pack Hunters, and the occasional larger opponent, but never anything larger than a two finger, this monster was new to him.
It lunged for him, and he accepted the challenge, he stood his ground and let the Spinosaurus hit him. As he fell backwards, he shot his tail out like a whip and tripped the older carnivore. Using his well-exercised legs, Chomper gained balance before he could fall, and then he lunged on the Spinosaurus and without delay he went for the neck.
However the old beast was finished fighting. It got up, knocked him away with it's tail and then ran off into the trees. Chomper took two seconds to consider pursuit. On the one hand, he knew nothing of this new fan backed predator that walked on two legs unlike the ones he'd killed before. He didn't know if it was a pack beast leading him into a trap, and he definitely knew that that last battle had been terrible on him. He had killed five invaders and so he would spare the sixth for now . . . until his strength returned.
This was a mistake, but Chomper would not learn this until later.
So many terrible things might have been avoided if the Dinosaurs could see the feature. The whole extinction thing would have just been out the window, I tell you that. Unfortunately or fortunately the dinosaurs were not psychic, if they were, our story would not be as exciting . . . did you just fall asleep?
"I'm tired." Ravener complained.
"I'm hungry." Slash complained.
"I'm hot!" Ravener added.
"I'm hot too." Slash agreed.
"Well I'm hotter!" Ravener said.
"Na-ah! I am!"
"Me!"
"I'm hotter, hungrier and ten times as tired as you are!" Ravener hissed.
"Okay then." Slash said. "I guess that just means you're weaker than---"
Ravener was on the younger creature like a fly to a carcass (Sharp Tooth saying) They bit at each other and tumbled away down a muddy hill. When they realized where they were both frightened because . . . they didn't know where they were. They knew they were where they currently were, but they didn't know where "currently were" was.
"Were lost!" Ravener cried.
"He's lost!" Neckbiter cried. "By Blueback's teeth you wretched creature, you finally spawn a suitable child and he's gone now! And this time it wasn't my fault! It was yours! Yours! Not mine!"
Halla remained silent at the rails of abuse Neckbiter sent her. He was acting like a child himself, she felt. And besides that, she was to burdened with grief to argue. She'd gotten used to losing hatchlings, infants and juveniles, but never one so healthy, strong and happy as Ravener.
"Slash is gone too." Nata added.
"Who cares? You've got a whole litter of worthless creatures just like this "Slash" but there isn't another Ravener in the entire clan!" Neckbiter roared.
"Enough Neckbiter. Do you want to humiliate yourself like this when Dark Eye returns?" Halla snapped.
Neckbiter turned on her with a hiss. But some of the other males tried to calm him. It began to bother Halla how Neckbiter was more willing to trust even the most two faced of males and yet she was invisible to him unless he needed some one to roar at.
"When Dark Eye gets back, we'll go and look for them." Claw said.
"Yeah, after all, for all we know Dark Eye might have found him already."
"Gah! Dark Eye, Dark Eye, Dark Eye! Must you ALWAYS speak praise of my nest brother? Have you forgotten that I rule this pack too? We don't need to wait for Dark Eye! I say we leave right now! All the best trackers now!"
"And while you and the best trackers are gone . . ." A familiar voice said. "What? Let Blueback come in and take advantage of the lack of hunters?"
"Quetzal?" Neckbiter said in shock. Halla was disgusted. Quetzal was the only female that Neckbiter took seriously. Why Quetzal? Why not Halla? Why not?
Quetzal was the second fastest runner in the clan, perhaps it was that. She had feathers on her head (Kind of like Talon from Primal Rage just with less feathers) perhaps it was that. But whatever it was, Halla had grown to hate the female hunter. Her hate for Quetzal was equal to her own mate's affections towards said hunter.
"It would not kill you to wait for Dark Eye's sage advice."
"Sage? Sage advice?" Neckbiter scoffed, though less bitterly than he would have if he were speaking to anyone else. "Then where is he? Where is the master teacher?"
"Looking for Slash and Ravener." Quetzal said with a shrug.
Everyone looked sort of surprised. "How did he know?" Neckbiter demanded. "We've found out only now!"
"While returning from the hunt, we caught their scent, Dark Eye took Pytor, One Claw. He sent me back to inform you all, and Leopard back to maintain control."
"You're here to inform us? Inform us of what?" Neckbiter roared. "That my son's life is in the claws of my fool of a brother?"
"A fool that spared your life." Quetzal spat.
"A fool *to* spare my life." Neckbiter retorted.
Quetzal scoffed. "Well you may tell him that when we get there. You and I are going with Dark Eye. He also asked for Blaine"
"Excellent!" Neckbiter roared.
"I will go too." Halla said.
"No." Neckbiter said. "If we found them you'd only lose them again."
Halla huffed. Quetzal shook her head, but said nothing. Then she, Neckbiter, and Blaine set off.
Halla scowled. She couldn't just be left in the lair while the best hunters went after the hatchlings!
"Why did Blaine go?" Claw asked. "I can understand Neckbiter, but why Blaine?"
"Blaine is one of the best hunters and trackers." A young male said. "But now that I think . . . why does Dark Eye want the best hunters, if Neckbiter isn't supposed to take the best tracers?"
No one knew the answer. But Halla did. Maybe Nata did too. If Dark Eye asked for Neckbiter and Blaine, and already had Pytor and One Claw with him then it was quite obvious to her why. He didn't want the best hunters, he had Quetzal for that purpose. He wanted the best fighters. The children were in some kind of danger, Halla just knew it!
In the valley, a similar drama was carrying on.
"But they're gone! Their just children!" Ali pleaded with the council of old ones. You must send some one after them!"
"Send who? Once you leave the valley, you cannot come back!" Cera's father said.
"It not be hard to send fliers like Petrie to find them. If little ones get out, must have way out, and way out can be way back in." Petrie said.
"We can't spare you. And we can't ask the other fliers to undertake the dangerous quest for the sake of some children that could already be lost to us forever." The long neck elder, Nicolai said. Though he wasn't really old . . .
Ali was filled with anger. Alleria was her only child, what was she supposed to do? "Well then I am leaving the Great Valley." Ali said. "If I can find my child, I will. And if I cant come back, so be it. I'd rather be in danger with my child, than safe and alone."
"Petrie too!" Petrie said.
"I'll tare down the wall myself and *make* a way back in." Cera boasted smugly.
"Silence!" The three horn elder snapped. "How like you, to fall into your old habits. Adventure eh? And what did your last adventure cause? Because of that fool Littlefoot our valley was almost invaded by sharp teeth! It was his fault that the entrance and exit to the valley was blocked, and now he spends the rest of his life foolishly maintaining a wall that will never fail anyway!"
"Don't you dare call Littlefoot a fool! That wall is all that keeps sharp teeth out of this valley!" Ali said. "And when a new entrance is found, who is it that decides to close it up and have "the fool" maintain that part of the mountain walls as well? You elders, fearful of the sharp teeth which you know are out there waiting!"
"I would remind you that that precious wall is what keeps you from leaving as well. If you wish to take dagger pass, feel free." Nicolai said.
"Up to your old tricks." Cera's father spat. "Soon the lot of you will be off gallivanting around, blocking our water supplies, brining illness again and I wouldn't be surprised if you lured more sharp teeth into the valley! (He's talking about LBT 2-4 by the way)
"Enough!" Nicolai said harshly. "Ali, Littlefoot, Cera, Ducky, Spike and Petrie are forbidden to leave the valley through Dagger pass. A cadre of three horns will guard it day and night." Nicolai said coldly, not even bothering to hear the opinions of the other elders. "But fear not for you young ones. Good fortune will bring them back to you unharmed."
The retired adventures were dismissed along with the gathering of spectators. Dejectedly, Ali, Spike, Cera and Ducky walked off. Petrie flew overhead.
"Me not need to go through dagger pass." Petrie said hotly. "Me fly right over wall!"
"Of course!" Cera said. "We can all climb over the wall!"
"It's too steep." Spike scoffed. "We wouldn't make it." Spike rarely spoke other than to tell stories to the children, but when he did speak he was almost always right.
Ali had an idea then. "I know! I know just what to do! If anyone knows a way over, under or through that wall it's Littlefoot!"
Littlefoot was just lying down, his eyes were closing when suddenly he heard a familiar voice. Well actually, several familiar voices, which matched up to several different faces. Cera, Spike, Petrie, and Ali. Ducky alone was not there.
"What? What is it?" He asked.
"Littlefoot . . . the children are missing." Cera said.
"They are no doubt playing." Littlefoot said.
"No." Ali said. "An old flyer said he saw them go through Dagger pass, and they have been missing since the bright circle was in the middle of the sky yesterday."
Littlefoot became concerned. When Alleria hadn't come to join him for his rounds, he thought nothing of it. With her good attendance record, she deserved a break. That she was actually missing had never occurred to him.
He got up in a second. "What is the plan then? When do the search parties-"
"They're none." Petrie said. "Council cannot spare Petrie, will not ask fliers to go on dangerous quest."
Littlefoot was outraged. "And what about the children?" He demanded.
"They will be brought back to us on the wings of good fortune." Cera said bitterly.
Littlefoot growled. "Nicolai?"
"None other than." Spike scoffed.
"I might have known. Even after all these years he hasn't changed." Littlefoot said. "Okay. Come with me."
To be Continued . . .
. . . right now!
Littlefoot led them to a certain spot. He then threw his weight against the wall, and just as he knew it would, a section of rock fell away while the rest was undamaged. It was like watching a mole's tunnel collapse. (I know they didn't have moles back then, that comment was for your benefit) It was a perfect door.
"Petrie, its dark, so don't fly ahead." Cera said. "We don't want to lose you. Stay on Spike's back until the sun rises. Spike, you stay in the middle, I'll be in front. Littlefoot and Ali, you're in the back."
"Ali isn't going." Littlefoot announced.
"What?" Ali almost screamed.
"Spike, Cera, and Ali are staying. I'm going. Petrie, I'd like you to come too, so that when we find the kids we can send word back quick."
"Littlefoot, you know there is safety in numbers!" Ali said.
"I need some one to stay behind and make sure they don't close this rock formation, Ali that's you. I need some one to stay behind to fight Sharp Teeth if they try to come through this passage, Cera this is you. And last of all, I need some one to find out who that flyer was, I have a bad feeling about this. It's like a dream I've already had, happening to me. Spike, do whatever you can to find out whom that flyer was, what he looked like, where he is or where he went. If he is who I think he is . . ." Littlefoot trailed off.
"Well I guess I will have to guard the valley, there is no one else strong enough. And I do have two other children to look after." Cera said. She shook her head. "I know you will want me to promise, so I promise I won't follow you." Cera said.
"Thank you." Littlefoot said. "Believe me, I would want you all with me, but . . . " He shook his head. He had a better chance of finding them alone than with a rag tag herd. He knew that at least some of the local pack hunters wouldn't attack him, and he knew that with Petrie's help he could avoid any of the larger sharp teeth. "Trust me, it is better this way."
Cera and Spike left. Petrie flew off ahead. Littlefoot and Ali were alone for a moment.
"Why don't you want us to come with you?" Ali asked. "Tell me the truth."
"The truth? I don't trust that council of old cowards not to close this hole up once they find out about it. I honestly need you here to keep that from happening.
"Bring her back Littlefoot." Ali said.
"Don't worry about *that* Ali." Littlefoot said. "I'm bringing them all back."
"What if they've been-" She began.
"No." He said simply. "They haven't been. Don't say or think such things, you'll bring down bad luck. Just don't let them close this hole. Hold them off for as long as you can, at least a season. If I don't send Petrie back by then, then something is wrong." Littlefoot said.
Ali frowned, and stood still watching as Littlefoot walked slowly through the small canyon he'd made in the wall. He barely heard what she said as he reached the end.
"Bring her back Littlefoot. Bring them all back."
It was cold, and Alleria was already prepared to give up the adventurer life. They were lost in a giant muddy area . . . thing. They had walked hundreds if not thousands of paces and yet they were still lost, and Pteras said that she could smell they were still in the Sharp Teeth's regular hunting area.
But it was at night when they heard it. A scratching sound. A whimpering sound. There was an occasional snapping sound. It was Tri who decided to investigate, but Alleria wasn't so sure.
"But it might be sharp teeth, Tri." She said.
"And it might be our mamas and papas." Tri said. "We gotta go see."
And so the group went to see.
When they got closer, they could hear things.
"I'm sleepier!"
"Na-ah!"
"I'm sleepier!"
"Let me alone!"
"I get to sleep first!"
"Ouch!"
They poked their heads through the rocks and tall grass hiding the owners of the voices.
To their shock, it was two HUGE sharp teeth!
"Aaaaahhhh!" Alleria screamed.
"Aaaaahhhh!" One of the sharp teeth screamed.
"Aaaaahhhh!" Tri screamed.
"Aaaaahhhh!" the other sharp tooth screamed.
"Aaaaahhhh!" Spike screamed.
"ROAR!" The giant two finger with blue scales on his back screamed.
To be continued.
Eri: Forget what? You telling me to forget it, or the thing that you said before that, which I've already forgotten because it was boring and had nothing to do with dinosaurs?
Littlefoot felt as if the entire world were on his shoulders. He felt this way very often. He rarely thought of the meat eaters he'd befriended, only the cold memory of the more aggressive monsters remained with him. And for that reason he maintained the wall.
Many people believed that he was foolish, that the wall would never fall. Some of them even believed that the sharp teeth had died out of starvation long ago. But Littlefoot knew better.
And he'd do everything he could to keep the valley safe, even when he was old and weak he'd still maintain that wall. Until his legs gave out and his bones collapsed. In truth he knew of a certain point in the wall that could be knocked down and repaired easily, but he'd never seen a need to open the door.
But such need would soon present itself, as chance had decided.
Now he walked slowly to his normal sleeping ground, along the way he saw Ducky.
Ducky was the first friend he ever made, even though he met Cera first, they were not fast friends. Now, with the burden of many adventures and many years, Ducky, like the rest of his old friends, had a litter of her own to take care of. As if it were the ultimate payback for the grief they had caused their own parents, Ducky, Cera, and Spike all suffered now the same fear that harm might meet their children. Petrie ran a loose ship, he knew his children were safe in the valley, and, being the most skilled flyer in the valley Petrie could easily track down anyone or anything if there was any kind of danger.
Of course he didn't know what kind of danger presented itself now. No one did.
Littlefoot and Ducky said their hellos, and passed each other by. Now that they were adults, they spent less time together. They hadn't exactly grown apart, but they now had so many responsibilities it was difficult to arrange any sort of "gang meeting" so to speak. That didn't stop them from trying at first, but as the years went on they saw less and less of each other until passing glances, the occasional hello, and discussions about children were all they saw of each other.
Littlefoot noticed one of the hatchlings was now following him. The child looked a lot like his siblings, however he was the only male, and so Littlefoot easily told him apart from his sisters, and matched his name to him.
Frog seemed interested in following things that looked interesting. As soon as Littlefoot became less interesting, Frog set off after a dragonfly until Ducky used her tail to gently sweep him back towards the nest.
Chasing dragonflies . . . now who did that remind Littlefoot of?
The air stunk like rotting flesh, a pleasant smell to a Sharp Tooth, but perhaps not so helpful to a Sharp Tooth trying to track.
Chomper knew there were intruders in his territory. He could smell them. They were small, and there were at least five of them, possibly six, but no less than five different scents. They were all fairly close together, so when the stench of death masked one scent, Chomper could hone in on another.
As he grew closer, he could tell these were several different dinosaurs. He kept himself quiet and down wind. When he came close enough he could see them. There were five. One was a pack hunter, another was a flyer flying low to the ground near the pack hunter, as if they were speaking. Two Crunches followed, by a large Fan Back.
Chomper was tired of seeing mixed packs hunting in his territory! He was baffled by it, he'd never seen Dinosaurs of different kinds cooperate except in the Great Valley. So now he decided to attack, and force these flat teeth out of his zone!
He leapt out of the trees, and caught the flyer in his jaws. He crushed its skull with his razor sharp teeth, then swallowed it whole. He brought a heavy three toed foot down on the Fan Back before it could move, cutting the bony fan on it's back but causing no serious damage to the Dinosaur.
The two Crunchers charged for him, he wasn't prepared, and they hit him in the legs. He was thrown onto his stomach, and landed on the Fan Back. The pack hunter rushed for him and leapt onto his neck.
Chomper roared with pain and frustration. He swung his head around, and snapped his jaws over and over until he managed to clamp onto the Pack Hunter's tail, then with a mighty swing he tore the beast from his neck and threw him into the trees that Chomper had been hiding in earlier.
The two Crunchers were charming again, this time Chomper was ready. They came in from left and right, he bend down low, and at the right moment turned right, swinging his tail as he did, they now came from front and back. The one in the back was batted away by his tail, and went crashing into the same trees as the Pack Hunter. The one Cruncher that came from the front, Chomper simply avoided it's head, but then brought his heavy jaws down on it's back and shook the life from it.
He basked in his glory, but he'd forgotten the fan back!
It hit him like a falling tree, only lower. He wasn't knocked down, but almost. Chomper roared in anger, and then raised his powerful foot to stomp down on the Fan Back.
But the Dimetrodon was prepared now, it moved aside and as Chomper's foot hit the ground, the Fan Back lunged forward and bit the ankle.
Chomper was outraged! He rarely fought large carnivores, and when he did he relied on his feet and jaws. He'd never put any faith in his small hands.
But now, the Dimetrodon charged again, Chomper decided to be original. He lunged down, so that he landed with his face next to the Fan Back's belly. With his small hands, he shoved his claws into the eyes of the enemy, and using this to hold on, and his feet to keep his ground, he tore into the Fan Back's stomach, viciously and mercilessly until it finally fell to the ground and died.
Chomper raised his head and roared in triumph. He'd won! Now that'd show those mixed packs, intruding on his territory and eating his prey.
Unfortunately, as Chomper bent down over the Dimetrodon's corps, he did something he hadn't done for years. He forgot.
He forgot that he'd smelled a sixth sense.
The Spinosaurus seemed to explode from the trees, Chomper had done the same thing, and he realized from the same place. This creature had been hunting him as he hunted this pack!
The Spinosaurus was old and battle scars covered its body. One eye was blinded. But it was still a fierce aggressor. I lunged for him, it's long snout snapped at him, Chomper moved aside and let it pass, then he lunged for it's back and tried to sink his teeth into it's hindquarters, but it whacked him away with it's tail.
The blow was heavy and it hurt worse than anything he'd ever felt from a long neck.
Chomper would not be put down so easily. This was his territory and he wasn't going to let it go without a fight. One of them would die.
Though Chomper had no time to think about it, his subconscious mind did wonder which of them would die. The Spinosaurus was old, it was battle worn and blind in one eye. But it had experience and the scars to prove it. Chomper had experience fighting Pack Hunters, and the occasional larger opponent, but never anything larger than a two finger, this monster was new to him.
It lunged for him, and he accepted the challenge, he stood his ground and let the Spinosaurus hit him. As he fell backwards, he shot his tail out like a whip and tripped the older carnivore. Using his well-exercised legs, Chomper gained balance before he could fall, and then he lunged on the Spinosaurus and without delay he went for the neck.
However the old beast was finished fighting. It got up, knocked him away with it's tail and then ran off into the trees. Chomper took two seconds to consider pursuit. On the one hand, he knew nothing of this new fan backed predator that walked on two legs unlike the ones he'd killed before. He didn't know if it was a pack beast leading him into a trap, and he definitely knew that that last battle had been terrible on him. He had killed five invaders and so he would spare the sixth for now . . . until his strength returned.
This was a mistake, but Chomper would not learn this until later.
So many terrible things might have been avoided if the Dinosaurs could see the feature. The whole extinction thing would have just been out the window, I tell you that. Unfortunately or fortunately the dinosaurs were not psychic, if they were, our story would not be as exciting . . . did you just fall asleep?
"I'm tired." Ravener complained.
"I'm hungry." Slash complained.
"I'm hot!" Ravener added.
"I'm hot too." Slash agreed.
"Well I'm hotter!" Ravener said.
"Na-ah! I am!"
"Me!"
"I'm hotter, hungrier and ten times as tired as you are!" Ravener hissed.
"Okay then." Slash said. "I guess that just means you're weaker than---"
Ravener was on the younger creature like a fly to a carcass (Sharp Tooth saying) They bit at each other and tumbled away down a muddy hill. When they realized where they were both frightened because . . . they didn't know where they were. They knew they were where they currently were, but they didn't know where "currently were" was.
"Were lost!" Ravener cried.
"He's lost!" Neckbiter cried. "By Blueback's teeth you wretched creature, you finally spawn a suitable child and he's gone now! And this time it wasn't my fault! It was yours! Yours! Not mine!"
Halla remained silent at the rails of abuse Neckbiter sent her. He was acting like a child himself, she felt. And besides that, she was to burdened with grief to argue. She'd gotten used to losing hatchlings, infants and juveniles, but never one so healthy, strong and happy as Ravener.
"Slash is gone too." Nata added.
"Who cares? You've got a whole litter of worthless creatures just like this "Slash" but there isn't another Ravener in the entire clan!" Neckbiter roared.
"Enough Neckbiter. Do you want to humiliate yourself like this when Dark Eye returns?" Halla snapped.
Neckbiter turned on her with a hiss. But some of the other males tried to calm him. It began to bother Halla how Neckbiter was more willing to trust even the most two faced of males and yet she was invisible to him unless he needed some one to roar at.
"When Dark Eye gets back, we'll go and look for them." Claw said.
"Yeah, after all, for all we know Dark Eye might have found him already."
"Gah! Dark Eye, Dark Eye, Dark Eye! Must you ALWAYS speak praise of my nest brother? Have you forgotten that I rule this pack too? We don't need to wait for Dark Eye! I say we leave right now! All the best trackers now!"
"And while you and the best trackers are gone . . ." A familiar voice said. "What? Let Blueback come in and take advantage of the lack of hunters?"
"Quetzal?" Neckbiter said in shock. Halla was disgusted. Quetzal was the only female that Neckbiter took seriously. Why Quetzal? Why not Halla? Why not?
Quetzal was the second fastest runner in the clan, perhaps it was that. She had feathers on her head (Kind of like Talon from Primal Rage just with less feathers) perhaps it was that. But whatever it was, Halla had grown to hate the female hunter. Her hate for Quetzal was equal to her own mate's affections towards said hunter.
"It would not kill you to wait for Dark Eye's sage advice."
"Sage? Sage advice?" Neckbiter scoffed, though less bitterly than he would have if he were speaking to anyone else. "Then where is he? Where is the master teacher?"
"Looking for Slash and Ravener." Quetzal said with a shrug.
Everyone looked sort of surprised. "How did he know?" Neckbiter demanded. "We've found out only now!"
"While returning from the hunt, we caught their scent, Dark Eye took Pytor, One Claw. He sent me back to inform you all, and Leopard back to maintain control."
"You're here to inform us? Inform us of what?" Neckbiter roared. "That my son's life is in the claws of my fool of a brother?"
"A fool that spared your life." Quetzal spat.
"A fool *to* spare my life." Neckbiter retorted.
Quetzal scoffed. "Well you may tell him that when we get there. You and I are going with Dark Eye. He also asked for Blaine"
"Excellent!" Neckbiter roared.
"I will go too." Halla said.
"No." Neckbiter said. "If we found them you'd only lose them again."
Halla huffed. Quetzal shook her head, but said nothing. Then she, Neckbiter, and Blaine set off.
Halla scowled. She couldn't just be left in the lair while the best hunters went after the hatchlings!
"Why did Blaine go?" Claw asked. "I can understand Neckbiter, but why Blaine?"
"Blaine is one of the best hunters and trackers." A young male said. "But now that I think . . . why does Dark Eye want the best hunters, if Neckbiter isn't supposed to take the best tracers?"
No one knew the answer. But Halla did. Maybe Nata did too. If Dark Eye asked for Neckbiter and Blaine, and already had Pytor and One Claw with him then it was quite obvious to her why. He didn't want the best hunters, he had Quetzal for that purpose. He wanted the best fighters. The children were in some kind of danger, Halla just knew it!
In the valley, a similar drama was carrying on.
"But they're gone! Their just children!" Ali pleaded with the council of old ones. You must send some one after them!"
"Send who? Once you leave the valley, you cannot come back!" Cera's father said.
"It not be hard to send fliers like Petrie to find them. If little ones get out, must have way out, and way out can be way back in." Petrie said.
"We can't spare you. And we can't ask the other fliers to undertake the dangerous quest for the sake of some children that could already be lost to us forever." The long neck elder, Nicolai said. Though he wasn't really old . . .
Ali was filled with anger. Alleria was her only child, what was she supposed to do? "Well then I am leaving the Great Valley." Ali said. "If I can find my child, I will. And if I cant come back, so be it. I'd rather be in danger with my child, than safe and alone."
"Petrie too!" Petrie said.
"I'll tare down the wall myself and *make* a way back in." Cera boasted smugly.
"Silence!" The three horn elder snapped. "How like you, to fall into your old habits. Adventure eh? And what did your last adventure cause? Because of that fool Littlefoot our valley was almost invaded by sharp teeth! It was his fault that the entrance and exit to the valley was blocked, and now he spends the rest of his life foolishly maintaining a wall that will never fail anyway!"
"Don't you dare call Littlefoot a fool! That wall is all that keeps sharp teeth out of this valley!" Ali said. "And when a new entrance is found, who is it that decides to close it up and have "the fool" maintain that part of the mountain walls as well? You elders, fearful of the sharp teeth which you know are out there waiting!"
"I would remind you that that precious wall is what keeps you from leaving as well. If you wish to take dagger pass, feel free." Nicolai said.
"Up to your old tricks." Cera's father spat. "Soon the lot of you will be off gallivanting around, blocking our water supplies, brining illness again and I wouldn't be surprised if you lured more sharp teeth into the valley! (He's talking about LBT 2-4 by the way)
"Enough!" Nicolai said harshly. "Ali, Littlefoot, Cera, Ducky, Spike and Petrie are forbidden to leave the valley through Dagger pass. A cadre of three horns will guard it day and night." Nicolai said coldly, not even bothering to hear the opinions of the other elders. "But fear not for you young ones. Good fortune will bring them back to you unharmed."
The retired adventures were dismissed along with the gathering of spectators. Dejectedly, Ali, Spike, Cera and Ducky walked off. Petrie flew overhead.
"Me not need to go through dagger pass." Petrie said hotly. "Me fly right over wall!"
"Of course!" Cera said. "We can all climb over the wall!"
"It's too steep." Spike scoffed. "We wouldn't make it." Spike rarely spoke other than to tell stories to the children, but when he did speak he was almost always right.
Ali had an idea then. "I know! I know just what to do! If anyone knows a way over, under or through that wall it's Littlefoot!"
Littlefoot was just lying down, his eyes were closing when suddenly he heard a familiar voice. Well actually, several familiar voices, which matched up to several different faces. Cera, Spike, Petrie, and Ali. Ducky alone was not there.
"What? What is it?" He asked.
"Littlefoot . . . the children are missing." Cera said.
"They are no doubt playing." Littlefoot said.
"No." Ali said. "An old flyer said he saw them go through Dagger pass, and they have been missing since the bright circle was in the middle of the sky yesterday."
Littlefoot became concerned. When Alleria hadn't come to join him for his rounds, he thought nothing of it. With her good attendance record, she deserved a break. That she was actually missing had never occurred to him.
He got up in a second. "What is the plan then? When do the search parties-"
"They're none." Petrie said. "Council cannot spare Petrie, will not ask fliers to go on dangerous quest."
Littlefoot was outraged. "And what about the children?" He demanded.
"They will be brought back to us on the wings of good fortune." Cera said bitterly.
Littlefoot growled. "Nicolai?"
"None other than." Spike scoffed.
"I might have known. Even after all these years he hasn't changed." Littlefoot said. "Okay. Come with me."
To be Continued . . .
. . . right now!
Littlefoot led them to a certain spot. He then threw his weight against the wall, and just as he knew it would, a section of rock fell away while the rest was undamaged. It was like watching a mole's tunnel collapse. (I know they didn't have moles back then, that comment was for your benefit) It was a perfect door.
"Petrie, its dark, so don't fly ahead." Cera said. "We don't want to lose you. Stay on Spike's back until the sun rises. Spike, you stay in the middle, I'll be in front. Littlefoot and Ali, you're in the back."
"Ali isn't going." Littlefoot announced.
"What?" Ali almost screamed.
"Spike, Cera, and Ali are staying. I'm going. Petrie, I'd like you to come too, so that when we find the kids we can send word back quick."
"Littlefoot, you know there is safety in numbers!" Ali said.
"I need some one to stay behind and make sure they don't close this rock formation, Ali that's you. I need some one to stay behind to fight Sharp Teeth if they try to come through this passage, Cera this is you. And last of all, I need some one to find out who that flyer was, I have a bad feeling about this. It's like a dream I've already had, happening to me. Spike, do whatever you can to find out whom that flyer was, what he looked like, where he is or where he went. If he is who I think he is . . ." Littlefoot trailed off.
"Well I guess I will have to guard the valley, there is no one else strong enough. And I do have two other children to look after." Cera said. She shook her head. "I know you will want me to promise, so I promise I won't follow you." Cera said.
"Thank you." Littlefoot said. "Believe me, I would want you all with me, but . . . " He shook his head. He had a better chance of finding them alone than with a rag tag herd. He knew that at least some of the local pack hunters wouldn't attack him, and he knew that with Petrie's help he could avoid any of the larger sharp teeth. "Trust me, it is better this way."
Cera and Spike left. Petrie flew off ahead. Littlefoot and Ali were alone for a moment.
"Why don't you want us to come with you?" Ali asked. "Tell me the truth."
"The truth? I don't trust that council of old cowards not to close this hole up once they find out about it. I honestly need you here to keep that from happening.
"Bring her back Littlefoot." Ali said.
"Don't worry about *that* Ali." Littlefoot said. "I'm bringing them all back."
"What if they've been-" She began.
"No." He said simply. "They haven't been. Don't say or think such things, you'll bring down bad luck. Just don't let them close this hole. Hold them off for as long as you can, at least a season. If I don't send Petrie back by then, then something is wrong." Littlefoot said.
Ali frowned, and stood still watching as Littlefoot walked slowly through the small canyon he'd made in the wall. He barely heard what she said as he reached the end.
"Bring her back Littlefoot. Bring them all back."
It was cold, and Alleria was already prepared to give up the adventurer life. They were lost in a giant muddy area . . . thing. They had walked hundreds if not thousands of paces and yet they were still lost, and Pteras said that she could smell they were still in the Sharp Teeth's regular hunting area.
But it was at night when they heard it. A scratching sound. A whimpering sound. There was an occasional snapping sound. It was Tri who decided to investigate, but Alleria wasn't so sure.
"But it might be sharp teeth, Tri." She said.
"And it might be our mamas and papas." Tri said. "We gotta go see."
And so the group went to see.
When they got closer, they could hear things.
"I'm sleepier!"
"Na-ah!"
"I'm sleepier!"
"Let me alone!"
"I get to sleep first!"
"Ouch!"
They poked their heads through the rocks and tall grass hiding the owners of the voices.
To their shock, it was two HUGE sharp teeth!
"Aaaaahhhh!" Alleria screamed.
"Aaaaahhhh!" One of the sharp teeth screamed.
"Aaaaahhhh!" Tri screamed.
"Aaaaahhhh!" the other sharp tooth screamed.
"Aaaaahhhh!" Spike screamed.
"ROAR!" The giant two finger with blue scales on his back screamed.
To be continued.